Suspended License

Your Driving Privilege

Driving in Virginia is a privilege, not a right, and there are many reasons why your license can be suspended or revoked. Many of them are listed in the Virginia Driver's Manual.

Check Your License Status

Whenever you need or want to check the status of your driver’s license, you can order a driving record report. This record will spell out if your driver’s license is currently valid. Should your license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what’s on record at the DMV. This report will also show points against your license and, in some cases, information on any accidents you have had.

Suspension vs. Revocation

What is the difference between a suspended license and one that is revoked? A suspended license means the DMV has temporarily withdrawn your driving privilege. At the end of the suspension period, you may pay a fee and get your license reinstated.

A revoked license, on the other hand, means the DMV has completely terminated your driving privilege. After the revocation period expires, you will need to apply for a new license―including taking the written and road tests and paying the required fees. In other words, you will need to start all over.

How to Lose Your License

Repeatedly violating Virginia's motor vehicle traffic laws will result in suspension or revocation of your license. This includes:

• Receiving 18 or more demerit points in 12 months, or 24 points in a 24-month period.

• Registering an uninsured motor vehicle without paying the uninsured motor vehicle fee.

Sometimes it can take an accumulation of errors for the DMV to pull your driving privilege. Other times one offense is all it takes. These actions will result in the automatic suspension or revocation of your license:

• Eluding police.

• Making a false statement to the DMV.

• Failing to stop and identify yourself at the scene of an accident when someone has been injured or killed.

• Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Manslaughter resulting from driving a motor vehicle (voluntary or involuntary).

• Committing a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle.

• Drug offenses, regardless of whether a motor vehicle was involved.

• Taking a driver's license examination for another person, or appearing for another person to renew a license. If convicted of this offense, your license will be revoked for 10 years.

Not all license suspensions or revocations are related to traffic offenses. Other reasons include:

• Delinquency in child support payments by 90 days or $5,000.

• Conviction for making a bomb threat.

• Conviction for failing to pay for gasoline purchases.

• Medical reasons that cause you to become mentally or physically unable to drive safely.

• Drug offenses, whether or not a motor vehicle was involved.

Reinstatement

Virginia reinstatement fees run from $45 to $160 dollars based on the type of suspension. You will also need to provide proof of residency when you reinstate. The state now allows you to pay your reinstatement fees online.

Traffic School

Sometimes, you can enroll in a driver improvement clinic to reduce points on your license. The eight-hour clinics cost $75 and may be attended in a classroom or online.

Drivers Under 18

If you are under 18 and convicted of a safety belt, child safety belt, or demerit-point traffic violation, you must satisfactorily complete a driver improvement clinic. You will not earn safe driving points for it. You must complete the clinic within 90 days, or the DMV will suspend your permit or license until you complete the course.

A second demerit point conviction will result in a 90-day suspension of your permit or license. The court may choose to allow you restricted driving privileges so you can get to and from work, if there is no other transportation available.

A third conviction will result in revocation for one year or until you turn 18, whichever is longer, and you cannot get restricted driving privileges.

Drivers 18 and Older

The following point accumulations will result in these penalties for adult drivers:

• If you receive eight points in 12 months or 12 points in 24 months, you will receive an advisory letter.

• If you receive 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months, you will be required to satisfactorily complete a driver improvement clinic within 90 days or your license will be suspended.

• If you accumulate 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months, your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days. You must also satisfactorily complete a driver improvement clinic in order to restore your driving privilege. You will then be placed on a six-month probation and will not be granted restricted driving privileges.

If you are under age 20 and required to complete a driver improvement clinic, you must do so in the classroom. A computer-based clinic will not suffice.

Restricted Licenses

If you are given a demerit point offense while on probation, your license will be suspended. If this is your first probation, the DMV will allow you to apply for a restricted license. With it you will be able to drive, but under strict conditions such as only to and from work, medical treatment, and meetings with your probation officer.

To apply for a restricted license, you must request a hearing with your local circuit court.

LICENSE SUSPENSION RESOURCES

• Traffic schools
• Find a driver improvement clinic
• Traffic laws at a glance
• Driver's Manual: suspension and revocation
• Point system