Caught Speeding in Virginia? Here’s What Happens Next

Getting caught speeding in Virginia isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it can come with serious consequences depending on how fast you were going, where it happened, and whether you’ve had prior offenses. Whether it’s your first time or not, it’s important to know exactly what happens next and what you can do to protect your license, your wallet, and your driving record.

The Traffic Stop

Once you’re pulled over, the officer will ask for your license and registration and let you know how fast you were going. After the stop, you’ll be given a speeding ticket, which will either include a court date or an option to prepay the fine online or by mail.

What happens next depends on the severity of the offense and your driving history.

Types of Speeding Offenses

Virginia distinguishes between basic speeding violations and more serious ones like reckless driving.

Offense Type	Speed Criteria	Penalty Level
Basic speeding	1–19 mph over the posted limit	Traffic infraction
High-speed speeding	20+ mph over the limit	Could be reckless
Reckless driving (speed)	85+ mph OR 20+ mph over any limit	Criminal misdemeanor

So yes—driving 86 mph in a 70 mph zone can land you in court for a Class 1 misdemeanor, not just a speeding ticket.

Demerit Points

Virginia uses a point system to track traffic violations. Speeding violations can add 3 to 6 demerit points to your DMV record.

Speed Over Limit	Points Added
1–9 mph	3 points
10–19 mph	4 points
20+ mph or reckless	6 points

These points stay on your driving record for 2 years, while the conviction itself can remain for up to 11 years depending on severity.

Fines and Costs

Speeding tickets usually carry a base fine plus court processing fees. On average:

• $6 per mph over the limit
• Add $7 per mph in school or work zones
• Court costs: around $66+

So if you’re caught doing 15 mph over in a regular zone, you could pay around $156 or more.

Reckless driving? Fines can go up to $2,500, and you might face jail time or license suspension.

Insurance Impact

Even one speeding ticket can raise your car insurance rates. Insurers often increase premiums for drivers with recent violations, especially for speeding over 15 mph or multiple tickets within a short time.

Higher speeds and reckless driving can put you in a high-risk category, which means even higher premiums for several years.

Court Appearance

For minor speeding, you can usually prepay the fine and skip court. But if:

• You were speeding 20+ mph over the limit
• You’re charged with reckless driving
• You want to fight the ticket

…then you’ll need to appear in court. You can represent yourself or hire a traffic lawyer, especially if your offense could result in license suspension or a criminal record.

Defensive Driving Course

In some cases, especially for first-time offenders, the judge or DMV may allow you to take a driver improvement clinic. This can:

• Reduce your points
• Add safe driving points
• Possibly avoid higher insurance rates

You can only take the course once every 24 months for point reduction.

License Suspension

Speeding alone usually won’t get your license suspended unless:

• You’ve accumulated too many demerit points (12 in 12 months or 18 in 24 months)
• You’re convicted of reckless driving or excessive speeding

In those cases, the DMV may suspend your license or require a mandatory driving clinic.

What You Should Do

• Read the ticket carefully for your court date or payment instructions.
• Check your driving record to see how many points you already have.
• Consider legal help if facing reckless driving or high fines.
• Don’t ignore the ticket—that can lead to license suspension.

Speeding in Virginia is more serious than many people realize. Even a minor ticket adds points, affects your insurance, and stays on your record. But with the right steps, you can minimize the damage and avoid it happening again.

FAQs