Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a certified driver’s record online?
The state of Virginia allows individuals to check driving record online and order a certified driving record. Keep in mind that applying online will require you to provide your driver s license number or Social Security Number, as well as your date of birth. You will want to have a printer nearby to print a copy of your receipt once the transaction is complete.

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

Do I need to attend traffic school if I get a speeding ticket?
Yes, drivers must attend traffic school once issued a speeding ticket. Other times when traffic classes are required are when receiving a traffic citation that includes demerit points. These kinds of traffic citations indicate to the courts that you need to improve your driving skills. Defensive driving coursesare designed to make you a safer driver, and once the course is completed, five points will be removed from your driving record. Depending on your driving citation, you may be eligible to receive car insurance discounts as well.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Virginia

How can I pay for my traffic or parking ticket?
There are three ways Virginia residents can pay traffic fines: online, by mail or in person by going to the county court office. To pay traffic tickets online in VA, drivers use the General District Court website, and an additional four percent convenience fee is tacked onto the traffic ticket price.

To pay speeding tickets or traffic tickets by mail, follow the instructions on the back of your citation. The third option is to visit the county court of the county where the traffic citation was issued. If you are unsure which Virginia county that was in, check the back of your citation ticket. In addition, by going in person, you have to option to plead not guilty in court and attempt to get the traffic ticket dismissed.

To pay for parking tickets in Virginia, drivers also have the options of online, by mail or in person payments to choose from. Unlike traffic tickets, parking tickets cannot be paid for with one centralized state system. Instead, first check if the county where the traffic citation was issued has an online payment method. Otherwise, review the back of the parking ticket for other payment method details.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Virginia

How do I file a complaint when I believe someone has illegally accessed my DMV record?
If you believe an individual has been granted unauthorized access to your driver record, then contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle as soon as possible. You will want them to make note of any suspicious activity on your record. Call the VA DMV at 1-804-492-7100 or 1-800-272-9268 for the deaf or hard of hearing.

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

How do I get a copy of my driving record?
In order to request a copy of your driving record, you will need to get in touch with the Virginia DMV either by mail, in person at a local office or applying online. If you would like to submit your request by mail, you can do so by sending an Information Request, along with the appropriate fee, to this address:

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Attention: Vehicle (Driver) Records Work Center P. O. Box 27412 Richmond, VA 23269

Make sure to include information such as your:

  • Name.
  • Address.
  • Social Security Number.
  • The type of driving record you want.

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

How do I get a traffic ticket dismissed?
To get a traffic ticket dismissed in Virginia, you must go to court and plead not guilty or no contest. If the judge finds you not guilty, you do not have to pay the citation fee. At this point, you are responsible for court fees and traffic ticket lawyer s fees only. Check your driving record within two weeks time to make sure demerit points were not added to your driving record.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Virginia

How do I obtain a copy of someone else’s driving record?
To get a copy of another person s VA DMV driving record, you would follow the same procedure as if you were obtaining it for yourself. In some cases, a driving record for the purposes of employment may be issued to you free of charge or at a reduced rate.

The Virginia DMV also participates in a Mandatory Driving Record Monitoring Program, which allows the department to release driving records of public school bus drivers and commercial driving instructors, just to name a few to the local school division or school.

You can request an employment transcript at a reduced fee if any of the below apply to you:

  • You are a volunteer vehicle operator with Faith in Action.
  • You are a volunteer vehicle operator with a VA section of the Civil Air Patrol.
  • You are a volunteer vehicle operator with a VA section of the American Red Cross.
  • You are a VA affiliate of Compeer.
  • You are a VA affiliate of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

How do I reinstate my license if I refused to submit a breath/urine/blood test?
Because Virginia is an “implied consent” state, all drivers are required to take a Breathalyzer or other form of intoxication-level test when requested by law enforcement. To refuse results in automatic suspension of driving privileges for one year, and if refused a second or third time within the same 10-year period, one s driver s license is suspended for three years. To reinstate suspended driver s license, you must pay all related fines and wait for the suspension year to pass.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Virginia

How do I remove points from my driver’s license?
Points are assessed to a driver s license after receiving demerit-worthy ticket citations. For two years, demerit points remain on a driving record in Virginia. To remove up to five points in one sitting, enroll in DMV traffic school. Drivers are allowed to enroll once a year in a traffic course.

One helpful facet of the VA point system is that for every year that passes without receiving a driving citation, one safe driving point is assessed to driving records. Then, they are applied to the next traffic ticket. For instance, if you accrue two safe driving points and then are cited for a three-point traffic violation, only one demerit point will be assessed to your driving record.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Virginia

How many points can I get on my driving record before my driver’s license is suspended?
Depending on the type of violation or offense you commit, you will be issued a different number of points on your driving record. But if you accumulate 18 or more points within a 12-month period, your driver s license will be suspended for 90 days. If you accumulate 24 points within a 24-month bracket, your license will also be suspended. Additionally, your car insurance rate will increase.

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

How many times can I attend a traffic school course to remove points from my driving record?
You may be able to attend a defensive driving course in order to reduce the number of points on your drivers record. In Virginia, these types of traffic schools are known as Driver Improvement Clinics. You may be required to complete a course when you have been convicted of a traffic or moving violation.

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

If I lost my traffic or parking ticket, how can I find the information again?
Fortunately, information from a lost parking ticket can be retrieved several ways. First, drivers can contact the law enforcement that issued the traffic citation. This would be the VA state police or local law enforcement agency. The second and most popular option is to search for your traffic ticket case online using the Virginia Courts Case Information site. You will need to know which county the ticket was issued in to get accurate details. The final option to look up lost traffic or parking ticket information is to use the How to Pay Traffic Tickets and Other Minor Offences Online website. This site is generally updated by the local courts within 10 days of the ticket citation.

By using any of these methods, specific traffic ticket information like how much is traffic tickets and how can you pay for it will be made available.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Virginia

If my driver’s license was confiscated at the time of my DUI/DWI arrest, how do I get it back?
In Virginia, driver s licenses are confiscated either before trial or after trial when the judge suspends your driving privileges. The police officer or bailiff then turns the driving license over to the court clerk, who holds it until the suspension period is over. On the last day of suspension, the county clerk mails the confiscated drivers license to the VA residential address on file. The option to pick up the driving license in person is also available.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Virginia

What are the different types of driving records?
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles offers a number of driving records to authorized individuals, employers, organizations, government agencies, etc. These records include the ones listed below:
  • Driver/Insurance Record
  • Vehicle/Personal Use Record
  • Driver/Personal Use Record
  • Driver/Employment Record
  • Driver/Habitual Offender Restoration Record

If you are requesting a Personal Use Record, this document will contain information from the past 11 years of your driving history. The Habitual Offender Restoration Record is another example of an 11-year record.

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

What are the penalties of being convicted of driving under the influence?
If you are 21 and older, and caught driving under the influence, the penalties increase by the numbers of offenses.

First DUI Offense: Jail for at least five days, minimum $250 fine, and one-year driver license suspension.

Second DUI Offense: Jail time between 20 days and one year, minimum $500 fine, and three-year license suspension.

Third and Subsequent DUI Offense: Jail time for at least six months, minimum $1,000 fine, and an indefinite amount of time for driving privileges suspension.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Virginia

What happens if I get traffic ticket fines and I have a CDL?
Whether or not you are driving a commercial vehicle or personal vehicle with a CDL, you will face harsher penalties and higher fines than regular drivers. Depending on the severity of the traffic violation, you could have your driving privileges revoked or suspended, have points assessed to your driving record, lose your jobs, have higher insurance rates, and even face jail time. Not to mention, there is no leniency for CDL drivers caught drinking in a vehicle even during personal hours. If caught driving under the influence with a CDL license, you face automatic license suspension and stiff fines.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Virginia

What information does a driving record contain?
AVAdriver reportincludes all accounts of one s driving history. For example, some of the information you can expect to find on a driving transcript includes the following:
  • Your full name
  • Your address and other personal information
  • The number of points on your record
  • Your driving violations or offenses
  • Your driving convictions
  • Failure to appear in court (if applicable)
  • The accidents you have been involved in
  • The status of your driver s license

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

What is considered the legal alcohol limit?
What is the cost of a DUI?
Without assessing court fees and DUI attorney fees, the costs for DUIs in Virginia are at least:
  • $250 for a first-time offense.
  • $500 for a second DUI offense.
  • $1,000 for third and subsequent offenses.

In order to get a suspended drivers license reinstated, all DUI costs and fees must be paid for.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Virginia

What is the cost of a traffic ticket?
Traffic ticket costs vary from citation to citation. The more severe the driving violation, the higher the traffic ticket fine will be. There is also a great fine given for felony traffic citations. The most common types of traffic tickets issued in Virginia cost the following amounts:
  • Misdemeanor, reckless driving and speeding in excess of 80 mph: $350
  • Felony, reckless driving and speeding in excess of 80 mph: $1,000
  • Speeding between one and 20 mph above the posted speed limit: $5 for every additional mph, plus additional civil remedial fees

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Virginia

What is the cost to get a driver record?
If you would like to request a copy of yourVirginia driving record, keep in mind that fees may vary. For example, employment transcripts may be offered at a low rate or free of charge to certain organizations or governmental entities. Generally speaking, however, a driving record costs $8. If you want to have it certified, an additional $5 fee will apply.

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

What is the DUI penalty for a CDL driver?
DUI citations for CDL drivers in Virginia are strict and harsh. Because CDL drivers go through more rigorous driving training than regular drivers, they are expected to be examples on the roadways. If caught driving under the influence with a CDL license, you face the following penalties:
  • Up to one year in jail
  • A fine up to $2,500
  • CDL disqualification

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Virginia

What is the DUI penalty for a minor?
Minors are encouraged to continue learning how to drive until 21 years old. At no point in time may minors under 21 drink and drive. With a BAC of 0.02 percent, there is little room for breaking this law. If a minor is caught driving under the influence in Virginia, he or she faces the following penalties:
  • Drivers license suspension up to one year
  • A DUI fine that is at least $500 or a minimum of 50 hours community service

Other penalties would be possible:

  • Alcohol Safety Action Program course
  • Driving privileges restrictions

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Virginia

What must I do to reinstate my driver’s license as a result of a DUI/DWI?
To reinstate revoked drivers licenses in Virginia, drivers are responsible for meeting the following standards. First, all court fees and traffic violation fines must be paid. Second, driver safety course enrollment must be fulfilled. The final step is to complete a Virginia Alcohol Safety Action (ASAP) program. Once these tasks are completed and the suspension term has passed, your driver s license may be reinstated once again.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Virginia

Where can I find more information about an ignition interlock device?
Drivers must have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed into vehicles after being convicted of driving under the influence. In addition, Virginia drivers need to be supervised by the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) and provide proof of installation of an ignition interlock device. To learn more about IIDs, visit the Virginia ASAP website and ask to be assigned to an ASAP supervisor.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Virginia

Where can I find my traffic or parking ticket information online?
For more information about a traffic ticket or parking ticket, drivers can visit the General District Court website. By inputting the ticket citation number into the search system, a complete breakdown of ticket-related items will be displayed. For instance, the cost of traffic ticket, which county the traffic citation was issued in, and the different payment methods that can be used will be included.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Virginia

Why doesn’t a recent traffic ticket I received appear on my driving record?
Depending on when you were issued a traffic ticket, sufficient time may not have passed for it to appear on your VA DMV driving record. In order to obtain further information about your driving record, contact the Virginia DMV and have ready to provide them your driver s license number and full name.

For more information: Your Virginia Driving Record

Will I have points against my driver’s license if I get a ticket?
Whether or not you receive demerit points on your driver record for a traffic citation depends on the severity of your actions. Most commonly, demerit points are assessed when caught speeding. There are three types of point violations:
  • Three-point violations
  • Four-point violations
  • Six-point violations

Examples of the types of violations are as follows:

  • If caught impeding traffic or speeding one to nine mph above the speed limit, three demerit points are assigned.
  • If caught driving 10-19 mph above the posted speed limit, drivers receive four demerit points.
  • If caught driving 20 mph or above the posted speeding limit, you will receive six demerit points.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Virginia

Will I have to take an alcohol awareness class to reinstate my driver’s license?
Not every driver convicted of a DUI is required to take an alcohol awareness course. Instead, repeat DUI offenders and minors caught driving under the influence are most likely going to be required to enroll. Alcohol awareness classes online are an option. To learn more, review the back of your ticket citation and call the county court.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Virginia