Virginia Ticket for Driving Left of a Traffic Circle Island: Fines, Points & What to Do

Roundabouts are popping up all over Virginia, from new suburban interchanges to old downtown traffic circles. Most drivers get the basics right. But in a hurry, at night, or in an unfamiliar circle, it is easy to take a shortcut: you turn left around the wrong side of the center island, or you cut across the inside to reach your exit. If an officer saw it, you may now have a ticket for driving to the left of a rotary traffic island.

It sounds like a small mistake. The Virginia DMV does not treat it that way. This is a 4-point violation, the same level as following too closely or failing to yield. This guide covers what the law says, the fine and points, how the ticket can affect your car insurance, and the steps that protect your license, including a DMV-approved driver improvement course.

What Is Driving Left of a Rotary Traffic Island in Virginia?

The rule is Va. Code § 46.2-807, titled "Path of travel at circular intersections." The statute is one sentence long: a vehicle passing through a circular intersection "shall be driven only to the right of the central island, unless otherwise directed by traffic control devices."

In practice, that means traffic in a Virginia roundabout or traffic circle always moves counterclockwise, keeping the center island on the driver's left. You can be cited under § 46.2-807 for:

• Turning left at the entry and driving clockwise around the island to reach a nearby exit.

• Cutting straight across the inside of the circle, or over a painted or flush center island, instead of going around it.

• Making a quick U-turn by looping the wrong way around a small neighborhood circle.

• Ignoring signs or lane arrows that direct traffic around the island.

The one exception is in the statute itself: when traffic control devices (signs, signals, or markings) direct you to do something else. Large trucks and buses using a mountable "truck apron" are following the design of the roundabout, not breaking this rule. For the bigger picture on entering, yielding, and signaling, read our guide to Virginia roundabout rules and right-of-way.

Driving the wrong way around a circle often goes along with other charges. If you entered against one-way traffic, see our post on the Virginia wrong-way, one-way street ticket. If you failed to yield to traffic already in the circle, our failure-to-yield guide explains that separate violation.

Fines and DMV Demerit Points

Section 46.2-807 does not set its own penalty. That means the general rule in Va. Code § 46.2-113 applies: the violation is a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of up to the Class 4 misdemeanor maximum, which is $250 under Va. Code § 18.2-11. Court costs are added on top of the fine. Many of these tickets can be prepaid, and the exact amount appears on your summons or the court's online case record.

The bigger cost is your driving record:

Points add up fast. Pair this ticket with one speeding conviction and you could be close to a DMV advisory letter. At 12 points in 12 months, or 18 points in 24 months, the DMV requires you to complete a driver improvement clinic. Our Virginia DMV demerit points explainer walks through every threshold.

Be aware that dangerous driving in a circle can be charged more seriously. If the officer believes you endangered someone, you could face reckless driving under Va. Code § 46.2-852, a Class 1 misdemeanor with 6 demerit points. See our reckless driving penalties guide if your summons lists that code section.

How It Affects Car Insurance

Insurers do not use DMV points directly. Each company runs its own rating system, but most treat a 4-point moving violation as a sign of higher risk. When your policy renews, a conviction like this can cost you a good-driver discount or lead to a surcharge, and that higher rate can last for about three years.

A roundabout ticket that comes with a crash is worse. A wrong-way move inside a circle often causes a head-on or sideswipe collision, and an at-fault crash plus a moving violation is one of the fastest ways to see a big premium increase. Our article on insurance points vs. DMV points explains why the two systems are different, and how a driver improvement course may help lower your car insurance.

What to Do After a Rotary Island Ticket

1. Decide whether to contest it. These cases depend on the facts. Was the signage confusing or missing? Were you following a sign, a flagger, or a work-zone detour? Was it really a roundabout, or a painted median? Photos of the intersection, dashcam video, and a clear timeline can support a dismissal or a reduction to a lower-point or non-moving offense.

2. Or pay the fine. Prepaying is a guilty plea. You accept the 4 points and the 3-year conviction. If you choose this route, take steps right away to offset the points. Our prepaid traffic ticket guide explains what prepaying means.

3. Take the driver improvement course. A voluntary 8-hour Virginia course adds +5 safe driving points to your record, more than this ticket's 4 points. Some judges will also consider a completed course when you appear in court. Enroll online and finish at your own pace.

4. Monitor your driving record. After the case closes, check your DMV record to confirm the conviction, points, and safe driving points posted correctly. Keep an eye on your balance so another ticket doesn't push you over a DMV threshold.

Virginia Driver Improvement Course Codes Explained

When you register for a Virginia driver improvement course, you choose a reason code. The code tells the DMV why you are taking the class and whether you should receive the +5 safe driving points.

Most drivers who sign up on their own choose VOL, which credits +5 safe driving points once every 24 months. If a judge sent you, use YCT or NCT based on your court paperwork. When the court orders the class, the court decides whether you get safe driving points, so bring that documentation with you. Not sure which code fits? Ask us before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which way do you go around a roundabout in Virginia?
Counterclockwise, keeping the central island on your left. Va. Code § 46.2-807 requires vehicles to drive only to the right of the central island unless signs or other traffic control devices direct otherwise.

How many points is driving left of a traffic circle island in Virginia?
The DMV assigns 4 demerit points. The points stay active for two years, and the conviction stays on your DMV record for three years.

Can a driver improvement course remove the ticket?
No. The course does not erase the conviction. A voluntary course adds +5 safe driving points, which offsets the 4 demerit points in your point balance, and it can be a good-faith step to show the court.

Enroll Today and Protect Your License

A wrong turn in a traffic circle shouldn't follow you for years. Offset the 4 points, show the court and your insurer that you take safety seriously, and get back on track. Enroll today — $74.99, DMV-approved, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Start your 8-hour Virginia driver improvement course now, 100% online.