Virginia Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are offenses committed while operating a motor vehicle. Dangerous violations, such as reckless driving, driving under the influence, or leaving the scene after an accident, are illegal in Virginia and may be tried in either general district or circuit court, depending on the charge. However, routine moving violations, such as speeding and sign/light violations, are prosecuted primarily in general district courts or municipal courts.

It is important to understand Virginia's system legally (demerit points, suspensions, and possible incarceration), monetarily (fines, taxes, and insurance), and civically (safer roads). In addition to awarding safe-driving points that might gradually balance risk, Virginia uses a Uniform Demerit Point System run by the DMV.

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in Virginia?

The main sources of Virginia's traffic laws are Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles) and Code Section 18.2-266, which deals with DUI. "Reckless driving" encompasses several actions, most notably exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph or more, or exceeding the speed limit by 85 mph, which are criminal offenses even in the absence of an accident.

DUI carries increasing penalties under Title 18.2's Article 2. Section 46.2-894 (responsibility to stop, aid, and share information) charges leaving the scene. Additionally, Virginia's Section 46.2-818.2 prohibits the use of a portable device while operating a motor vehicle.

Types of Traffic Violations in Virginia

The most common types of traffic Virginia in Idaho are:

• Speeding: Standard speeding is a common moving violation, but other speeding violations, such as driving 20 mph or more than 85 mph, might be categorized as reckless driving.
• Running a red light or stop sign / disobeying devices: This is a moving violation that carries demerit points for any perpetrator.
• Driving without a license or while suspended: Violations of this type carry points and may result in additional suspension measures.
• Driving without insurance: State law establishes minimal limitations, and the DMV and courts pursue financial-responsibility offenses.
• Reckless driving: Statutory forms include excessive speed, failure to yield from a side road under certain conditions, improper passing, and others.
• Hit-and-run (leaving the scene): After collisions, duties become more dangerous; there is a serious risk of injury or death.
• Failure to yield/following too closely / lane-use infractions: These are routine moving violations with assigned points.
• Distracted driving (hands-free): With few exceptions (such as emergency workers or those who are lawfully parked), it is illegal to use a portable device while operating a motor vehicle.
• DUI: Under § 18.2-266, alcohol or drug impairment carries collateral license penalties and, in certain situations, an ignition interlock requirement.

Traffic Violation Penalties in Virginia

For convictions, DMV assigns demerit points and has the authority to enforce remedial actions. Drivers who are 18 years of age or older must undergo a Driver Improvement Clinic if they accrue 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months; if they don't finish the clinic within 90 days, they risk suspension.

A 90-day ban and clinic requirement are imposed for accruing 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months. Advisory letters are also sent by the DMV at lower thresholds.

The DMV requires a Driver Improvement Clinic for the first demerit-point conviction for a violation committed by someone under the age of eighteen; a 90-day suspension follows a second conviction; and a revocation for a year or until the age of eighteen, whichever comes first, follows a third conviction. Drivers between the ages of 18 and 19 who receive a demerit point or safety belt conviction must finish a clinic.

Each calendar year, the DMV grants one safe-driving point for no infractions or suspensions (up to five), and five points for completing an authorized clinic voluntarily (not as required by the court or DMV). These offset demerit points.

• Reckless driving is a criminal offense; exceeding 85 mph or 20+ over the limit qualifies per statute. Penalties may include fines, jail, and license effects.
• DUI penalties escalate with priors and BAC; consequences include jail terms, fines, VASAP participation, and ignition interlock, in addition to administrative license actions.
• Leaving the scene penalties vary by harm and are severe where injury or death occurs.

While many traffic offenses can be waived or paid in full, reckless driving and DUI typically require offenders to appear in court. The fine for such crimes varies by offense and locality.

Demerit points are still valid two years after the crime date, and Virginia DMV posts that convictions are recorded; the visibility of convictions varies by offense and lasts longer (see below). Conviction history may be taken into account by insurers in addition to point status.

How to Search for Traffic Violation Records in Virginia

A) Court dockets and ticket status. Use the Virginia General District Court (GDC) online system to search civil, criminal, and traffic cases by name, case number, or hearing date in the locality of the ticket. You can pay for eligible balances through the same portal.

On this platform, you’ll see: Typical entries include the citation/case number, charged statute (e.g., § 46.2-862 reckless; § 46.2-818.2 handheld), hearing dates, disposition, and financials; document images vary by court.

B) Your official driving record (MVR). Order your driver transcript directly from Virginia DMV: online via the Record Requestservice (viewable again for five days after purchase), or by mail/in person using Form CRD-93. Fees and certification options are published by the DMV (e.g., base transcript fee, with an additional amount for certification).

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record in Virginia?

DMV demerit points remain valid for two years from the offense date. Safe-driving points accrue annually (max five) and can offset risk.

Visibility varies by offense. DMV’s official schedule shows, for example, that reckless driving and many serious offenses stay on your DMV record for 11 years; most speeding convictions remain for five years; certain commercial and alcohol-related entries have longer or permanent retention (asterisked) under DMV policy. The brochure also confirms that point removal timing is not the same as conviction-record removal.