New Driving, Registration Fees

Earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly approved legislation increasing fees for certain motor vehicle-related or driving offenses and for registering vehicles. The legislation, which goes into effect tomorrow, will provide additional money for statewide transportation projects. A look at the civil remedial fees, which are in addition to any fines levied by a judge:

Driving fees:

The legislation imposes so-called unsafe or abusive driver fees for a period of three years upon conviction. Drivers pay the first year of the fee to the court; the second and third year are paid to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The fees cannot be suspended or reduced, and failure to pay will result in the suspension of a driver's license. The fees do not apply to out-of-state drivers.

Convictions subject to fees:

· Driving on a suspended or revoked license, $250 each year for three years.

· Reckless or aggressive driving, $350 each year for three years.

· Driving while intoxicated, $750 each year for three years.

· Other misdemeanor convictions for driving and/or motor vehicle-related offense, $300 a year for three years.

Demerit-point fees:

· A driver who has accumulated eight demerit points, $100.

· Each demerit point above eight, $75 a point. The maximum is $700 for 16 or more points.

· The motorist can offset demerit points by completing a driver-improvement class or driving a year without a conviction or suspension.

Registration fees:

For most Virginians, car registration will increase from $29.50 a year to $39.50. For passenger vehicles weighing more than 4,000 pounds, the fee will rise from $34.50 to $44.50.

There are also several increases in registration fees for pickup trucks and trailers, depending on weight.

Source: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles