roadwise.Open study app

Virginia driving lesson · Penalties & License Actions

Suspension & Revocation

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.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Penalties & License Actions
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
30, 31

Break certain laws, or keep breaking them, and the court and/or DMV can take away your driving privilege. A suspension is a pause; a revocation ends your privilege entirely, and you must start over to get it back.

Suspension

Your privilege to drive is withdrawn temporarily. You can pay the fees and reinstate at the end of the suspension period.

Handbook p. 30 ↗

Revocation

Your privilege to drive is terminated. After the revocation period you must reapply, prove legal presence, pass the vision, knowledge and road tests, and pay fees.

Handbook p. 30 ↗

Know the rule

To reinstate after a suspension you must show proof of legal presence (U.S. citizen or legally authorized by the federal government to be in the U.S.).

Handbook p. 30 ↗

Know the rule

If your license has been expired one year or more during a suspension, you must show legal presence and pass the two-part knowledge, road skills and vision exams to reinstate.

Handbook p. 30 ↗

Convictions that bring suspension or revocation (court or DMV will act):

  • DUI (alcohol or drugs), or injuring someone while DUI
  • Driving while suspended or revoked for a DUI
  • Driving without an ignition interlock device when the court or DMV requires one
  • Making a false statement to DMV
  • Failing to stop and identify yourself at a crash where someone was injured or killed
  • Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter from driving; involuntary manslaughter while DUI
  • A motor vehicle-related drug offense, or a felony using a motor vehicle
  • Taking a license exam or appearing to renew for another person
  • Eluding police
Handbook p. 30 ↗

Convictions for which the court MAY suspend or revoke:

  • Reckless or aggressive driving
  • Driving without a valid driver's license
  • Driving while revoked or suspended for a non-DUI conviction
  • Refusing a blood/breath test when charged with DUI
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

See 'Reinstating Driving Privileges' and 'Restricted Driving Privileges' on the DMV website for other reasons and reinstatement rules.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Put it into practice

Jay's license was suspended for a year, and it also expired during that time more than a year ago. To reinstate, he must pay the fees, prove legal presence, and pass the knowledge, road skills and vision exams.

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.

What does a license suspension mean for your driving privilege?
  1. It has been permanently terminated
  2. It has been downgraded to a learner's permit
  3. It has been withdrawn temporarily
  4. It has no real effect until convicted

Answer: It has been withdrawn temporarily

A suspension means your driving privilege has been withdrawn temporarily; it can be reinstated after the period ends.

Handbook p. 30 ↗
What does license revocation mean, compared to suspension?
  1. It is identical to a suspension in every way
  2. It only applies to commercial drivers
  3. It automatically expires after 30 days
  4. Your privilege is terminated; you must reapply

Answer: Your privilege is terminated; you must reapply

Revocation terminates your driving privilege; you must reapply and meet requirements to have it restored.

Handbook p. 30 ↗
If your license has been expired for one year or more during a suspension, what must you do to reinstate it?
  1. Show proof of legal presence and pass the knowledge, road skills, and vision exams
  2. Only pay the reinstatement fee
  3. Only complete a driver improvement clinic
  4. Nothing additional beyond waiting out the suspension

Answer: Show proof of legal presence and pass the knowledge, road skills, and vision exams

If expired a year or more during suspension, you must show proof of legal presence and pass all three exams to reinstate.

Handbook p. 30 ↗
Which of these convictions requires the court or DMV to suspend or revoke your driving privilege?
  1. Failing to signal a lane change
  2. Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  3. Reckless driving
  4. Driving 5 MPH over the speed limit

Answer: Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

A DUI conviction requires the court or DMV to suspend or revoke your driving privilege.

Handbook p. 30 ↗
Which offense is one the court MAY, rather than must, suspend or revoke your license for?
  1. Injuring another person while driving DUI
  2. Eluding police
  3. Reckless or aggressive driving
  4. Making a false statement to DMV

Answer: Reckless or aggressive driving

The court may suspend or revoke for reckless or aggressive driving, while DUI-related offenses require suspension or revocation.

Handbook p. 30 ↗
What must you do to have your driving privilege restored after a revocation period has passed?
  1. Simply wait for the period to end with no further action
  2. Reapply, show proof of legal presence, pass required exams, and pay fees
  3. Only pay a $50 reinstatement fee
  4. Only complete a driver improvement clinic

Answer: Reapply, show proof of legal presence, pass required exams, and pay fees

To restore driving privilege after revocation, you must reapply, show legal presence, pass required exams, and pay fees.

Handbook p. 30 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Penalties & License Actions

All Virginia lessons