Virginia DMV Demerit Points
November 18, 2017 by Jean Humbrecht
DMV Demerit Points Are Automatically Assessed After Most Traffic Offense Convictions in Virginia
The Virginia DMV adds demerit points to a person’s driving record after he is convicted of a traffic violation. Convictions for most traffic offenses will result in automatic Virginia DMV demerit points. The number of points depend on the severity of the charge. Virginia DMV demerit points will remain on an offender’s driving record for 2 years from the offense date, but the record of the conviction will remain on the driver’s record longer. The Virginia DMV will even assess demerit points for traffic convictions from other states.
Click here for a list of offenses resulting in 3 Virginia DMV demerit points.
Click here for a list of offenses resulting in 4 Virginia DMV demerit points.
Click here for a list of offenses resulting in 6 Virginia DMV demerit points.
Penalties for Virginia DMV Demerit Points
Drivers over 18 who receive 8 or more Virginia DMV demerit points in 12 months will receive a warning letter from the DMV. If a driver is convicted of any offense resulting in Virginia DMV demerit points while under an 18 month control period, he will be placed on DMV probation for 6 months. If a driver is convicted of a traffic offense resulting in Virginia DMV demerit points while he is on probation, the DMV will suspend his license. Click here for more information on license suspension resulting from DMV demerit points received while on DMV probation.
Virginia DMV Demerit Points and Driver’s License Suspension
If a driver accumulates 18 points in 12 months, or 24 points in 24 months, the DMV will suspend his privilege to drive for 90 days. The driver will be required to complete a driver improvement class before getting his driving privileges reinstated. After reinstatement, the driver will be on DMV probation for 6 months. Click here for more information on DMV driver’s license suspension of adults in Virginia.
A driver convicted of committing 2 traffic offenses resulting in Virginia DMV demerit points while under age 18 will automatically have his license suspended by the DMV for 90 days. A conviction for a third traffic offense resulting in Virginia DMV demerit points committed while the driver was under 18 will result in driver’s license revocation for one year or until the driver is 18. Click here for more information on DMV points and driver’s license suspension of minors in Virginia.
Driver Improvement Class
Completing a DMV-approved driver improvement class will add 5 positive points to the person’s Virginia driving record. Click here for links to DMV-approved driver improvement courses in Virginia.
Sometimes the DMV will require a driver to complete a driver improvement class. For example, if the driver has accumulated 12 DMV demerit points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months), he will be required to take a driver improvement course within 90 days. Drivers convicted of committing any traffic offense when they were under age 18 that resulted in Virginia DMV demerit points are also required to take a driver improvement class. Failure to complete the class in 90 days will result in driver’s license suspension until the class is competed.
Driver’s 18 or 19 must complete a driver improvement course if convicted of a traffic offense resulting in Virginia DMV demerit points or a child restraint or safety belt violation.
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