DMV Points System

If you are convicted of a traffic violation, the court notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV does one or more of the following:

• Post the conviction to your driving record.
• Issues an order of suspension (if applicable)
• Orders the completion of a drive improvement clinic (if applicable)
• Assigns demerit points to you
• Notifies your insurance company upon request

Understanding What Virginia DMV Demerit Points Are: Northern Virginia Traffic Attorney Explains DMV Demerit Points

Demerit points are assigned when you commit a traffic violation. They will remain valid for two years from the date you commit the offense. Different violations carry different demerit point values, depending on the seriousness of the offense.

DMV demerit points remain on your record for two years from the date that you commit the offense. The dates that demerit points are removed from your driving record are not related to the dates that convictions are removed from your record.

The length of time that a conviction stays on your record varies, and often depends upon the severity of the violation.

You insurance company may also assign points on your insurance records; however, DMV demerit points are not related to insurance company points. Insurance companies have individual standards to determine how traffic infractions will impact your premium. While company A may increase your insurance premium by 10% for a speeding infraction, company B might increase your premium by 15%.

Six Point Violations: Northern Virginia Traffic Attorney Discusses Violations with Six Point Assessments

• Reckless driving
• Driving under the influence
• Habitual Offenders who drive after being declared a habitual offender
• Driving while your license is suspended or revoked
• Driving commercial vehicle while disqualified
• Speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit
• Failure to stop at the scene of a crash that results in an injury or death
• Failure to stop at the scene of a crash where property damage is $1,000 or more
• Failure to change lanes or slow down for a vehicle displaying flashing lights
• Attempting to elude police
• Operating unsafe vehicle

Four Point Violations: Northern Virginia Traffic Attorney Discusses Violations with Four Point Assessments

• Speeding 10-19 mph above the posted speed limit
• Passing when unsafe or to the left of an approaching vehicle
• Failure to stop and yield right-of-way
• Failure to yield when turning left
• Failure to yield to funeral procession
• Failure to drive to the right and stop for police, fire, or emergency vehicles
• Failure to keep to the right
• Following too closely
• Improper signal
• Failure to obey railroad crossing signal
• Failure to stop at the scene of a crash where the property damage is less than $1,000

Three Point Violations: Northern Virginia Traffic Attorney Discusses Violations with Three Point Assessments

• Speeding 1-9 mph above the posted speed limit
• Impeding traffic, slow speed
• Improper Passing
• Improper Driving
• Improper turn/u-turn
• Evading traffic control device
• Failure to obey highway sign
• Driving without lights or using excessive lights
• No Virginia driver’s license
• Driving commercial motor vehicle while alcohol in blood
• Failure to report a crash, unattended property, less than $250 damage
• Drinking while driving
• Driving with TV screen visible to driver
• Driving while using earphones