What Virginia's 2020 Law Changed About License Suspension
Virginia's 2020 law made it harder for the state to suspend your driver's license for reasons unrelated to driving safety. Before the change, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles could suspend your license if you failed to pay court fines, child support, or other debts — even if you were a safe driver. The new law removed most of those non-driving reasons for suspension.
The law took effect on July 1, 2020. It eliminated suspensions for unpaid court costs, unpaid fines, and failure to appear in court on traffic charges. It also stopped DMV from suspending licenses for unpaid child support or failure to pay restitution to crime victims, though courts can still order suspension for those reasons separately.
The change was designed to keep people employed and mobile while they resolve financial or legal obligations. A suspended license often makes it impossible to get to work, which then makes it harder to pay what you owe. Virginia lawmakers decided that suspending driving privileges should be reserved for actual driving violations and safety risks.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia stopped suspending licenses for unpaid fines, court costs, and failure to appear in court on traffic charges as of July 1, 2020.
- Suspensions for unpaid child support and restitution are no longer automatic, though courts retain the power to order them in specific cases.
- If your license was suspended before July 1, 2020 for a non-driving reason, you may be able to have it reinstated without paying the full debt.
- Driving with a suspended license remains illegal and carries criminal penalties, regardless of why the suspension was issued.
- The law does not prevent suspension for actual driving violations, DUI convictions, or accumulating too many points on your driving record.
Which Suspensions Were Removed Under the 2020 Law
The law eliminated suspensions for the following reasons: unpaid traffic fines, unpaid court costs and fees, failure to appear in court on a traffic charge, and failure to pay a traffic citation. These were the most common non-driving suspensions issued by Virginia DMV.
Suspensions for unpaid child support and unpaid restitution were also removed from the automatic list, though the situation is more complex. A court can still order a license suspension as part of a child support or restitution case, but DMV no longer suspends licenses on its own authority for these reasons. The distinction matters: if a court has not specifically ordered suspension, DMV cannot do it.
Suspensions for failure to maintain car insurance, failure to pay property taxes, or other non-traffic debts were already limited before 2020, and the new law did not change those rules significantly.
Suspensions That Still Exist After 2020
Virginia still suspends licenses for reasons directly tied to driving safety and behavior. These include conviction of DUI or DWI, reckless driving, accumulating 12 or more demerit points within 12 months, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and hit-and-run accidents. The law did not touch these suspensions because they address actual driving risk.
Suspensions for medical reasons — such as failing a vision test or reporting a seizure disorder — also remain in place. These are safety-based, not punishment-based.
A court can still order a license suspension as part of a sentence for certain crimes, including drug convictions. This is a judicial decision, not an automatic DMV action, but it is still legal under Virginia law.
What Happens If Your License Was Suspended Before July 1, 2020
If your license was suspended before the law took effect for one of the reasons now prohibited — unpaid fines, court costs, or failure to appear — you may be able to have it reinstated. You do not automatically get reinstatement; you have to request it from Virginia DMV.
Contact the Virginia DMV directly by phone at 804-367-0538 or visit a DMV customer service center in person. Bring your driver's license or ID and explain that your suspension was issued for a reason now prohibited under the 2020 law. DMV staff can look up your suspension record and determine whether you are covered by the change.
If your suspension was for unpaid fines or court costs, reinstatement does not erase the debt itself. You still owe the money to the court or locality. Reinstatement straightforward restores your driving privilege while you work out a payment plan or other resolution with the court.
How to Reinstate Your License After a Non-Driving Suspension
The reinstatement process depends on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for a reason now prohibited under the 2020 law, you can request reinstatement without paying a reinstatement fee to DMV. This is different from other types of suspensions, which usually require a fee.
Visit a DMV office or call 804-367-0538 to start. Have your driver's license or ID ready. Tell the representative that your suspension was issued before July 1, 2020 for an unpaid fine, court cost, or failure to appear. They will verify the reason and process your reinstatement on the spot or by mail, depending on your location.
If you cannot visit an office, you can mail a written request to Virginia DMV with a copy of your license. Include a brief explanation of why you believe your suspension falls under the 2020 law. Mail to: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269.
Driving With a Suspended License Remains Illegal
Even though the 2020 law removed many reasons for suspension, driving with a suspended license is still a crime in Virginia. The penalty depends on how many times you have been convicted of this offense.
A first offense is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $250. A second offense within 10 years is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to 12 months in jail. A third or subsequent offense within 10 years carries the same penalties as a second offense.
Police can stop you for driving with a suspended license, and the charge can be added to any other traffic violations you receive during that stop. If you know your license is suspended, do not drive. The legal consequences and insurance complications are not worth the risk.
How the 2020 Law Affects Your Court Debt
The 2020 law changed how your license is affected by court debt, but it did not change the debt itself. If you owe unpaid fines, court costs, or restitution, you still owe that money. The court can still pursue collection through wage garnishment, bank levies, or civil judgment.
However, the court cannot now use license suspension as a tool to force payment. This gives you more flexibility to work and earn income while you resolve the debt. You can contact the court that issued the fine or cost and ask about a payment plan, a reduction based on hardship, or a hearing to contest the amount.
If you have unpaid child support, the situation is similar. The state can still pursue collection through wage garnishment and other means, but automatic license suspension is no longer available. A court can order suspension in a specific case, but it is not automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license was suspended for unpaid fines before July 2020?
Not until you request reinstatement from Virginia DMV. The 2020 law removed the reason for the suspension, but your license remains suspended until you formally ask DMV to reinstate it. Call 804-367-0538 or visit a DMV office to start the process. Reinstatement is free for suspensions issued under the old rules.
Does the 2020 law mean I don't have to pay my court fines?
No. The law removed license suspension as a penalty for unpaid fines, but the debt to the court remains. You still owe the money. You can contact the court about a payment plan or a hearing to dispute the amount, but the 2020 law does not erase the obligation.
Can Virginia still suspend my license for DUI or reckless driving?
Yes. The 2020 law only removed suspensions for non-driving reasons like unpaid fines. Suspensions for DUI, reckless driving, accumulating too many points, and other safety violations are still in effect and were not changed by the law.
What if I was convicted of driving with a suspended license before July 2020?
The 2020 law does not erase past convictions. If you were convicted before the law took effect, that conviction remains on your record. However, if your original suspension was for a reason now prohibited, you can request reinstatement going forward and avoid future charges for driving with a suspended license.
How long does it take to get my license reinstated?
If you visit a DMV office in person, reinstatement can happen the same day. If you mail a request, allow two to three weeks for processing. Call ahead to confirm your local office's hours and whether you need an appointment.