Virginia suspends your license when you accumulate too many points, fail to pay fines, miss court dates, or violate specific traffic laws

A suspended license in Virginia means you cannot legally drive. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues the suspension, and it stays in effect until you meet the conditions to restore it. The reason for suspension matters — some suspensions lift automatically after a set period, while others require you to take specific steps before you can drive again.

Virginia's point system is the most common path to suspension. You accumulate points for traffic violations: speeding gets 3 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit, reckless driving gets 6 points, and hitting another vehicle gets 4 points. When you reach 18 points within 12 months, the DMV suspends your license for 90 days. If you reach 24 points within 24 months, the suspension lasts 120 days.

Other reasons for suspension include failing to pay court-ordered fines, missing a court date, driving with a suspended license, accumulating too many moving violations in a short time, or violating the terms of a restricted license. Some suspensions are mandatory — for example, a DUI conviction automatically triggers a suspension that lasts from seven days to three years depending on whether it is your first offense and whether you caused an accident.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia suspends your license automatically when you reach 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months, and the suspension lasts 90 or 120 days respectively.
  • Unpaid fines, missed court dates, and DUI convictions also trigger suspensions, and these do not lift automatically — you must resolve the underlying issue first.
  • You can request a hearing before the DMV to challenge a suspension, but you must do so within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice.
  • A restricted license may be available while your suspension is in effect, allowing you to drive to work, school, or medical appointments, but you must request one from the DMV.
  • Once your suspension ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the DMV before you can legally drive again.

How Virginia's Point System Works and When It Triggers Suspension

Every traffic violation in Virginia carries a point value. The DMV tracks these points for 12 and 24 months separately. Reaching 18 points in any 12-month period results in a 90-day suspension. Reaching 24 points in any 24-month period results in a 120-day suspension. The clock resets — once 12 months have passed since a violation, that violation no longer counts toward the 18-point threshold, though it still counts toward the 24-month total until 24 months have passed.

Common violations and their point values include: speeding 1–9 mph over the limit (3 points), speeding 10–19 mph over (4 points), speeding 20+ mph over (6 points), reckless driving (6 points), improper passing (3 points), failure to yield (3 points), and hit-and-run (6 points). A single serious violation can put you close to suspension; multiple minor violations over a few months will get you there faster.

The suspension notice arrives by mail from the DMV. It includes the suspension start date, the reason, and the date it will end — unless you have other reasons for suspension that do not lift automatically. You have 10 days from the date on the notice to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is wrong.

Suspensions That Do Not Lift Automatically

Some suspensions require action on your part before you can drive again. If your license was suspended because you did not pay a fine, you must pay it. If you missed a court date, you must appear in court or resolve the matter with the court. If you were convicted of DUI, your suspension lasts a minimum of seven days for a first offense, 30 days for a second offense within 10 years, and one year for a third offense within 10 years. You cannot shorten a DUI suspension by paying a fee.

Suspensions for failure to maintain insurance also require proof of insurance before reinstatement. If you were suspended for driving with a suspended license, the new suspension runs consecutively — it starts after the first one ends. Suspensions for child support non-payment lift only when you bring your payments current or reach an agreement with the child support enforcement agency.

The DMV notice will tell you whether your suspension is automatic or conditional. If it is conditional, the notice explains what you must do. If you are unsure, contact the DMV directly at 804-367-0538 or check your suspension status online through the Virginia DMV website.

Requesting a Hearing to Challenge Your Suspension

You have the right to a hearing before a DMV hearing officer if you believe your suspension is incorrect. You must request the hearing in writing within 10 days of the date on your suspension notice. Send your request to the address listed on the notice, or file it online through the Virginia DMV website if that option is available.

At the hearing, you can present evidence and argue why the suspension should not stand. Common grounds for challenge include: the DMV made an error in calculating your points, you were not properly notified of a violation, the violation was dismissed or reduced in court, or you have documentation showing the points were recorded incorrectly. Bring any court documents, receipts, or correspondence that supports your case.

The hearing officer will make a decision, usually within 30 days. If the officer upholds the suspension, you can appeal to the circuit court in your county within 30 days of the hearing decision. This appeal requires filing a petition with the court and may involve attorney fees, so weigh the cost against the length of your suspension.

Restricted License Options While Suspended

Virginia allows you to request a restricted license while your suspension is in effect, but only for specific purposes: driving to and from work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs (such as DUI classes), or to obtain food and medicine. You cannot use a restricted license for any other purpose, including social activities or errands.

To request a restricted license, contact your local DMV office or submit an process online. You will need to provide proof of the reason for the restriction — for example, a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your work schedule, or a school enrollment letter. The DMV charges a fee for a restricted license, which varies but is typically under $100.

A restricted license is not automatic. The DMV may deny your request if you have multiple suspensions, a recent DUI conviction, or a pattern of driving with a suspended license. If you are denied, you can request a hearing to challenge that decision as well.

Reinstatement Requirements and Fees

Once your suspension period ends, you cannot straightforward resume driving. You must pay a reinstatement fee to the DMV before your license is restored. The fee is $145 for a suspension due to points accumulation. If your suspension was for other reasons — such as unpaid fines or failure to maintain insurance — you must resolve that issue first, and the reinstatement fee may be different or waived depending on the reason.

You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the Virginia DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Once the DMV processes your payment, your license is restored. You do not need to take a new test or renew your license unless it was already set to expire.

If you do not pay the reinstatement fee, your license remains suspended. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Virginia — a first offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. A second offense within 10 years is a Class 2 misdemeanor, with a fine up to $1,000 and possible jail time.

How to Check Your Suspension Status and Points

You can check your driving record and current point total through the Virginia DMV website. Log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, or request a copy of your record by mail. Your record shows all violations on file, the points assigned to each, and the date each violation will drop off your record.

If you see violations you do not recognize or believe are incorrect, contact the DMV when ready. Errors do happen — a violation may be recorded under your name when it was actually someone else's, or points may be assigned incorrectly. Correcting the error requires documentation from the court where the violation was handled, so gather any court paperwork you have and submit it to the DMV along with a written explanation.

You can also call the DMV at 804-367-0538 to ask about your status. Have your driver's license number ready. The DMV can tell you whether a suspension is in effect, when it will end, and what you must do to restore your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?

Only if you have a restricted license. A regular suspension means you cannot drive for any reason. You must request a restricted license from the DMV and provide proof of your work schedule. Without a restricted license, driving to work is illegal and can result in additional charges.

What happens if I get pulled over while suspended?

You will be charged with driving with a suspended license, a misdemeanor offense. You face a fine of up to $500 for a first offense and possible jail time for a second offense within 10 years. Your vehicle may be impounded, and you will owe towing and storage fees. The charge will appear on your criminal record.

Do points ever disappear from my record?

Yes. Points drop off your record three years after the violation date. However, they count toward suspension thresholds for 12 and 24 months, so older points still matter during that window. Once three years have passed, the violation no longer affects your record at all.

Can I get my suspension reduced or removed early?

Not for point-based suspensions — they last the full 90 or 120 days. For suspensions based on unpaid fines or other conditions, you can lift the suspension early by resolving the underlying issue. For DUI suspensions, you cannot shorten the period, but you may be able to convert it to a restricted license after a waiting period.

What if I move out of Virginia while suspended?

Your Virginia suspension remains valid. If you move to another state and obtain a license there, Virginia can still enforce the suspension if you return. Many states share suspension information through the National Driver Register, so your new state may also suspend your license. Resolve the Virginia suspension before moving.