Can You Take a Virginia Driver Improvement Course With a Suspended License?

If your Virginia driver's license has been suspended — or you're dangerously close because the demerit points are piling up — you're probably looking for the fastest, cleanest way out. One question we hear constantly at ABC Driving Improvement is: "Can I take a driver improvement course while my license is suspended, and will it help?"

The short answer is yes, you can take the course, and in many cases the DMV actually requires it. But it's important to understand exactly what the course does — and what it doesn't — so you can get back on the road the right way.

First, Why Was Your License Suspended?

Virginia suspends licenses for many reasons, but one of the most common is excessive demerit points. Here's how the Virginia DMV's point thresholds work:

• 12–17 points in 12 months (or 18–23 points in 24 months): The DMV orders a mandatory driver improvement clinic that you must complete within 90 days.

• 18 points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months): Your driving privilege is suspended for 90 days, and a driver improvement course is part of getting it back.

A driver improvement course can't erase a suspension by itself — but for point-based suspensions, it's usually the single most important step toward getting your license back.

Understanding why you were suspended matters, because it determines what you'll need to do to reinstate. You can dig deeper in our guide to how many points it takes to suspend a license in Virginia.

What the Driver Improvement Course Can Do

Satisfy a DMV Requirement

If the DMV ordered you to complete a driver improvement clinic — whether as a control measure or as a condition of reinstatement — our 8-hour, DMV-approved course satisfies that requirement, and your completion is reported electronically to the DMV.

Add Five Safe Driving Points

Completing the course voluntarily adds +5 safe driving points to your record (the maximum you can hold). Safe points help offset demerit points and show the DMV — and your insurer — that you're taking driving seriously. Learn more about earning five safe driving points.

Help You Avoid the Next Suspension

If you're in the 12–17 point danger zone, taking the course now can keep you from crossing into a full suspension.

How to Take the Course While Suspended

Here's the reassuring part: because the 8-hour course is completed entirely online, you don't need to drive anywhere to take it. A suspended license doesn't stop you from enrolling, logging in, and working through the material from home at your own pace, on a phone, tablet, or computer. Many drivers actually use their suspension period to knock the course out early, so the completion is already on file by the time they're ready to reinstate.

If the DMV gave you a deadline — often 90 days from the date of the order — start as soon as you can. Finishing early gives the DMV time to process your completion and leaves room to handle any remaining reinstatement steps without scrambling against the clock.

What the Course Can't Do on Its Own

Here's the honest part. A driver improvement course is powerful, but it is not a magic reset button:

• It does not remove demerit points from your record — those expire on their own schedule. Instead, it adds safe points that counterbalance them.

• It does not automatically lift an active suspension. You still must serve any required suspension period, pay your reinstatement fee, and provide proof of insurance (an SR-22) if the DMV requires one.

In other words, the course is usually a required piece of the reinstatement puzzle — often the most important piece — but you'll want to confirm every step with the DMV. Our overview of reinstating a suspended license in Virginia lays out the full checklist.

A Quick Word for CDL Holders

If you hold a commercial driver's license, note that ABC Driving Improvement does not provide CDL training, endorsements, ELDT, or skills testing — for those, contact the Virginia DMV at dmv.virginia.gov. That said, our 8-hour course still earns +5 safe points and helps keep your personal driving record clean, which matters when employers check your MVR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a driver improvement course remove my Virginia license suspension?

Not by itself. If you were suspended for excessive points, completing the course is usually required for reinstatement, but you must also serve the suspension period, pay the reinstatement fee, and meet any insurance (SR-22) requirement.

Does the course take points off my record?

No. It doesn't erase demerit points. Instead, it adds up to five safe driving points, which offset demerits and strengthen your record.

Is the course mandatory if I'm close to suspension?

It can be. If you reach 12–17 demerit points in 12 months (or 18–23 in 24 months), the DMV orders a mandatory driver improvement clinic that you must finish within 90 days — or face suspension.

Get Back on the Road — Start Today

Whether the DMV ordered your course or you're taking it to protect your license, ABC Driving Improvement makes it simple. Our DMV-approved, 8-hour course is fully online, self-paced, and only $74.99, with completion reported to the DMV for free. Explore the course or enroll now and take the first step toward a clean record.