{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-494.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-494.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-494.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-494.html"}],"law_id":75250,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75250,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-494","catch_line":"Safe driving point credit","history":"1974, c. 453, \u00a7 46.1-514.8; 1978, c. 44; 1989, c. 727.","full_text":"Every resident or nonresident person holding a valid Virginia driver&#8217;s license whose driving record does not contain any suspension, revocation, conviction, or finding of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, of a traffic violation, during any calendar year shall be awarded one safe driving point. One safe driving point shall be awarded for each calendar year of safe driving, but no person shall be permitted to accumulate more than five safe driving points. The Commissioner shall apply these points to offset an equivalent number of demerit points, if any, to the chronologically earliest offense conviction, or finding of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, for which demerit points have been assigned and are valid. If subsequent to awarding a safe driving point to any person, the Department receives a conviction, or finding of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, for an offense which occurred during the period for which a safe driving point was awarded for and which requires the Department to assess demerit points, the safe driving point shall be invalidated.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":270222,"text":"Every resident or nonresident person holding a valid Virginia driver&#8217;s license whose driving record does not contain any suspension, revocation, conviction, or finding of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, of a traffic violation, during any calendar year shall be awarded one safe driving point. One safe driving point shall be awarded for each calendar year of safe driving, but no person shall be permitted to accumulate more than five safe driving points. The Commissioner shall apply these points to offset an equivalent number of demerit points, if any, to the chronologically earliest offense conviction, or finding of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, for which demerit points have been assigned and are valid. If subsequent to awarding a safe driving point to any person, the Department receives a conviction, or finding of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, for an offense which occurred during the period for which a safe driving point was awarded for and which requires the Department to assess demerit points, the safe driving point shall be invalidated.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13891,"edition_id":1,"name":"Driver Improvement Program","identifier":"19","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12772,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:12","permalink":{"id":226227,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13891,"identifier":"19","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/19\/","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":62223,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-489","catch_line":"Regulations; appeals","url":"\/46.2-489\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-489","metadata":false},{"id":81559,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490","catch_line":"Establishment of driver improvement clinic program; application fees","url":"\/46.2-490\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490","metadata":false},{"id":85583,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.1","catch_line":"Section 46.2-391.1 not applicable","url":"\/46.2-490.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.1","metadata":false},{"id":86963,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.10","catch_line":"Changes in form of ownership or name","url":"\/46.2-490.10\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.10","metadata":false},{"id":58173,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.11","catch_line":"Reports, records of licensed computer-based clinic providers","url":"\/46.2-490.11\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.11","metadata":false},{"id":59819,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-490.2\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.2","metadata":false},{"id":68150,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.3","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/46.2-490.3\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.3","metadata":false},{"id":87405,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.4","catch_line":"Action on applications; hearing on denial","url":"\/46.2-490.4\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.4","metadata":false},{"id":56759,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.5","catch_line":"Suspension, revocation, cancellation or refusal to renew clinic license or instructor license; imposition of monetary penalties","url":"\/46.2-490.5\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.5","metadata":false},{"id":68957,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.6","catch_line":"Civil penalties","url":"\/46.2-490.6\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.6","metadata":false},{"id":61153,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.7","catch_line":"Acts of owners, operators, officers, directors, partners, and instructors","url":"\/46.2-490.7\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.7","metadata":false},{"id":85829,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.8","catch_line":"Grounds for denying, suspending, or revoking licenses of clinics and clinic instructors","url":"\/46.2-490.8\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.8","metadata":false},{"id":73960,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-490.9","catch_line":"Unlawful acts; prosecution; proceedings in equity","url":"\/46.2-490.9\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-490.9","metadata":false},{"id":55578,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-491","catch_line":"Persons included within scope of article","url":"\/46.2-491\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-491","metadata":false},{"id":59312,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-492","catch_line":"Uniform Demerit Point System","url":"\/46.2-492\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-492","metadata":false},{"id":54929,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-493","catch_line":"Demerit points valid for two years","url":"\/46.2-493\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-493","metadata":false},{"id":75250,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-494","catch_line":"Safe driving point credit","url":"\/46.2-494\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-494","metadata":false},{"id":66713,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-495","catch_line":"Advisory letters","url":"\/46.2-495\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-495","metadata":false},{"id":70692,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-496","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-496\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-496","metadata":false},{"id":79899,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-498","catch_line":"Driver improvement clinics; voluntary attendance","url":"\/46.2-498\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-498","metadata":false},{"id":80312,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-499","catch_line":"Driver's license probation","url":"\/46.2-499\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-499","metadata":false},{"id":68220,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-500","catch_line":"Driver control period","url":"\/46.2-500\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-500","metadata":false},{"id":75540,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-501","catch_line":"Notice to attend driver improvement clinic","url":"\/46.2-501\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-501","metadata":false},{"id":87387,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-502","catch_line":"Clinic fees","url":"\/46.2-502\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-502","metadata":false},{"id":56030,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-503","catch_line":"Suspension of privilege to operate a motor vehicle for failure to attend clinics","url":"\/46.2-503\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-503","metadata":false},{"id":65111,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-504","catch_line":"Form and contents of order of probation, suspension or revocation; service","url":"\/46.2-504\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-504","metadata":false},{"id":78073,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-505","catch_line":"Court may direct defendant to attend driver improvement clinic","url":"\/46.2-505\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-505","metadata":false},{"id":57414,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-506","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Formal hearings; suspension for excessive point accumulation","url":"\/46.2-506\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":72034,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-507","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Establishment of Intelligent Speed Assistance Program; penalty","url":"\/46.2-507\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-507","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":54929,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-493","catch_line":"Demerit points valid for two years","url":"\/46.2-493\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-493","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66713,"structure_id":13891,"section_number":"46.2-495","catch_line":"Advisory letters","url":"\/46.2-495\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-495","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-494\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1974. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 453 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1974 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1978, chapter 44; in 1989, chapter 727.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":226293,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75250,"identifier":"46.2-494","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-494","url":"\/46.2-494\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-494\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/19\/46.2-494","dublin_core":{"Title":"Safe driving point credit","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-494","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Every resident or <span class=\"dictionary\">nonresident<\/span> person holding a valid Virginia <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license whose driving record does not contain any <span class=\"dictionary\">suspension<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">revocation<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span>, or <span class=\"dictionary\">finding<\/span> of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, of a traffic violation, during any calendar year shall be awarded one safe driving point. One safe driving point shall be awarded for each calendar year of safe driving, but no person shall be permitted to accumulate more than five safe driving points. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span> shall apply these points to offset an equivalent number of demerit points, if any, to the chronologically earliest <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span>, or <span class=\"dictionary\">finding<\/span> of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, for which demerit points have been assigned and are valid. If subsequent to awarding a safe driving point to any person, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> receives a <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span>, or <span class=\"dictionary\">finding<\/span> of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, for an <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span> which occurred during the period for which a safe driving point was awarded for and which requires the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> to assess demerit points, the safe driving point shall be invalidated.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSAFE DRIVING POINT CREDIT (\u00a7 46.2-494)\n\nEvery resident or nonresident person holding a valid Virginia driver&#8217;s\nlicense whose driving record does not contain any suspension, revocation,\nconviction, or finding of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, of a traffic\nviolation, during any calendar year shall be awarded one safe driving point. One\nsafe driving point shall be awarded for each calendar year of safe driving, but\nno person shall be permitted to accumulate more than five safe driving points.\nThe Commissioner shall apply these points to offset an equivalent number of\ndemerit points, if any, to the chronologically earliest offense conviction, or\nfinding of not innocent in the case of a juvenile, for which demerit points have\nbeen assigned and are valid. If subsequent to awarding a safe driving point to\nany person, the Department receives a conviction, or finding of not innocent in\nthe case of a juvenile, for an offense which occurred during the period for\nwhich a safe driving point was awarded for and which requires the Department to\nassess demerit points, the safe driving point shall be invalidated.\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 453, \u00a7 46.1-514.8; 1978, c. 44; 1989, c. 727.","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}}