Where to check your Virginia driving record and points

Virginia tracks points on your driving record through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can check your current points balance three ways: online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The online method is fastest and shows your record within seconds.

To check online, go to dmvnow.com, select "Driving Records," and choose "View Your Driving Record." You will need your Virginia driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The system displays your current point total, any suspensions or restrictions, and a list of violations recorded against your license in the past three to five years.

If you prefer not to use the online system, you can request a copy of your driving record by mail through the DMV or visit any DMV customer service center in person. Mail requests take five to seven business days. In-person requests are processed when ready, though you may wait in line depending on office traffic.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia's DMV tracks points on your license, and you can view your balance when ready through dmvnow.com using your license number and Social Security number.
  • Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the violation, and accumulating 12 or more points within that window triggers a license suspension.
  • Common violations carry different point values: speeding 1–9 mph over the limit is 3 points, 10–19 mph over is 4 points, and reckless driving is 6 points.
  • You can reduce points through a defensive driving course, which removes up to 5 points if you complete an approved program and have no other violations during that period.

How Virginia's point system works

Virginia assigns points to your license based on the type of violation. Minor infractions like speeding carry fewer points, while serious violations like reckless driving or driving under the influence carry more. The DMV adds these points to your record on the date the violation occurred, not the date you were convicted or paid a fine.

Points remain on your record for two years from the violation date. After two years, the violation and its points drop off automatically. However, if you accumulate 12 or more points within any two-year period, the DMV will suspend your license. A suspension typically lasts until you have gone 12 consecutive months without adding new points, at which time you can request reinstatement.

Some violations carry no points but still appear on your record and may affect insurance rates. These include parking violations, equipment violations, and certain administrative infractions. Your insurance company may see these even though they do not count toward a suspension.

Common Virginia violations and their point values

Speeding violations make up the largest share of points issued in Virginia. Driving 1 to 9 miles per hour over the posted limit is 3 points. Driving 10 to 19 mph over the limit is 4 points. Driving 20 mph or more over the limit is 6 points. These point values explore whether you are on a highway or a residential street.

Other common violations include improper lane changes (3 points), failure to obey a traffic signal (4 points), and following too closely (4 points). Reckless driving, which Virginia defines broadly to include excessive speed or aggressive driving, carries 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) carries 6 points, though a conviction also triggers a separate administrative license suspension that is independent of the point system.

Hit-and-run violations and driving with a suspended license each carry 6 points. Driving without a valid license or with an expired license carries 3 points. If you are unsure whether a specific violation carries points, the DMV website lists the complete point schedule, or you can call the DMV customer service line at 804-367-0538.

Reducing points through defensive driving courses

Virginia allows you to remove up to 5 points from your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. The course must be certified by the Virginia DMV and typically takes four to eight hours to complete, depending on whether you take it in person or online. You can take a defensive driving course only once every 12 months, and you cannot use it to remove points if you have been convicted of a serious violation like DUI or reckless driving within the past five years.

To use a defensive driving course to reduce points, you must enroll and complete the course before you request the point reduction. Once you finish, the course provider will send your completion certificate to the DMV. The DMV will then remove up to 5 points from your record. This reduction does not erase the violation itself — it remains on your record — but it lowers your point total.

The cost of a defensive driving course ranges from $20 to $100 depending on the provider and format. Many insurance companies also offer a discount on your premium if you complete a defensive driving course, which can offset the course cost within a year or two. Check with your insurance agent about discounts before you enroll.

What happens when you reach 12 points

When your point total reaches 12 or more within a two-year period, the DMV will send you a notice of suspension. The suspension does not take effect when ready — you have the right to request a hearing before the suspension becomes active. The notice will include instructions on how to request a hearing and the important date to do so, typically 10 days from the date of the notice.

If you do not request a hearing or if the hearing officer upholds the suspension, your license will be suspended. During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. The suspension lasts until you have gone 12 consecutive months without accumulating any new points. After that period, you can request reinstatement by paying a reinstatement fee (currently $145) and submitting a reinstatement request to the DMV.

If you are suspended and need to drive for work or medical reasons, you may be able to request a restricted license that allows you to drive only for those specific purposes. Restricted licenses are not automatic — you must request one and show the DMV that the suspension would cause undue hardship. The DMV will review your request and decide whether to grant it.

Checking your record before insurance or employment matters

Your driving record affects more than just your license status. Insurance companies pull your record when you explore for a policy or renew coverage, and violations with points can raise your premium significantly. Employers who require driving as part of the job also pull driving records during hiring. Checking your record yourself before these situations arise gives you a chance to correct errors or understand what the other party will see.

If you find an error on your record — such as a violation you did not commit or a point value that is incorrect — you can dispute it with the DMV. Contact the DMV customer service line or visit a local office with documentation of the error, such as court records showing the violation was dismissed. The DMV will investigate and correct the record if the error is confirmed.

Some violations may be removed from your record through a court process. If your charge was dismissed, nolle prossed (dropped by the prosecutor), or resulted in acquittal, you can request that the DMV remove the violation from your record. You will need to provide a certified copy of the court order showing the dismissal or acquittal. This process takes several weeks but permanently removes the violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a violation to show up on my Virginia driving record?

Violations typically appear on your record within 10 to 14 business days of the violation date, though this can vary depending on how quickly the court reports the violation to the DMV. You can check your record online at dmvnow.com to see the current status. If a violation does not appear within three weeks, contact the DMV to confirm it was reported.

Can I check someone else's driving record?

No, Virginia law restricts access to driving records. Only the driver, their insurance company, an employer with written consent, or an attorney with a court order can view a record. You cannot check your spouse's or family member's record without their permission and their presence at the DMV office.

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

Yes, Virginia counts violations from other states under the Driver License Compact, an agreement between most states to share violation information. An out-of-state speeding ticket or traffic violation will appear on your Virginia record and count toward the 12-point suspension threshold. The point value assigned may differ from Virginia's scale, depending on the other state's law.

What if I pay a fine but the violation still shows points on my record?

Paying a fine does not remove points from your record. Points are assigned based on the violation type and remain for two years regardless of whether you paid the fine, contested it, or had it dismissed. The only ways to remove points are to wait two years, complete a defensive driving course (up to 5 points), or have the violation dismissed or removed through a court process.

Does a speeding ticket in a school zone carry more points than a regular speeding ticket?

School zone speeding violations carry the same point value as regular speeding violations based on how far over the limit you were driving. However, school zone speeding fines are significantly higher, and some school zone violations can be charged as reckless driving, which carries 6 points instead of 3 or 4. Check your ticket to see the specific charge.