Demerit Points in Virginia
September 18, 2015 by Jean Humbrecht
Demerit Points in Virginia Are Assessed After Convictions for Most Traffic Offenses
The Virginia DMV adds demerit points to a person’s driving record after most traffic offense convictions. Demerit points in Virginia will remain on an offender’s driving record for 2 years from the date of the offense, but the record of the conviction will remain on the driver’s record for several years. The DMV will even assess demerit points in Virginia for traffic convictions from other states.
For a list of offenses resulting in 3 demerit points in Virginia, click here.
For a list of offenses resulting in 4 demerit points in Virginia, click here.
For a list of offenses resulting in 6 demerit points in Virginia, click here.
Penalties for Demerit Points in Virginia
Drivers over 18 who receive 8 or more demerit points in Virginia in a 12 month period will receive a warning letter from the DMV. Drivers who receive demerit points in Virginia while under an 18 month control period will be placed on DMV probation for 6 months. A conviction for a traffic offense resulting in demerit points in Virginia while a driver is on probation will result in DMV driver’s license suspension. The driver will then be on probation with the DMV for another 6 months after his license suspension period.
Demerit Points in Virginia 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 then be required to complete a driver improvement class before reinstating his privilege to drive in Virginia. After reinstatement, the driver will be on DMV probation for 6 months. For more information on DMV driver’s license suspension of adults in Virginia, click here.
The DMV will automatically suspend the license of a driver convicted of committing ANY 2 offenses resulting in demerit points in Virginia (or a safety belt violation or child restraint violation) while under age 18. A conviction for a third traffic offense resulting in demerit points in Virginia committed while the driver was under 18 will result in driver’s license revocation for one year or until the driver is 18. For more information on DMV points and driver’s license suspension of minors in Virginia, click here.
Driver Improvement Class
Completing a driver improvement class will add 5 positive points back to the person’s Virginia driving record. Most courses are available online, but the final exam must be taken in person. Drivers under 20, however, cannot take an online class and must take a class with live classroom instruction. The course must be approved by the DMV. For links to DMV-approved driver improvement courses in Virginia, click here.
The Virginia DMV will require a person to complete a driver improvement class if he accumulated 12 demerit points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months). Additionally, a driver under 19 will be required to take a driver improvement course if he was convicted of any traffic offense resulting in demerit points or any safety belt or child restraint violation. If the driver does not complete the class within 90 days, his driver’s license will be suspended until the class is competed.
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