Speeding Ticket and Demerit Points in Virginia

A speeding ticket in Virginia results in more than a fine. This post specifically focuses on a speeding ticket and demerit points in Virginia.

Speeding Ticket in Virginia

A speeding ticket in Virginia is a pre-payable offense, which means the driver can pay the fine without having to go to court. The pre-payable fine is based on the number of miles per hour over the speed limit the person was driving. Additionally, there are increased fines for speeding in certain areas in Virginia, including school zones, work zones, and residential areas.

Consequences of a Speeding Ticket in Virginia

Some people are surprised that pre-paying a speeding ticket in Virginia will result in a guilty conviction. By pre-paying the fine, you are admitting guilt to the charge and you will have a conviction for speeding on your Virginia driving record for several years. Additionally, you will have to pay court costs, even if you don’t go to court!

But the conviction results in more than a fine, court costs, and a conviction on your driving record.

Speeding Ticket and Demerit Points in Virginia

A number of people who find themselves in traffic court for a speeding ticket in Virginia (or pay their speeding tickets online) do not realize that a conviction will add demerit (negative) points to their driving records.

Speeding Ticket and Demerit Points in Virginia: 1-9 Miles Over the Speed Limit

A conviction for speeding 1-9 miles over the speed limit in Virginia will add three negative points to your Virginia driving record.

Speeding Ticket and Demerit Points in Virginia: 10-19 Miles over the Speed Limit

A conviction for speeding 10-19 miles over the speed limit in Virginia will add four negative points to your Virginia driving record.

Speeding Ticket and Demerit Points in Virginia: More than 20 Miles Over the Speed Limit

A conviction for speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit in Virginia will add six negative points to your driving record.

This offense can be charged as speeding or Reckless Driving and will result in six negative points on your Virginia driving record. Speeding is a traffic infraction in Virginia, but Reckless Driving is a crime and a conviction can never be expunged from your criminal record.

For more information on Reckless Driving by speed in Virginia, click here.

For more general information on Reckless Driving charges in Virginia, click here.

Speeding Ticket and Demerit Points in Virginia: Juvenile Drivers

Drivers under 18 who are charged with speeding in Virginia are punished differently by the DMV than adults. The DMV will require any juvenile convicted of a traffic offense resulting in demerit points to complete a driving improvement class, in addition to any other fines and penalties. Failure to complete the class within 90 days will result in driver’s license suspension by the DMV.

Juveniles convicted of 2 offenses resulting in demerit points will have their privilege to drive in Virginia suspended for 90 days.

If a juvenile is convicted of 3 offenses resulting in demerit points that occurred before turning 18, the DMV will revoke his or her privilege to drive for one year or until he or she turns 18, whichever period is longer.

For more information on juveniles and speeding ticket convictions in Virginia, click here.

For more general information on juvenile traffic tickets in Virginia, click here.

Rapid Demerit Point Accumulation in Virginia

Accumulating too many demerit points on your Virginia driving record in a short period of time can result in DMV-imposed penalties, including a mandatory driver improvement clinic and driver’s license suspension.

 

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