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Can I take a driver improvement clinic in Virginia for my ticket?

In Virginia, a court can send you to a driver improvement clinic after it finds you guilty. With a valid license to drive in Virginia, you can also apply to go on your own. One clinic can cut up to five demerit points or lower your premium, not both. A clinic won't get a conviction reduced or dismissed if you drove a commercial vehicle or hold a commercial license. Ask the court about your ticket.

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The rule, fact by fact

Who needs it
A court can require a person found guilty to attend a driver improvement clinicThis is the court route. The court tells you what it requires, so follow its order.
Verified. Code of Virginia · Section 46.2-505: court may direct a driver improvement clinic (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Going on your own
Anyone, resident or not, with a valid license to drive in Virginia may apply to attendThis is the voluntary route. You apply to the provider yourself.
Verified. Code of Virginia · Section 46.2-498: driver improvement clinics (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Demerit points
A voluntary clinic can subtract five demerit points from your totalIf you have fewer than five, you get a smaller reduction, safe driving points, or both.
Same source and date as above
Use limit
Points or a premium reduction, not both, no more than once in a two-year periodTell the provider which of the two you are attending for.
Same source and date as above
Commercial vehicle
No reduction, dismissal or deferral for commercial vehicles or commercial license holdersA court can't reduce, dismiss or defer such a ticket because you went to a clinic.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Find out why you would go. A court can require a clinic after it finds you guilty, in lieu of or in addition to the penalties. The Department of Motor Vehicles can also require you to complete one. Or you can apply to attend on a voluntary basis if you hold a valid license to drive in Virginia. If the offense was in a commercial motor vehicle, or you hold a commercial driver's license and the offense was in a noncommercial vehicle, no court can reduce, dismiss or defer the conviction because you went to a clinic.

  2. Step 2. Pick a certified provider. If you take the clinic online, the course and final test must go through a provider licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles for online clinics. If a court sent you, ask the court if it takes an online clinic. We don't name providers here.

  3. Step 3. Take the clinic. If a court sent you, the court decides whether you get safe driving points. The clinic needs a court document that says you are to be awarded them, or it won't award them. If you go on your own, you can have five demerit points subtracted or get a lower premium, but not both, and no more than once in a two-year period.

  4. Step 4. If a court ordered the clinic, tell the court whether you attended and finished it. If you don't attend and finish as the order says, the court may punish you for contempt.

Before you pay

Ask the court, not the provider, what it requires and what it will do for your ticket.

Tell the provider why you are attending: a court order, a Department of Motor Vehicles requirement, or on your own for points or for insurance.

If a court sent you, ask the court for the document the clinic needs to award safe driving points.

Questions

When does the state make me attend?

If you are eighteen or older, the law says the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall direct you to attend when your record shows at least twelve demerit points from offenses within twelve consecutive months, or at least eighteen within twenty-four consecutive months.

Can I go again for the other reward?

Yes. One year after you finish a clinic that gave you safe driving points or a premium reduction, you may attend on your own again for the one you did not get.

Do I get safe driving points if I go for an insurance discount?

No. The Department of Motor Vehicles says no safe driving points are awarded when you take the clinic for an insurance premium discount. Your insurance company has to verify that you are eligible.

How does the state learn that I finished?

The clinic tells it. The Department of Motor Vehicles says clinics are required to report completion to it electronically within 24 hours.

What to do next

Ask the court before you pay. Then read the Virginia law on a court directing you to a clinic and on voluntary clinics.

law.lis.virginia.gov

Sources we read