Virginia Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
Typical fine ranges for the most common Virginia traffic violations — speeding, red light, cell phone, and more. Plus how the point system works and what to do if you got a ticket.
Read This First — Ranges Only, Not Exact Amounts
The fines below are typical ranges only. Your actual fine depends on the county, the specific court, your driving history, the officer's discretion, and any local surcharges. Court costs and state assessments are added on top of the base fine and can substantially increase the total.
This page is not legal advice. If you've received a citation — especially for reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, or any criminal traffic charge — consult a licensed Virginia attorney before doing anything else.
📋Common Virginia Violations & Typical Fines
Most-searched violations in Virginia. All amounts include the typical base fine; court costs and state surcharges are added on top and vary by county.
| Violation | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
Speeding 1–9 MPH over Base fine is $6 per MPH over the limit, plus court costs (~$66). 3 demerit points | $60–$140 |
Speeding 10–14 MPH over 4 demerit points | $135–$200 |
Speeding 15–19 MPH over 4 demerit points | $170–$260 |
Speeding 20+ MPH over OR ≥85 MPH Charged as RECKLESS DRIVING — a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. Potential jail time and license suspension. Consult an attorney immediately. 6 demerit points | $250–$2,500 |
Running a red light 4 demerit points | $30–$200 |
Running a stop sign 4 demerit points | $30–$200 |
Seat belt violation | $25 |
Hand-held cell phone (Hands-Free Virginia) $125 first / $250 second and subsequent offenses; primary offense statewide. | $125–$250 |
Driving without insurance Plus 30-day license suspension and reinstatement fees. | $500+ |
🎯How Virginia's Point System Works
Virginia DMV uses a demerit-point system. Most moving violations carry 3, 4, or 6 demerit points and stay on your record for 3, 5, or 11 years respectively. Safe drivers earn 1 safe-driving point per year (up to a maximum of 5).
18 demerit points within 12 months OR 24 demerit points within 24 months results in a 90-day license suspension and mandatory completion of a Driver Improvement Clinic.
🎓Traffic School & Defensive Driving
Virginia DMV-approved Driver Improvement Clinic adds 5 safe-driving points (offsetting demerits). Cost is approximately $25–$100. Voluntary completion allowed once every 24 months; courts may also order it as part of a sentence.
🛡️The Hidden Cost: Auto Insurance
The fine on the ticket is often the smaller half of what a moving violation costs you. In most cases, a single ticket can raise your auto-insurance premium by 20%–40% for the next 3 years — frequently adding $300–$1,500+ in extra premiums, depending on your insurer, your prior record, and your state's rating rules.
Talk to your insurance agent before deciding whether to pay or contest a ticket — they can usually tell you the actual rate impact, which often makes traffic school (where eligible) the obvious choice even if the fine itself is small.
📝If You Got a Virginia Ticket — Three Steps
- 1
Read the citation carefully — don't miss the deadline
Every Virginia citation has a court date or response deadline (often 20–30 days). Missing it usually means an automatic guilty finding, additional fees, and a possible bench warrant. Note the court name, the violation code, and the deadline — they're all printed on the ticket.
- 2
Decide: pay, contest, or take traffic school
For minor non-moving violations (parking, expired tags), paying is often the cheapest path. For moving violations that add points or insurance impact, traffic school (where eligible) is often the better total-cost choice. Contesting makes sense when you have evidence the citation is wrong, when the consequences are severe, or when an attorney advises it.
- 3
For serious charges, talk to a Virginia attorney
Reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene — these are criminal charges in Virginia, not traffic infractions. They carry possible jail time, license revocation, and long-term consequences. Many traffic-defense attorneys offer free initial consultations; the cost of representation is almost always less than the cost of mishandling a serious charge alone.
🔗Official Virginia Sources
For exact, current penalties for your specific situation, check the official sources below — these are the same sources Virginia courts and law enforcement use:
💰Also Worth Knowing: Virginia License Cost
See the complete cost breakdown for getting a Virginia driver's license — permit fees, license fees, REAL ID, driver education, and the hidden costs no one tells you about.
View Virginia License Cost BreakdownNeed Your Virginia Driver's License?
Get the complete step-by-step Virginia driver's license guide — requirements, documents, road test tips, fees, and FAQs.
Full Virginia Driver's License GuideThis page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Traffic-fine amounts vary by county, court, prior record, and the specific circumstances of each case. Court costs, state surcharges, and assessments are routinely added on top of the base fines listed here and can substantially increase the total amount owed.
Information is sourced from publicly available Virginia statutes and DMV publications and may not reflect the most recent amendments. Always verify current penalties at the official Virginia source before relying on any number on this page. For any criminal traffic charge — including DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, or driving on a suspended license — consult a licensed Virginia attorney.
DriveGuideUSA.com is not affiliated with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), any Virginia court, or any law enforcement agency.