Did the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles suspend your driver’s license because of unpaid court cost or fines? If so, the DMV will reinstate your driver’s license. If the DMV reinstates your license, you will be able to drive again.
Starting Monday (July, 1, 2019), Virginia courts will not suspend your driver’s licenses for unpaid court cost or fines. Anyone whose license was suspended because of unpaid court cost or fines will also be able to drive again. The DMV will remove the suspension for failure to pay court costs and fines from your record and you will not have to pay a Reinstatement fee to drive again. You might have to pay other fees, though. Reinstatement fees previously paid will not be refunded.
If the DMV or court suspended your driver’s license for other reasons along with not paying your fines and court costs, you must meet other requirements to drive again.
What must you do?
Make sure the DMV knows your current mailing address. You can give them your correct address online at dmvNOW.com or you can call your local DMV office. DMV will be contacting you to tell you what you must do to get back driving. You can also visit www.dmvNOW.com/fac to find out what you must do to get back driving. If you have a DMV account or are willing to create an account, click on compliance summary. If not, click on the secure online form link and send the DMV an email. They will respond and tell you what steps you need to take. You can also call at (804) 407-2255.
The table below breaks down the requirements to start driving. You either will have to complete the full application process, renew or replace your license. It is possible that you will not need to do anything to start back driving, but contact the DMV for specific instructions.
| Requirements for Reinstatement |
| You must replace your license if you no longer have your physical license |
| You must renew your license if your driver’s license has expired |
| You can start driving on July, 1, 2019 if you still have an unexpired license |
| You must complete the full application process if you previously surrendered your driving licenses to the DMV or never had a driver’s license |
| FULL APPLICATION PROCESS | RENEW YOUR LICENSE | REPLACE YOUR LICENCE |
| § Complete the Application
§ Present two Identification Documents (Proof of Social Security Number plus 2 documents proving you live in Virginia.) § Show the DMV your Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, or legal permanent resident card § Complete all Testing (Vision, Two Part Knowledge Test, and Driving Test) § Pay $32.00 for the license |
§ Show the DMV your Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, or legal permanent resident card § Pass a Vision Screening Test § Take a New Photo § Pay $32.00 to renew your license § You may have to pay an additional $5.00 if you go to the DMV to renew your license |
§ Complete the Application § Present original Identification Documents (Proof of Social Security Number plus 2 documents proving you live in Virginia.) Show the DMV your Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, or legal permanent resident card § Take a New Photo § Pay $20.00 to replace the license |
| See https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/pdf/dmv141.pdf for a list of documents needed or call the number below. | ||
More information is available at www.dmvNOW.com/fac and dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#fines_costs.asp or by calling (804) 474-2255
This information is not legal advice. Legal advice is dependent upon the specific circumstances of each situation. Therefore, the information contained in this document cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel.
