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Virginia driving lesson · Penalties & License Actions

Driver Improvement Program & Demerit Points

A 3-minute lesson from the Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Penalties & License Actions
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
31

DMV keeps a record of every conviction a Virginia resident receives and assigns demerit points to traffic offenses and moving violations. It watches how many points you pile up in 12- and 24-month windows, and teens face stricter action after a single violation.

3, 4 or 6

Demerit points a conviction may carry

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

DMV monitors how many demerit points you receive within a 12-month and a 24-month period. Details are in Moving Violations and Points Assessment (DMV 115).

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Violations committed under age 18

Violations committed under age 18
ConvictionDMV action
FirstDriver improvement clinic required
Second90-day suspension
ThirdRevocation: 1 year or until age 18, whichever is longer
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

For drivers under 18, safety belt and child restraint violations count along with demerit point violations.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

If an under-18 driver doesn't finish the clinic within 90 days, DMV suspends the privilege until the clinic is completed and a reinstatement fee is paid.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Age 18 or 19: a demerit point or safety belt/child restraint violation committed at that age requires a driver improvement clinic.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Age 18 or older: point totals

Age 18 or older: point totals
PointsDMV action
12 in 12 months, or 18 in 24 monthsDriver improvement clinic
18 in 12 months, or 24 in 24 months90-day suspension + clinic
Handbook p. 31 ↗
90 days

Time to complete a required clinic before DMV suspends you

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Put it into practice

You're 17 and get your second speeding conviction for a violation committed at 17. DMV will suspend your driving privilege for 90 days. A third would bring revocation for one year or until 18, whichever is longer.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

How many demerit points can a single conviction add to your driving record?
  1. Three, four, or six points
  2. Only one point per conviction
  3. Ten points per conviction
  4. One, two, or three points

Answer: Three, four, or six points

Convictions may be assigned three, four, or six demerit points depending on the offense.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
An under-18 driver's third conviction for a demerit point violation results in what?
  1. A 90-day suspension only
  2. Revocation of driving privilege for one year or until age 18, whichever is longer
  3. A written warning with no suspension
  4. Mandatory driver improvement clinic only

Answer: Revocation of driving privilege for one year or until age 18, whichever is longer

A third conviction for a driver under 18 results in revocation for one year or until age 18, whichever is longer.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
What happens after a driver under 18's second conviction for a demerit point violation?
  1. DMV immediately revokes the license for one year
  2. No action is taken until a third conviction
  3. DMV suspends driving privilege for 90 days
  4. A driver improvement clinic is optional

Answer: DMV suspends driving privilege for 90 days

After a second conviction for a driver under 18, DMV will suspend driving privilege for 90 days.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
An adult driver (18+) must complete a driver improvement clinic if they accumulate how many points in 12 months?
  1. 6 points
  2. 20 points
  3. 8 points
  4. 12 points

Answer: 12 points

DMV requires drivers 18 or older to complete a clinic if they accumulate 12 points within 12 months, or 18 within 24 months.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
An adult driver who accumulates 18 demerit points within 12 months faces what consequence?
  1. A 90-day suspension and mandatory driver improvement clinic
  2. Immediate permanent revocation
  3. A written warning only
  4. A fine with no suspension

Answer: A 90-day suspension and mandatory driver improvement clinic

If you receive 18 points within 12 months (or 24 within 24 months), DMV suspends your privilege for 90 days and requires a clinic.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
If a driver required to complete a driver improvement clinic does not do so within 90 days, what happens?
  1. Nothing, the requirement simply expires
  2. DMV suspends their driving privilege
  3. They are automatically enrolled in a second clinic
  4. Their vehicle is impounded

Answer: DMV suspends their driving privilege

If a required driver improvement clinic isn't completed within 90 days, DMV suspends the driving privilege.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
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