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One of the ways that Virginia punishes dangerous drivers is to tack “demerit points” onto your license when you are convicted of traffic violations. When you are convicted of violating traffic law, the court notifies the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and points are attached to your name and license number in their database.

Drivers Over the Age of 18

Drivers who are 18 or older and accumulate as few as 12 points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months) will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic within 90 days.

If you accumulate 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months), your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days and you will need to complete another driver improvement clinic before your license is restored. Once restored, you will be placed on probation for six months.

Drivers Under the Age of 18

The DMV treats young drivers much more harshly. With the first demerit point violation, a young driver will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic. The DMV will suspend that driver’s license or permit until the clinic has been completed.

If a driver under the age of 18 receives a second demerit point conviction, the DMV will suspend his license for 90 days.

If a driver gets a third demerit point conviction before his 18^th birthday, the DMV will revoke the driver’s license for one year or until the driver reaches the age of 18, whichever is longer.

Safe Driving Points

Just as Virginia punishes bad drivers, the state rewards good drivers. For each calendar year that you hold a driver’s license without getting any traffic tickets, you earn one good driving point. A total of five safe driving points can be accumulated and used to offset demerit points later in your life.

In some cases, you may voluntarily take a driving improvement clinic and earn as many as five good driving points at once.

Wiping the Slate Clean

Driving demerit points do not stay on your record forever. The points only remain there for a period of two years from the date of the offense.

List of Three Demerit Point Offenses

List of Four Demerit Point Offenses

List of Six Demerit Point Offenses