Suspended License in Virginia

Driver License Suspension in Virginia

If your Virginia driver's license is suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you'll need to satisfy your suspension requirements before you can reinstate your license.

Your driver's license may be suspended or revoked for reasons including:

  • A DUI/DWI or driving under the influence of drugs.
  • Refusing a chemical test.
  • Falsifying information to the Virginia DMV.
  • Felonies involving a vehicle.
  • Violating insurance laws.
  • Accumulating too many driving record points.

On this page you'll find information about your license suspension, how to reinstate your driving privileges, and how to obtain a restricted license.

About Your Suspended License in VA

Depending on your offense, the Virginia DMV and the courts may either suspend or revoke your driver's license.

The VA DMV will notify you when your driving privileges have been suspended.

Some traffic violations and crimes will result in an immediate suspension or revocation of your Virginia driver's license. These include:

  • Driving under the influence (DUI).
  • Refusing a chemical test.
  • Failing to stop at an accident you're involved in.
  • Failing to complete a required driver improvement program.
  • Reckless driving.

The duration of your suspension and reinstatement requirements will vary depending on your offense.

NOTE: Some violations may require you to enroll in a driver improvement program.

For specific details about your driver license suspension, including the duration, complete a Compliance Summary Request on the Virginia DMV website. You'll need to enter your:

  • Driver's license number or Social Security number.
  • Date of birth.

Demerit Points

Your driver's license can also be suspended for accumulating too many driving record points.

If you are under 18 years old, your license will be suspended:

  • If you don't complete a required driver improvement clinic within 90 days after receiving a demerit point. Your license will be reinstated once you've completed the clinic.
  • For 90 days after receiving your 2nd point.
  • For 1 year or until you turn 18 years old, whichever is longer, after receiving your 3rd point.

If you are 18 years old or older:

  • You will receive a warning letter if you earn:
    • 8 points in 12 months.
    • 12 points in 24 months.
  • Your license will be suspended for 90 days if you accumulate:
    • 18 points in 12 months.
    • 24 points in 24 months.
    After your suspension, you will be placed on probation for 6 months.
Lower Your Driving Record Points and Dismiss Traffic Tickets

Did you know you could reduce points from your driving record with a driver improvement program? Enroll in a Virginia online defensive driving course today!

Check Your Driver License Status

The number of years your traffic violations, convictions, suspensions, and revocations will remain on your Virginia driving record depends on the offense.

Most offenses that result in the suspension or revocation of your driver's license will remain on your driving record for at least 11 years. Traffic violations and convictions committed in a commercial vehicle will stay on your driving record permanently.

You can order your driving record to check the status of your drivers license and review your demerit points.

Find a cheaper car insurance quote if your rates have gone up with your suspension.

Suspension Hearings for Insurance Violations

If your Virginia driver's license was suspended for violating an insurance law, you can request an administrative hearing by completing the Virginia DMV's online form. You'll need to enter:

  • Your full name.
  • Your driver's license number.
  • Your mailing address.
  • Information about your suspension.

If you want to appeal your license suspension, you should contact the Virginia DMV or the court that handed down your suspension.

Looking for a DUI attorney?

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Reinstate Your Suspended Driver's License

The details of your driver's license suspension will vary depending on your offense. To view specific details, complete the online Compliance Summary Request on the Virginia DMV website. You'll need to log into the system using your:

  • Driver license number or Social Security number (SSN).
  • Date of birth.

To reinstate your Virginia suspended drivers license you may need to provide:

  • Proof of payment for your court fines, if applicable.
  • An SR22 certificate of insurance from your insurance company.
  • Proof you have completed a driving improvement clinic.
  • Proof you have completed an Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP).
  • Payment for your licensing fee, if applicable.
  • Payment for your reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your VA License" below.)

You may be able to pay your fees:

  • Online.
  • By mailing your payment to:
    Virginia
Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269
  • By calling:
    • (804) 497-7100.
    • (800) 828-1120 for TTY.

You may also need to visit your local Virginia DMV office and:

  • Provide identification, your address, and legal presence documents.
  • Pass a knowledge and driving skills test is required for license suspensions and revocations due to driving violations.

NOTE: Once you've satisfied your reinstatement requirements and paid your fees, the VA DMV will give you a clearance letter that confirms your driver license has been reinstated.

DUI Suspensions and Revocations

Virginia DUI penalties vary by the number of DUI convictions you have.

For DUI offenses/test refusals, the Virginia DMV can suspend your license under the Administrative License Suspension (ALS) for 7 to 60 days depending on how many offenses you've had. If you have a court trial, your license may be reinstated earlier.

You may also face additional fines, suspensions, and penalties from the court.

For more information about DUI/DWI in Virginia, visit our DUI & DWI in Virginia page.

Before you can reinstate your driver's license, you'll need to satisfy all of the requirements of your court revocation, including:

  • Completing an Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP).
  • Installing an ignition interlock device on your primary vehicle, or every vehicle you own if you have multiple DUI convictions.

For more information about DUI convictions in Virginia, please refer to the Virginia DMV DUI information document.

Restricted Virginia Driver's License

You may be able to request a restricted driver license to use while your drivers license is suspended.

If your license was suspended by the Virginia DMV for violating the requirements of your driver improvement program, you may be eligible for a restricted license if:

  • It was your first probation violation.
    OR
  • It was your second probation violation and there was an 18-month control period before your probation.

If eligible, you can use a restricted license to drive to and from authorized locations, such as:

  • Work.
  • School.
  • Health care centers.
  • Your child's school or daycare.

You'll need to:

  • Petition the court, if you had a court-ordered suspension for convictions including:
    • DUI.
    • Reckless and aggressive driving.
    • Drug convictions.
  • Provide documents that justify your need for a restricted driver's license, including:
    • Court orders.
    • A letter from your school or employer.
    • A letter from your doctor.

If the court approves your restricted license request, you may need to visit your local VA DMV with:

  • Any required documents.
  • Your court documents.
  • Your reinstatement fees.

Contact or visit your local Virginia DMV office for information on obtaining a restricted license.

Fees to Reinstate Your VA Driver's License

Virginia driver license reinstatement fees vary depending on the offense.

  • $145 for offenses including:
    • Failing to pay court fines.
    • Insurance violations.
    • Railroad crossing violations.
  • $175 for offenses including:
    • Failing to complete a driver improvement program.
    • Driving with a suspended/revoked license.
    • Felonies involving a vehicle.
  • $220 for offenses including:
    • A DUI or driving under the influence of drugs.
    • Vehicular manslaughter.
    • Commercial vehicle convictions involving alcohol.

For a complete list of reinstatement fees for different offenses, please refer to the Virginia DMV website.

If you have multiple suspension/revocation orders on your Virginia driver's license, you will be charged an extra $5 for each order.

NOTE: Your reinstatement and suspension fees may vary depending on your specific circumstance. For details about your suspension, order your driving record or a compliance summary on the Virginia DMV website.

Accepted Forms of Payment

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles accepts the following forms of payment to reinstate your suspended license:

  • Online: E-check or credit card.
  • By mail: Check or money order.
  • By phone: Credit card.
  • In person: Cash, check, money order, or credit card.

CDL Suspensions in Virginia

Your commercial driver's license (CDL) can be disqualified/suspended if you violate traffic laws or are convicted of crimes while operating a commercial vehicle.

NOTE: Your CDL can also be suspended for violations and convictions committed in a non-commercial vehicle. Not every CDL disqualification will result in a suspension.

CDL disqualification laws are regulated by both state and federal law.

Your CDL can be disqualified for violations and convictions such as:

  • Excessive speeding or reckless driving.
  • DUI or driving under the influence of drugs.
  • Railroad crossing violations.
  • Continuing to operate on an out-of-service order.

To reinstate your CDL, please see “Reinstate Your Suspended Driver's License" above.

For more information about CDL suspensions, visit our page for commercial drivers.

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