How to Check Your Virginia (VA) Driving Record & Point Balance

Virginia’s DMV has one of the most unique “point systems” in the country. It’s not just about penalties; it’s also about rewards.

• You get Demerit Points (negative points) for traffic violations.
• You earn Safe Driving Points (positive points) for every year of good driving.

Your “points balance” is the combined total of these two. This number is what insurance companies use to set your rates and what the DMV uses to determine if your license should be suspended.

This guide will show you the fastest way to check your exact point balance, explain the speeding fines that lead to points, and show you how to add “safe” points to your record.

How to Check Your Virginia Point Balance (The 3 Methods)

This is the only way to see your official point total and driving history.

Method 1: Online (Fastest and Cheapest)

• Cost: $8.00
• What You Get: An instant, downloadable, and printable PDF of your driving record. This is perfect for a quick, personal check.
• How to Do It:
  1. Go to the official Virginia DMV website at dmv.virginia.gov.
  2. Log in to your “MyDMV” account. (If you don’t have one, you must create one).
  3. Once logged in, navigate to “Driver / ID Services” and select “Driving Record.”
  4. Follow the prompts and pay the $8.00 fee with a valid credit or debit card.
  5. You can immediately view and print your record.

Method 2: In-Person (Walk-In)

• Cost: $9.00
• What You Get: An official, certified hard copy printed for you on the spot.
• How to Do It:
  1. This is a walk-in service at any DMV Customer Service Center.
  2. For a simple record request, you do not need an appointment. (However, for all other services, like a REAL ID or testing, you must schedule a Virginia DMV appointment online).
  3. Go to the counter, show your photo ID, and pay the $9.00 fee.

Method 3: By Mail

• Cost: $8.00
• What You Get: An official, certified hard copy mailed to you.
• How to Do It:
  1. Download and complete the Request for Driver/Vehicle Record (Form CRD 93).
  2. Include a check or money order for $8.00 payable to “Virginia DMV.”
  3. Mail the form and payment to the address on the form.

How Virginia’s “Safe Driving Points” Work

Your point balance starts at 0 and can go positive or negative.

• Earning “Good” Points (+):
  • You earn +1 Safe Driving Point for every full calendar year you drive without a violation or suspension.
  • You can earn a maximum of +5 Safe Driving Points.
• Getting “Bad” Points (-):
  • You receive Demerit Points for traffic convictions.
  • These points subtract from your balance.
  • Example: If you have a “+2” balance and get a 4-point speeding ticket, your new balance is -2.

Demerit Points & Speeding Fines (The Real Cost)

This is what leads to a negative balance. While the fine is set by the court, the points are set by the DMV.

CRITICAL: In Virginia, driving 20+ mph over the limit or over 80 mph anywhere is not a simple ticket. It is Reckless Driving, a serious Class 1 Misdemeanor, which carries 6 demerit points and a permanent criminal record.

Violation	Base Fine (Estimate)	DMV Demerit Points
Speeding 1-9 mph over	$6 per mph	3 points
Speeding 10-19 mph over	$7 per mph	4 points
Speeding 20+ mph over	Reckless Driving	6 points
Driving 80+ mph	Reckless Driving	6 points
Reckless Driving	Up to $2,500	6 points
Failure to Stop (Stop Sign)	~$150	4 points

How to Add Safe Points to Your Record (The “Fix”)

You have two ways to improve your point balance.

1. Good Behavior (The Slow Way):
   • Drive for one full calendar year without any violations. The DMV will automatically add +1 Safe Driving Point to your record (up to the +5 max).
2. Take a Driver Improvement Clinic (The Fast Way):
   • You can voluntarily take an 8-hour Driver Improvement Clinic (DIC).
   • Upon completion, the DMV will award you +5 Safe Driving Points.
   • The Rule: You can only do this for points once every 2 years.

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