The Impact of Traffic Violations on your Virginia DMV Record

When you are pulled over by a police officer, it’s only natural you might feel some panic, wondering what you did wrong or what your punishment might be.  Traffic tickets should most definitely be taken seriously, as their impact on your driving record can extend far into the future.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, when you are convicted of a traffic violation, the court will notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  In turn, the DMV will post the conviction to your driving record, assign you demerit points according to the severity of the offense, and notify your insurance company upon request.  If applicable, they will issue an order suspending your license, or one requiring completion of a driver improvement clinic.

While a conviction can stay on your record for years in accordance with the severity of the offense, DMV demerit points will remain on your driving record for two years from the date you commit the offense.  Below, you will find a list of standard violations and their assigned point values.

• Three Points– Speeding less than 10 miles per hour above the posted limit, improper passing, improper U-Turn, evading a traffic control device, driving without lights, driving while using earphones
• Four Points– unsafe passing, failure to yield to a funeral procession, following too closely, failure to obey railroad crossing signals, aggressive driving
• Six Points– reckless driving, driving under the influence (DUI), driving on a revoked or suspended license, attempting to elude police

If you accumulate too many demerit points, you risk having your license suspended or revoked.  Therefore, if you find yourself in any situation where you receive a ticket and will need to go to court, it’s advisable to contact an experienced attorney.  At Injury Law on Call, we are highly skilled in the areas of criminal law pertaining to traffic and DUI offenses, and are available 24/7.  Call us today at 757-282-6800.