Free Virginia Traffic Court Center

Question 1

I just got a Virginia traffic ticket. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Read your summons first: the exact charge, the court, your date and time, and whether appearance is required.

Question 2

My ticket is for speeding. What now?

Accepted Answer

Confirm the recorded speed and the speed limit on the summons, whether the charge is prepayable, and whether your court date requires you to appear.

Question 3

My ticket is for another traffic charge. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

Work from the charge and code section printed on the summons, confirm your hearing in the official case system, and follow any instruction you were given.

Question 4

I'm not sure what I was charged with. How do I find out?

Accepted Answer

The summons states the charge. If it is unclear, the official case-information system and the clerk's office for your court are the reliable sources.

Question 5

I'm charged with reckless driving. Is that just a speeding ticket?

Accepted Answer

No. In Virginia, reckless driving is a criminal traffic offense rather than an ordinary traffic infraction.

Question 6

What should I do before my court date?

Accepted Answer

A practical checklist: confirm the charge and hearing, review your driving record, consider a course or calibration where appropriate, and know where you're going.

Question 7

What actually happens when I get to traffic court?

Accepted Answer

Most Virginia traffic cases are heard in General District Court. Procedures vary by locality, courtroom and judge.

Question 8

What should I bring to traffic court?

Accepted Answer

Your summons, photo ID, and any documentation that is actually relevant to your case.

Question 9

What should I wear to court?

Accepted Answer

No special clothing is needed, but treat a courtroom as a formal setting and follow posted courthouse rules.

Question 10

Should I take a driver-improvement course before court?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes — but the reason you are taking the course matters. Follow the instructions you were given.

Question 11

Which course do I need?

Accepted Answer

A short decision tree that works from the instructions you were given, then explains the 8-hour clinic, the 12-hour RADEP, and the 4-hour RADEP.

Question 12

How do I get my Virginia driving record?

Accepted Answer

Virginia DMV allows drivers to request their own driving record online.

Question 13

Should I get my speedometer calibrated?

Accepted Answer

In a speed case, Virginia Code § 46.2-942 provides for the admission of a qualifying sworn speedometer-calibration report. Not every calibration helps.

Question 14

How do I find my court date or traffic case?

Accepted Answer

Virginia's court system provides online case information for General District Court traffic and criminal cases.

Question 15

Where is my courthouse?

Accepted Answer

Virginia has General District Courts throughout the Commonwealth. Use the official court pages and directory for addresses and contact details.

Question 16

Can I just pay my Virginia traffic ticket?

Accepted Answer

Some Virginia traffic offenses are prepayable and others are not. Prepaying waives the hearing and enters a guilty plea.

Question 17

How do Virginia DMV points work?

Accepted Answer

Virginia DMV uses demerit points for certain convictions and safe-driving points earned under its safe-driving point system.

Question 18

My Virginia license is suspended. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Start by determining exactly why the privilege is suspended or revoked — different suspensions have different reinstatement requirements.

Question 19

I'm charged with driving while my license is suspended. What should I know?

Accepted Answer

Driving while suspended can itself result in a separate charge. Consider speaking with a Virginia attorney about your particular situation.

Question 20

What should I do after traffic court?

Accepted Answer

Sort out fines and costs, any ordered course, license issues, and proof of completion — following the court's own instructions.

Question 21

I owe fines or court costs. Where do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Fines and costs are paid to the court. Use the Commonwealth's official payment information for your court.

Question 22

How do I provide proof that I completed a course?

Accepted Answer

Follow the submission instructions given by the court, DMV, or attorney who directed you to take the course.

Question 23

I don't understand what the judge ordered. What now?

Accepted Answer

Don't guess about a court order — contact the clerk's office for the court that heard your case, or your attorney.

Do you have a Virginia
traffic problem?
Start here.

Do you have a Virginia traffic ticket?
Start here.

What’s going on?

Speedometer Calibration

Virginia Traffic Topics

Virginia Speeding Tickets: What You Need To Know

Reckless Driving in Virginia: What Drivers Should Know

What to Expect in Virginia Traffic Court

Virginia DMV Demerit Points and Driver Improvement: How the System Works

Speedometer Calibration for a Virginia Speeding or Reckless Driving Case

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Do you have a Virginia traffic problem? Start here.

Do you have a Virginia traffic ticket? Start here.

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Speeding Ticket

Reckless Driving

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