Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: How can my Virginia Traffic court case impact my Driver's license DMV Points?  What if I live in a neighboring state, like Maryland, DC, West Va., Pennsylavania (PA), New Jersey (NJ) , or New York? 

A:

DMV Points and Insurance Points-- Various States

This is one of the most common questions, and folks often don't even know why they are asking. The first thing to realize is that insurance companies don't use the same point system as the DMV. So, although people like to worry about points, they are probably more worried about insurance company points than about DMV point systems.

Insurance points:

Insurance companies are usually free to assess risk on the basis of whatever logical systems they choose to implement. Usually, this means that the more serious charges, such as Reckless Driving, DUI/DWI, or Hit and Run, are going to result in more points with the insurance company than a minor offense like speeding or a highway sign violation.

DMV Points:

As for the DMV points, we have found that each state has a different system. Some states will not assess points for minor offenses unless the violation occurred in the state where you are licensed (Maryland does it this way). Virginia, on the other hand will assess points on a license no matter where the offense occurs, perhaps even if the other state did not assess points.

Maryland
http://www.marylandmva.com/AboutMVA/INFO/26100-01T.htm

New Jersey
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/violations/penalties_pointSchedule.htm

New York
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm#convictionstub

North Carolina
http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_services/drivershandbook/chapter3/suspensions.html

Pennsylvania - Compact
http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-dlc.pdf

Pennsylvania - Points
http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/pub472.pdf

Virginia
http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/points_assess.asp

West Virginia
http://www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/dmv/6g1f_points.htm

District of Columbia
http://www.dmv.dc.gov/info/points/violations.shtm