Free Virginia Traffic Court Center
I just got a Virginia traffic ticket. What should I do?
Read your summons first: the exact charge, the court, your date and time, and whether appearance is required.
Start by looking carefully at your summons.
Identify:
- exactly what you were charged with
- the court listed on the summons
- your court date and time
- whether the summons indicates that appearance is required
A regular speeding infraction and a reckless-driving charge are very different in Virginia, so identifying the actual charge is important before deciding what to do next.
What does your ticket say?
Official sources
This is information, not legal advice
This information is not intended to be legal advice. This Help Center provides general educational information about Virginia traffic matters and driver education. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, court procedures, and individual circumstances vary. If you need advice about your particular case, consult a qualified attorney.
Related questions
- My ticket is for speeding. What now?
- My ticket is for another traffic charge. Where do I start?
- I'm not sure what I was charged with. How do I find out?
- I'm charged with reckless driving. Is that just a speeding ticket?
- What should I do before my court date?
- What actually happens when I get to traffic court?