{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-417.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-417.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-417.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-417.html"}],"law_id":57149,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57149,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-417","catch_line":"Suspension for failure to satisfy motor vehicle accident judgment; exceptions; insurance in liquidated company; insurer obligated to pay judgment","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-430; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-442; 1973, c. 394; 1974, cc. 49, 360; 1984, c. 780; 1988, c. 860; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 109; 2004, c. 998; 2013, c. 598.","full_text":"A\n\nUpon the application of any judgment creditor, the Commissioner shall suspend the driver’s license and all of the registration certificates and license plates of any person who has failed for 30 days to satisfy any judgment (i) in an amount and on a cause of action as hereinafter stated in this subsection or (ii) in an amount and on a cause of action pursuant to § 15.2-1716 or 15.2-1716.1, immediately upon receiving an authenticated judgment order or abstract thereof in an action for damages in a motor vehicle accident or pursuant to § 15.2-1716 or 15.2-1716.1, if the order or abstract is received by the Commissioner within 10 years of the date of judgment or if the judgment has been revived. However, if judgment is marked satisfied on the court records on or before the Commissioner’s issuance of suspension, the order of suspension shall be invalid.B\n\nThe Commissioner shall not, however, suspend the license of an owner or driver if the insurance carried by him was in a company which was authorized to transact business in this Commonwealth and which subsequent to an accident involving the owner or driver and prior to settlement of the claim therefor went into liquidation, so that the owner or driver is thereby unable to satisfy the judgment arising out of the accident.C\n\nThe Commissioner shall not suspend the driver’s license or driving privilege or any registration certificate, license plates, or decals under clause (i) of subsection A or § 46.2-418, if the Commissioner finds that an insurer authorized to do business in the Commonwealth was obligated to pay the judgment upon which suspension is based, or that a policy of the insurer covers the person subject to the suspension, if the insurer’s obligation or the limits of the policy are in an amount sufficient to meet the minimum amounts required by § 46.2-472, even though the insurer has not paid the judgment for any reason. A finding by the Commissioner that an insurer is obligated to pay a judgment, or that a policy of an insurer covers the person, shall not be binding upon the insurer and shall have no legal effect whatever except for the purpose of administering this article. Whenever in any judicial proceeding it is determined by any final judgment, decree, or order that an insurer is not obligated to pay the judgment, the Commissioner, notwithstanding any contrary finding made by him, forthwith shall suspend the driver’s license or driving privilege, or any registration card, license plates or decals of any person against whom the judgment was rendered, as provided in subsection A.D\n\nAny suspensions timely requested by any judgment creditor under subsection A and issued by the Commissioner shall not extend (i) beyond 10 years from the date of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a general district court, unless the judgment creditor notifies the Commissioner that an extension has been granted as provided in subdivision B 4 of § 16.1-69.55 or (ii) beyond 20 years from the date of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a circuit court, unless the judgment creditor notifies the Commissioner that an extension has been granted as provided in § 8.01-251. The expiration of such suspension shall not relieve the judgment debtor of complying with the requirements of proof of financial responsibility pursuant to subsection B of § 46.2-411 and the reinstatement fees pursuant to subsections C and F of § 46.2-411 after the judgment debtor becomes eligible for restoration of his driving privileges.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":209288,"text":"Upon the application of any judgment creditor, the Commissioner shall suspend the driver’s license and all of the registration certificates and license plates of any person who has failed for 30 days to satisfy any judgment (i) in an amount and on a cause of action as hereinafter stated in this subsection or (ii) in an amount and on a cause of action pursuant to § 15.2-1716 or 15.2-1716.1, immediately upon receiving an authenticated judgment order or abstract thereof in an action for damages in a motor vehicle accident or pursuant to § 15.2-1716 or 15.2-1716.1, if the order or abstract is received by the Commissioner within 10 years of the date of judgment or if the judgment has been revived. However, if judgment is marked satisfied on the court records on or before the Commissioner’s issuance of suspension, the order of suspension shall be invalid.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":209289,"text":"The Commissioner shall not, however, suspend the license of an owner or driver if the insurance carried by him was in a company which was authorized to transact business in this Commonwealth and which subsequent to an accident involving the owner or driver and prior to settlement of the claim therefor went into liquidation, so that the owner or driver is thereby unable to satisfy the judgment arising out of the accident.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":209290,"text":"The Commissioner shall not suspend the driver’s license or driving privilege or any registration certificate, license plates, or decals under clause (i) of subsection A or § 46.2-418, if the Commissioner finds that an insurer authorized to do business in the Commonwealth was obligated to pay the judgment upon which suspension is based, or that a policy of the insurer covers the person subject to the suspension, if the insurer’s obligation or the limits of the policy are in an amount sufficient to meet the minimum amounts required by § 46.2-472, even though the insurer has not paid the judgment for any reason. A finding by the Commissioner that an insurer is obligated to pay a judgment, or that a policy of an insurer covers the person, shall not be binding upon the insurer and shall have no legal effect whatever except for the purpose of administering this article. Whenever in any judicial proceeding it is determined by any final judgment, decree, or order that an insurer is not obligated to pay the judgment, the Commissioner, notwithstanding any contrary finding made by him, forthwith shall suspend the driver’s license or driving privilege, or any registration card, license plates or decals of any person against whom the judgment was rendered, as provided in subsection A.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":209291,"text":"Any suspensions timely requested by any judgment creditor under subsection A and issued by the Commissioner shall not extend (i) beyond 10 years from the date of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a general district court, unless the judgment creditor notifies the Commissioner that an extension has been granted as provided in subdivision B 4 of § 16.1-69.55 or (ii) beyond 20 years from the date of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a circuit court, unless the judgment creditor notifies the Commissioner that an extension has been granted as provided in § 8.01-251. The expiration of such suspension shall not relieve the judgment debtor of complying with the requirements of proof of financial responsibility pursuant to subsection B of § 46.2-411 and the reinstatement fees pursuant to subsections C and F of § 46.2-411 after the judgment debtor becomes eligible for restoration of his driving privileges.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13591,"edition_id":1,"name":"Suspension of Licenses for Unsatisfied Judgments and After Certain Accidents","identifier":"13","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12772,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:20","permalink":{"id":225927,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13591,"identifier":"13","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/13\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12772,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licensure of Drivers","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12771,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225629,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12772,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/II\/3","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12771,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling, Registration and Licensure","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225627,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12771,"identifier":"II","token":"46.2\/II","url":"\/46.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57149,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-417","catch_line":"Suspension for failure to satisfy motor vehicle accident judgment; exceptions; insurance in liquidated company; insurer obligated to pay judgment","url":"\/46.2-417\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-417","metadata":false},{"id":74796,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-418","catch_line":"Nonpayment of judgments of Virginia and other states","url":"\/46.2-418\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-418","metadata":false},{"id":72815,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-419","catch_line":"When judgment satisfied","url":"\/46.2-419\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-419","metadata":false},{"id":56939,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-420","catch_line":"Order for payment of judgment in installments","url":"\/46.2-420\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-420","metadata":false},{"id":80491,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-421","catch_line":"Effect of order for such payment and proof of financial responsibility","url":"\/46.2-421\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-421","metadata":false},{"id":54558,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-422","catch_line":"Suspension on failure to pay installments","url":"\/46.2-422\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-422","metadata":false},{"id":66544,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-423","catch_line":"Creditor's consent to license notwithstanding default in payment","url":"\/46.2-423\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-423","metadata":false},{"id":79286,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-424","catch_line":"Duty of insurance carrier after notice of accident; report of omissions by insurers to State Corporation Commission; investigation and assessment for omissions","url":"\/46.2-424\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-424","metadata":false},{"id":56391,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-425","catch_line":"Driver or owner having no license issued by Department","url":"\/46.2-425\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-425","metadata":false},{"id":59822,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-426","catch_line":"Custody and application of cash or securities deposited; limitation of actions; assignment","url":"\/46.2-426\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-426","metadata":false},{"id":63779,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-427","catch_line":"When suspensions to remain effective; relief from furnishing proof of financial responsibility; prohibition against registration in name of another person","url":"\/46.2-427\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-427","metadata":false},{"id":82008,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-428","catch_line":"Commonwealth responsible for deposits","url":"\/46.2-428\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-428","metadata":false},{"id":86969,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-429","catch_line":"Release of deposits only upon consent of Commissioner","url":"\/46.2-429\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-429","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":74796,"structure_id":13591,"section_number":"46.2-418","catch_line":"Nonpayment of judgments of Virginia and other states","url":"\/46.2-418\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-418","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-417\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 541; in 1973, chapter 394; in 1974, chapters 49 and 360; in 1984, chapter 780; in 1988, chapter 860; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1992, chapter 109; in 2004, chapter 998<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 598<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":60308,"section_number":"46.2-411","catch_line":"Reinstatement of suspended or revoked license or other privilege to operate or register a motor vehicle; proof of financial responsibility; reinstatement fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-411\/"},{"id":78915,"section_number":"46.2-412","catch_line":"Time suspension or revocation","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-412\/"},{"id":74796,"section_number":"46.2-418","catch_line":"Nonpayment of judgments of Virginia and other states","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-418\/"},{"id":63779,"section_number":"46.2-427","catch_line":"When suspensions to remain effective; relief from furnishing proof of financial responsibility; prohibition against registration in name of another person","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-427\/"},{"id":61015,"section_number":"46.2-708","catch_line":"Suspension of driver's license and registration when uninsured motor vehicle is involved in reportable accident; hearing prior to suspension","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-708\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":73688,"section_number":"15.2-1716","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to DUI and related incidents","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1716\/"},{"id":54447,"section_number":"15.2-1716.1","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to terrorism hoax incident, bomb threat, or malicious activation of fire alarm","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1716.1\/"},{"id":68420,"section_number":"16.1-69.55","catch_line":"Retention of case records; limitations on enforcement of judgments; extensions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.55\/"},{"id":60308,"section_number":"46.2-411","catch_line":"Reinstatement of suspended or revoked license or other privilege to operate or register a motor vehicle; proof of financial responsibility; reinstatement fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-411\/"},{"id":74796,"section_number":"46.2-418","catch_line":"Nonpayment of judgments of Virginia and other states","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-418\/"},{"id":54272,"section_number":"46.2-472","catch_line":"Coverage of owner's policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-472\/"},{"id":75565,"section_number":"8.01-251","catch_line":"Limitations on enforcement of judgments","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-251\/"}],"permalink":{"id":225929,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57149,"identifier":"46.2-417","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-417","url":"\/46.2-417\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-417\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/13\/46.2-417","dublin_core":{"Title":"Suspension for failure to satisfy motor vehicle accident judgment; exceptions; insurance in liquidated company; insurer obligated to pay judgment","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-417","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Upon the application of any judgment creditor<\/span>, the Commissioner<\/span> shall suspend<\/span> the driver<\/span>’s license and all of the registration certificates and license plates<\/span> of any person who has failed for 30 days to satisfy any judgment (i) in an amount and on a cause of action<\/span> as hereinafter stated in this subsection or (ii) in an amount and on a cause of action<\/span> pursuant to § 15.2-1716<\/a> or 15.2-1716.1<\/a>, immediately upon receiving an authenticated judgment order<\/span> or abstract thereof in an action for damages<\/span> in a motor vehicle<\/span> accident or pursuant to § 15.2-1716<\/a> or 15.2-1716.1<\/a>, if the order<\/span> or abstract is received by the Commissioner<\/span> within 10 years of the date of judgment or if the judgment has been revived. However, if judgment is marked satisfied on the court<\/span> records on or before the Commissioner<\/span>’s issuance of suspension<\/span>, the order<\/span> of suspension<\/span> shall be invalid. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Commissioner<\/span> shall not, however, suspend<\/span> the license of an owner<\/span> or driver<\/span> if the insurance carried by him was in a company which was authorized to transact business in this Commonwealth and which subsequent to an accident involving the owner<\/span> or driver<\/span> and prior to settlement<\/span> of the claim therefor went into liquidation<\/span>, so that the owner<\/span> or driver<\/span> is thereby unable to satisfy the judgment arising out of the accident. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Commissioner<\/span> shall not suspend<\/span> the driver<\/span>’s license or driving privilege<\/span> or any registration certificate, license plates<\/span>, or decals<\/span> under clause (i) of subsection A or § 46.2-418<\/a>, if the Commissioner<\/span> finds that an insurer authorized to do business in the Commonwealth was obligated to pay the judgment upon which suspension<\/span> is based, or that a policy of the insurer covers the person subject to the suspension<\/span>, if the insurer’s obligation or the limits of the policy are in an amount sufficient to meet the minimum amounts required by § 46.2-472<\/a>, even though the insurer has not paid the judgment for any reason. A finding<\/span> by the Commissioner<\/span> that an insurer is obligated to pay a judgment, or that a policy of an insurer covers the person, shall not be binding upon the insurer and shall have no legal effect whatever except for the purpose of administering this article. Whenever in any judicial proceeding it is determined by any final judgment, decree<\/span>, or order<\/span> that an insurer is not obligated to pay the judgment, the Commissioner<\/span>, notwithstanding any contrary finding<\/span> made by him, forthwith shall suspend<\/span> the driver<\/span>’s license or driving privilege<\/span>, or any registration card, license plates<\/span> or decals<\/span> of any person against whom the judgment was rendered, as provided in subsection A. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any suspensions<\/span> timely requested by any judgment creditor<\/span> under subsection A and issued by the Commissioner<\/span> shall not extend (i) beyond 10 years from the date of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a general district court<\/span>, unless the judgment creditor<\/span> notifies the Commissioner<\/span> that an extension has been granted as provided in subdivision B 4 of § 16.1-69.55<\/a> or (ii) beyond 20 years from the date of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a circuit<\/span> court<\/span>, unless the judgment creditor<\/span> notifies the Commissioner<\/span> that an extension has been granted as provided in § 8.01-251<\/a>. The expiration of such suspension<\/span> shall not relieve the judgment debtor<\/span> of complying with the requirements of proof of financial responsibility<\/span> pursuant to subsection B of § 46.2-411<\/a> and the reinstatement fees pursuant to subsections C and F of § 46.2-411<\/a> after the judgment debtor<\/span> becomes eligible for restoration of his driving privileges<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSUSPENSION FOR FAILURE TO SATISFY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT JUDGMENT; EXCEPTIONS;\nINSURANCE IN LIQUIDATED COMPANY; INSURER OBLIGATED TO PAY JUDGMENT (\u00a7 46.2-417)\n\nA. Upon the application of any judgment creditor, the Commissioner shall suspend\nthe driver’s license and all of the registration certificates and license\nplates of any person who has failed for 30 days to satisfy any judgment (i) in\nan amount and on a cause of action as hereinafter stated in this subsection or\n(ii) in an amount and on a cause of action pursuant to § 15.2-1716 or\n15.2-1716.1, immediately upon receiving an authenticated judgment order or\nabstract thereof in an action for damages in a motor vehicle accident or\npursuant to § 15.2-1716 or 15.2-1716.1, if the order or abstract is\nreceived by the Commissioner within 10 years of the date of judgment or if the\njudgment has been revived. However, if judgment is marked satisfied on the court\nrecords on or before the Commissioner’s issuance of suspension, the order\nof suspension shall be invalid.\n\nB. The Commissioner shall not, however, suspend the license of an owner or\ndriver if the insurance carried by him was in a company which was authorized to\ntransact business in this Commonwealth and which subsequent to an accident\ninvolving the owner or driver and prior to settlement of the claim therefor went\ninto liquidation, so that the owner or driver is thereby unable to satisfy the\njudgment arising out of the accident.\n\nC. The Commissioner shall not suspend the driver’s license or driving\nprivilege or any registration certificate, license plates, or decals under\nclause (i) of subsection A or § 46.2-418, if the Commissioner finds that an\ninsurer authorized to do business in the Commonwealth was obligated to pay the\njudgment upon which suspension is based, or that a policy of the insurer covers\nthe person subject to the suspension, if the insurer’s obligation or the\nlimits of the policy are in an amount sufficient to meet the minimum amounts\nrequired by § 46.2-472, even though the insurer has not paid the judgment\nfor any reason. A finding by the Commissioner that an insurer is obligated to\npay a judgment, or that a policy of an insurer covers the person, shall not be\nbinding upon the insurer and shall have no legal effect whatever except for the\npurpose of administering this article. Whenever in any judicial proceeding it is\ndetermined by any final judgment, decree, or order that an insurer is not\nobligated to pay the judgment, the Commissioner, notwithstanding any contrary\nfinding made by him, forthwith shall suspend the driver’s license or\ndriving privilege, or any registration card, license plates or decals of any\nperson against whom the judgment was rendered, as provided in subsection A.\n\nD. Any suspensions timely requested by any judgment creditor under subsection A\nand issued by the Commissioner shall not extend (i) beyond 10 years from the\ndate of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a general district court,\nunless the judgment creditor notifies the Commissioner that an extension has\nbeen granted as provided in subdivision B 4 of § 16.1-69.55 or (ii) beyond\n20 years from the date of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a circuit\ncourt, unless the judgment creditor notifies the Commissioner that an extension\nhas been granted as provided in § 8.01-251. The expiration of such\nsuspension shall not relieve the judgment debtor of complying with the\nrequirements of proof of financial responsibility pursuant to subsection B of\n§ 46.2-411 and the reinstatement fees pursuant to subsections C and F of\n§ 46.2-411 after the judgment debtor becomes eligible for restoration of\nhis driving privileges.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-430; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-442; 1973, c. 394; 1974,\ncc. 49, 360; 1984, c. 780; 1988, c. 860; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 109; 2004, c.\n998; 2013, c. 598.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}