Check your Virginia license status through the DMV website or by phone
Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles lets you look up your driver's license status online without visiting an office. You can check whether your license is valid, suspended, or restricted by going to the DMV website and entering your driver's license number and date of birth. The online tool shows your current status in seconds.
If you prefer not to use the website, you can call the Virginia DMV customer service line at 1-804-367-0538. A representative can tell you your status over the phone, though you'll need to provide your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number.
Knowing your status matters because driving on a suspended or revoked license carries criminal penalties in Virginia, including fines up to $500 and possible jail time. A status check takes two minutes and can prevent that risk.
Key Takeaways
- The Virginia DMV website has a free status checker that works 24/7 and shows results when ready using your license number and birth date.
- A suspension in Virginia usually lasts 30 to 90 days for minor violations but can extend much longer for DUI or unpaid court fines.
- If your license is suspended, you may be able to get a restricted license for work or medical appointments while the suspension is active.
- Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in additional fines and jail time beyond the original suspension.
What the online status checker shows you
The Virginia DMV status tool displays whether your license is active, suspended, revoked, or restricted. It also shows the reason for any suspension or restriction—for example, unpaid traffic fines, a DUI conviction, or failure to pay child support. This reason matters because it tells you what you need to do to restore your license.
The tool does not show you the exact end date of a suspension, but it does tell you the cause. If you need the specific restoration date, you can call the DMV directly or visit a local DMV office with your license.
Common reasons for suspension in Virginia
Virginia suspends licenses for several reasons, and the length of suspension depends on what triggered it. Unpaid traffic fines or court costs often result in a 30-day suspension that lifts once you pay. A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) brings a mandatory suspension of at least one year for a first offense, longer for repeat offenses.
Failure to pay child support, unpaid criminal fines, or medical suspension (for conditions that affect safe driving) also appear on your record. Some suspensions are administrative—for example, if you failed to respond to a traffic ticket or didn't show up for a court date, the DMV suspends your license until you resolve the underlying issue.
Points on your driving record can also lead to suspension. Virginia suspends your license if you accumulate 18 or more points within 12 months, 24 points within 24 months, or 36 points within 36 months.
How to restore a suspended license in Virginia
The steps to restore your license depend on why it was suspended. If the suspension is due to unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay what you owe to the court or the DMV. Once payment is processed, the suspension usually lifts within one to three business days.
For a DUI suspension, you cannot restore your license until the mandatory suspension period ends. Virginia requires a minimum one-year suspension for a first DUI offense. After that period, you can request reinstatement, but you may also need to complete an alcohol safety program and pay a reinstatement fee (usually $100 to $250).
If your suspension is due to accumulated points, you can request a hearing with the DMV to contest the suspension or ask for a restricted license while you wait for the suspension to end. A restricted license in Virginia typically allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs.
Restricted licenses and hardship permits
If your license is suspended but you need to drive for work or essential purposes, Virginia may issue a restricted license. A restricted license limits where and when you can drive—usually to your workplace, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs like DUI classes.
To request a restricted license, you must file a petition with the circuit court in the county where you live or where the violation occurred. You'll need to show that the suspension causes undue hardship and that you have a legitimate need to drive. The court decides whether to grant the restricted license.
Some suspensions—particularly those for DUI—do not may have access to for a restricted license at all. The DMV status checker does not tell you whether you're may be able to access, so you'll need to contact the DMV or a local court to find out.
What to do if your status shows a mistake
If the status checker shows a suspension you believe is incorrect, contact the Virginia DMV directly at 1-804-367-0538 or visit a local DMV office. Bring your driver's license and any documents that support your case—for example, proof of payment if you paid a fine but the suspension is still showing, or court documents if you completed a required program.
Errors do happen. Sometimes a payment takes longer to process than expected, or a court fails to notify the DMV that you completed a requirement. A DMV representative can investigate and, if the error is confirmed, remove the suspension from your record.
Insurance and a suspended Virginia license
If your license is suspended, your car insurance may lapse or become invalid. Many insurers automatically cancel a policy when they learn the policyholder's license is suspended, because they cannot insure a driver who is not legally allowed to drive.
Once your license is restored, you'll need to contact your insurance company to reinstate your policy or get a new one. If you were uninsured while your license was suspended, you may face additional penalties when you try to restore your license, and you'll pay higher premiums when you get insured again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a suspension usually last in Virginia?
It depends on the cause. Unpaid fines typically result in a 30-day suspension that lifts once you pay. A DUI suspension is at least one year for a first offense. Point-based suspensions usually last 30 to 90 days, but you can request a hearing to contest them.
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have a restricted license?
Yes, but only for the purposes listed on your restricted license—usually work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. Driving outside those purposes is still illegal and carries the same penalties as driving on a fully suspended license.
What happens if I get caught driving on a suspended license?
Driving on a suspended license in Virginia is a separate criminal offense. You can face a fine up to $500, jail time up to 12 months, or both. A second offense within 10 years carries a mandatory minimum fine of $500 and possible jail time.
Do I need to tell my insurance company my license is suspended?
Your insurer will likely find out through their own checks. It's better to contact them yourself and ask what happens to your policy. Some companies cancel automatically; others may let you keep coverage if you're not driving. Once your license is restored, notify them when ready so they can reinstate your policy.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The Virginia DMV status checker requires your own driver's license number and date of birth. You cannot look up another person's status unless you have legal authority to do so, such as being a parent or guardian.