DMV is responsible for making sure that all owners of vehicles with a valid registration comply with the Virginia laws on insurance requirements. When registering a motor vehicle, you must sign a statement on the registration application that you have liability insurance coverage for your motor vehicle, or pay the $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee. DMV will suspend your driving privilege if:
you do not submit the requested insurance policy information to verify that you have liability insurance coverage
there is a break in your insurance policy coverage and you do not return your license plates to DMV
Refer to www.dmvNOW.com for more detailed information on Insurance Monitoring activities by DMV.
The Division of Child Support Enforcement will direct DMV to suspend your driving privilege if you either :
are late making child support payments by 90 days or $5,000
fail to appear in court or comply with a subpoena, summons or warrant related to paternity or child support hearings
Refer to the DMV website under Reinstatement for information on eligibility for restricted driving privileges and requirements to reinstate your driving privilege.
DMV is responsible for making sure that drivers are able to safely operate motor vehicles. When DMV receives a report that a driver may have a physical or mental condition that affects his ability to drive safely, a medical review of the driver may be conducted. DMV is concerned about any condition that impairs the driver’s:
level of consciousness
perception (vision)
judgment
motor skills
Depending upon the situation, DMV may require you to submit a medical or vision report completed by your physician and/or to pass the two-part knowledge exam and/or road skills test. Once the medical review is completed, DMV will decide whether to:
suspend your driving privilege
restrict your driving privilege
require you to submit periodic medical and/or vision reports, or
end the medical review with no other requirements
If DMV suspends your driving privilege as a result of medical review action, you will not be required to present legal presence proof documents to reinstate your driving privilege unless required to do so for another suspension/revocation or your license expires. Refer to the DMV publication, Medical Fitness for Safe Driving (MED 80), for more detailed information on the Medical Review Program.
If you are a Virginia resident, DMV is responsible for maintaining a driving record of all convictions received from the court. When convictions are added to your record, DMV assigns demerit points to traffic offenses and moving violations. DMV also monitors your driving record to see how many demerit points you receive within a 12-month and 24-month period. Convictions may be assigned three, four or six demerit points. For more information, refer to the Moving Violations and Points Assessment (DMV 115)publication available at www.dmvNOW.com or DMV customer service centers.
Under Age 18: If you are convicted of a demerit point traffic violation (or safety belt/child restraint violation) committed when you were under age 18, DMV will require that you complete a driver improvement clinic. If you do not complete the clinic within 90 days, DMV will suspend your driving privilege until you complete the clinic and pay a reinstatement fee. After your second conviction for a demerit point traffic violation (or safety belt/child restraint violation) committed when you were under age 18, DMV will suspend your driving privilege for 90 days. Your third conviction will result in a revocation of your driving privilege for one year or until you reach age 18, whichever is longer.
Age 18 or 19: DMV will require you to complete a driver improvement clinic if you are convicted of a demerit point or safety belt/child restraint violation committed while you were age 18 or 19.
Age 18 or Older: DMV will require you to complete a driver improvement clinic if you accumulate 12 demerit points within 12 months or 18 points within 24 months. If you do not complete the clinic within 90 days, DMV will suspend your driving privilege.
If you receive 18 demerit points within 12 months or 24 points within 24 months, DMV will suspend your driving privilege for 90 days and require that you complete a driver improvement clinic.
For more detailed information on the Driver Improvement Program for juveniles and adults and the actions taken by DMV, refer to www.dmvNOW.com or A Different Kind of Crash Course (DMV 114) brochure.
