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A restricted license, also sometimes known as a work license, hardship license, or Cinderella license is a limited use license issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. It allows you to drive under certain limited conditions and restrictions as permitted by the court.
Virginia Motor Vehicle Code
Looking for detailed information about laws and regulations that govern your driving privileges and your car? Look no further than the Virginia motor vehicle and traffic code.
In the motor vehicle code you'll find legal language definitions and explanations about driver's license requirements, vehicle registration regulations, traffic laws, and other Virginia processes and procedures.
If you've recently received a traffic citation, you can use the Virginia vehicle code to decide whether or not you have a chance at fighting the ticket or to gain a better understanding of the law you violated so you don't do it again.
On this page you'll find information about accessing the vehicle code and some common topics you'll find within it.
If you have specific questions about your VA driver's license or vehicle registration, you should contact a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. If you are looking for legal advice, you should consider talking to a lawyer.
What is the Virginia Motor Vehicle Code?
The Virginia motor vehicle code is the state's statutory laws that apply to motor vehicles and drivers. The Virginia General Assembly wrote the vehicle code and is constantly updating it to protect the rights and safety of drivers. The code also applies to bicyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicle dealers. It's a comprehensive resource when you need to know what the laws are.
The General Assembly has posted the motor vehicle code online, along with the rest of the Virginia code.
You might be interested in Chapter 8, Regulation of Traffic. This is the section that contains all of the traffic laws in the state.
Other sections refer to titling and registering vehicles, driver's licenses, motor vehicle dealers, and penalties for violating the laws. These are just examples―there's so much more.
Use the vehicle code to research the citation on your traffic ticket to better understand what you did wrong. Use it to defend yourself in court if necessary. You can also read through it to learn more about driving safely and legally. The legalese might be a bit confusing, but the code contains everything you need to know about how the laws apply to you.
You can even search through the entire code of Virginia online to find specifics. Remember that the General Assembly provides this as a public service, and it can't help with your legal questions. For that, you should consult an attorney.
Check Your VA Driver's License Status
Whenever you need or want to check the status of your Virginia driver's license, you can order a driving record report. This record will spell out if your driver's license is currently valid.
Should your driver's license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what's on record with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This report will also show points held against your driver's license and, in some cases, information on any accidents you have had.
For more information about some topics related to the vehicle code and traffic violations, please visit our pages on:
Driver License Suspension in Virginia
If your Virginia driver's license is suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you'll need to satisfy your suspension requirements before you can reinstate your license.
Your driver's license may be suspended or revoked for reasons including:
- A DUI/DWI or driving under the influence of drugs.
- Falsifying information to the Virginia DMV.
- Felonies involving a vehicle.
- Violating insurance laws.
- Failing to pay child support or court fines.
- Accumulating too many driving record points.
On this page you'll find information about your license suspension, how to reinstate your driving privileges, and how to obtain a restricted license.
About Your Suspended License in VA
Depending on your offense, the Virginia DMV and the courts may either suspend or revoke your driver's license.
The VA DMV will notify you when your driving privileges have been suspended.
Some traffic violations and crimes will result in an immediate suspension or revocation of your Virginia driver's license. These include:
- Driving under the influence (DUI).
- Failing to stop at an accident you're involved in.
- Failing to complete a required driver improvement program.
- Reckless driving.
The duration of your suspension and reinstatement requirements will vary depending on your offense.
NOTE: Some violations may require you to enroll in a driver improvement program.
For specific details about your driver license suspension, including the duration, complete a Compliance Summary Request on the Virginia DMV website. You'll need to enter your:
- Driver's license number or Social Security number.
- Date of birth.
Demerit Points
Your driver's license can also be suspended for accumulating too many driving record points.
If you are under 18 years old, your license will be suspended:
- If you don't complete a required driver improvement clinic within 90 days after receiving a demerit point. Your license will be reinstated once you've completed the clinic.
- For 90 days after receiving your 2nd point.
- For 1 year or until you turn 18 years old, whichever is longer, after receiving your 3rd point.
If you are 18 years old or older:
- You will receive a warning letter if you earn:
- 8 points in 12 months.
- 12 points in 24 months.
- Your license will be suspended for 90 days if you accumulate:
- 18 points in 12 months.
- 24 points in 24 months.
Did you know you could reduce points from your driving record with a driver improvement program? Enroll in a Virginia online defensive driving course today!
Check Your Driver License Status
The number of years your traffic violations, convictions, suspensions, and revocations will remain on your Virginia driving record depends on the offense.
Most offenses that result in the suspension or revocation of your driver's license will remain on your driving record for at least 11 years. Traffic violations and convictions committed in a commercial vehicle will stay on your driving record permanently.
You can order your driving record to check the status of your drivers license and review your demerit points.
Find a cheaper car insurance quote if your rates have gone up with your suspension.
Suspension Hearings for Insurance Violations
If your Virginia driver's license was suspended for violating an insurance law, you can request an administrative hearing by completing the Virginia DMV's online form. You'll need to enter:
- Your full name.
- Your driver's license number.
- Your mailing address.
- Information about your suspension.
If you want to appeal your license suspension, you should contact the Virginia DMV or the court that handed down your suspension.
Looking for a DUI attorney?Find an attorney to help you with your DUI or license suspension.
Reinstate Your Suspended Driver's License
The details of your driver's license suspension will vary depending on your offense. To view specific details, complete the online Compliance Summary Request on the Virginia DMV website. You'll need to log into the system using your:
- Driver license number or Social Security number (SSN).
- Date of birth.
To reinstate your Virginia suspended drivers license you may need to provide:
- Proof of payment for your court fines, if applicable.
- An SR22 certificate of insurance from your insurance company.
- Proof you have completed a driving improvement clinic.
- Proof you have completed an Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP).
- Payment for your licensing fee, if applicable.
- Payment for your reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your VA License' below.)
You may be able to pay your fees:
- Online.
- By mailing your payment to:
- By calling:
- (804) 497-7100.
- (800) 272-9268 for TTY.
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269
You may also need to visit your local Virginia DMV office and:
- Provide identification, your address, and legal presence documents.
- Pass a knowledge and driving skills test.
NOTE: Once you've satisfied your reinstatement requirements and paid your fees, the VA DMV will give you a clearance letter that confirms your driver license has been reinstated.
DUI Suspensions and Revocations
Virginia DUI penalties vary by the number of DUI convictions you have.
For DUI offenses/breath test refusals, the Virginia DMV can suspend your license under the Administrative License Suspension (ALS) for 7 to 60 days depending on how many offenses you've had. If you have a court trial, your license may be reinstated earlier.
You may also face additional fines, suspensions, and penalties from the court.
For more information about DUI/DWI in Virginia, visit our DUI & DWI in Virginia page.
Before you can reinstate your driver's license, you'll need to satisfy all of the requirements of your court revocation, including:
- Completing an Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP).
- Installing an ignition interlock device on your primary vehicle, or every vehicle you own if you have multiple DUI convictions.
For more information about DUI convictions in Virginia, please refer to the Virginia DMV DUI information document.
Habitual Offenders
If you have been declared as a habitual offender and you drive while your driver's license is revoked, you may:
- Be sentenced to 90 days in jail.
- Be fined up to $2,500.
You may have been declared as a habitual offender, if prior to 7/1/99 you received at least:
- 3 major convictions within 10 years.
OR - 12 minor convictions within 10 years.
To reinstate your driver's license in Virginia, you'll need to:
- Satisfy all of your revocation requirements.
- Petition the court for a hearing to reinstate your driving privileges.
For more information about reinstating your revoked VA driver's license if you're a habitual offender, visit the VA DMV website.
Restricted Virginia Driver's License
You may be able to request a restricted driver license to use while your drivers license is suspended.
If your license was suspended by the Virginia DMV for violating the requirements of your driver improvement program, you may be eligible for a restricted license if:
- It was your first probation violation.
OR - It was your second probation violation and there was an 18-month control period before your probation.
If eligible, you can use a restricted license to drive to and from authorized locations, such as:
- Work.
- School.
- Health care centers.
- Your child's school or daycare.
You'll need to:
- Petition the court, if you had a court-ordered suspension for convictions including:
- DUI.
- Reckless and aggressive driving.
- Drug convictions.
- Provide documents that justify your need for a restricted driver's license, including:
- Court orders.
- A letter from your school or employer.
- A letter from your doctor.
If the court approves your restricted license request, you may need to visit your local VA DMV with:
- Any required documents.
- Your court documents.
- Your reinstatement fees.
Contact or visit your local Virginia DMV office for information on obtaining a restricted license.
Fees to Reinstate Your VA Driver's License
Virginia driver license reinstatement fees vary depending on the offense.
- $45 for offenses including:
- Failing to pay court fines.
- Insurance violations.
- Railroad crossing violations.
- $75 for offenses including:
- Failing to complete a driver improvement program.
- Driving with a suspended/revoked license.
- Felonies involving a vehicle.
- $120 for offenses including:
- A DUI or driving under the influence of drugs.
- Vehicular manslaughter.
- Commercial vehicle convictions involving alcohol.
For a complete list of reinstatement fees for different offenses, please refer to the Virginia DMV website.
If you have multiple suspension/revocation orders on your Virginia driver's license, you will be charged an extra $5 for each order.
NOTE: Your reinstatement and suspension fees may vary depending on your specific circumstance. For details about your suspension, order your driving record or a compliance summary on the Virginia DMV website.
Accepted Forms of Payment
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles accepts the following forms of payment to reinstate your suspended license:
- Online: E-check or credit card.
- By mail: Check or money order.
- By phone: Credit card.
- In person: Cash, check, money order, or credit card.
CDL Suspensions in Virginia
Your commercial driver's license (CDL) can be disqualified/suspended if you violate traffic laws or are convicted of crimes while operating a commercial vehicle.
NOTE: Your CDL can also be suspended for violations and convictions committed in a non-commercial vehicle. Not every CDL disqualification will result in a suspension.
CDL disqualification laws are regulated by both state and federal law.
Your CDL can be disqualified for violations and convictions such as:
- Excessive speeding or reckless driving.
- DUI or driving under the influence of drugs.
- Railroad crossing violations.
- Continuing to operate on an out-of-service order.
To reinstate your CDL, please see “Reinstate Your Suspended Driver's License' above.
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For more information about CDL suspensions, visit our page for commercial drivers.