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VA Driver Improvement
OTHER TRAFFIC INFORMATION
Blitz Legal
Woolley Stout & Garin, PLLC
11325 Random Hills Rd.
Suite 360
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 225-3330
Fax: (703) 225-3333
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What is the Virginia Driver Improvement Program?
The Driver Improvement Program is the system under which the Virginia DMV assigns demerit points to punish drivers convicted of traffic violations and safe-driving points to reward drivers who are not.
Demerit Points
Demerit points are assigned when you commit a traffic violation, and will remain on your record for two years from the date you commit the offense. Different violations carry different point values, depending on their seriousness. As you accumulate demerit points, the DMV imposes increasingly severe consequences that vary depending on your age.
Drivers on Probation
If you are convicted of a demerit point offense that was committed while you were on probation, your driving privilege will be suspended. The suspension period depends on the number of points assigned for the violation.
Safe Driving Points
Safe driving points are assigned for each full calendar year that you hold a valid Virginia driver's license and drive without any violations or suspensions. You may also receive safe driving points for voluntarily completing a driver improvement clinic. Safe driving points are used to offset demerit points for convictions. Regardless of your record or driver improvement clinic completion, you may only accumulate a total of five safe driving points.
Driver Improvement Clinics
These are eight-hour classroom or computer sessions that are offered at sites around the state as well as online. You must complete the entire eight-hour course, and it is best to contact the court to ensure that it will accept a computer based course.
If you are required to take a driver improvement clinic and fail to complete it within 90 days, your driving privilege will be suspended until you meet the requirement. Under very limited circumstances, you may be eligible for a brief extension.
If you are 18 or older, you may be awarded five safe driving points after you successfully complete a driver improvement clinic. If a court requires you to complete a clinic, the court will determine if you will be awarded safe-driving points.
To find the nearest clinic or for more information on the Driver Improvement Program, visit the Virginia DMV Website.
The Driver Improvement Program is the system under which the Virginia DMV assigns demerit points to punish drivers convicted of traffic violations and safe-driving points to reward drivers who are not.
Demerit Points
Demerit points are assigned when you commit a traffic violation, and will remain on your record for two years from the date you commit the offense. Different violations carry different point values, depending on their seriousness. As you accumulate demerit points, the DMV imposes increasingly severe consequences that vary depending on your age.
Drivers under age 18
If you are convicted of a demerit point traffic violation (or a safety belt or child-restraint violation) committed when you were under age 18, you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic within 90 days. If you do not, the DMV will suspend your permit or license until the clinic is completed.
If you are convicted of a second violation committed before you are 18, DMV will suspend your permit or license for 90 days. Some drivers under 19 may be eligible for restricted driving privileges.
After conviction for a third violation committed prior to age 18, DMV will revoke your permit or license for one year or until you turn 18, whichever is longer.
Drivers age 18 and older
If you are convicted of a demerit-point violation (or a safety belt or child-restraint violation) committed when you were age 18 or 19, you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic.
If you are age 18 or older and you accumulate eight demerit points in 12 months (or 12 points in 24 months), you will receive a letter to warn you about the consequences of further violations.
If you accumulate 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months), your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days. You must also complete a driver improvement clinic before your privilege will be restored. Additionally, once your privilege is restored, you will be placed on a six-month probation period.
Drivers on Probation
If you are convicted of a demerit point offense that was committed while you were on probation, your driving privilege will be suspended. The suspension period depends on the number of points assigned for the violation.
- 3 point violation = 45 day suspension
- 4 point violation = 60 day suspension
- 6 point violation = 90 day suspension
Safe Driving Points
Safe driving points are assigned for each full calendar year that you hold a valid Virginia driver's license and drive without any violations or suspensions. You may also receive safe driving points for voluntarily completing a driver improvement clinic. Safe driving points are used to offset demerit points for convictions. Regardless of your record or driver improvement clinic completion, you may only accumulate a total of five safe driving points.
Driver Improvement Clinics
These are eight-hour classroom or computer sessions that are offered at sites around the state as well as online. You must complete the entire eight-hour course, and it is best to contact the court to ensure that it will accept a computer based course.
If you are required to take a driver improvement clinic and fail to complete it within 90 days, your driving privilege will be suspended until you meet the requirement. Under very limited circumstances, you may be eligible for a brief extension.
If you are 18 or older, you may be awarded five safe driving points after you successfully complete a driver improvement clinic. If a court requires you to complete a clinic, the court will determine if you will be awarded safe-driving points.
To find the nearest clinic or for more information on the Driver Improvement Program, visit the Virginia DMV Website.
