Many drivers think that the inconvenience caused by a traffic ticket ends with paying a fine, but in Virginia, paying a ticket – instead of fighting it – can lead to additional consequences due to the Department of Motor Vehicles’ demerit point system.
If you have been cited with a traffic infraction, it’s important to be informed about your options before paying your ticket or deciding to fight it. Understanding how the system works is important, in part because accumulated points can affect your driving privileges and, in some cases, your insurance costs, as well.
What you need to know before taking action
Virginia assigns demerit points for traffic-violation convictions. More serious offenses generally result in the accumulation of more points than less severe infractions. For example, reckless driving and certain speeding offenses can result in significant demerit points, while other moving violations may carry fewer.
Accumulating too many demerit points within a specified period may trigger administrative action, including warning letters, driver improvement requirements or license suspension in certain circumstances. Drivers with prior violations may, therefore, face greater consequences than someone with an otherwise clean record.
Many motorists are surprised to learn that paying a traffic ticket is often treated as an admission of guilt. While paying a fine may seem like the quickest way to resolve a ticket, doing so generally results in a conviction that places demerit points on your record. Before deciding how to respond to a citation, it is important to understand the potential long-term impact of each course of action available to you. Seeking legal guidance can help.