Reckless driving is a Class 1 felony in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A driving ticket in Virginia might be a standard speeding charge but it may also be a reckless driving indictment which can result in harsh penalties such as 12 months of prison time, a fine of up to $2500, six negative points on the driving record and suspension of the driver’s license for up to six months.
Virginia reckless driving ticket cost
The fines imposed for speeding, different traffic infractions and reckless driving charges in the Commonwealth of Virginia can go up to $3000. Generally, a driver is required to pay $5 for every mph that exceeded the posted speed limit as well as the court fee which is $62. An addition of the civil penalties for reckless driving to this results in a huge fine, and often, the payments for the remedial fees are to be made annually.
- If a person violates a speed limit of 1-9 mph, it results in 3 demerit points, and he has to pay $5 for every mph that exceeded the posted speed limit.
- If a person exceeds 10-19 mph than the speed limit, he gets 4 demerit points on his driving record and has to pay a fine of $5 for every mph exceeded.
- If a person is charged with reckless driving which is a 6-point demerit violation, he has to pay a fine of $5.00 for every mph that exceeded the posted speed and an additional of civil remedial fees:
- Reckless driving – speeding more than 80 mph – Misdemeanor – $350.00 for each of the following three years
- Reckless driving – speeding more than 80 mph – Felony – $1000.00 for each of the following three years
- Reckless driving – speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit – Misdemeanor – $350.00 for each of the following three years
- Reckless driving – speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit – Felony – $1000.00 for each of the following three years
- Reckless driving – driving too fast for conditions – Misdemeanor – $350.00 for each of the following three years
- Reckless driving – driving too fast for conditions – Felony – $1000.00 for each of the following three years
People often think they can get their driving tickets issued in Virginia annulled by paying the fine, however, if the ticket is not a standard speeding ticket but a reckless driving charge, they get convicted for committing a felony. To avoid this, it is essential to read the ticket and get to know which type of ticket you’ve received since reckless driving a criminal infraction which needs to be dealt with seriously. Officers in Virginia usually write “RD” on the tickets making it for people who are not aware that it is actually a ticket for reckless driving. A normal speeding ticket is just a traffic infraction and thus doesn’t result in harsh penalties.