Virginia adds 3 demerit points to your record for speeding 10 to 19 mph over the posted limit
In Virginia, if you are caught driving 10 to 19 miles per hour faster than the speed limit, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will add 3 demerit points to your driving record. This is a specific penalty tied to that speed range — it is not a fine amount, but a mark on your record that affects your driving privileges and insurance rates.
Demerit points stay on your Virginia driving record for 11 years from the date of the violation, though their impact on your insurance typically decreases after three to five years. The points themselves do not expire after a certain number of years; they remain visible to insurance companies and law enforcement for the full 11-year period.
Virginia's demerit point system is designed to track unsafe driving behavior. The more points you accumulate, the closer you move toward license suspension. Understanding where you stand in that system is the first step to knowing what happens next.
Key Takeaways
- Speeding 10 to 19 mph over the limit results in 3 demerit points added to your Virginia driving record.
- Demerit points remain on your record for 11 years, and accumulating 18 or more points in 12 months triggers a license suspension.
- Your insurance company will see these points and may raise your rates, even if you pay the fine and the ticket is resolved.
- You can check your current demerit point total through the Virginia DMV website or by visiting a local DMV office in person.
- Some traffic violations can be reduced or dismissed through traffic school or court, which may prevent points from being added.
How demerit points affect your Virginia driving privileges
Virginia uses a cumulative demerit point system. If you collect 18 or more points within a 12-month period, your license will be suspended. If you reach 24 or more points within 24 months, or 36 or more points within 36 months, your license will also be suspended. The clock resets based on the violation date, not the date you paid the ticket or went to court.
Before suspension happens, Virginia sends you a warning letter when you reach 13 points. This is not a penalty — it is a notice that you are approaching the threshold. If you receive this letter, you should take it seriously as a sign that one or two more violations could result in losing your driving privileges.
The suspension itself typically lasts 30 to 90 days for a first offense, depending on how far over the point threshold you went. During suspension, you cannot legally drive in Virginia, and driving anyway can result in criminal charges.
How insurance companies use demerit points
Insurance companies in Virginia have access to your driving record through the DMV. When you have a speeding violation on record, your insurer will likely increase your rates at your next renewal, even if you have not had an accident. A 3-point speeding violation typically results in a rate increase of 10 to 15 percent, though the exact amount varies by insurance company and your driving history.
Some insurers offer accident forgiveness or safe driver discounts that can offset a single violation, but you must ask about these programs when you shop for insurance. If you already have a policy, contact your agent to see whether you may have access to. The rate increase usually lasts three to five years, after which your rates may return to their previous level — but the points themselves remain on your record for the full 11 years.
If you are a young driver or a commercial driver, the impact on your insurance can be even steeper. Commercial drivers in Virginia face stricter point accumulation rules and may lose their commercial driving privileges at lower point totals than regular drivers.
Checking your current demerit point total
You can view your Virginia driving record and current demerit point balance online through the Virginia DMV website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online record shows all violations from the past 11 years, the date each violation occurred, and the points assigned to each one.
If you prefer to check in person, you can visit any Virginia DMV office and request a copy of your driving record. There is a small fee for this service, typically around $7 to $10. The staff can also explain what each violation means and answer questions about how close you are to suspension.
Checking your record regularly — especially if you have received multiple tickets — helps you understand your situation before you receive a warning letter or suspension notice from the DMV.
What happens if you receive a speeding ticket for 10-19 mph over
When a police officer stops you for speeding 10 to 19 mph over the limit, you will receive a summons or citation. This document tells you the alleged speed, the posted limit, and the date you must appear in court or pay the fine. You have several options: pay the fine, contest the ticket in court, or attend traffic school (if the court allows it in your case).
If you pay the fine without contesting it, you are admitting guilt, and the 3 demerit points will be added to your record. The fine amount varies by locality but typically ranges from $100 to $300 for this speed range. Paying the fine does not prevent the points from being added.
If you go to court and the judge finds you guilty, the same 3 points are added. However, if you contest the ticket and the officer does not appear, or if the judge finds insufficient evidence, the ticket may be dismissed and no points are added. Some judges also offer to reduce the charge to a non-moving violation, which carries no demerit points.
Traffic school and point reduction options
Virginia allows drivers to attend an approved traffic safety course to reduce demerit points in certain situations. If you are not a commercial driver and you have not attended traffic school in the past three years, you may be able to remove up to 3 demerit points by completing an eight-hour course. However, this option is not available for all violations, and the court must approve it before you enroll.
To find out whether traffic school is an option for your specific ticket, contact the court listed on your citation or call the courthouse directly. Some courts offer this as a standard option; others require you to request it. The course costs between $50 and $150 and must be completed within a set timeframe, usually 30 to 90 days after the court approves it.
Traffic school removes the points from your record but does not erase the violation itself. Your insurance company may still see that you received a ticket, though some insurers offer discounts if you complete a defensive driving course.
Scam alerts and common mistakes
Be cautious of websites or services that promise to remove demerit points, erase your driving record, or may provide that a ticket will be dismissed. The Virginia DMV does not authorize private companies to remove points or alter records. Only the court that issued the ticket, traffic school completion (in approved cases), or the passage of 11 years can remove points from your record.
Do not ignore a speeding ticket or fail to appear in court on the date listed. If you miss your court date, the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest, and additional charges may be filed. If you cannot attend court on the scheduled date, contact the courthouse in advance to request a continuance or to pay the fine by mail.
Some people believe that paying a higher fine will prevent demerit points from being added. This is not true in Virginia. The fine and the demerit points are separate penalties. Paying more money does not reduce or eliminate the points.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a speeding ticket stay on my Virginia driving record?
The ticket and the 3 demerit points remain on your record for 11 years from the violation date. After 11 years, the violation is removed from your driving record entirely. However, your insurance company may still have a record of it in their own system.
Will my license be suspended if I get one speeding ticket for 10-19 mph over?
One ticket for this speed range will not suspend your license by itself. You need 18 or more points within 12 months to trigger suspension. However, if you already have other violations on your record, this ticket could push you over that threshold.
Can I go to traffic school to avoid the demerit points?
You may be able to attend an approved traffic safety course to remove up to 3 points, but only if the court approves it and you have not attended traffic school in the past three years. Contact the court listed on your ticket to ask whether this option is available for your violation.
What if I was speeding because of an emergency?
Virginia law does not provide an exception for speeding in emergencies unless you are a police officer, firefighter, or ambulance driver responding to an emergency call. If you were speeding for a personal emergency, you can explain this to the judge in court, but it is not a legal defense that will automatically dismiss the ticket.
Does paying the fine mean the points go away?
No. Paying the fine and receiving demerit points are two separate consequences of a speeding violation. Paying the fine does not reduce or eliminate the points. The points remain on your record for 11 years regardless of whether you paid the fine when ready or months later.