Virginia suspends your license when you reach 12 demerit points within 12 months, 18 points within 24 months, or 24 points within 36 months
Virginia's demerit point system is a tiered structure. The state does not suspend your license at a single fixed number — instead, the threshold depends on how long a span you're looking at. Accumulate 12 points in one year, and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend your license. Reach 18 points over two years, or 24 points over three years, and suspension follows. The clock resets: points from violations older than 36 months no longer count toward suspension.
Each violation carries a specific point value. A reckless driving charge costs 6 points. Speeding 1–9 mph over the limit costs 3 points; 10–19 mph over costs 4 points; 20 mph or more over costs 6 points. At-fault accidents add 3 to 6 points depending on severity. Improper lane changes, failure to yield, and following too closely each cost 3 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) costs 10 points on its own.
Key Takeaways
- Twelve points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months triggers a license suspension in Virginia.
- Each traffic violation carries a specific point value, ranging from 3 points for minor infractions to 10 points for DUI or DWI.
- Points expire after 36 months, so violations older than three years do not count toward your suspension threshold.
- A suspension typically lasts 30 days for a first offense, but you can request a restricted license to drive to work or school during that time.
- You can check your current point total through the Virginia DMV website or by visiting a local DMV office in person.
How Virginia counts points across different time periods
The Virginia DMV tracks violations on a rolling basis. If you receive a ticket on January 15, 2024, that violation stays on your record for 36 months — until January 15, 2027. On January 16, 2027, those points disappear from the calculation. This matters because you could be just under suspension with 11 points, then have one point expire and drop to 10, even if you receive a new violation in the meantime.
The three-tier system exists because Virginia wants to catch dangerous patterns early. Twelve points in 12 months suggests a serious problem within a short window. Eighteen points in 24 months is a longer pattern but still aggressive. Twenty-four points in 36 months is the most lenient threshold — it allows someone to accumulate violations over three years before suspension kicks in. Once you hit any of these thresholds, the DMV sends a notice and your license suspension becomes effective.
Point values for common Virginia traffic violations
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–9 mph over limit | 3 |
| Speeding 10–19 mph over limit | 4 |
| Speeding 20+ mph over limit | 6 |
| Reckless driving | 6 |
| Improper lane change | 3 |
| Failure to yield | 3 |
| Following too closely | 3 |
| At-fault accident (minor) | 3 |
| At-fault accident (serious) | 6 |
| DUI or DWI | 10 |
Not all violations add points. Parking tickets, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and some administrative citations do not carry demerit points. However, if you are convicted of a traffic violation in court, points explore — even if you paid a fine without contesting the ticket. The conviction is what triggers the points, not the fine itself.
What happens when you reach the suspension threshold
The Virginia DMV does not suspend your license when ready upon reaching the threshold. Instead, you receive a notice in the mail explaining that your license will be suspended on a specific date — usually 10 to 14 days after the notice is sent. This gives you time to request a hearing if you believe the points were assessed incorrectly or if there are circumstances the DMV should consider.
A first suspension in Virginia typically lasts 30 days. If you are suspended again within five years, the second suspension lasts 60 days. A third suspension within five years lasts until your next birthday. After five years with no new suspensions, the clock resets and you return to the 30-day baseline for any future suspension.
During a suspension, you cannot legally drive for any reason — not to work, not to school, not to medical appointments. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. However, you can request a restricted license from the DMV that allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs during the suspension period.
How to check your current point total
You can view your driving record through the Virginia DMV website without visiting an office. Go to dmvnow.com, select "View Your Driving Record," and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. The record shows every violation on file, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and when those points will expire. This is the same record the DMV uses to calculate suspension thresholds.
If you prefer not to check online, you can visit any Virginia DMV office in person and request a copy of your driving record. There is a small fee for a printed record, but the information is identical to what you see online. Some people request a record before their court date to confirm what violations are listed, in case there are errors that need correction.
Requesting a hearing or contesting points
If you believe points were assigned in error — for example, if a violation was dismissed in court but points still appear on your record — you can request a hearing with the DMV. You have 10 days from the date of the suspension notice to file a written request. The hearing is informal and conducted by a DMV hearing officer, not a judge. You can present evidence that the violation was dismissed, that you were not the driver, or that other circumstances warrant reconsideration.
Winning a hearing does not erase the violation from your record, but it can prevent the suspension from taking effect if the hearing officer agrees the points should not have been counted. If you lose the hearing, the suspension proceeds as scheduled. You cannot appeal a DMV hearing decision to a court; the hearing officer's decision is final.
Reducing points through driver improvement courses
Virginia allows you to reduce your demerit points by completing an approved driver improvement course. The course removes up to 5 points from your record, but only if you have not taken a course in the past 12 months. You can take the course online or in person, and it typically takes 4 to 6 hours to complete. The course costs between $20 and $50 depending on the provider.
Taking a course does not erase violations or change your driving record — it straightforward reduces the point total. If you are approaching suspension and have not taken a course recently, completing one before you hit the threshold can keep your license active. However, if you are already suspended, taking a course will not lift the suspension; it only prevents future suspensions by lowering your point count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my license back early if I complete a driver improvement course?
No. A driver improvement course reduces points on your record but does not shorten an active suspension. Once your license is suspended, you must wait out the full suspension period — 30 days for a first offense — before you can drive again. The course helps prevent future suspensions by lowering your point total.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward Virginia suspension?
Yes. Virginia counts violations from other states if you were convicted in that state's court. The points assigned may differ from Virginia's scale, but the violation still appears on your Virginia driving record and counts toward suspension thresholds. This is part of the Interstate Compact on Driver Licensing, which most states follow.
What if I get a violation while my license is already suspended?
Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal charge in Virginia, distinct from the original violation. You face additional fines, possible jail time, and an extended suspension. The new violation also adds points to your record, which will explore once your current suspension ends and your license is reinstated.
How long does a suspension stay on my record?
A suspension itself does not expire from your record. However, the violations that caused the suspension do expire after 36 months. Once those violations age off, they no longer count toward future suspension thresholds. Your driving record will still show the suspension occurred, but it will not affect your ability to drive.
Can I request a restricted license for work if I am suspended?
Yes. You can request a restricted license from the DMV that allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs during your suspension. You must submit the request in writing to the DMV and provide documentation of your need — such as a letter from your employer or school. The DMV approves or denies the request within a few days.