Speeding tickets are penalties intended to help ensure public safety and encourage drivers to obey traffic laws. The monetary fines associated with tickets are meant to deter unsafe driving behaviors, but in some cases, you may have options other than simply paying it.
Different Kinds of Virginia Tickets
Virginia uses a point system to track driving violations. Points are added to your driving record for each traffic violation, and accumulating too many points could cause your license to be suspended.
Tickets for non-moving violations, like broken tail lights or parking illegally, do not incur points. Moving violations (like speeding) do.
Three-Point Violations
Three-point violations are considered minor infractions. Common examples include:
- Speeding 1-9 mph over the limit
- Improper passing
- Failure to obey a highway sign
Four-Point Violations
Four-point violations are more serious and can impact your driving record more significantly. Examples include:
- Speeding 10-19 mph over the limit
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield right of way
Six-Point Violations
Six-point violations are the most serious and can have severe consequences on your driving record. These include:
- Speeding 20 mph or more over the limit
- Reckless driving
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
How to Get a Traffic Ticket Dismissed in Virginia
While it is not common for a traffic ticket to be outright dismissed, you may be able to reduce the impact on your driving record by taking certain actions. One effective method is to take a driver improvement course, which can help reduce points on your license and mitigate the effects of a traffic ticket.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Understand the Requirements: Check with the court if you are eligible to take a driver improvement course to reduce points on your license. This can vary depending on the specifics of your ticket and your driving history.
- Choose an Approved Course: Make sure to select a course that is approved by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The online course we offer at Ticket School is both fully approved and conveniently accessible.
- Register for the Course: Sign up for the course. You will need to provide some information about yourself (name, D.O.B., etc.) and your traffic violation (county and citation number).
- Complete the Course: Work through the course material and complete any required assessments. Online courses allow you to study at your own pace.
- Submit Your Certificate: After completing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion in a pdf format. Submit this certificate to the court handling your case to receive credit. If you are taking the course due to a DMV mandate, a state approved course provider will report your completion into the DMV system and it is advisable to double check that they received your completion.
Is There Anything Else I Can Do?
There may be other options to address a traffic ticket in Virginia, like contesting it in court or asking about alternative sentencing options, but these approaches are uncertain and results may vary depending on the specifics of your case. Taking a driver improvement course is often the most reliable way to reduce the impact of a traffic ticket and maintain a clean driving record.
Find Out How Our Online Traffic Course Can Help You
Whether you’ve received a speeding ticket or simply want to earn safe driving points, Ticket School’s online Virginia driver improvement course is here to help. Our course is designed to keep points off your driving record and fulfill court or DMV requirements. Enroll today and take a step towards a cleaner driving record and safer driving habits.