Got a Traffic Ticket in Virginia? Here's What You Should Do Next

Don't Panic—Read Your Ticket Carefully

The first thing to do after receiving a traffic ticket is to stay calm and read every detail on the citation. Your ticket contains critical information including the violation code, the court date (if applicable), the fine amount, and instructions for payment or contesting the ticket.

Check whether your ticket is prepayable or requires a mandatory court appearance. Serious offenses like reckless driving, DUI, or driving on a suspended license typically require you to appear in court. Most speeding tickets and minor violations can be paid online or by mail, though you always have the option to contest them in court.

Make note of any deadlines. Missing a court date or payment deadline can result in additional fines, suspension of your license, or even a warrant for your arrest. Mark these dates in your calendar immediately and set multiple reminders.

Understand the Point Impact on Your License

Virginia uses a demerit point system to track traffic violations. Each offense adds three, four, or six points to your driving record depending on severity. These points remain on your record for two years from the violation date and can trigger serious consequences.

Accumulating 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months will result in a suspended license. Even if you stay below those thresholds, insurance companies review your record and can raise your premiums significantly—sometimes by 20-40% or more—when they see violations.

The good news is that Virginia also allows you to earn safe driving points that offset demerits. You earn one safe driving point for each violation-free year, and you can earn five additional points by completing a DMV-approved driver improvement course. Understanding this system is key to protecting your record.

Step-by-Step: What to Do Right After Your Ticket

Follow these immediate action steps to take control of the situation and minimize long-term consequences.

• Document everything: Take photos of the ticket, note the exact location and circumstances of the stop, and write down what the officer said. These details can help if you decide to contest the ticket.
• Check your current driving record through the Virginia DMV website to see how many points you already have and whether this new violation puts you at risk of suspension.
• Research the specific violation code on your ticket to understand the standard fine, point penalty, and whether you're eligible for traffic school or reduced charges.
• Consider whether to pay the ticket or contest it in court. If you believe the ticket was issued in error or if the consequences are severe, consulting a traffic attorney may save you money in the long run.
• If you plan to pay the ticket, do it before the deadline to avoid late fees and additional penalties. Most Virginia courts accept online payments through their websites.
• Enroll in a driver improvement course as soon as possible to earn five safe driving points that can offset the demerit points from your violation.

Should You Fight the Ticket or Pay It?

This is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Paying the ticket is admitting guilt, and the violation will go on your record along with the associated demerit points. However, fighting a ticket requires time, preparation, and sometimes legal representation.

Consider contesting your ticket if any of these apply: the officer made a clear error, you have evidence the violation didn't occur, the ticket involves serious charges like reckless driving, or you're close to a license suspension and can't afford more points.

For minor speeding tickets or first-time offenses, paying the fine and immediately completing a driver improvement course is often the most efficient path. The five safe driving points you earn can balance out the demerits and demonstrate responsibility to your insurance company.

How a Driver Improvement Course Protects Your Record

A Virginia DMV-approved driver improvement clinic is your fastest and most reliable way to add positive points to your record. The eight-hour course covers defensive driving techniques, Virginia traffic laws, collision prevention strategies, and the consequences of dangerous driving behaviors.

You can complete the course online at your own pace with providers like DriveClear. Once you finish, you'll receive a completion certificate that you can download immediately. The course provider reports your completion directly to the DMV, and the five safe driving points typically post to your record within 7-10 business days.

These five points can offset the demerit points from your recent ticket and provide a buffer against future violations. Many insurance companies also offer discounts—sometimes 5-15% off your premium—when you voluntarily complete a defensive driving course, even if you weren't court-ordered to take it.

Timeline: When to Take Action

Time is critical after receiving a traffic ticket. Here's a suggested timeline to follow:

• Within 24 hours: Read your ticket completely, document the incident, and mark all deadlines in your calendar.
• Within 3-5 days: Check your driving record, research the violation, and decide whether to pay or contest the ticket.
• Within 1 week: If contesting, contact a traffic attorney. If paying, enroll in a driver improvement course to start earning safe driving points immediately.
• Within 2 weeks: Pay your fine (if applicable) and complete at least half of your driver improvement course.
• Within 30 days: Finish the driver improvement course, download your certificate, and submit it to the court if required. Verify that the DMV has posted your safe driving points.

Don't Ignore Your Ticket—Consequences Can Escalate

Ignoring a traffic ticket is the worst thing you can do. If you fail to pay or appear in court by the deadline, the court will likely issue a failure to appear charge, which adds additional fines and demerit points to your record.

The Virginia DMV can suspend your license for unpaid tickets, and the court may issue a warrant for your arrest for failure to appear on mandatory court dates. Once your license is suspended, driving becomes illegal, and getting caught behind the wheel can result in criminal charges.

Even if you disagree with the ticket or can't afford to pay it immediately, contact the court. Many courts offer payment plans or can provide information about community service options. Taking action shows responsibility and keeps small problems from snowballing into major legal issues.

Notify Your Insurance Company—Or Wait?

You typically don't need to proactively notify your insurance company about a traffic ticket. Insurers routinely check driving records when policies come up for renewal, usually every six or twelve months. At that point, they'll discover the violation and may adjust your rates.

However, if you complete a driver improvement course voluntarily and earn safe driving points, you should notify your insurer and provide proof of completion. Many companies offer "good driver" discounts or defensive driving credits that can reduce your premium, offsetting or even eliminating the rate increase from the ticket.

If your ticket involves serious charges like DUI, reckless driving, or an at-fault accident with injuries, your insurer may find out sooner and contact you directly. In these cases, consult with an attorney before discussing details with your insurance company.

Build Better Driving Habits to Avoid Future Tickets

The best way to protect your driving record and keep insurance costs low is to avoid tickets altogether. After dealing with your current violation, commit to these habits:

• Leave earlier and allow extra time so you're never tempted to speed or run yellow lights.
• Set your cruise control on highways to maintain legal speeds consistently.
• Put your phone on Do Not Disturb mode while driving to eliminate distractions.
• Review Virginia traffic laws annually, especially if you drive in new areas with different speed zones or school zones.
• Keep your vehicle properly maintained—burned-out tail lights and expired registrations are easy tickets to avoid.
• Use GPS apps that alert you to speed cameras, school zones, and high-enforcement areas.

When to Hire a Traffic Attorney

For most minor tickets like speeding 10-15 mph over the limit or improper lane changes, hiring an attorney isn't necessary. Paying the fine and completing a driver improvement course is usually sufficient.

However, if you're facing reckless driving charges (Virginia defines this as driving 20+ mph over the speed limit or exceeding 85 mph anywhere), DUI, driving on a suspended license, or you're close to a license suspension due to accumulated points, an attorney can be invaluable.

A skilled Virginia traffic attorney may be able to negotiate reduced charges, get the case dismissed, arrange for restricted driving privileges, or help you avoid jail time for serious offenses. The upfront cost of legal representation often pays for itself by preventing insurance hikes and protecting your ability to drive.

Track Your Record and Stay Informed

After handling your ticket and completing any required courses, request an updated copy of your driving record from the Virginia DMV. Verify that the demerit points from your violation and the safe driving points from your course are both accurately recorded.

Set a reminder to check your record every six months. Errors can occur—sometimes violations don't age off when they should, or safe driving points aren't properly credited. Catching these mistakes early makes them much easier to dispute and correct.

Staying proactive about your driving record gives you peace of mind and ensures you always know where you stand. If you're applying for jobs that require driving or shopping for new insurance, having an up-to-date record on hand streamlines the process.