Virginia suspends your license when you reach 12 demerit points within a 12-month period

Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles tracks your driving record using a demerit point system. Each traffic violation adds points to your record. When those points reach 12 or more within any 12-month rolling window, the DMV will suspend your license automatically. This is not a judgment call or a warning — it is a mandatory suspension that takes effect whether you expect it or not.

The suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days for a first offense. If you accumulate 12 points again within five years, the second suspension is 60 days. A third suspension within five years lasts 90 days. The clock resets five years from the date of your first suspension, so points older than 12 months no longer count toward the total, but they remain on your record.

Understanding which violations carry how many points, and how quickly points add up, helps you see how close you are to suspension and what kinds of tickets matter most.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia suspends your license automatically when you reach 12 demerit points within a 12-month period, with no option to avoid it.
  • A single reckless driving conviction can add 6 points; speeding 20 mph over the limit adds 6 points; most other moving violations add 3 or 4 points.
  • Points stay on your record for three years, but only points from the past 12 months count toward the 12-point suspension threshold.
  • The first suspension lasts 30 days; a second suspension within five years lasts 60 days; a third lasts 90 days.
  • You can request a hearing before the DMV to challenge the suspension, but only if you file within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice.

Which violations add the most points

Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. The most serious ones — reckless driving, hit-and-run, driving under the influence, and racing — each add 6 points. A single reckless driving conviction can put you halfway to suspension on its own.

Speeding violations vary by how far over the limit you were going. Speeding 1 to 9 mph over the limit adds 3 points. Speeding 10 to 19 mph over adds 4 points. Speeding 20 mph or more over the limit adds 6 points. So a ticket for going 45 in a 25 costs you the same 6 points as a reckless driving charge.

Most other moving violations — improper lane change, failure to yield, following too closely, running a red light or stop sign — add 3 or 4 points. Parking violations and equipment violations (broken taillight, expired inspection) do not add points at all.

How the 12-month rolling window works

Virginia does not count all the points on your record toward suspension. It only counts points from violations that occurred within the past 12 months. This is called a rolling 12-month window, and it means the date of the violation matters, not the date you received the ticket or paid the fine.

If you received a 4-point speeding ticket on January 15, 2024, that ticket stops counting on January 15, 2025. On January 16, 2025, it is no longer part of the calculation. This is why someone with 15 points on their record might not be suspended — if 4 of those points are older than 12 months, only 11 count.

You can check your current point total by logging into your DMV account online, calling the DMV at 804-367-0538, or visiting a DMV office in person. Your record shows the violation date, the point value, and how long until each violation ages off.

What happens when you reach 12 points

The DMV does not send you a warning when you are at 11 points. When you reach 12 points, the suspension takes effect automatically. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining the suspension date, the length, and your right to request a hearing.

The suspension notice will tell you the exact date your license becomes invalid. You cannot drive after that date. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Virginia and carries its own penalties, including fines, jail time, and additional points on your record.

If you need to drive during the suspension for work or medical reasons, you may request a restricted license (sometimes called a work permit). You must file this request with the DMV before your suspension begins. A restricted license allows you to drive only for specific purposes — typically to and from work, school, or medical appointments — and only during certain hours.

How to request a hearing before suspension takes effect

You have the right to request a hearing with the DMV to challenge the suspension. You must file your request within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. The hearing is your chance to present evidence that the points were assessed incorrectly, that a ticket was dismissed, or that you have other circumstances the DMV should consider.

To request a hearing, contact the DMV Hearing Officer Program by mail, phone, or online through your DMV account. The address and phone number are on your suspension notice. If you file within 10 days, your license remains valid while the hearing is scheduled and held.

If you do not request a hearing within 10 days, or if you request one but lose, the suspension takes effect as scheduled. You cannot appeal the hearing decision to a court — the DMV's decision is final unless you can show the agency made a procedural error.

How points age off your record

Points remain on your driving record for three years from the violation date. After three years, they are removed from your record entirely. However, they only stop counting toward suspension after 12 months.

This means a 4-point violation from two years ago is still visible on your record, but it does not count toward the 12-point threshold. A violation from three years and one day ago is gone completely.

If you are close to suspension, you can calculate exactly when points will age off by looking at the violation dates on your DMV record. Knowing that a 6-point ticket from 11 months ago will stop counting in one month might change how you drive in the meantime.

Reinstating your license after suspension

When your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically become valid again. You must reinstate it by paying a reinstatement fee to the DMV. The fee is $145 for a first suspension, $200 for a second, and $300 for a third or subsequent suspension within five years.

You can reinstate your license online through your DMV account, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Once you pay the fee, your license is valid again when ready (or within one business day if you pay online). If you do not reinstate before you drive, you are driving on a suspended license, which is a criminal offense.

Reinstatement does not erase the points from your record. The points remain for three years. If you accumulate 12 more points within five years of your first suspension, you face a second suspension with a longer duration and a higher reinstatement fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record early?

Virginia does not offer a way to remove points before the three-year mark. You cannot take a defensive driving course to reduce points, and you cannot petition the DMV to erase them. Your only option is to wait for them to age off naturally.

Do out-of-state violations count toward Virginia suspension?

Yes. Virginia reports violations you receive in other states to your Virginia record, and those points count toward the 12-point threshold. The point values may differ by state, but Virginia uses its own point system for all violations on your record.

What if I was not the one driving when I got the ticket?

If someone else was driving your car, you can request a hearing and present evidence of that fact. However, you are responsible for the ticket unless you can prove the other driver was the one cited. Bring documentation like a police report or witness statement to your hearing.

Does a suspended license affect my car insurance?

Yes. A suspension is reported to your insurance company and typically results in higher premiums or cancellation of your policy. You may also be required to file an SR-22 form (proof of financial responsibility) to reinstate your license after suspension.

Can I drive with a learner's permit during my suspension?

No. A suspension applies to all driving privileges in Virginia, including learner's permits and restricted licenses. You cannot legally drive at all during the suspension period unless you have obtained a restricted license before the suspension began.