Virginia Speeding Ticket and DMV Points: What Every Virginia Driver Should Know
May 18, 2015 by Jean Humbrecht
A Virginia speeding ticket will result in more than just a fine. If you are found guilty of speeding in Virginia, the DMV will add demerit points to your driving record. Demerit points are considered negative points, and will be subtracted from the number of points on your driving record. This post specifically focuses on a Virginia speeding ticket and DMV points.
Virginia Speeding Ticket and DMV Points: Pre-Paying Your Ticket
A Virginia Speeding Ticket will Result in a Fine and DMV Points
Virginia speeding tickets are pre-payable offenses, which means the driver can pay the fine and avoid having to go to court. A speeding ticket is a traffic infraction and is punishable by a maximum fine of $250.
Some people are surprised that pre-paying a Virginia speeding ticket (and not going to court) will result in a guilty conviction. By pre-paying the fine, you are actually admitting guilt to the charge and you will have a conviction for a traffic infraction on your driving record for several years.
Virginia Speeding Ticket and DMV Points
A number of people who find themselves in traffic court for a Virginia speeding ticket (or pay their Virginia speeding tickets online) do not realize that a conviction for a Virginia speeding ticket will add demerit (negative) points to their Virginia driving records.
Virginia Speeding Ticket and DMV Points: 1-9 Miles Over the Speed Limit
A conviction for speeding 1-9 miles over the speed limit will add three negative points to your Virginia driving record.
Virginia Speeding Ticket and DMV Points: 10-19 Miles over the Speed Limit
A conviction for speeding 10-19 miles over the speed limit will add four negative points to your Virginia driving record.
Virginia Speeding Ticket and DMV Points: More than 20 Miles Over the Speed Limit
A conviction for speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit 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.
Virginia Speeding Ticket and DMV Points: Drivers 18 and 19 Years Old
If you are 18 or 19 years old and receive any conviction resulting in demerit points, you will be required to complete a Virginia driving improvement class, in addition to any other fines and penalties.
Redeeming DMV Points After Virginia Speeding Ticket Conviction
Rapid Point Accumulation in Virginia Can Result in Driver’s License Suspension
It is possible to gain some of these negative DMV points back. Every year of good driving will add one positive (or safe) point to your Virginia driving record. Additionally, completing a DMV-approved driver improvement course will add five positive points to your driving record. However, one can only receive credit for this course once every two years. You will also be required to complete a driver improvement course if you accumulate 12 points in a 12 month period, or 18 points in a 24 month period. The course must be a DMV-approved Driver Improvement Clinic.
For more information on DMV-approved driver improvement courses in Virginia, click here.
Virginia Speeding Ticket and DMV Points: Rapid Point Accumulation
Accumulating too many demerit points on your Virginia driving record in a short period of time can result in driver’s license suspension. If you receive 18 points on your Virginia driving record within 12 months, your privilege to drive in Virginia will be suspended for 90 days. You will also be required to complete a driver improvement clinic before you can get your license restored. Your driving privileges will also be suspended if you receive 24 points in a 24 month period.
Virginia Speeding Ticket and DMV Points: Unintended Consequences
Failure to pay the fine from your Virginia speeding ticket and failure to show up to court to contest your ticket could result in driver’s license suspension if the fine is not paid within 30 days from your hearing. This will create even more problems.
If you are pulled over by the police in Virginia while your driver’s license is suspended, you could be charged with Driving on a Suspended License. This charge is a crime and is punished with fines, jail time, and further driver’s license suspension. A conviction for Driving on a Suspended License in Virginia will also add more demerit points to your Virginia driving record.
For more information on Driving on Suspended License charges in Virginia, click here.
For some people, maintaining a clean driving record in Virginia is necessary for employment. If this pertains to you, it would be a good idea to consult with a Virginia traffic lawyer before simply paying the fine from a Virginia speeding ticket.
If you can fight the basis of your Virginia speeding ticket, you might be able to avoid points (or as many points) being added to your driving record and, consequently, the penalties that come with rapid point accumulation. Contact a Virginia traffic lawyer today to fight your Virginia speeding ticket and try to avoid these negative DMV points.
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