Virginia Driver’s License Points: Complete Guide to the DMV Point System
Virginia driver’s license points can threaten your driving privileges and cost you thousands in penalties. Understanding how driver’s license points work is essential for every Virginia driver. Moreover, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ annual report shows that 827 people died on Virginia’s roadways in 2019. Additionally, 180 people get injured daily from traffic accidents.
Therefore, Virginia uses a strict point system to keep dangerous drivers off the road. Furthermore, this complete guide explains how driver’s license points work. Also, we’ll cover what violations add points to your record. Finally, you’ll learn how to protect your driving record from costly penalties.
How Virginia Driver’s License Points Work
Virginia’s driver’s license points system uses both positive and negative points. When you first get a Virginia driver’s license, you start with zero points. Each year you keep a clean driving record, you earn one positive point. However, you can earn up to five positive points total.
Additionally, you can earn five positive points by taking a driver improvement clinic. This clinic helps improve your driving skills. But traffic violations add demerit points to your record.
The number of demerit points depends on how serious your violation is. Minor violations usually add three points. However, serious offenses like reckless driving can add six points. Therefore, check your current point total through Virginia DMV’s online services.
Traffic Violation Process and Driver’s License Points Assignment
When police cite you for a traffic violation, a clear process decides how driver’s license points get added to your record. First, a police officer gives you a citation. Then, you can either pay it or fight it in court.
If you don’t fight the citation, the court finds you guilty. Next, the court tells the Department of Motor Vehicles. After that, the DMV adds the conviction to your driving record. Also, they assign the right number of demerit points based on your offense.
Furthermore, if you get too many points too quickly, the DMV may suspend your license. They might also make you take a driver improvement clinic. Even after you finish the clinic, you’ll still get the demerit points. However, positive points from the program may offset negative ones.
Understanding Perfect vs. Poor Driving Records
A perfect driving record in Virginia means keeping a point score of zero or higher. This shows either no traffic violations or good accumulation of positive points. These positive points offset any demerit points you received.
On the other hand, a poor driving record shows negative point totals. This means you have recent traffic violations. Even basic accidents like rear-end collisions can lead to serious point buildup. Therefore, this threatens your driving privileges.
Fortunately, demerit points don’t stay on your record forever. Most violations stay on your record for two years. However, serious offenses like reckless driving may stay for up to eleven years.
Driver’s License Points Values for Different Traffic Violations
Six-Point Offenses
The most serious violations add six points to your record. These include reckless driving behaviors that stay on your record for eleven years. These violations include:
- Speeding over 80 mph or more than 20 mph above the limit
- Racing or aggressive driving behaviors
- Passing school buses or emergency vehicles
- DUI/DWI violations with drugs or alcohol
- Driving on suspended or revoked licenses
- Leaving accident scenes with injuries or fatalities
Four-Point Offenses
Moderate violations usually add four points to your record. These behaviors include:
- Speeding 10-19 mph over the posted limit
- Failing to stop or yield at intersections
- Improper passing or tailgating
- Disobeying traffic signals or lane markings
- Railroad crossing violations
Three-Point Offenses
Minor traffic violations add three points to your record. These include:
- Speeding 1-9 mph over the limit
- Driving too slowly and impeding traffic
- Improper turns or lane changes
- Driving without proper lighting
- Operating vehicles without proper licenses or plates
License Suspension and Driver’s License Points Penalties
Getting too many driver’s license points too quickly causes serious problems. If you get twelve demerit points in twelve months, Virginia puts you on probation. Also, if you get eighteen points in eighteen months, you go on six-month probation.
During probation, any more traffic violations will suspend your license. The suspension length depends on how serious the violation is. Six-point violations cause ninety-day suspensions. Four-point violations lead to sixty-day suspensions. Three-point violations cause forty-five-day suspensions.
If you finish probation without violations, you enter an eighteen-month control period. However, any violations during this time put you back on probation.
Removing Driver’s License Points and Getting Your License Back
Several ways can help you manage your driver’s license points and keep your driving privileges. Most importantly, you can fight traffic violations in court before they go on your record.
Also, you can take driver improvement clinics on your own. This adds positive points to offset demerit points. If your license gets suspended, getting it back usually requires finishing court-ordered programs. You’ll also pay fees from $40 to $220. Sometimes you’ll retake knowledge or road skill tests.
For DUI-related suspensions, you must finish the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program. You’ll also need intervention interviews before getting your license back.
Protecting Your Driving Record
Keeping clean driver’s license points requires steady attention to traffic laws and safe driving. Virginia’s point system finds dangerous drivers while rewarding those who follow traffic rules.
If you’re facing point buildup or license suspension issues, professional legal help can protect your driving privileges. Experienced lawyers can fight violations, negotiate reduced charges, and guide you through getting your license back.
Decker Law handles traffic violations and license issues. We help drivers navigate Virginia’s complex point system. Our experienced team understands the serious results of point buildup. We work hard to protect our clients’ driving privileges and records.
Contact our legal team today for expert help with traffic violations, license suspensions, or any issues with your Virginia driving record.
