roadwise.Open study app

Virginia driving lesson · Penalties & License Actions

Vehicle Impoundment & Restitution

A 2-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
2 minutes
Course unit
Penalties & License Actions
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
32

Keep driving after an alcohol-related suspension, or keep driving without a license, and you can lose your car, not just your license. A DUI crash can also leave you paying for the emergency crews who respond.

30 days

Immediate impoundment if caught driving while suspended for an alcohol-related offense

Handbook p. 32 ↗
+90 days

Additional impoundment the court can order if you're convicted

Handbook p. 32 ↗

Know the rule

Driving without a license after a prior conviction for driving without a license: law enforcement will impound the vehicle.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
3 days

That no-license impoundment lasts until you get a license or three days, whichever is less

Handbook p. 32 ↗

Restitution

Depending on the city or county, you may have to pay up to $1,000 for police, EMS, fire and rescue personnel responding to a crash or incident caused by your DUI.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
Up to $1,000

Maximum restitution for emergency response to your DUI crash or incident

Handbook p. 32 ↗

Put it into practice

A driver whose license was suspended for DUI is caught driving. The car is impounded on the spot for 30 days; if convicted, the court can add another 90 days.

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 long is your vehicle immediately impounded if caught driving after your license was suspended for an alcohol-related offense?
  1. 30 days
  2. 7 days
  3. 60 days
  4. 90 days

Answer: 30 days

Your vehicle will be impounded immediately for 30 days if caught driving after a suspension for an alcohol-related offense.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
If convicted after that initial impoundment, how much longer can the court impound the vehicle?
  1. An additional 30 days
  2. An additional 90 days
  3. An additional 7 days
  4. An additional one year

Answer: An additional 90 days

The court can impound the vehicle for an additional 90 days if you are convicted.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
How long does a vehicle remain impounded if a driver operates it without a license after a prior no-license conviction?
  1. Exactly 30 days, no matter what
  2. Until the driver obtains a license, however long
  3. Until licensed or three days, whichever is less
  4. For 30 days, or until trial

Answer: Until licensed or three days, whichever is less

The vehicle remains impounded until the driver obtains a license or for three days, whichever is less.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
What is the maximum restitution a driver may owe for emergency response costs from a DUI-related crash?
  1. Up to $500
  2. Up to $5,000
  3. Up to $250
  4. Up to $1,000

Answer: Up to $1,000

Depending on local laws, a driver may owe up to $1,000 for emergency response costs from a DUI-related crash.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
If you are caught driving after an alcohol-related suspension, your vehicle is immediately impounded for 90 days.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

The vehicle is impounded immediately for 30 days; the court can add another 90 days only if you are convicted.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Penalties & License Actions

All Virginia lessons