All drivers in the state have a driving record. Part of that record is the point system, which assigns points based on good and bad driving habits.
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles explains you can earn demerit points when you receive a traffic violation, or you can earn safe driving points for avoiding any violations.
Good driving
Every year that you go through without getting any violations on your driving record earns you a safe driving point. You can also earn them by taking a driver improvement course. You will receive your points every April for the year prior. You can have up to five safe driving points on your record.
Bad driving
If you receive a traffic violation on your record, you will receive demerit points. How many you receive depends on the type of violation. More severe convictions carry more points. Those points stay on your record for two years. You may be able to remove points through a driver’s course, but the court must approve the awarding of points if the course is an order as part of your sentence.
Important points
As you earn either demerit or safe driving points, they will cancel each other out. For example, if you have five safe driving points on your record and you receive one demerit point, you will lose one of those safe driving points. There is no limit on how many demerit points you can get on your record, but be aware that if you earn too many, it could result in a license suspension. You should stay on top of your points to be sure you do not end up in a situation where you are about to lose your license.
