Virginia Car Insurance (Coverage, Companies & More)

We know that finding car insurance in Virginia is challenging. Coverage is confusing and every provider says they can save you money.

We promise to make comparing coverage simple. We’ll give you all the facts. This complete guide will coverage and rates, compare rates between companies, reviews state laws, and share tips on driving safely.

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Virginia Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

Like many motorists across the United States, Virginia car owners are looking for affordable car insurance coverage. This guide will show car insurance options in Virginia, details on Virginia’s driving laws in Virginia, annual premium amounts, and helpful statistics that will guide motorists to be insured and ultimately save money.

Virginia’s Car Culture

Virginia, often referred to as the “Mother of Presidents,” is known for its diverse landscape, rich indigenous history and known for the Arlington National Cemetery—the eternal resting place for fallen military personnel and soldiers.

Virginia ranks 34 in states with the lowest cost of living. Residents will see a diverse car population. In urban areas of Virginia, Mustang and Japanese made cars like Honda and Subaru, rule the roads.

Research data shows that the Honda CR-V is the most popular car in Virginia.

But don’t count out trucks and SUVs. There’s some rural and mountainous terrain where motorists go off-road to enjoy the natural wonders of Virginia.

To be more cost-efficient, lean toward fuel-efficient cars to curb the cost of living expenses. A Honda may be a better option. They’re often more practical than luxury vehicles, and you’ll possibly pay fewer taxes per year.

Virginia Minimum Coverage

For vehicle owners to purchase decals and plates, motorists must certify that their vehicle is covered by the minimum insurance requirements or pay the Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) Fee. Vehicle owners cannot receive their vehicle registration unless one of these conditions is met.

The UMV Fee is $500. Once paid, this will allow a motorist to drive the vehicle uninsured at their own risk, however, it does not provide insurance to the vehicle’s owner.

The minimum requirements for insurance in Virginia are as follows:

• Bodily injury or death of one person $25,000.
• Bodily injury or death of two or more persons $50,000.
• Property damage $20,000.

Antique motor vehicles are also required to meet Virginia’s minimum insurance requirements. Your insurance provider must be certified to conduct business in Virginia.

Business owners have special options for self-insurance and surety bonds.

Virginia is one of the states that does allow motorists to show proof of insurance electronically.

Required Financial Responsibility Forms in Virginia

What are the financial responsibility forms?

Whenever a motorist is in a car accident or convicted for a traffic violation, they must present documents, certificates or assets that prove they can pay for damages or losses. These items of proof fall under the financial responsibility law.

Car owners usually receive financial responsibility forms from their insurance provider and the state’s DMV. Examples of financial responsibility forms are an insurance card, car registration, and proof of a surety bond

Virginia requires all motorists to have liability car insurance or enough money to pay for damages, losses, or medical bills from an automobile accident.

Virginia Car Insurance Premiums as a Percentage of Income

The percentage of income Virginians on car insurance has been consistently low over the last few years, but the state has seen more than two percent increase to the amount of money spent on car insurance coverage.

The data shown below projects a slight increase in three years.

Although Virginia’s percentage of disposable income is much lower than the U.S. average, there’s a steady increase as the years progress.

In 2012, the percentage of income from car insurance coverage was much lower than in 2014. Surrounding states such as North Carolina and Tennessee also saw a percent increase in car insurance coverage, but Virginia’s percentage of disposable income was slightly lower.

Compared to the national average, Virginia was still considered one of the states with moderate use of disposable income percentage.

Rising costs, higher wages and taxes contribute to car insurance coverage rates as well.

The Census American Community Survey (ACS) reported that the average household income for Virginia was $71,535. The average US household income stands at $60,336, which puts Virginia $11,199 higher than the national median household income.

Based on the 2017 data provided by the US Census ACS, new and current residents of Virginia spent 4.2 percent of their disposable income on car insurance coverage.

Recently, the average annual rates of insurance providers in Virginia are between $1200 and $3,000.

Be advised, these averages may not reflect the full coverage amounts that are calculated when you sign up for an insurance policy. Browse insurance providers and their policies to meet your needs and budget.

Most of the averages are based on minimum to moderate-level coverage, which are policies that most popular for insurance providers.

The price of insurance premiums depends on the number of people on the insurance policy, the age of the driver(s), the driver’s marital status, and the driver’s gender.

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in VA (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)

We mentioned liability, collision, full and comprehensive rates earlier on. Let’s compare them to the national average in a span of a few years.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) data above is Virginia’s minimum coverage rates. Just like the percentage of disposable income, the average premiums have slightly risen since 2011. Full coverage remained the most expensive coverage out of the four types of insurance in the data.

Virginia motorists likely saved money with minimum coverage combined with comprehensive or collision insurance coverage.

The combined averages show the minimum amount of money Virginians paid for car insurance coverage.

Additional Liability

NAIC doesn’t list any personal injury protection loss ratios in their recent Virginia report, but they do list the medical payments and uninsured/underinsured data.

The loss ratio explains how much money a company spends on different types of claims in comparison to how much money they earn from premiums. For example, if a company has a loss ratio of 40, that means they spent $40 on claims out every $100 earned in premiums.

Ratios close to 100 indicate that the insurance company might not have collected enough premium or even underestimated the number of claims that would get filed. Also, the ratios will show if a car insurance company is doing poorly.

From the data, we see car insurance companies in Virginia are doing well in terms of paying claims and earning money.

Add-ons, Endorsements and Riders

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance
• Pay-As-You-Drive or Usage-Based Insurance

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in VA

To be clear, insurance companies cannot deny anyone car insurance because of their gender. If an insurance company does deny you coverage, they must tell you why.

Insurance companies consider statistical data and will charge premiums based on the age, gender, and marital status of a driver.

This table is a view of Virginia’s top car insurance companies and their estimates on what their annual rates are for a driver by demographics.

The annual rate for a 17-year-old male driver insured with Allstate in Virginia is $7,347.87. The annual rate for a 17-year-old female driver at Allstate is $6,396.46. As drivers get older, those rates decrease.

Read more: How much does car insurance cost for a 17-year-old?

Cheapest Coverage in Virginia by ZIP Code

Virginia residents may pay more or less on car insurance coverage based on where they live.

Here are some rough estimates from car insurance companies for affordable car insurance coverage in your by zip code area. Look for your zip code in the tables to locate the average rate in your local area.

Urban areas residents are likely to pay more money, and rural areas are often left with limited options for choosing insurance companies.

Cheapest Coverage in Virginia by City

There are several car insurance companies in Virginia. The data we’ve dictates that the companies we covered in this section are the most popular by coverage rate and customer satisfactory reviews. In the details below, motorists will see objective data that shows the annual average premiums by city and zip code. Here’s tables that show the averages you’re likely to pay.

On average, the annual cost will vary depending on the city or town you live in.

Best Virginia Car Insurance Companies

What car insurance company is the best in Virginia? You want to get your money’s worth. Cheap isn’t always better, and the most expensive rate doesn’t necessarily say you’ll get the best service. So, like many other consumers, Virginians will be reviewing the ratings of the car insurance companies in their local area.

Read more: Top 10 Virginia Car Insurance Companies

The Largest Companies in Virginia by Financial Rating

Speaking of popular car insurance companies, J.D. Power conducted a 2018 study on car insurance companies across the U.S. These studies were separated by region. Virginia is in a region called the Mid-Atlantic. J.D. Power’s data lists the overall customer satisfaction and provided a graphic to help better serve drivers searching for a car insurance company.

*USAA car insurance is only available to military personnel. If you’re not in the armed forces, you are not eligible for USAA car insurance.

**NJM is a New Jersey company that doesn’t usually offer car insurance coverage outside of the state.

These larger car insurance companies have made their way to Virginia. Therefore, companies like Geico, State Farm, USAA, and Nationwide can easily make their stake in cities across Virginia. Their rates are flexible, and their policies deliver just in time.

Companies with the Most Complaints

It’s only fair to list all the facts, even past complaints from previous car insurance customers. The data provided below is a complaint index of the ten largest car insurance companies in Virginia

*USAA car insurance is only available to military personnel. If you’re not in the armed forces, you are not eligible for USAA car insurance.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Virginia

An annual rate is the estimated total amount you can expect to pay for the year. These rates are billed to you every month or every six months.

For example, if you’re a 25-year-old male with a good driving record insured by Allstate, an individual-one car insurance policy for the year (annual rate) would be $2,658 or $221.50 a month.

The table below is a rough estimate of annual rate averages. The last two columns are estimates of what you can expect to pay per month.

Allstate has the highest premium average per year, pricing over $500 to $1000 more than other insurances in the list.

Do averages reflect the minimum and full coverage of a car insurance company? Yes and no. Minimum car insurance coverage is very affordable.

Drivers in Virginia with a clean driving record will pay approximately $77 and $130 for minimum and full car insurance coverage. The conflicting data shows us that the rate for each company, policyholder, and type of insurance will vary.

Sometimes the average annual rates or premiums fall right on the price range you expected. That’s because your conditions meet the car insurance company’s average rate of pay, which is more common than most drivers realize.

Commute Rates in Car Insurance Coverage

Car insurance companies consider how much your vehicle will be in use. In other words, car insurance companies will estimate your coverage rates by the mileage a policyholder is expected to travel during the duration of the policy.

When you choose a car insurance company, they will ask you the primary use of your vehicle.

We’ve split these categories into four types:

• Work Commute – Primary vehicle use going to and from work. It’s the most common out of the four types.
• Business Commute – Primarily used for sale calls, business trips, or company-issued vehicle.
• Farm Commute – As the name dictates, this commute is for farming. It’s a practical insurance commute category for rural area farm businesses.
• Pleasure Commute – If you drive a luxury vehicle, this will probably be your commute of choice.

Let’s look at how commuting mileage affects an average annual rate. The information below will detail how car insurance companies calculate commute mileage rates.

*USAA car insurance is only available to military personnel. If you’re not in the armed forces, you are not eligible for USAA car insurance.

Nationwide and Progressive appear to be the few car insurance companies that do not charge policyholders more money based on commuting mileage.

Coverage Level Rates by Companies

Coverage levels are defined by how much coverage you receive from your car insurance company. Low coverage will indicate minimum coverage whereas high coverage is full coverage on your policy. The data below shows some annual average rates for those coverage levels.

Some of the coverage levels are a few dollars away from different levels of coverage. It may not be a bad idea to switch to higher coverage.

Credit Score and Insurance Score Rates by Companies

Car insurance companies check your credit score. This doesn’t affect your credit score, but it will determine whether the car insurance company will agree to insure your vehicle(s). Again, car insurance companies must tell why they won’t insure your vehicle. If you’re denied car insurance coverage, one of the reasons may be your credit score.

Another factor car insurance companies consider are your insurance score. An insurance score is a record a policyholder has with insurance companies.

Let’s say a policyholder was dropped from a car insurance company for missing a payment or two. When the policyholder goes to another car insurance company, the agent may ask what car insurance company they were with before. Of course, the policyholder can refuse to answer, but the car insurance company can deny them coverage because of it.

Therefore, the insurance score is more or less the policyholder’s reputation built over the years. The data in this table will show average annual rates based on the policyholder’s credit score and insurance score.

As you can see, those with much better credit pay much less than those with fair and poor credit.

Driving Record Rates by Companies

A clean driving record is more beneficial than most people realize. Although a speeding ticket or failure to yield are minor traffic offenses, they can affect the price of your car insurance rates. Speeding and failure to yield offenses are red flags car insurance companies consider when they issue rates.

Virginia is no different. The information below shows the rates you can expect to pay with a good to poor driving record.

Strive to keep a clean record. Drivers with a problematic driving record pay more money for car insurance. Some companies, as you can see from the data table, are lenient on their policyholders.

Largest Car Insurance Companies in Virginia

What’s the largest car insurance in Virginia? Let’s review that answer by the numbers. Here’s more data you can look to determine that answer.

Loss ratios that are closer to 100 and not exceeding 100 is a good sign that a car insurance company is earning money and sending out claims to policyholders and other drivers.

Number of Insurers in Virginia

Insurers are in two categories: Domestic and Foreign. Domestic insurers are formed under the law of the state, and foreign insurers are insurers formed under the law of another state. Listed below is the number of insurers in Virginia.

The number of foreign insurers is much higher than domestic insurers.

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Virginia State Laws

Virginia State Law is adamant about car insurance coverage and automobile driver conduct. To keep new and current residents of Virginia informed, the policymakers of Virginia State Law have drafted laws for the public.

Let’s take a moment on this guide to explore these laws regarding car insurance coverage.

Virginia Car Insurance Laws

All car insurance companies and policyholders abide this law each time they’re in a car accident or pulled over by law enforcement, an individual must have proof of insurance. Regardless of who is at fault, being insured establishes a safety net for drivers.

Driving while uninsured can have some serious legal consequences. The State of Virginia penalizes drivers who aren’t insured. Despite paying the $500 UMV fee, a motorist driving without insurance could have their vehicle towed or their license revoked in addition to stiff fines.

Virginia law does clarify that car insurance law does not include workman’s compensation or employer insurance. Employer insurance and car insurance are separate.

For example, if you’re driving a company vehicle, the employer would be the policyholder. Therefore, a driver working for their employer wouldn’t use their insurance company to pay for damages or injuries.

Another provision of Virginia’s motor vehicle insurance law is payments for damages, medical expenses, and injuries a driver endures after an accident.

What this means is a car insurance company will compensate a driver(s) by paying for damages and injuries.

So, a motorist injured in a car accident will have their medical bills covered by their car insurance company or the car insurance company of the other driver. More than likely, a minimum coverage car insurance policy is enough in these events, but drivers should consider full coverage to cover their bases.

Windshield Coverage in Virginia

Windshield coverage is often bundled into full coverage. Some insurances have it separate from full and minimum car insurance coverage. Normally, it doesn’t come with a deductible. If a policyholder’s windshield is damaged by weather or an incoming object, their car insurance company will pay for a new windshield.

How is this relevant to Virginia State Law?

To pass inspection in the State of Virginia, a windshield cannot have chips, pits or shaped cracks (no more than an inch). Cracks at the bottom of the windshield are also subject to a poor grade upon inspection.

Virginia drivers must have windshield if their car was manufactured after July 1, 1970. Vehicles built after January 1, 1936, require safety glass in their windshield housing. According to automobile experts, safety glass reduces the risk of an ejection if a car is in an accident.

Also, Virginia is one of the states with strict laws on maintaining working vehicles on their roadways. Virginia motorists can expect their vehicles to be inspected. One of the items on Virginia’s inspection list is a good windshield.

Virginia law considers windshield wipers as well, so Virginia motorists should install in new ones to pass inspection if the current wipers are faulty.

Inspections are usually carried out by automotive shops recommended and supervised by the Virginia State Police. Sometimes, If you get a vehicle inspection that feels off, go to another automotive shop and have your vehicle inspected.

An inspection should take roughly 20 minutes to inspect your vehicle. An inspection that lasts for five minutes is questionable.

High-Risk Insurance

High-risk insurance is a factor that is displayed during the review process of a car insurance company. Some car insurance companies will deny a driver altogether, but if they do accept your application for coverage, the rates will increase due to the liability risk the insurance company is taking.

Expect higher than average car insurance rates if a driver has a record of traffic offenses, unpaid premiums, DUI charges, or under SR-22.

High-risk drivers that are under SR-22 must report their high-risk status to the DMV of Virginia.

Low-Cost Insurance

Low-cost insurance is the lowest possible rate a licensed driver could pay. As we mentioned in the lists and details before, many drivers want to be more cost-efficient and opt for the cheapest rate possible. Minimum liability insurance would be most effective for low-cost insurance.

Car Insurance Fraud in Virginia

Insurance fraud occurs when an individual earns money or attempts to earn money from an insurance company by deceptive practices or motives.

Virginia prosecutors, state and local, will pursue anyone who commits insurance fraud.

FindLaw reported that a person who commits insurance fraud can face federal charges including mail fraud, criminal racketeering, and other relevant charges. Here are a few statements that define fraud:

• Casualty Fraud – this is defined as inflating the conditions of an accident or injury. In other words, faking an injury after an accident to collect money from an insurance company.
• Property Fraud – this is overstating the property damage of a car accident. Lying to an insurance company about the cost of damages is insurance fraud.
• Workman’s Compensation Fraud – faking a work-related injury to collect money is insurance fraud. This includes an accident in a vehicle or at an employer’s workspace.

Virginia Statute of Limitations

Policyholders need to know that the statute of limitations, especially in motor vehicle accidents, begins when the event happens, not when it’s discovered. Law experts recommended drivers report injuries and damages to a personal injury attorney and car insurance company as soon as possible.

In Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury is two years. However, if the property is damaged such as your car or home, the statute of limitations is five years.

Virginia law has a statute of limitations to encourage plaintiffs to pursue their legal rights within a fair amount of time and protect defendants from potential fraudulent claims.

If you do not file an action within the statute of limitations, you will lose the opportunity to be compensated from the negligent person, group, or company.

Hire an attorney if an event is too complex, or if you believe the information you’re receiving is out of the ordinary. Attorneys can determine what type of case you have and the amount of time in the statute of limitations.

Virginia is one of the states that stretches the statute of limitations despite the date of injury or suspension period.

Law experts report that statute of limitations in Virginia can be extended if the plaintiff meets one or more of these conditions:

• The plaintiff has a disability.
• The plaintiff is under the age of 18.
• The plaintiff isn’t competent to handle legal proceedings.
• If the defendant has committed something fraudulent.
• The action is nonsuited (hasn’t been abandoned by the legal system).

Virginia’s Specific Laws

There are several laws in Virginia. Don’t stress yourself about knowing them all. There’s no way anyone can remember all of them, but here’s a list of laws that are particularly interesting.

• You cannot drive if you’re not wearing shoes.
• You must honk your horn if you’re attempting to pass another vehicle.
• Police are not allowed to use speed radar detectors.
• In Waynesboro, Virginia, it is illegal for female motorists to drive their car along Main Street unless her husband is walking in front of the vehicle waving a red flag in his hands.
• In Prince William County, Virginia, it is illegal to park your vehicle on a set of railroad tracks.
• In Virginia Beach, Virginia, it is illegal to drive by the same area within 30 minutes of Atlantic Avenue.

Virginia Vehicle License Laws

The Department of Motor Vehicles in Virginia has a step-by-step video detailing how you can obtain a driver’s license in their state. The video below will explain how you can obtain your driver’s license in Virginia.

https://youtu.be/GiwB8dgiUgQ

Real ID

Virginia has joined many other states in becoming Real ID compliant. Real ID is becoming the standard in which U.S. citizens can verify their identity to airports, military bases or any other entity that’s Real ID compliant.

The process of obtaining a Real ID requires Virginia residents to be in person. A one time fee of $10 will be required in addition to other fees, if applicable.

DMV of Virginia will need to see documents to prove your identity. Those documents include:

• Birth Certificate
• Social Securit Number
• U.S. Passport
• Proof of Residency in Virginia
• Proof of Name Change, if necessary

Real IDs look like any driver’s license or ID card. An authentic Real ID will have a yellow star on the face of the ID card.

Penalties for Driving without Insurance

The DMV of Virginia, like most states, is strict on uninsured drivers. If insurance coverage terminates or cancels during the car’s registration period, it’s the car owner’s responsibility to renew their insurance or apply for insurance with another provider.

Virginia motorists will have to pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee. The DMV of Virginia will temporarily deactivate your license plates until you can get your vehicle reinsured. If your vehicle remains uninsured, the DMV requires you to surrender your license plates.

If you continue to remain uninsured or neglect to pay the UMV fee, your driving, and vehicle registration privileges will be suspended. For a vehicle owner to be reinstated in Virginia, they must pay a $500 statutory fee, file a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) with the DMV for three years, and pay a reinstatement fee, if applicable.

Teen Driver Laws in Virginia

You must be at least 16 years and three months old to receive your driver’s license. If you are 15 years and six months old, you can obtain a driver’s permit.

If you are over the age of 16 years old and under 18 years old, you must complete a Virginia state-approved driver education program. Also, you must have written consent from one of your parents or legal guardians unless you are emancipated or married.

There are no exceptions in Virginia regarding age requirements.

It’s a fact that teenagers are likely to be in car accidents. Parents and legal guardians save a great deal of trouble and money when teenagers are insured. It may be essential to go with full coverage to cover all the bases.

If a teen is uninsured, the DMV of Virginia requires them to pay the $500 UMV fee. Virginia law, however, requires drivers to have minimum car insurance coverage. To avoid fines and legal battles, find a car insurance company with an affordable annual rate.

Be aware that those rates may be higher than average annual rates due to the statistical data of younger drivers.

Older Driver License Renewal Procedure

Drivers who are 75 years old and older are issued a driver’s license that expires every five years.

Senior drivers must pass a vision screening test, also. Seniors are permitted to give DMV officials a report from their optometrist or ophthalmologist showing satisfactory vision results, but the test must be within 90 days of license renewal.

New Residents in Virginia

To be eligible to receive a driver’s license, a first-time driver must provide documentation proving their identity, legal presence, Virginia residency, and a social security number.

New residents of Virginia need to acquire a new Virginia driver’s license within 60 days. A commercial driver’s license (or CDL) must obtain a Virginia CDL within 30 days. If you’re 18 and older, you can complete a vision screening test. The DMV of Virginia acknowledges licenses from:

• U.S. state-issued valid driver’s license
• Canadian province driver’s license
• Driver’s Licenses from Germany, South Korea, France, and Taiwan

Driver’s with licenses from the associated countries and states above are not subject to take the two-part knowledge exam or the road skills test.

Also, drivers do not have to show proof of successful driver education program results. However, driver’s licenses from countries other than the U.S., Germany, France, South Korea, and Taiwan must take the two-part knowledge exam, the road skills test, and a vision screening test.

The DMV of Virginia does not require additional identification forms, but they may ask for it. Take any documentation that will help further your application to obtaining a driver’s license.

Read more: Is it a bad idea to give your Social Security number when shopping for car insurance?

Special Conditions for Driver’s Licenses in Virginia

There special conditions for licensed drivers that aren’t permanent residents of Virginia. These conditions provided by the DMV are listed below.

Military Personnel

Active-duty U.S. military members (including their spouses and children 16 years and 3 months old or older) who are stationed in Virginia are permitted to drive in the State of Virginia with their home state or home country issued driver’s license.

If the vehicle is registered in the active member’s name, it may be driven with out-of-state license plates, but the active member must the sole owner of the vehicle. Any co-owner of the vehicle must be active military members in the U.S. Armed Forces. If not, the vehicle must be registered with the State of Virginia. A Virginia issued driver’s license is not required.

Out-of-State Students

Full-time students with no job and a permanent resident out of the state of Virginia are permitted to drive with their home state driver’s license and home state license plate. If the student’s driver’s license or plates are from another country (such as Canada or Taiwan), the vehicle is still permitted on the roadways of Virginia.

A full-time student that’s employed in Virginia is considered a resident of Virginia. It does not qualify the student for in-state tuition. Also, the student must apply for a license plate(s) and register their vehicle in Virginia. DMV of Virginia agents recommended that the car be registered regardless of who owns the vehicle.

Non-Residents

Like a college student, non-residents living in Virginia are permitted to use their home state driver’s license or the license of your home country.

The State of Virginia will only permit non-residents to use their out-of-state or out-of-country driver’s license for six months. CDL holders are exempt from this. Non-residents who become employed in Virginia are required to have a Virginia driver’s license.

License Renewal Procedure

The DMV of Virginia has provided a video on how its motorists can renew their driver’s licenses online.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMBxGbJnK20

Can’t renew online? You can always visit a local DMV in Virginia. Be sure to take all the necessary documents such as your old driver’s license and a copy of your current car insurance policy just in case a DMV official asks for it.

The license fee for a renewed, eight-year license is $32.

How to Get Your License Back in Virginia

This video overview will explain how Virginia motorists can reinstate a suspended, disqualified or revoked driver’s license and registration.

https://youtu.be/_DAXSj3HYuo

Virginia License Reinstatement Procedure

The State of Virginia has taken your license, or perhaps, another state has taken your right to carry a license to drive. What do you do now?

First, you have to determine the type of restriction is on your driving privileges.

The DMV of Virginia states that restrictions on driving privileges may be enforced by a court, social services departments, or DMV. Drivers who lost their driving privileges in another state must meet the requirements for reinstatement of the other state in which they lost the privilege to drive.

Your restrictions are based on the nature of the violation committed. Courts, social service departments, and the DMV can suspend, revoke, and disqualify driving privileges.

Let’s review the different restrictions in Virginia.

Suspension

When a driver has their license suspended, it means their driving privileges have been temporarily withdrawn. The DMV of Virginia requires drivers to comply with their terms of reinstatement to get your license back.

Suspension of your license can happen for these reasons:

• Improper insurance coverage. Car insurance coverage is required for all vehicles carrying a Virginia license plate. Also, a driver could have their license suspended for not paying the $500 UMV fee.
• Incomplete or failure to complete driver improvement clinic,
• Missing, late, or failure to pay child support.
• Neglecting to pay prison fees.
• A reckless driving conviction, which is handed down by Virginia court.
• Giving alcohol to minors or a person who’s already intoxicated.
• Too many points on your licenses. DMV officials identify them as demerit points. A driver accumulates demerit points when they are convicted of traffic violations.
• Conditions that render a driver physically or mentally unable to drive a motor vehicle.
• Failure to comply with a judgment that relates to an automobile accident.

Revocation

Revocation is when a driver’s privilege to drive has been terminated completely in Virginia.

Drivers who permanently banned from Virginia roadways have to inquire about the DMV for reinstatement. Reinstatement involves taking the knowledge and skill tests in addition to paying for a new license. Revocation often occurs when a driver has committed a severe traffic violation or criminal offense(s) such as:

• Driving while Impaired (DWI) or Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI)
• Driving while license is suspended or revoked as a result of DUI or DWI (i.e. driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol)
• Involuntary or voluntary manslaughter using a motor vehicle
• Impersonating a person to renew a driver’s license or taking a driver’s license test under someone else’s name.
• Giving false information to obtain a license or Drug violations
• Making a bomb threat (serious or not, the State of Virginia will revoke driver privileges)
• Felony charges where a motor vehicle was used in the crime
• Refusing to stop and identify yourself at the scene of a crash you were involved in.
• Receiving three demerit point convictions committed while under the age of 18. This includes, but not limited, to child restraint and safety belt violations.

Disqualification

Depending on the traffic violation or criminal offense, the disqualification of a license can result in temporary or complete termination of driving privilege in the State of Virginia. Disqualification is equivalent to suspension and revocation, and it doesn’t a driver’s privileges unless they are convicted of a traffic violation or criminal offense.

Disqualification is mainly for CDL drivers who have violated the driving laws of Virginia. CDL disqualifications are handled by state and federal law.

Also, CDL disqualifications affect drivers who have violated Virginia’s driving laws while operating a privately-owned commercial motor vehicle (CMV).

Both bodies separate CDL offenses in four types, which are:

• Major Offenses: DUI or DWI, leaving the scene of an accident, and causing a fatal crash due to the negligent driving operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
• Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Offenses: failure to stop or slow down at a railroad crossing. It’s required by law that drivers stop or slow down at railroad crossings. Disregard of a traffic control device or enforcement official at railroad crossings. Failure to negotiate a clear crossing because of insufficient cargo. For example, a CDL holder who does not attempt to communicate with enforcement officials to ensure they have a clear path to cross a railroad because of “insufficient undercarriage.”
• Serious Offenses: speeding, reckless driving, erratic and improper lane change and operating a CMV with a CDL.
• Violations of Out-of-Service Orders: operating an out-of-service CMV that’s been marked as a danger to public safety by authorized motor vehicle enforcement officials.

What You Need to Get a Virginia Driver’s License Reinstated

Requirements for reinstatement vary. Each circumstance is different for everyone. There’s no one procedure to follow, however, there are motorists who lost their driving privileges in Virginia that will need to provide documents that comply with reinstatement requirements.

Documents of proof a driver will need to show the DMV but won’t have to appear in person to prove:

• Certification of Insurance (SR22 or FR44) from an insurance company that’s licensed to do business in the State of Virginia
• Attend a driver improvement clinic
• Proof of enrollment in a Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP). Mainly for drivers with DUI convictions. Virginia requires enrollees to complete the VASAP program and have an intervention interview with VASAP officials.
• Obtain a medical or vision report from health officials
• Comply with social service orders regarding child support payments
• Proof that local correctional facility fees have been paid
• Proof of car insurance coverage policy
• Proof of payment of licensing fees. This includes DMV reinstatement fees (prices range from $40 to $220).
• Proof that a previous judgment of a car accident has been settled or paid in full.

The DMV will require a driver to come into their offices when they need proof of identification, legal presence, or residency. Also, the driver will have to take knowledge, road skills and vision tests. Most reinstatements of this degree is often a response to a court order allowing restricted driving privileges to be lifted.

Since circumstances vary, the DMV of Virginia encourages each restricted driver to request a personal driver transcript and a compliance summary. Visit the Virginia DMV reinstatement webpage to get pay fees or obtain a driver transcript and compliance summary.

Rules of the Road

Following the rules of the road is common knowledge among drivers across the U.S. But there are several details that many motorists miss in Virginia. This section will explain further details about Virginia’s rules on the road, types of law regarding fault, seat belt and child safety seat laws, speed limits, and other factors that are vital to safe commuting on the roadways.

Fault vs. No-Fault

Is Virginia a Comparative Negligence State?

No. Virginia follows the contributory negligence law.

Contributory negligence means that a party must be without fault to be compensated for damages. If a plaintiff or defendant has a fraction of fault in a car accident that caused injury or property damage, they will be prohibited from receiving compensation from the other.

Prince Benowitz LLP gives these examples that describe contributory negligence:

• “Someone was hit by an oncoming car that had strayed over into their lane, but they were driving ten miles an hour over the speed limit.”
• “Someone was in a car accident with a drunk driver and was injured seriously, but they were not following one of the basic rules of the road.”
• “Someone was walking across the street and hit by a car, but they failed to look for oncoming traffic before crossing or were crossing outside the rules of a controlled intersection.”

Another essential to driving in the State of Virginia is obtaining a driver’s license. No matter what state or county a driver is in, the vehicle operator must have some type of identification that verifies driving privileges.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

All drivers and passengers who are 18 and older must use a seat belt in a motor vehicle. Riding in a truck’s cargo is only permitted for individuals who 16 and older.

We’ve put together a table to summarize the highlights of Virginia seat belt and car seat law.

Seat belt laws were established in early 1988. The maximum a Virginia will pay for violating the seat belt law is $50, which much higher and sometimes much less than other U.S. states.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

Virginia shares the keep right, move over laws on its roadways. The law in Virginia often refers to it as it yielding to traffic. The keep right law in Virginia states that motorists need to move right so they don’t block traffic on the left. lane, which allows motorists, who are going at a much faster and legal speed, to pass.

Speed Limits

Virginia isn’t without speed limit law. These are the speed limits you’re likely to see in Virginia.

Virginia is home to a lot of roadways.

All interstates are 70 mph.

Residential and commercials, of course, will have speed limits less than 55 mph, but most of the commutes to work will have speed limits at 55.

Ridesharing

Ridesharing has made its way to Virginia. Uber, Lyft, and many other ridesharing services are doing business in Virginia. The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission has set up a webpage where carpoolers can be matched up with recommended ridesharers.

Automation on the Road

Virginia allowed video, audio, and other forms of designated entertainment while a vehicle is running during automation.

This was passed in April 2016.

Safety Road Laws in Virginia

Safety is a priority when operating a motor vehicle. We talked about rules on the road before, however, we didn’t cover impairment and distracted driving as much. Let’s explore the safety laws of Virginia regarding DUI, marijuana-impaired driving, and distracted driving laws.

DUI Laws

DUIs are serious offenses that can lead to life-long injuries, disabilities, and death. Law enforcement and courts have to adamant with tough sentences and fines to deter this behavior as much as possible.

The blood alcohol limit in Virginia is 0.08. The highest blood alcohol limit is 0.15 to 0.20.

If you’re driving at the blood alcohol limit you will face a series of consequences. We’ve summarized these penalties in the data table below.

The first DUI offense will get your driver’s license suspended and you can face jail time. Four or more DUIs can result in felony DUI, which can lead to several years in prison.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

Currently, there aren’t any marijuana-impaired driving laws in Virginia. However, if a motorist is pulled over by law enforcement for a traffic violation while under the influence of marijuana, they’re likely to get arrested.

Distracted Driving Laws

Here’s a summary of distracted driving laws.

The law restricts using devices while driving on Virginia roadways.

Driving in Virginia

Now that we’ve covered some of Virginia’s driving laws, let’s inspect what it’s like to drive in Virginia. This section will talk about vehicle theft data, followed by fatality crash statistics, and eventually, look at some commute times in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Vehicle Theft in Virginia

We all hope to avoid having our property stolen, but it occurs without warning. The data below shows the top ten vehicles make/model that’s stolen in Virginia.

The Honda is indeed a popular car. Hondas have the highest rate of theft in Virginia.

Vehicle Theft by City

Where is vehicle theft likely to occur? We can determine that by continuing with vehicle data by city.

The three highest cities in vehicle theft are Norfolk, Newport News, and Virginia Beach.

Road Fatalities in Virginia

The DMV of Virginia collects data involving crashes, injuries from motor vehicle accidents, and motor vehicle fatalities. These numbers become indicators for car insurance companies that are licensed to do business in Virginia.

Here’s a summary of crashes, fatalities, and injuries in 2018.

With the assistance of medical records and police reports, the DMV of Virginia was able to determine the number of people affected by alcohol-related, speed-related, and unrestrained-related car accidents. Unrestrained refers to vehicles equipped with safety restraints. The table below does not reflect vehicles not equipped with safety restraints.

Most Fatal Highway in Virginia

The most fatal highway in Virginia is Highway 460. Geotab estimates that the highway sees 19 fatal crashes per year.

An estimated 1.2 per 100,000 fatal crashes occur throughout the year.

In 2018, 190 crashes and 208 fatalities occurred on Highway 460.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Conditions and Light Conditions

Bad weather causes some fatal crashes across Virginia. We’ll review some data to show how many crashes have occurred due to weather and light conditions in 2018.

Interestingly, most fatal crashes that relate to weather are unknown, however, most fatal crashes occurred during the day.

Fatalities (All Crashes) by County

Here is some data detailing the number of fatalities from all crashes in each county in Virginia.

Each county or city has fluctuating numbers. More urban cities see fatalities in traffic while rural towns see more fatalities on interstates.

Read more: Middlesex Insurance Company Car Insurance Review

Traffic Fatalities

Here are some data numbers that reflect traffic fatalities in Virginia in the past three years.

Although rural areas have more traffic fatalities than urban areas, rural area fatalities have declined in 2018. However, urban areas have shown an increase in traffic fatalities each year.

Fatalities by Person Type

We’ve separated data in this table to show the number of fatalities that occur by person type. In other words, we’re showing what individuals were driving per fatal accident.

Of course, passenger vehicles have the most numbers in traffic fatalities.

Fatalities by Crash Type

Each crash is categorized by the NHTSA. See those categories and the number of fatalities below.

More people died in roadway departures than single-vehicle crash fatalities in 2018.

Five-Year Trend for the Top 10 Virginia Counties

These are the top ten counties in Virginia with the highest fatality rate in the last five years.

Fairfax County had the most fatalities in and had the highest percent total in 2018. The county to see a drop in fatalities was Fauquier County.

Fatalities Involving Speeding by County

The NHTSA reported fatalities that involved speeding. See more details on the data table below.

Western and most of central Virginia kept speed fatalities low in 2018.

Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver by County

No report is complete with calculating the numbers for alcohol-impaired driver fatalities. The NHTSA also provided data by Virginia county in the table below.

There was a two-year spike from 2015 to 2017. Alcohol-impaired fatalities increased before dropping back down in 2018.

Teen Drinking and Driving

In Virginia, 1.1 teens per 100,000 died from alcohol-impaired related crashes. Let’s look at some data on teen DUI arrests in Virginia.

Virginia ranks 38 overall in the U.S. in teen DUI arrests.

EMS Response Time

Virginia has some data recorded on EMS response time. The information in the data tables below shows the average response time of EMS. The first table is data from Urban EMS and the second is Rural EMS.

Rural EMS response time and arrival at the hospital is 20 minutes more than Urban areas. Overall, EMS response is prompt when reaching the scene of a fatal crash in both areas.

Transportation

How is transportation in Virginia? Virginia is home to a lot of metropolitan areas and rural areas. Let’s look at more facts regarding transportation in Virginia.

Car Ownership

Have you ever wondered how many cars most Virginia motorists owned? The table below shows the percentage of people who owned one or more cars.

Most people in Virginia own two or more cars. The smallest percentage of people do not own a vehicle.

Commute Time

Virginia has its share of metropolitan areas, but there are some rural communities there as well. Expect the commute times to vary by city. Here are some commute times to give you an idea about the traffic in Virginia.

The average commute from home to work in Virginia is 27 minutes, which higher than the U.S. average time of 25 minutes. About three percent of Virginians have commutes longer than an hour. Look at the graph below to get an idea of the average commute time in Virginia.

Commuter Transportation

When we mention commuter transportation, we’re talking about the common method of travel in the state.

The preferred method of travel for Virginia motorists is to drive alone. Only two percent of people in Virginia walk as their choice of commute.

Traffic Congestion in Virginia

Traffic congestion is likely to happen in Virginia’s metropolitan areas and highways. Expect longer than average commute time during rush hour traffic, which is 8 a. m. and 5 p. m.

TomTom, a live traffic tracker, can narrow down traffic congestion to a specific day. On October 28, 2018, 8 a. m. traffic congestion in Richmond, Va. was measured at 19 percent. When we measured the traffic congestion on the same day one year later, we see that traffic congestion was increased by nine percent.

Car insurance companies take a lot of data, conditions, and economy into account when issuing rates to a driver. People around the age of 18 to 30 are more likely to get into a car accident than those who are 35 years old or older. Car insurance companies have to consider the statistic and prepare for possible high-risk drivers by charging higher rates.

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