virginia
To add more information about Virginia, there are varying levels of penalty based on your speed and location.
§ 46.2-878.3
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Traffic Infractions and Uniform Fine Schedule adopted by the Supreme Court for prepayment of fines shall, in all instances where prepayment of a fine is permitted, include a fine of $6 per mile-per-hour in excess of posted speed limits provided for in this article. However, such Traffic Infractions and Uniform Fine Schedule shall include a fine of $7 per mile-per-hour in excess of posted speed limits for a violation of §§ 46.2-873 and 46.2-878.1 and $8 per mile-per-hour in excess of posted speed limits for a violation of § 46.2-878.2. Any person who drives a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour but below 86 miles per hour on any highway in the Commonwealth having a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour shall be subject to an additional fine of $100.
Basically, you receive a fine of $6/mph over the limit in the zone you are in, plus an extra $1/mph if it's a school or construction zone.
If the limit is 65mph, and you are between 80-86mph, you receive an additional $100.
However, penalties increase more if you are engaging in "reckless driving", defined as:
§ 46.2-862
A person is guilty of reckless driving who drives a motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth (i) at a speed of 20 miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limit or (ii) in excess of 85 miles per hour regardless of the applicable maximum speed limit.
The penalty for which is
§ 46.2-868
A. Every person convicted of reckless driving under the provisions of this article is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
B. Every person convicted of reckless driving under the provisions of this article who, when he committed the offense, (i) was driving without a valid operator's license due to a suspension or revocation for a moving violation and, (ii) as the sole and proximate result of his reckless driving, caused the death of another, is guilty of a Class 6 felony.
C. The punishment for every person convicted of reckless driving under the provisions of this article who, when he committed the offense, was in violation of § 46.2-818.2 shall include a mandatory minimum fine of $250.
A class 1 misdemeanor is much worse than just a speeding ticket, because it can lead to time in jail.
§ 18.2-11
(a) For Class 1 misdemeanors, confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
A class 6 felony is harsher still
§ 18.2-10
(f) For Class 6 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
Now comes the point system, or merits and demerits.
One safe driving point is assigned for each full calendar year that you hold a valid Virginia driver's license and drive without any violations or suspensions. A driver may accumulate a maximum of five safe driving points.
Merits and demerits cancel out, and demerits expire over time. The severity of the violation determines the number of demerits you earn, as well as the length of time those demerits remain on your record.
| speed above limit (mph) |
number of demerits |
lifetime of demerit (years) |
| 1-9 |
3 |
5 |
| 10-19 |
4 |
5 |
| 20+ |
6 |
11 |
The penalties for accumulating points are as follows:
If you are convicted of a demerit-point violation (or safety belt and child restraint violation) committed when you were age 18 or 19, you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic.
If you are 18 or older and you accumulate 8 demerit points in 12 months (or 12 points in 24 months), you will receive an advisory letter that cautions you about the consequences of violating the law.
If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months), you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic. You must enroll in and satisfactorily complete the clinic within 90 days.
If you accumulate 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months), your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days. Additionally, you must complete a driver improvement clinic before your privilege will be restored. Once your privilege is restored, you will be placed on a six-month probation period.
If you are a severe repeat offender, the consequences will quickly grow. If you are caught exceeding 20mph three times in 12 months, your license will be suspended for 90 days, and you should not drive. However, if you decide to violate the suspension and get caught exceeding 20mph a fourth time, you face the class 6 felony mentioned above. However, if you commit four violations in the 1-9mph category in the same period of time, you will only be required to attend a driver improvement clinic. Of course, the fines in both cases will be drastically different as well.
On top of this, your automobile insurance provider likely has their own point system, which can result in long lasting increases to the amount you pay them.
Furthermore, this is America, so a felony and a misdemeanor would be entered into your police record. When prospective employers are considering your application, they may decide to check your record. Depending on the employer, this can have a variety of negative impacts, including your application immediately being dismissed without them informing you of their decision.
