DMV Demerit Points

The following list shows the number of DMV demerit points assigned to each type of speeding:

• Speeding more than 20 mph over the limit                 6 Demerit Points
• Speeding 10-19 mph over the limit                             4 Demerit Points
• Speeding 1-9 mph over the limit                                 3 Demerit Points
• 46.2-877 (Driving too slowly)                                    3 Demerit Points

   (All speeding convictions remain on the driver’s Virginia DMV Record for five years)

 DMV License Suspension and Demerit Points

When drivers in Virginia receive their driver’s license, they begin with zero points on their record. Each year, they receive one positive point on their driving record until they have a maximum of five positive points. Drivers convicted of speeding will lose up to six points, and their conviction will remain on their driving record for five years.

The DMV may suspend a Virginia driver’s license, require the driver to attend a driver improvement class, or place him on probation for accumulating excessive demerit points. These punishments are independent of the courts. Judges cannot control DMV points or DMV punishments.

DMV Points – Minors

For minors, any speeding ticket conviction means the driver must attend a DMV driver improvement class. Minors may not take the online versions of these classes. Failure to take the class within 90 days results in a license suspension until the class is completed. A second point conviction will result in a 90-day license suspension. A third will result in a suspension for one year or until the offender reaches 18 years old, whichever is longer.

DMV Points – Adults

Adults who accumulate eight demerit points in twelve months or twelve points in 24 months will receive a warning letter from the Virginia DMV. Accumulating twelve demerit points within twelve months or 18 points in 24 months will result in a mandatory DMV driver improvement class. The driver improvement class must be completed within 90 days or the license will be suspended.

After the driver improvement course is completed the driver will be on probation for six months and then a control period for 18 months. If the driver receives another traffic ticket while on probation the driver will lose his license. If the driver receives another traffic ticket while on a control period he goes back on probation for six months followed by another 18-month control period. It can be very difficult for some drivers to make it the full two years without a single ticket.

Accumulating 18 points in twelve months or 24 points in 24 months will result in a mandatory 90-day license suspension. Once the suspension period has expired, the offender must complete a driver improvement class before his license will be restored. After he gets back his license, the driver will be on probation for six months and then a control period for 18 months.

If a driver commits another traffic infraction while on DMV probation, his license will be suspended. The length of the suspension will be based on the severity of the violation: 45 days for a three-point violation; 60 days for a four-point violation; and 90 days for a six-point violation. Once the suspension ends, the DMV will place the driver back on probation for an additional six months followed by an 18-month control period.

Drivers who receive a speeding ticket or are charged with a traffic violation in Virginia should get a copy of their DMV record and consult a local traffic attorney to determine whether the DMV will restrict their driving privileges.