Looking for Virginia license reinstatement? Getting a license suspension can be a challenging time for most drivers. Some statistics will explain the difficulties of not being able to drive your car:
- According to the American Community Survey, only about five percent of all workers in the United States used public transportation in 2019.
- The American Public Transportation Association reports that 45 percent of Americans don’t have access to public transportation.
Considering these statistics, it’s clear that getting a license suspension will significantly impact your professional and personal life. A suspended license means you cannot drive, and most Americans rely on their vehicles to commute to and from work and other places. While ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft have become prevalent, the reality is they’re expensive, especially for daily use. And it’s unrealistic to expect friends and family members to be at your beck and call to drive you where you need to go.
A Common Reason for License Suspension: Demerit Points
A variety of factors can cause you to lose your license. However, a typical reason people get a license suspension is accumulating too many points on their driving records. Most states have different criteria for point accumulation based on the severity of the traffic violation.
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has three demerit point categories. These include three, four, and six-point violations. Three- and four-point violations remain on your driving record for three to five years, while six-point violations stay on your record for eleven years. Getting 18 demerit points in one year or 24 demerit points in two years results in the DMV suspending your license for 90 days.
Three-point violations include:
- Speeding less than ten mph over the limit
- Impeding traffic by driving slowly
- Improper turns and passing
- Violating right turns or left turns
- Disobeying traffic signs and rules
Four-point violations include:
- Not yielding to pedestrians
- Failing to stop when entering a highway
- Not yielding the right of way in traffic
- Speeding between 10 and 20 mph over the limit
Six-point demerit violations:
The Virginia DMV reserves the six-point demerit category for severe traffic violations like DUIs, reckless driving, and voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.
Keeping track of your accumulated demerit points is critical to avoid losing your driving privileges. Receiving 12 demerit points in one year or 18 demerit points in two years will prompt the Virginia DMV to require you to attend a driver improvement clinic. Failure to do so will result in a license suspension.
Likewise, acquiring 18 demerit points in one year or 24 demerit points in two years will force the DMV to suspend your license for 90 days.
Tips For Virginia License Reinstatement
Here are two tips for getting your license reinstated following suspension. They include:
Attend A Defensive Driving Course or Driver Improvement Class
Many states require you to complete a defensive driving course or take driver improvement classes following a license suspension. These classes teach driving basics and proper safety measures. The instructor might also test your driving skills when the course ends.
Get an SR-22 or FR-44 Insurance Certification
Virginia license reinstatement also requires you to file an SR-22 or FR-44 insurance certificate, depending on the violation the caused your suspension. SR-22 is a high-risk insurance certificate. It’s a financial responsibility form that guarantees you have the required insurance coverage for you to drive. Most states require you to get SR-22 insurance to reinstate your license after all driving infractions. However, that’s not the case in Virginia and Florida. In these two states, you’ll need a different high-risk certificate – FR-44 insurance – if your license suspension was for a DUI conviction.
Let UltraCar Insurance Help You Reinstate Your License
Are you looking to get back on the road after a license suspension? Depending on the violation that caused your suspension, you’ll need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 insurance certificate. And if you want low Virginia SR-22 and FR-44 insurance rates, consider contacting UltraCar Insurance.
We provide high-risk FR-44 and SR-22 insurance in Virginia, plus non-owner SR-22 and non-owner FR-44 policies if you don’t own a vehicle. Check out our website and contact us for more information. Alternatively, you can request a quote by submitting our online quote form.
