Virginia suspends your license when you accumulate 12 demerit points within a 12-month period, or 18 points within 24 months

Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles uses a demerit point system to track traffic violations. Each violation you receive adds points to your driving record. When you hit 12 points in any 12-month window, the DMV will suspend your license for a set period. If you accumulate 18 points over 24 months, you face a longer suspension. The suspension is automatic — you do not have to wait for a hearing or notice, though you will receive notification by mail.

The point threshold is the same for all drivers in Virginia, regardless of age or license type. However, the length of your suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended before. A first suspension typically lasts 30 days. A second suspension within three years lasts 60 days. A third or subsequent suspension within three years lasts indefinitely until you meet reinstatement requirements.

Points stay on your record for two years from the date of conviction, not from the date of the violation. This means a ticket you received 18 months ago still counts toward your total if you were convicted within the last two years. Once two years have passed since your conviction date, that violation no longer adds to your point total, though it remains visible on your record for insurance and employment purposes.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia suspends your license automatically when you reach 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months; no hearing is required.
  • Points are based on your conviction date, not the violation date, and each point stays active for two years from conviction.
  • Your first suspension lasts 30 days, your second lasts 60 days, and a third or later suspension lasts until you complete reinstatement steps.
  • Different violations carry different point values — a reckless driving conviction costs 6 points, while a speeding ticket costs 1 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit you were.
  • You can request a hearing to contest the suspension if you believe the conviction was improper, but you must do so within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice.

How Virginia Assigns Points to Specific Violations

Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. Virginia assigns points based on the severity and type of offense. Speeding violations range from 1 point (1–9 mph over the limit) to 6 points (26+ mph over the limit). Reckless driving, regardless of the circumstances, costs 6 points. Improper lane changes, failure to yield, and following too closely each cost 3 points. Failure to obey a traffic signal or stop sign costs 3 points.

Some violations carry no points but still result in fines and court costs. Parking violations, expired registration, and broken equipment citations do not add to your point total. However, if you are convicted of driving with a suspended or revoked license, that conviction costs 6 points and can trigger an additional suspension on top of any existing one.

Serious violations like hit-and-run, driving under the influence (DUI), or driving with a suspended license can result in an when ready license suspension separate from the point system. These suspensions happen regardless of your point total and are often longer than point-based suspensions.

When Your Suspension Takes Effect and How Long It Lasts

The DMV mails a suspension notice to your address on file when you reach the point threshold. The suspension typically becomes effective 10 days after the notice is mailed, giving you a brief window to request a hearing if you believe the points were assessed incorrectly. If you do not request a hearing within 10 days, the suspension goes into effect automatically.

A first suspension lasts 30 days from the effective date. During this time, you cannot legally drive. A second suspension within three years lasts 60 days. A third or subsequent suspension within three years is indefinite — meaning it stays in place until you meet reinstatement requirements, which include paying a reinstatement fee (currently $175 in Virginia), providing proof of insurance, and sometimes completing a driver improvement course.

If you accumulate 12 points again after your suspension ends and you have been reinstated, you will face another suspension. The three-year window resets based on the date of your most recent suspension, so timing matters when you are close to the threshold.

Violations That Bypass the Point System Entirely

Certain violations result in an when ready, automatic suspension without waiting for you to accumulate 12 points. A DUI conviction triggers an when ready Administrative License Suspension (ALS) that begins either 7 days after arrest (if you refused a breath test) or 45 days after arrest (if you failed a breath test). This suspension happens separately from any criminal court proceedings and lasts 12 months for a first offense.

Driving with a suspended or revoked license also results in an when ready suspension. If your license is already suspended and you are caught driving, the DMV will extend your suspension period. Reckless driving convictions, while they do add 6 points, can also trigger an when ready suspension depending on the circumstances and whether it was your first offense.

Hit-and-run convictions and habitual traffic offender (HTO) designations also bypass the point system. If you are declared a habitual traffic offender — typically after three major violations within 10 years — your license is revoked, not suspended, and reinstatement requires meeting specific conditions set by the court.

How to Check Your Current Point Total

You can view your driving record and current point total through the Virginia DMV website or by visiting a DMV customer service center in person. Online, you can order an official driving record through the DMV's website; the record shows every conviction on file, the date of conviction, and the points assigned to each violation. The record takes 5 to 7 business days to arrive by mail.

If you need your point total when ready, visit a DMV office with your driver's license. Staff can print your record on the spot, though there is a small fee. You can also request your record by mail or phone, but the fastest option is the in-person visit or the online order if you can wait a week.

Your insurance company also receives notice of violations and points, which is why your rates often increase after a conviction. Checking your own record regularly helps you understand how close you are to suspension and plan accordingly.

Requesting a Hearing to Contest Your Suspension

If you believe the DMV incorrectly assessed points or that your conviction was improper, you have the right to request a hearing within 10 days of receiving your suspension notice. The hearing is held before a DMV hearing officer, not a judge, and you can represent yourself or bring an attorney. The hearing focuses on whether the points were correctly assigned based on your conviction, not on whether the original traffic stop was lawful — that issue must be resolved in traffic court before the conviction is final.

To request a hearing, contact the DMV in writing or by phone within the 10-day window. Include your driver's license number, the date of your suspension notice, and a brief explanation of why you believe the suspension is incorrect. The DMV will schedule a hearing date, usually within 30 days. If you win the hearing, the suspension is cancelled and your points are removed. If you lose, the suspension stands and you can appeal to circuit court, though this is rare and requires an attorney.

Requesting a hearing does not stop your suspension from taking effect on the scheduled date. You can still drive during the hearing process only if you obtain a temporary license or hardship license from the DMV, which requires showing that suspension would cause undue hardship (such as job loss). Hardship licenses are not automatic and require a separate request.

Reducing Points Through Driver Improvement Courses

Virginia allows you to reduce your point total by 5 points by completing an approved driver improvement course. You can do this once every 12 months, and you can reduce your points only if you have not had a course reduction in the past 12 months. The course is typically 4 hours long and can be taken online or in person at approved providers throughout Virginia.

The course costs between $25 and $50 depending on the provider. After you complete it, the provider sends a certificate to the DMV, and the 5-point reduction is applied to your record. This reduction does not erase violations — it straightforward lowers your point total. If you are currently suspended, completing a course does not lift the suspension, but it may help you avoid a future suspension if you accumulate more points after reinstatement.

Some courts also order driver improvement courses as part of a traffic conviction. In those cases, the course is mandatory, and the 5-point reduction is applied automatically. You cannot use the same course to satisfy both a court order and a voluntary reduction in the same 12-month period.

Reinstatement Steps After Your Suspension Ends

When your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically return to active status. You must complete reinstatement steps with the DMV. First, pay the reinstatement fee of $175 (as of 2024; this amount may change). Second, provide proof of insurance by submitting an SR-22 form or your current insurance card. Third, visit a DMV office or submit your reinstatement request by mail or online.

If your suspension was for accumulating points, you may also be required to complete a driver improvement course before reinstatement, depending on the circumstances of your suspension. The DMV will notify you in writing of all requirements when your suspension is issued.

Once reinstatement is complete, your license is restored and you can drive legally again. However, your points remain on your record for two years from the conviction date, so if you receive new violations, those points will add to your existing total. If you accumulate 12 points again within 12 months of reinstatement, you will face another suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Virginia suspension?

Yes. Virginia participates in the Driver License Compact, an agreement between most states to share traffic conviction information. If you are convicted of a violation in another state, that conviction is reported to Virginia and points are assessed according to Virginia's point scale. The violation must be comparable to a Virginia offense to receive points.

Can I get my license back early if I complete a driver improvement course?

No. A driver improvement course reduces your point total but does not shorten a suspension that is already in effect. You must wait out the full suspension period (30 days for a first suspension, 60 days for a second). After the suspension ends, completing a course may help you avoid future suspensions by lowering your point total.

What happens if I drive while my license is suspended?

Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Virginia. You will face additional fines, possible jail time, and your suspension will be extended. A first offense typically results in a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. Your license suspension will be extended by at least one year, and you may be declared a habitual traffic offender if this is your third major violation within 10 years.

How long do points stay on my record after my suspension ends?

Points remain active on your record for two years from your conviction date. After two years, the points no longer count toward a future suspension, but the violation itself stays on your driving record permanently for insurance and employment purposes. Insurance companies typically look back three to five years when calculating rates.

Can I transfer my license to another state to avoid a Virginia suspension?

No. If you hold a Virginia license and accumulate 12 points, Virginia will suspend it regardless of where you move. If you move to another state and obtain a license there, Virginia's suspension will still be on file. When you return to Virginia or try to reinstate your Virginia license, you will have to satisfy the suspension requirements. Some states will also refuse to issue you a license if you have an active suspension in another state.