Virginia Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
9 common Virginia violations with typical fine ranges, plus how the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles points.
🔎Virginia Traffic Fines at a Glance
- Typical fines
- $25–$2,500
- Point system
- Yes
- Traffic school
- Available
- Records kept by
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Of the 9 Virginia violations below, the lowest typical fine is for seat belt violation ($25) and the highest is for speeding 20+ mph over or ≥85 mph ($250–$2,500).
Speeding fines climb across 4 tiers, from $60–$140 (speeding 1–9 mph over) to $250–$2,500 (speeding 20+ mph over or ≥85 mph).
Ranges only, not legal advice. Your actual Virginia fine depends on the county, the court, and your record, and court costs are added on top. For a criminal charge such as DUI or reckless driving, consult a licensed Virginia attorney.
📋Common Virginia Violations & Typical Fines
Base-fine ranges; Virginia court costs are extra.
| 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+ |
Estimate what your Virginia ticket will really cost
The fine on the ticket is rarely the total. Pick the violation to add court costs, points, suspension risk and the likely insurance impact in Virginia.
Base fine is $6 per MPH over the limit, plus court costs (~$66).
Pick the speeding tier that matches how fast you were going over the limit. Virginia typically breaks speeding into different tiers — choose the right one above for the most accurate estimate.
Based on the fine ranges listed on this page. Open the full estimator to compare other states.
🎯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.
📝Got a Virginia Ticket?
- Before paying a moving violation, check whether you qualify for Virginia's traffic-school option (see above) — it can keep the conviction off your record.
- Each conviction counts toward Virginia's suspension threshold, so a cheap ticket can still matter.
🔗Official Virginia Sources
For exact, current penalties, check the official Virginia sources:
Sourced from public Virginia statutes and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) publications; may not reflect the latest amendments. usdriverguide.com is not affiliated with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), any Virginia court, or any law enforcement agency. Full disclaimer.