Virginia Speeding Ticket? Fines Info & More | IMPROV® (2024)

FAQs

How do I get a speeding ticket dismissed in Virginia? ›

In some cases, it may mean a small fine. In others, it could mean jail time. Know exactly what the accusations are to help guide your decision. As a basic rule of thumb, it is generally a good idea to fight any traffic violation that could result in more than $500 in fines or has the potential for jail time.

The best thing to do, however, is not to plead guilty to a charge without giving yourself a strong opportunity to do otherwise. It is better to go to court and contest the ticket in hopes of having it reduced or dismissed or at the very least you can mitigate the damages of the penalties.

Levels of Speeding Offenses in Virginia

General speeding usually is charged up until 19 miles per hour over the speed limit or less, however, once it transitions to 20 miles per hour over the speed limit or more, it typically becomes reckless driving, which is a criminal offense rather than just a traffic infraction.

Driving School

In many courts this is a common occurrence. Virginia law states that the court has discretion to send someone to driving school to reduce or dismiss a speeding ticket. There are no laws that limit the court's ability to do this at even high speeds.

In fact, if you are charged, numerous offenses are accompanied by hefty fines, suspension of your driver's license, and even possible jail time. If you recently received a traffic ticket, hiring a Virginia traffic attorney is your best chance at eliminating or reducing the charges you face.

People often ask why Virginia treats speeding so harshly. There are many opinions on this, but it seems like a mix of reasons. One is political. Legislators want to look like they're keeping people safe, and having stern traffic laws theoretically makes the roads safer.

15 m.p.h. over the speed limit: $167 fine and -4 points.

There are no 1, 2 or 5 point traffic offenses. For example, speeding 0 to 9 mph above the speed limit is a 3-point offense, speeding 10 to 19 mph above the speed limit is a 4 point offense and speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit is a 6 point offense.

In Virginia, speeding tickets are pre-payable offenses, which means that a person does not have to appear in court if they pay the ticket in advance of the court date. Many people do not realize that they are admitting guilt for the traffic offense by paying the ticket.

Is speeding an arrestable offense in Virginia? ›

Statutes state that if you drive more than 80 mph, or exceed the legal speed limit by more than 20 mph, then an officer will charge you with reckless driving speeding. And besides fines, license suspensions, and a permanent criminal record, a reckless driving conviction carries the possibility of serving time in jail.

If you want an inexperience and/or high volume lawyer, then probably about $500. If you want an experienced lawyer who will do just your case, depending upon the complexity, $950 for the simplest case and $1,600 – $2,200 for complex cases or speeds greater than 100 mph.

In Virginia the law provides for a criminal charge against persons driving at certain speeds over the speed limit. If you were driving at more than 20 mph over the speed limit or over 85 mph regardless of how many mph over the speed limit you were driving you may be found guilty of reckless driving based on speed.

For example, in California, speeding tickets disappear after 39 months but in Virginia they last for five years. And some states maintain records of driving infractions forever. Additionally, more serious driving convictions such as a DUI or reckless driving commonly stay on your record for far longer.

First Steps in Virginia Speeding Ticket Cases

You should look for an attorney to help you reduce the ticket or have the ticket dismissed so that you can have fewer points or no points at all and a lower insurance rate.

Tickets stay on your record in Virginia 5-11 years. The amount of time a ticket stays on your record in Virginia depends on what the ticket is for, since serious offenses like driving while suspended will stay on your driving record for longer than minor offenses.

Four-Point Offenses

For example, speeding offenses that do not exceed 20 miles per hour above the speed limit and aggressive driving offenses remain on your record for five years. However, unsafe passing or failing to stop or yield convictions remain on your record for three years.

Speeding. Virginia Code §46.2-870 through Virginia Code §46.2-875 sets the speed limits on highways and other Virginia roads. Depending on how fast a person is speeding, he may be assessed up to six demerit points and have the conviction remain on his driving record for 11 years.