Reckless Driving in Virginia: Laws, Penalties, and How It Affects Your Insurance
Why You Can Trust EverQuote
EverQuote powers millions of shopper requests every month, teaming up with industry-leading insurance specialists to address real-world challenges faced by people every day. We partner with the largest insurance providers in the nation, and our content is carefully crafted by experts and reviewed by licensed insurance agents for accuracy and relevance.
Reckless driving in Virginia can lead to serious legal and financial consequences. It’s considered a misdemeanor criminal offense and is among the most expensive traffic violations in the state. Not only can a reckless driving conviction result in hefty fines, but you’ll typically also face significant hikes in your car insurance rates.
This guide covers everything you need to know about reckless driving in the state of Virginia, including relevant laws, penalties, criminal classifications, and how convictions impact insurance.
What Actions Qualify as Reckless Driving in Virginia?
According to Virginia law, reckless driving is broadly defined as driving in a “manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.”
Speeding Thresholds
Driving at an excessive speed is one of the most commonly issued traffic tickets and violations in Virginia, but speeding isn’t always classified as reckless driving.
To get a reckless driving ticket in Virginia for speeding, you must be traveling at least 20 miles per hour (mph) over the maximum speed limit. However, if you’re driving 85 mph or faster, you can be charged with reckless driving regardless of the posted speed limit.
Driving That Endangers Others
If a law enforcement officer believes you’re driving in a way that endangers people or property, they can issue you a reckless driving Virginia ticket. Examples include:
- Passing a stopped school bus
- Failing to signal
- Passing at a railroad crossing
- Failing to yield to emergency vehicles
- Racing or exhibition driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
Vehicle Control and Equipment Issues
You might face a reckless driving charge in Virginia if you’re not in control of your car or it’s unsafe to drive due to issues like faulty brakes, missing side mirrors, or malfunctioning headlights or taillights.
Legal Consequences of Reckless Driving
If you’re convicted of reckless driving in Virginia, you can face mandatory court appearances, fines, and possible jail time. Reckless driving penalties depend on the severity of the offense and the number of past convictions.
Class 1 Misdemeanor Classification
In Virginia, reckless driving is a class 1 misdemeanor charge. It’s a criminal offense, not just a traffic ticket. Although not as serious as felonies, class 1 misdemeanors are the most serious type of misdemeanor.
First Offense Penalties
Penalties for first-time offenders may include fines up to $2,500, license suspensions up to 6 months, and jail time up to a year, although most first-time offenses don’t involve time in jail.
Second and Subsequent Offense Penalties
Repeat reckless driving convictions lead to escalating penalties, including longer license suspensions, increased fines, and longer jail sentences.
Mandatory Court Appearance and No Prepayment
All Virginia reckless driving charges require an in-person court appearance, even if it’s a first offense. The state also doesn’t allow you to prepay your ticket. That’s because reckless driving is classified as a crime, not just a traffic infraction.
Factors That Affect Sentencing
The judge will consider the specifics of your case during sentencing, including your existing driving record, local court policies, and the details of the incident. Factors that can affect the outcome include:
- Jurisdiction
- Driving history
- Speed
- Whether an accident occurred
- Driving conditions
How Reckless Driving Affects Your Driving Record and Insurance
A reckless driving conviction adds 6 points to your record, so it’s important to understand how license points affect insurance and for how long.
License points increase your risk profile in the eyes of insurers, which can mean paying significantly higher rates or even getting denied coverage. Because reckless driving is a misdemeanor crime, it may also affect certain employment opportunities or your ability to get a security clearance.
Differences Between Reckless Driving, Aggravated Reckless Driving, and Felony Charges
Reckless driving typically carries a minimum fine of $250 and (in some cases) up to 12 months in jail.
Aggravated reckless driving describes more serious cases, such as those that involve alcohol or result in severe property damage or bodily injury. Aggravated reckless driving may be upgraded to a felony charge, which carries much harsher penalties.
If you commit aggravated reckless driving with a suspended license or the behavior causes a death, you may be charged with a class 6 felony. This can carry maximum penalties of up to five years in jail, permanent removal of your license, and up to $2,500 in fines.
What To Expect in Court and How To Prepare
During your first court appearance, the judge will read your charges and ask for your plea. If you choose to plead not guilty, a trial will be scheduled. While not required, you should strongly consider hiring an attorney to represent you, as this can increase your chances of winning your case.
Tips for Minimizing Insurance Impact After a Reckless Driving Conviction
Reckless driving almost always causes insurance issues, but you may be able to reduce the impact by driving safely going forward and voluntarily taking driver improvement courses to earn safe points on your license.
Don’t just settle for the first rate you’re offered. You should always shop around and compare quotes from multiple providers to get the best deal.
In addition to regular insurance, you may also be required to obtain an SR-22 after your conviction. What is an SR-22? It’s a certificate that proves you have the state-mandated minimum insurance coverage you need to continue to drive.
Find Customized Virginia Car Insurance Quotes After Reckless Driving
It’s usually more difficult and expensive to get auto insurance after a reckless driving conviction, but it’s not impossible. In this situation, it’s especially important to compare multiple options and try to lower your monthly premiums as much as you can.
EverQuote makes it easy. Just put in some basic info and compare competing car insurance quotes side by side to find the best coverage for the best price.
FAQs
How serious is reckless driving in Virginia?
+
How do I get out of reckless driving in Virginia?
+
Can a reckless driving charge be reduced in Virginia?
+
Premiums are sourced from over 30,000 zip codes across 200 insurance companies. We estimate premiums based on public filings for policies seeking 50/100 in liability with $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. Estimated rates are based on a 35-year-old single female with a good credit score and no history of accidents or violations driving a 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE. We partner with Quadrant Information Services to source our data and assume no unique benefits or discounts are applied for these rates (unless otherwise stated). Your own rates may be different.