DMV Points

Overview:

In Virginia, a court notifies the DMV if a motorist is convicted of a traffic violation.  When a driver is charged with a traffic violation and issued a Virginia Uniform Summons (the ticket), the allegation does not post to the Virginia driving record.  However, any Virginia traffic violation that results in a conviction is posted to the Virginia driving record.  Different violations carry different demerit point values, depending on the seriousness of the offense.

Demerit Points for Moving Violation Convictions:

In Virginia, there are 3 categories of demerit point offenses: 6 point violations, 4 point violations & 3 point violations.  To review a list of demerit point violations grouped by demerit point category, please see the links which are listed below.  Please note that the length of time that a conviction stays on your record depends on the severity of the violation, and that the length of time is denoted in parenthesis beside the violations which are listed on the links below.

• 6 point violations: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
• 4 point violations: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
• 3 point violations: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
• All demerit point violations: DMV 115.pdf (virginia.gov)

How does a Virginia traffic violation affect an out-of-state driving record?

Virginia DMV points do not transfer to another state.  However, traffic convictions will be reported to the home state of the out-of-state licensed driver.  The home state licensing authority determines whether to assign demerit points, and how many, for an out-of-state traffic violation conviction.

Drivers Under Age 18:

The rules regarding drivers under the age of 18 years old are different, and stricter, than those applied to adult drivers.  Please see below a summary of the penalties which are imposed on drivers who are under the age of 18 years old:

• First demerit-point traffic violation – If a driver is convicted of a demerit-point traffic violation (or a safety belt or child restraint violation) that was committed while the driver was under age 18, then the driver will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic. If the clinic is not satisfactorily completed within 90 days, the DMV will suspend the driver’s permit or license until the clinic is completed.
• Second demerit-point traffic violation – If a driver is convicted of a second demerit-point traffic violation (or a safety belt or child restraint violation) that was committed while the driver was under age 18, the DMV will suspend the driver’s permit or license for 90 days. If the driver has no other means of transportation, the driver may petition the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for restricted driving privileges to drive between home and work.
• Third demerit-point traffic violation – If a driver is convicted of a third demerit-point traffic violation (or a safety belt or child restraint violation) that was committed while the driver was under age 18, DMV will revoke the driver’s permit or license for one year or until the driver reaches age 18, whichever is longer.

Safe Points

Safe points are the opposite of demerit points on a driving record.  While demerit points deduct (-) from your total driving point balance, safe points add (+) points back.  Here is general information about safe driving points, including how and when they are awarded:

• For each full year that a driver holds a valid Virginia license and drives without any violations or suspensions, safe driving points are assigned.
• Drivers may also earn safe driving points by completing a driver improvement clinic (in some cases).
• Annual safe driving points are awarded in early April of each year (for the previous calendar year).
• A maximum of 5 safe driving points may be accumulated, and they will offset demerit points received for traffic convictions.