What Out-of-State Drivers Should Know About Speeding Tickets in Virginia
What Out-of-State Drivers Should Know About Speeding Tickets in Virginia
Getting a ticket outside of your state can be stressful and frustrating. The following information about Virginia speeding tickets is advice for out-of-state drivers in Virginia.
Call and set up an appointment with a Virginia speeding ticket attorney immediately to learn more or talk about your ticket.
How is speeding handled differently in Virginia than in other jurisdictions?
Speeding is not something to take lightly in Virginia. Virginia has some of the strictest speeding rules in the country. Excessive speeding is one such charge that Virginia possesses that other jurisdictions do not have at all. This means that despite traveling at the same speed in another state, the person would only receive a citation; in Virginia, they would be charged with a criminal misdemeanor for reckless driving. The state will also treat this criminal misdemeanor very seriously since, if you are convicted, it will stay on your record for life and come up whenever a background check is done.
What Should an Out-of-State Driver Do Right Away If They Receive a Virginia Speeding Ticket?
Making sure they are being charged with speeding and not reckless driving should be the first step for any out-of-state driver obtaining a speeding ticket in Virginia. The charge should be clearly identified on the ticket, and whether reckless driving or speeding is included.
Sometimes the police officer will write “RD” for reckless driving, or they will write “reckless driving” in longhand. Often, a speeding ticket may only list the accused speed; however, on occasion, it may also include an “SP” or the word “speeding” to make that distinction. If it doesn’t specify either way and you’re still unsure, you can tick or uncheck a box directly below the charge that states that the person who issued the document is required to appear in court.
The likelihood that the ticket is for speeding and not reckless driving increases if they do not have to appear in court. It’s likely a reckless driving ticket if they have to appear in court. After receiving a ticket in Virginia, the most crucial action is to make that distinction.
What Happens If a Virginia Speeding Ticket Is Not Paid by an Out-of-State Driver?
Unpaid fines are a reason for a license suspension in Virginia. If an out-of-state motorist fails to pay their ticket by the deadline, they will receive the same treatment as a motorist in Virginia. An out-of-state driver’s ability to drive in Virginia may still be suspended even though they do not own a Virginia driver’s license.
The outstanding fines may also be subject to interest assessments, but having your license suspended is by far the most serious penalty.
Will Virginia Send Information About a Speeding Ticket to a Driver’s Out-of-State Address?
Yes, the majority of US states that are a part of the Driver License Compact have agreed to inform one another of any traffic offenses committed by any out-of-state drivers when they are driving in their state. Since Virginia is a party to this compact, Virginia notifies the out-of-state driver’s home state anytime they obtain any kind of ticket there.
As long as the offense also occurs in the home state, the home state typically handles this exactly the same manner as they would handle the citation if it had happened there.
