According to a national study, Virginia had 68.6 reckless charges per 10,000 drivers, which is higher than the national average by 279%.
This is not surprising given that the state has some of the strictest reckless driving laws in the United States, with a wide range of behaviors treated as offenses.
Certain areas in Virginia have high traffic congestion and poor road conditions, leading to more instances of what is considered reckless driving in the state.
As a result, there is a prevalence of reckless driving charges for out-of-state drivers traveling through Virginia. If you have been charged with reckless driving in Virginia, contact Keefer Law Firm (540)433-6906.

Understanding Virginia’s Reckless Driving Laws
Under Virginia law, reckless driving is defined as driving on public roadways for vehicular travel in a manner or at a speed that endangers the life, limb, or property of any person.
This includes:
- Exceeding the posted speed limit by 20 miles per hour
- Driving over 85 miles per hour on any public roadway
- Driving a motor vehicle with faulty brakes or not under proper control
- Passing on or at the crest of a grade or on a curve
- Driving with the driver’s view obstructed or control impaired
- Passing two vehicles moving in the same direction, except in roadways with three or more lanes for each direction
- Driving alongside a vehicle in a single lane
- Passing at a railroad grade crossing
- Passing a stopped school bus
- Failing to give proper signals
- Driving too fast for the current circumstances and traffic conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit
- Not yielding right-of-way or reducing speed when approaching vehicles displaying warning lights
- Failure to yield right of way before entering a public roadway from a side road
- Reckless driving in parking lots
- Street racing
- Spinning wheels or burning rubber on public roads
- Injuring another or causing the death of another while racing
- Aiding or abetting racing
If an out-of-state driver’s home state is part of the Driver License Compact, Virginia will report their conviction of traffic violations to their state, and the home state must apply the conviction as if it occurred in their jurisdiction.
If they live in a non-member state, the convicted driver may face penalties imposed by the state of Virginia.
This will reflect in the National Driver Register and may cause the home state to refuse to issue or renew their license.

How Out-of-State Drivers Are Charged and Notified
Virginia law enforcement handles out-of-state drivers the same way as to how they handle their local drivers charged with reckless driving, with some extra steps.
The drivers are pulled over and issued a citation and provided with information about the charge and the court date.
They must appear in court on the specified date by the citation to address the charge.
Given that speeding is considered reckless driving in Virginia, out-of-state drivers may be cited for reckless driving through camera evidence for serious traffic infractions.
The state of Virginia can send information about traffic violations via mail as determined by the license plate or as the records indicate if they are operating a rented vehicle.
Consequences of a Reckless Driving Conviction for Non-Residents
Non-residents caught driving recklessly in the state of Virginia will face the same penalties as residents would.
This includes potential jail time, fines up to $2,500, a six-month license suspension, and a permanent criminal record.
If the convicted lives in a state part of the Driver’s License Compact, the Virginia court will report the conviction to the driver’s home state, who will enforce the penalty based on their own laws and agreements with Virginia.
The home state may impose a variety of penalties, including additional fines, demerit points, license suspension, or other penalties.
Below are the penalties imposed by the state of Virginia on individuals convicted of reckless driving:
Fine
Reckless driving is a class 1 misdemeanor, allowing convicted offenders to be charged by a fine of up to $2,500. The actual fine will vary depending on the driver’s record, the local court policy, and other factors.
If the reckless driving charge involves speeding, the fine may include the corresponding fine for every mile per hour the driver is speeding over the limit.
Along with the fine received, the convicted driver will also have to pay court costs, which may vary from court to court.
Suspended License
License suspensions are not a default punishment for reckless driving in Virginia. It varies from court to court. Some may suspend the driver’s license based on the reckless driving case or the driver’s driving record.
The maximum time a judge may suspend a driver’s license is 6 months, with a few exceptions. Although they do not have the authority to suspend out-of-state licenses, judges can suspend the driver’s privilege to drive in Virginia.
If the driver is living in a state that is part of the Driver’s License Compact, a suspension in Virginia may lead to a suspended license in their home state.
Since reckless driving in Virginia is a 6-point violation, this may lead to the DMV suspending the driver’s license if they have recently accumulated a substantial amount of points.
This suspension may be applicable to their home state and other states.
Jail Time
Active jail time is not a typical penalty for reckless driving. But, for more severe infractions, it may be a more likely consequence.
This is why consulting with a local reckless driving attorney is always advisable when you receive a reckless driving citation in Virginia.
Driving Record
Virginia drivers are given 6 demerit points on their record, and this only goes away from their driving record after 11 years. The record of out-of-state drivers may be affected by these demerit points, which can affect their insurance premiums in the future.
Criminal Record
If convicted of reckless driving, the driver will have a permanent criminal record in the state of Virginia. They cannot expunge this from their criminal record, which may cause problems in their current or future employment.
Understanding the seriousness of reckless driving and adhering to traffic laws is crucial for all motorists, including those from out of state, to avoid facing severe consequences in jurisdictions like Virginia.

Don’t Face Virginia Traffic Court Alone
Keefer Law Firm has been defending those accused of reckless driving in Virginia and ensuring their fair trial for over 40 years. Choose us to be your reckless driving attorney and have peace of mind knowing that your case is in capable hands.
Call us today at (540) 433-6906 to protect your rights and driving record.