Virginia Demerit Points
January 17, 2018 by Jean Humbrecht
Virginia Demerit Points are Assessed After A Conviction for Most Traffic Offenses
Virginia demerit points are added to a person’s driving record after a conviction for most traffic offenses. The number of points depends on the severity of the offense. Virginia demerit points 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 longer. The Virginia DMV will even assess points for traffic convictions from other states.
For a list of offenses resulting in 3 Virginia demerit points, click here.
For a list of offenses resulting in 4 Virginia demerit points, click here.
For a list of offenses resulting in 6 Virginia demerit points, click here.
Penalties for Virginia Demerit Points
The DMV will send a warning letter to an adult driver who receivse 8 or more points in a 12 month period. If a driver is convicted of any offense resulting in Virginia 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 demerit points while he is on probation, the DMV will suspend his license. The driver’s license will be suspended for 45 days for a 3 point offense, 60 days for a 4 point offense, and 90 days for a 6 point offense.
Virginia DMV Points and Driver’s License Suspension
The DMV will suspend a driver’s license for accumulating too many demerit points. 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 must complete a driver improvement class before getting his driving privileges reinstated. After reinstatement, the driver will be on DMV probation for 6 months.
A driver convicted of committing 2 traffic offenses resulting in Virginia 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 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.
For more information on DMV license suspension of adults in Virginia, click here.
For more information on DMV license suspension of minors in Virginia, click here.
Driver Improvement Class
Completing a DMV-approved driver improvement class adds 5 positive points to the person’s Virginia driving record. For links to DMV-approved driver improvement courses in Virginia, click here.
The DMV will sometimes require drivers to complete a driver improvement class. For example, if the driver accumulated 12 Virginia demerit points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months), he will be required to take a driver improvement course within 90 days. Additionally, drivers convicted of committing any traffic offense when they were under age 18 that resulted in Virginia demerit points are required to take a driver improvement class. Failure to complete the class in 90 days will cause the driver’s license to be suspended until the class is competed. Driver’s 18 or 19 must also complete a driver improvement course if convicted of a traffic offense resulting in Virginia demerit points.
For more information on driver improvement classes in Virginia, click here.
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