What are Virginia Traffic Tickets?

Virginia traffic tickets are official notices issued by an officer of the law to a road user, following the violation of traffic laws. Traffic tickets are issued for both moving and non-moving violations. Moving violation tickets are given when a person exceeds the speed limit while non-moving violations refer to a parking ticket/citation. After receiving a Virginia traffic ticket, violator’s are required to respond by pleading guilty to the alleged offense(s) or contesting the ticket. Should the offender plead guilty, all associated fines must be paid by the date noted on the citation, which will end the case. However, if the violator ignores the tickets or does not appear in court, the ticket penalties may increase further. In the long run, the offender’s vehicle may be impounded, and the party’s driver’s license eventually suspended.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is charged with the responsibility of maintaining records generated from traffic-related cases. These records are not publicly accessible except for some selected entities, as stated in the Code of Virginia.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching more straightforward, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved, including information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are independent from government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party websites may vary.

What Does a Traffic Citation Mean?

Traffic citation, also known as a traffic ticket, refers to a document stating that a road user committed a traffic offense. A citation implies that the traffic offender is being charged to court, and if the driver is found guilty, the allegations stay on the guilty party’s driver’s record. In the State of Virginia, a fine on a traffic citation can also be paid before court proceeding, and in that case, the traffic violator may have the case dismissed.

How Do I Pay a Traffic Ticket in Virginia?

Traffic tickets can be paid by mail or online before or after the court date, referred to as pre-court payments and post-court payments. Pre-court payments should be sent to the court named on the citation at least seven days before the court date to guarantee prompt delivery. The contact information of courts in Virginia is available at the General District Court. Payment is only effective upon receipt by the appropriate District Court, and not on the date it is mailed. For post-court payments, call the General District Court where the case was heard and request the sum owed and the reference case number from the court clerk. Courts acknowledge checks and cash orders. Ensure the reference case number is written on the check when paying. Drivers with traffic violations in Virginia have 30 days to pay fines and other court costs.

Can You Pay Virginia Traffic Tickets Online?

Yes, traffic tickets can be paid online in Virginia via the General District Court Online Case Information System. After inputting the case number and the name, click on the '‘Mark for Payment’ link to make payments. If a driver has multiple tickets, there is an opportunity to pay for five tickets at once. Once payment has been confirmed, the receipt will be sent to the offender’s email address, and it should be printed. For pre-court fees online, drivers must pay on or before 3:30 pm before the court date, while for post-court payments, traffic offenders can only start paying from 6:00 am the day after the court hearing.

How do I Pay a Ticket online in Virginia?

Three courts in Virginia handle online payment of traffic ticket cases, including Virginia Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) District Court. To pay for traffic tickets online, choose the court with jurisdiction over the case and find the ticket on the database by typing in the relevant information needed. After locating the ticket, process the payment for it. Ensure the ticket is correct before inputting the fine’s value, then submitting payment and printing out the confirmation document.

What is the Virginia Traffic Ticketing System?

The Virginia traffic ticketing system classifies traffic violations into three major types depending on the severity of the breach, which determines the penalties the road user would face if convicted. The three types of traffic violations are:

• Three-Point Traffic Violation: The most basic traffic violation in Virginia is the three-point traffic violations, which are the least extreme, and the citations are for speeding between 1–9 mph over the speed limit, improper turning, inappropriate passing, neglecting to signal before a turn, and driving without lights. These types of offenses stay on a driving record for three years.
• Four-Point Traffic Violation: This is slightly more than the basic violations in Virginia. The traffic citations are for speeding between 10–19 mph over the speed limit, passing when hazardous, neglecting to stop for a pedestrian, not keeping to the right, and following another car intently. A four-point traffic violation remains on a driving record is between three to 11 years.
• Six-Point Traffic Violation: This is the most extreme traffic violation in Virginia. Six-point violation citations are given for driving a commercial vehicle while under the influence, which will remain on the driver’s record forever. Other violations include driving with a revoked permit, reckless driving, driving while inebriated, and murder.

A traffic case in Virginia begins when a law enforcement officer cites a traffic violation by road users. The General District Court Manual gives insight into how traffic cases are dealt with, according to the type of offense committed.

How Do I Know if I Have a Traffic Ticket in Virginia?

When an individual is stopped for violating traffic laws in Virginia, the officer presents a ticket, which must be signed. Appending a signature means the traffic offender has promised to appear in court on the due date and time. However, the signature does conclude that the violator is guilty. Virginia Traffic tickets are logged in the General District Court Online Case Information System, which serves as a repository of traffic tickets in the State of Virginia, within ten days. Citizens can look up traffic tickets on the General District Court Online Case Information System to see the fine attached. Another way a person can check a traffic ticket in Virginia is to request a driving record from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

An application can be made in person, online, or by mail, and applicants will be required to show photo identification. Mail requests should include the full name, social security number, address, and the reason for demanding the driving files. Additionally, interested persons may have to pay specific fees before the record can be released.

How Can I Find a Lost Traffic Ticket in Virginia?

Lost traffic tickets in Virginia can be recovered through the use of the General District Court Online Case Information System. Select the county where the ticket was issued, and then fill in the names to begin the search. If the ticket is not found after going through the list, the traffic violator may visit the Traffic Court in the county.

How Long Does a Traffic Ticket Stay on Your Record in Virginia?

Often, tickets from severe traffic offenses stay longer on a record. Most notably, traffic tickets in which the conviction led to an order of revocation, disqualification, suspension, or cancellation. Demerits points from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stays on a record for two years from the date the offense was committed, while tickets from reckless driving can remain on a record between five to eleven years. Where a driver is issued a ticket for exceeding the standard of the speed of 80 miles per hour, such a ticket will stay on the offender’s record for 11 years.

Is a Summons Worse Than a Ticket in Virginia?

A summons is served in Virginia when a petition has been filed in court, stating that a person has violated the state’s laws. Anyone receiving a summons is required to appear in court on the stated date to answer the allegations revealed in the petition. Failure to honor a summons makes the receiver liable to be punished for contempt and may serve some jail term. On the other hand, a traffic ticket is issued to enforce strict traffic laws and usually involve paying a fine, which varies concerning the offense committed. When the offender refuses to pay the fine at the due date at the stipulated date, it could lead to driver’s license suspension. On the whole, a summons is worse than a traffic ticket because of the punishment attached when the time given elapses.