License Suspension in Virginia: What Causes It?

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Looking for a low rate on Virginia SR-22 or FR-44 insurance?License Suspension in Virginia: What Causes It?

Various factors can cause Virginia’s DMV to suspend your driver’s license, including not paying child support, accumulating excessive demerit points on your record, DUIs, etc. You’ll need SR-22 or FR-44 insurance to reinstate your license after a suspension.

Getting a Virginia license suspension can lead to challenging times. The United States is primarily a vehicle-dependent nation. You need a personal vehicle to commute to and from work because most areas in the country don’t have adequate public transportation infrastructure.

Virginia drivers can lose their license for various reasons, including DUI or DWI convictions, accumulating excessive demerit points, driving without insurance, and driving without a valid license. You’ll need an SR-22 or FR-44 insurance based on the violation. For instance, Virginia requires drivers with DUI and DWI convictions to get FR-44 insurance before they can return to the road. On the flip side, drivers with excessive demerit points or insurance must acquire SR-22 insurance.

Things That Can Cause Virginia License Suspension

Listed below are some of the things that cause license suspension in Virginia.

DUI or DWI Convictions

DUI or DWI convictions are serious offenses. Virginia laws classify DUI and DWI convictions as Class 1 Misdemeanors, meaning you might get fines and jail time.  In addition, the court will suspend your license for seven days for a first violation or sixty days if you’ve had previous  DUI/DWI convictions.

In most states, you need SR-22 insurance to reinstate your license after a suspension for DUI or DWI. However, Virginia requires an FR-44 insurance filing for drug or alcohol-related license suspensions. FR-44 insurance is a financial responsibility form Virginia began using in 2008 specifically for DUI motor vehicle offenses.

Vehicular Felonies

Virginia courts assign license suspension or revocation penalties for motor vehicle felonies. For instance, crimes like motor vehicle theft or making false statements to the DMV can result in a license suspension. Other vehicular felonies can also lead to a license suspension, such as:

  • Having multiple at-fault accidents
  • Multiple DUI/DWI convictions within a specific time
  • Hit-and-run accidents
  • Reckless driving resulting in injury or death

Accumulating Excessive Demerit Points

The Virginia DMV has a demerit points system that assigns three, four, and six-point demerits for specific motor vehicle violations.

Incurring excessive demerit points will cause the DMV to suspend your license, requiring you to file an SR-22 or FR-44 insurance certificate. The DMV will suspend your license for:

  • Ninety days if you get eighteen demerit points in one year
  • Twenty-four demerit points in two years

Driving Without Insurance

Uninsured driving is a quick way to get your license suspended or revoked. Driving without insurance in Virginia can be a Class 3 misdemeanor, meaning the court will seize your license plates and suspend your license, and this will require you to get SR-22 insurance to reinstate it.

A high-risk driver getting SR-22 insurance

Virginia License Suspension? Get SR-22 or FR-44 Insurance from UltraCar Insurance.

Drivers with a suspended license need SR-22 or FR-44 insurance, depending on the violation that caused the suspension. UltraCar Insurance can help you reinstate your license by:

  • Issuing you an auto or non-owner insurance policy tailored to your needs
  • Endorsing one of these certificates to the policy
  • Filing the certificate with the Virginia DMV

We provide:

We offer low Virginia SR-22 and FR-44 insurance rates and no filing fee! Check our website for more information, FAQs, and other high-risk insurance topics. Contact us or start an online quote today!

This article was last updated on March 1st, 2023 by