A driver will receive demerit points for unsafe driving and safe driving points for good driving. Demerit points stay on the driver’s record for two years from the date the driver commits the offense. The length of time that a conviction stays on the driver’s record depends on the severity of the violation.
One safe driving point is added each full calendar year that a driver holds a valid Virginia driver’s license and drives without any violations or suspensions. A driver can accumulate up to five safe driving points. Safe driving points are awarded in early April of each year.
Demerit points are assigned when a driver is convicted of a traffic violation. Demerit points range from three to six points. The following list groups traffic violations that warrant demerit points. The years in the parentheses indicate the number of years the conviction stays on the driver’s DMV record.