Virginia 15–19 MPH Over the Speed Limit: Fines, Points & What to Do Next

You glance down at the speedometer a second too late. The posted limit is 55, and you’re rolling at 72. Blue lights fill the mirror. In Virginia, that 17-over reading lands you in a very specific danger zone: fast enough for a real fine and four DMV demerit points, but — just barely — not yet reckless driving. Cross into 20 over and the whole picture changes into a criminal charge.

If your ticket says you were going 15 to 19 mph over the limit, this guide walks you through exactly what it costs, how many points hit your license, what it does to your insurance, and the four things you can do next — including how a driver improvement course can protect your record.

What is a 15–19 mph over speeding ticket in Virginia?

Virginia sets its speed limits under § 46.2-870 and related statutes, and treats ordinary speeding as a traffic infraction — a civil offense, not a crime. Going 15 to 19 mph over the posted limit is the top tier of non-reckless speeding. It is the last bracket before the line that turns a ticket into a misdemeanor.

That line matters. Under § 46.2-862, you are charged with reckless driving if you drive 20 mph or more over the limit, or faster than 85 mph no matter the posted limit. So if you were clocked at 19 over in a 65 zone (84 mph), you stayed an infraction. One more mile per hour — 20 over, or 85 absolute — and you would be facing reckless driving by speed, a Class 1 misdemeanor. The 15–19 bracket is close enough to that edge that many drivers don’t realize how lucky the number on their ticket actually was.

A few situations raise the stakes even inside this bracket. If you were clocked 15–19 over in a school crossing zone or an active highway work zone, the per-mile fine rate is higher and work-zone penalties can be enhanced. Drivers under 18 face extra consequences — Virginia acts on a junior license after even one demerit conviction, so a single 15–19 over ticket can trigger a mandatory DMV notice and a required driver improvement course. Out-of-state drivers aren’t off the hook either: through the Driver License Compact, Virginia reports the conviction to your home state, which usually adds its own points on top.

Fines & DMV demerit points (with the numbers)

Virginia’s prepayable speeding fines are set by a per-mile formula under § 46.2-878.3. In an ordinary zone you pay $6 for every mile per hour over the limit, and $7 per mph in a school crossing zone or a highway work zone. On top of the fine you owe court costs, which usually run about $62 (they vary by court, roughly $61–$67).

Here is what the 15–19 bracket looks like in dollars:

• 15 mph over: 15 × $6 = $90 fine + ~$62 costs ≈ $152 total

• 17 mph over: 17 × $6 = $102 fine + ~$62 costs ≈ $164 total

• 19 mph over: 19 × $6 = $114 fine + ~$62 costs ≈ $176 total

The bigger cost is on your driving record. A conviction for 15–19 mph over adds 4 demerit points to your Virginia DMV record, and those points stay for five years from the date of the offense. Rack up too many and you can face a DMV advisory letter or even a suspension. If you want the full breakdown of how the point system works, see our guide to Virginia demerit points.

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How a 15–19 mph ticket affects your car insurance

The DMV points and the insurance hit are two separate systems, and both go up after a speeding conviction. Insurers pull your record and treat a 15–19 over ticket as a serious moving violation — not the little 8-over slip. Most Virginia drivers see their premium climb 20–35%, and that surcharge typically rides along at renewal for three years. Over a full policy cycle that can easily add up to more than the ticket itself. We break the math down in how a speeding ticket raises your insurance.

One thing many drivers miss: completing a voluntary driver improvement course can add +5 safe-driving points to your DMV record, which helps offset the demerit points — and many insurers offer a separate premium discount just for finishing an approved course. That is two wins from one certificate.

What to do after a 15–19 mph over ticket

1. Decide whether to contest it. Because 15–19 over sits right below the reckless line, a lawyer or the officer’s calibration records sometimes matter. If the radar or speedometer calibration is off, the number can drop. Read how to get a Virginia ticket dismissed before you decide.

2. Or pay it — but know what you’re accepting. Prepaying the fine is a guilty plea. It closes the case but locks in the 4 demerit points and the insurance surcharge. Never prepay just to make it go away without understanding that trade.

3. Take a driver improvement course. Whether a judge orders it (often in exchange for a reduction or dismissal) or you take it voluntarily, an approved course earns +5 safe-driving points and shows the court and your insurer you’re serious. Bring the certificate to court if you have a date.

4. Monitor your record. A few weeks after the case closes, pull your Virginia driving record and confirm the points and dates posted correctly. Errors happen, and they are worth fixing.

Course-code quick reference

When you sign up, you choose the reason you are taking the course. Pick the code that matches your situation:

Frequently asked questions

Is 15 mph over the limit reckless driving in Virginia?
No. Reckless driving by speed starts at 20 mph or more over the limit or 85 mph or more under § 46.2-862. A 15–19 over ticket is a traffic infraction — serious, but not a crime.

How many points is a 15–19 mph over ticket?
It adds 4 demerit points to your Virginia DMV record and stays there for five years from the offense date.

Can a driver improvement course remove the points?
It does not erase the 4 demerit points, but a voluntary course adds +5 safe-driving points that offset them, and a court may agree to reduce or dismiss the charge if you complete one. See how to remove points from your record.

Enroll today and put this behind you

You were one mile per hour from a misdemeanor — protect the record you kept. The ABC Driving Improvement course is DMV-approved, 100% online, and self-paced, so you can finish on your own schedule and earn a completion certificate the DMV and your insurer will recognize. Whether a judge ordered it, your insurer asked for it, or you simply want +5 safe-driving points on your record, we make it simple.

Enroll today — $74.99, DMV-approved, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Start your DMV-approved Virginia driver improvement course →