Suspended license in Virginia: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Virginia, the first points threshold is 8 points within 1 year: Advisory letter (8 points in 12 months or 12 points in 24 months). A Driver Improvement Clinic removes 5 points, a driver may hold a maximum of five safe driving points at any time; the DMV pages do not state how often a voluntary clinic may be taken for points. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $145.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
The Virginia DMV uses a point system to rate drivers: demerit points are assigned on conviction of a traffic violation (three, four or six points by severity) and safe driving points are earned for violation-free years or a driver improvement clinic. Under the Driver Improvement Program, 8 demerit points in 12 months brings an advisory letter, 12 points requires a driver improvement clinic, and 18 points in 12 months (or 24 in 24 months) brings a 90-day suspension.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 points | 1 year | Advisory letter (8 points in 12 months or 12 points in 24 months) | dmv.virginia.gov |
| 12 points | 1 year | Driver improvement clinic required within 90 days (12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months), followed by six months' probation | dmv.virginia.gov |
| 18 points | 1 year | 90-day suspension plus a driver improvement clinic before restoration, then six months' probation (18 points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months); under Va. Code § 46.2-506 the Commissioner may ins | dmv.virginia.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Demerit points remain valid for two years from the date the offense was committed. Convictions stay on the record for a separate period shown beside each violation on the DMV schedule (3, 5 or 11 years, or permanently), unrelated to the date points are removed.
“If you are 18 or older and you accumulate 8 demerit points in 12 months (or 12 points in 24 months), you will receive an advisory letter that cautions you about the consequences of violating the law.”
“DMV demerit points remain on your record for two years from the date that you commit the offense. The dates that demerit points are removed from your driving record are not related to the dates that convictions are removed from your record.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1-9 mph above the posted speed limit | 3 |
| Improper passing | 3 |
| Speeding 10-19 mph above the posted speed limit | 4 |
| Following too closely | 4 |
| Speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit | 6 |
| Reckless driving - generally | 6 |
Check points or the driving record: dmv.virginia.gov
The statute: Va. Code § 46.2-492
“The Commissioner shall designate the point values assigned to convictions, or findings of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, on a graduated scale not to exceed six demerit points for any single conviction.”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Driver Improvement Clinic |
|---|---|
| Effect | Removes or prevents points |
| Points removed | 5 |
| How often | a driver may hold a maximum of five safe driving points at any time; the DMV pages do not state how often a voluntary clinic may be taken for points |
Completing a DMV-approved driver improvement clinic voluntarily earns five safe driving points, which offset demerit points; a driver may hold at most five safe driving points. The clinic is eight hours, online through a DMV-licensed provider or in person, and may charge no more than $100. When attendance is required by a court, the court decides whether safe driving points are awarded and the driver must present the court's documentation to the clinic; a clinic taken for an insurance discount earns no points. Under Va. Code § 46.2-498 the Commissioner directs a driver with 12 points in 12 months (or 18 in 24) to attend a clinic.
“You may earn five safe driving points by completing a driver improvement clinic.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive accumulation of demerit points related to convictions for traffic violations (Driver Improvement (DI) Program) | Under Va. Code § 46.2-506(B), at least 18 demerit points within 12 consecutive months or 24 within 24 months brings a 90-day suspension continuing until a driver improvement clinic is completed, or nine months in the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program plus a clinic. After restoration the driver is placed on six months' probation. | Serve the 90-day suspension, complete a driver improvement clinic, and pay the reinstatement fee; the DMV letter lists the specific requirements. | — |
| Failing to complete a driver improvement clinic | A driver directed by DMV to complete a clinic (12 points in 12 months or 18 in 24 months) must enroll in and complete it within 90 days; failure to complete a DMV-required clinic by the deadline suspends the privilege. | Complete the clinic and pay the $175 reinstatement fee. | $175 |
| Failure to maintain automobile liability insurance / pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee | Suspension for failing to properly insure and maintain insurance on a vehicle issued valid license plates, failing to pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee, or failing to provide insurance information requested by DMV by the deadline. | Provide a Certification of Insurance from an insurer licensed in Virginia and pay the $145 reinstatement fee; a financial responsibility (SR-22/FR-44) requirement carries a $220 fee. | $145 |
| Failing to pay child support | Suspension on notice from the Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement, for failure to pay child support. | Comply with child support orders issued by the Division of Child Support Enforcement and pay the $145 reinstatement fee. | $145 |
| Failing to satisfy an outstanding judgment related to a motor vehicle crash | Suspension for failure to satisfy a judgment arising from a motor vehicle crash. | Provide DMV with proof of a judgment satisfied in full, a payment agreement, creditor's consent, or a bankruptcy filing, and pay the $145 reinstatement fee. | $145 |
| Physical and/or mental condition that impairs the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle | Suspension for the presence of a physical or mental condition that impairs safe driving, handled by DMV Medical Review Services. | Provide DMV's Medical Review Services with a medical and/or vision report from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant; knowledge and road skills tests may be required in person. | — |
| A court order based on a reckless driving conviction | The DMV lists a court order based on a reckless driving conviction among the reasons a driving privilege may be suspended; reckless driving carries six demerit points and stays on the record 11 years. | Comply with the court order and the DMV letter of requirements; a court may grant restricted driving privileges at the time of a reckless driving conviction. | — |
Source quotes for each cause
Excessive accumulation of demerit points related to convictions for traffic violations (Driver Improvement (DI) Program)
“the Commissioner shall (i) suspend the person's license or licenses for a period of 90 days and thereafter until he attends and satisfactorily completes a driver improvement clinic”
Failing to complete a driver improvement clinic
“$175 Fee Required if your driving privilege is suspended, revoked or disqualified for: Failure to complete a Driver Improvement Clinic required by DMV (by deadline date) Violation of probation/suspension”
Failure to maintain automobile liability insurance / pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee
“$145 Fee Required if your driving privilege is suspended, revoked or disqualified for: Failure to maintain automobile liability insurance Operating or permitting the operation of an uninsured motor vehicle”
Failing to pay child support
“Comply with child support orders issued by the Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement”
Failing to satisfy an outstanding judgment related to a motor vehicle crash
“Provide DMV with proof of a judgment satisfied in full, payment agreement, creditor's consent, or bankruptcy filing”
Physical and/or mental condition that impairs the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
“Provide DMV's Medical Review Services with a medical and/or vision report from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant”
A court order based on a reckless driving conviction
“There are many different reasons your driving privileges can be suspended, including, but not limited to: ... A court order based on a reckless driving conviction”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $145. Reinstatement fees range from $145 to $220 depending on the order: $145 for insurance, judgment, child support and out-of-state citation orders; $175 for failure to complete a DMV-required driver improvement clinic, violation of probation or suspension, and driving while suspended for a non-DUI violation; $220 for financial-responsibility and DUI-related orders. With multiple orders only the highest fee is paid, plus a $5 multiple-order fee for each additional order.
“If you have one order of suspension/revocation/disqualification, you only need to pay one reinstatement fee. If you have multiple orders with varying reinstatement fees, you must pay the highest fee owed.”
Read the DMV letter of requirements
When a driving privilege is suspended or revoked, DMV mails a letter that explains exactly what is needed to reinstate it.
“If your driving privileges were suspended or revoked, DMV will mail you a letter that explains exactly what you need to do to reinstate your privileges.”
Request a Compliance Summary and Driver Transcript if the letter is missing
A Compliance Summary and a personal Driver Transcript, requested through the DMV records transaction, together cover the specific reinstatement requirements.
“If you lost or never received a letter, you can request a Compliance Summary and a personal Driver Transcript with our records transaction. Together, both documents cover your specific reinstatement requirements.”
Satisfy the requirements that do not need a DMV visit
Examples: a Certification of Insurance from a Virginia-licensed insurer, attending a driver improvement clinic, a medical or vision report to Medical Review Services, compliance with child support orders, or proof a judgment is satisfied.
“Examples of requirements that may be satisfied without appearing in person at a DMV customer service center: Provide DMV with a Certification of Insurance from an insurance company licensed to do business in Virginia Attend a driver improvement clinic”
Pay the reinstatement fee
Reinstatement fees range from $145 to $220 depending on the order and can be paid online (for eligible orders), by mail, by phone or in person at any customer service center, plus any licensing fees.
“You can also pay by mail, phone or in person at any customer service center.”
Complete any in-person items
Some requirements must be satisfied at a DMV customer service center: proof of identity, residency or legal presence, any knowledge and road skills tests, and presenting a court order allowing restricted driving privileges.
“Examples of requirements that must be satisfied by appearing in person at a DMV customer service center:Provide proof of identification, residency and/or legal presence Take any applicable knowledge and road skills tests”
Official page: dmv.virginia.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Virginia.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Restricted Driving Privileges. Restricted driving privileges are granted by a court or by DMV depending on the suspension. DMV itself may grant them only for a suspension for violating Driver Improvement Probation, and only for a first violation or a second violation whose probation followed an 18-month control period; DMV has no authority to grant them for other suspensions. A court may grant restricted privileges at conviction for reckless driving, speed and aggressive driving, alcohol possession or consumption and drug violations. Documentation such as a court order or employer, school or medical letter on letterhead is required.
“If your driving privileges were suspended by DMV for a violation of Driver Improvement Probation, DMV may grant restricted driving privileges if: This is your first violation of probation, or This is your second violation”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Virginia.
Questions about a suspended license in Virginia
- How many demerit points suspend a Virginia license?
- The Virginia DMV states that a driver 18 or older who accumulates 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months) is suspended for 90 days and must complete a driver improvement clinic before the privilege is restored, followed by six months' probation. At 12 points in 12 months (18 in 24) a clinic is required within 90 days; at 8 points (12 in 24) an advisory letter is sent.
- How long do demerit points stay on a Virginia record?
- According to the DMV's Moving Violations and Point Assessments page, demerit points remain on the record for two years from the date the offense was committed. The conviction itself stays for the period shown beside each violation on the DMV lists (3, 5 or 11 years, or permanently), which is unrelated to when the points are removed.
- Can a driver improvement clinic reduce Virginia points?
- Yes. The DMV's Points System page states that five safe driving points may be earned by completing a driver improvement clinic, and a driver may hold at most five safe driving points. When a court requires the clinic, the court decides whether points are awarded and the driver must give the court's documentation to the clinic. A clinic may charge no more than $100.
- What is the Virginia reinstatement fee for a non-DUI suspension?
- The DMV Reinstatement Fees page lists $145 for insurance, judgment, child support and out-of-state citation suspensions, $175 for failure to complete a DMV-required driver improvement clinic or a probation violation, and $220 for financial-responsibility and DUI-related orders. A driver with several orders pays the highest fee plus $5 for each additional order.
- Can DMV issue a restricted license during a Virginia points suspension?
- The DMV's Restricted Driving Privileges page states that DMV may grant restricted privileges only for a suspension for violating Driver Improvement Probation (a first violation, or a second following an 18-month control period) and has no authority to grant them for other suspensions; a court may grant restricted privileges for offenses such as reckless driving at conviction.
Sources
- Virginia DMV - Reinstate Driver's License (reasons for suspension, reinstatement requirements)
- Virginia DMV - Reinstatement Fees
- Virginia DMV - Restricted Driving Privileges
- Virginia DMV - The Points System
- Virginia DMV - Moving Violations and Point Assessments
- Virginia DMV - Three Point Violations
- Virginia DMV - Four Point Violations
- Virginia DMV - Six Point Violations
- Virginia DMV - Traffic Violations, Drivers Age 18 and Over (thresholds)
- Virginia DMV - About Driver Improvement Clinics
- Virginia DMV - Reasons for Attending a Driver Improvement Course
- Virginia DMV - Records (driver record requests)
- Va. Code § 46.2-492 - Uniform Demerit Point System
- Va. Code § 46.2-498 - Driver improvement clinics; voluntary attendance
- Va. Code § 46.2-499 - Driver's license probation
- Va. Code § 46.2-506 - Formal hearings; suspension for excessive point accumulation
- Va. Code § 46.2-489 - Regulations; appeals
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Virginia license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/virginia/suspended-license/