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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>74546</law_id><section_number>16.1-278.9</section_number><catch_line>Delinquent children; loss of driving privileges for alcohol, firearm, and drug offenses; truancy</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>16.1-260</reference><reference>16.1-278.8</reference><reference>16.1-69.48:1</reference><reference>17.1-275.1</reference><reference>17.1-275.2</reference><reference>17.1-275.7</reference><reference>18.2-251</reference><reference>18.2-266.1</reference><reference>18.2-270</reference><reference>19.2-303.4</reference><reference>19.2-335</reference><reference>19.2-336</reference><reference>4.1-1105.1</reference><reference>4.1-305</reference><reference>4.1-306</reference><reference>46.2-383</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="16.1">Courts Not of Record</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="11">Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="9">Disposition</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> If a court has found <span class="dictionary">facts</span> which would justify a <span class="dictionary">finding</span> that a child at least 13 years of age at the time of the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> is delinquent and such <span class="dictionary">finding</span> involves (i) a violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a> or of a similar <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> of any county, city, or town; (ii) a refusal to take a breath test in violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Implied consent to post-arrest testing to determine drug or alcohol content of blood" href="/18.2-268.2/">18.2-268.2</a>; (iii) a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> violation of Chapter 11 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Possession, etc., of marijuana and marijuana products by persons 21 years of age or older lawful; penalties" href="/4.1-1100/">4.1-1100</a> et seq.) of Title 4.1 or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance prohibited; penalties" href="/18.2-248/">18.2-248</a>, <a class="law" title="Penalties for sale, gift, distribution or possession with intent to sell, give or distribute marijuana" href="/18.2-248.1/">18.2-248.1</a>, or <a class="law" title="Possession of controlled substances unlawful" href="/18.2-250/">18.2-250</a>; (iv) a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> violation of Chapter 11 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Possession, etc., of marijuana and marijuana products by persons 21 years of age or older lawful; penalties" href="/4.1-1100/">4.1-1100</a> et seq.) of Title 4.1 or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance prohibited; penalties" href="/18.2-248/">18.2-248</a>, <a class="law" title="Penalties for sale, gift, distribution or possession with intent to sell, give or distribute marijuana" href="/18.2-248.1/">18.2-248.1</a>, or <a class="law" title="Possession of controlled substances unlawful" href="/18.2-250/">18.2-250</a>; (v) the unlawful purchase, <span class="dictionary">possession</span>, or consumption of alcohol in violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages unlawful in certain cases; venue; exceptions; penalty; forfeiture; deferred proceedings; treatment and education programs and services" href="/4.1-305/">4.1-305</a> or the unlawful drinking or <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of alcoholic beverages in or on public school grounds in violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Drinking or possessing alcoholic beverages in or on public school grounds; penalty" href="/4.1-309/">4.1-309</a>; (vi) public intoxication in violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Intoxication in public; penalty; transportation of public inebriates to detoxification center" href="/18.2-388/">18.2-388</a> or a similar <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> of a county, city, or town; (vii) the unlawful use or <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a handgun or <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a &#x201C;streetsweeper&#x201D; as defined below; or (viii) a violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Threats to bomb, damage, or discharge a firearm within or at buildings or means of transportation; false information as to danger to such buildings, etc.; punishment; venue" href="/18.2-83/">18.2-83</a>, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span>, in addition to any other <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> that it may impose as provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span> for the <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, that the child be denied a driver&#x2019;s license. In addition to any other <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> authorized by this section, if the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involves a violation designated under clause (i) and the child was transporting a person 17 years of age or younger, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall impose the additional fine and <span class="dictionary">order</span> <span class="dictionary">community service</span> as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Penalty for driving while intoxicated; subsequent offense; prior conviction" href="/18.2-270/">18.2-270</a>. If the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involves a violation designated under clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (viii), the denial of a driver&#x2019;s license shall be for a period of one year or until the juvenile reaches the age of 17, whichever is longer, for a first such <span class="dictionary">offense</span> or for a period of one year or until the juvenile reaches the age of 18, whichever is longer, for a second or subsequent such <span class="dictionary">offense</span>. If the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involves a violation designated under clause (iv), (v), or (vi) the denial of driving <span class="dictionary">privileges</span> shall be for a period of six months unless the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> is committed by a child under the age of 16 years and three months, in which case the child&#x2019;s ability to apply for a driver&#x2019;s license shall be delayed for a period of six months following the date he reaches the age of 16 and three months. If the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involves a first violation designated under clause (v) or (vi), <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall impose the license <span class="dictionary">sanction</span> and may enter a <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> of guilt or, without entering a <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> of guilt, may defer <span class="dictionary">disposition</span> of the delinquency charge until such time as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> disposes of the case pursuant to subsection F. If the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involves a violation designated under clause (iii) or (iv), <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall impose the license <span class="dictionary">sanction</span> and shall dispose of the delinquency charge pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Persons charged with first offense may be placed on probation; conditions; substance abuse screening, assessment treatment and education programs or services; drug tests; costs and fees; violations; discharge" href="/18.2-251/">18.2-251</a>. If the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involves a violation designated under clause (vii), the denial of driving <span class="dictionary">privileges</span> shall be for a period of not less than 30 days, except when the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involves <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a concealed handgun or a striker 12, commonly called a &#x201C;streetsweeper,&#x201D; or any semi-automatic folding stock shotgun of like kind with a spring tension drum magazine capable of holding 12 shotgun shells, in which case the denial of driving <span class="dictionary">privileges</span> shall be for a period of two years unless the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> is committed by a child under the age of 16 years and three months, in which event the child&#x2019;s ability to apply for a driver&#x2019;s license shall be delayed for a period of two years following the date he reaches the age of 16 and three months. <a id="paragraph-267905" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-278.9/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1"><p><span class="prefix-number">A1.</span> If a court finds that a child at least 13 years of age has failed to comply with school attendance and meeting requirements as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Appointment of attendance officers; notification when pupil fails to report to school; plan; conference; court proceedings" href="/22.1-258/">22.1-258</a>, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> the denial of the child&#x2019;s driving <span class="dictionary">privileges</span> for a period of not less than 30 days. If such failure to comply involves a child under the age of 16 years and three months, the child&#x2019;s ability to apply for a driver&#x2019;s license shall be delayed for a period of not less than 30 days following the date he reaches the age of 16 and three months.
			If <span class="dictionary">the court</span> finds a second or subsequent such <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, it may <span class="dictionary">order</span> the denial of a driver&#x2019;s license for a period of one year or until the juvenile reaches the age of 18, whichever is longer, or delay the child&#x2019;s ability to apply for a driver&#x2019;s license for a period of one year following the date he reaches the age of 16 and three months, as may be appropriate. <a id="paragraph-267906" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-278.9/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2"><p><span class="prefix-number">A2.</span> If a court finds that a child at least 13 years of age has refused to take a blood test in violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Implied consent to post-arrest testing to determine drug or alcohol content of blood" href="/18.2-268.2/">18.2-268.2</a>, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> that the child be denied a driver&#x2019;s license for a period of one year or until the juvenile reaches the age of 17, whichever is longer, for a first such <span class="dictionary">offense</span> or for a period of one year or until the juvenile reaches the age of 18, whichever is longer, for a second or subsequent such <span class="dictionary">offense</span>. <a id="paragraph-267907" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-278.9/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any child who has a driver&#x2019;s license at the time of the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> or at the time of <span class="dictionary">the court</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">finding</span> as provided in subsection A1 or A2 shall be ordered to surrender his driver&#x2019;s license, which shall be held in the physical <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of <span class="dictionary">the court</span> during any period of license denial. <a id="paragraph-267908" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-278.9/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> <span class="dictionary">The court</span> shall report any order issued under this section to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Motor Vehicles, which shall preserve a record thereof. The report and the record shall include a statement as to whether the child was represented by or waived <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> or whether the order was issued pursuant to subsection A1 or A2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 12 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective until July 1, 2026) Fingerprints and photographs of juveniles" href="/16.1-299/">16.1-299</a> et seq.) or the provisions of Title 46.2, this record shall be available only to all <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officers, attorneys for the Commonwealth and <span class="dictionary">courts</span>. No other record of the proceeding shall be forwarded to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Motor Vehicles unless the proceeding results in an adjudication of guilt pursuant to subsection F.
			The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Motor Vehicles shall refuse to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a driver&#x2019;s license to any child denied a driver&#x2019;s license until such time as is stipulated in the <span class="dictionary">court order</span> or until notification by <span class="dictionary">the court</span> of withdrawal of the order of denial under subsection E. <a id="paragraph-267909" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-278.9/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">finding</span> as to the child involves a violation designated under clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (vi) of subsection A or a violation designated under subsection A2, the child may be referred to a certified alcohol safety action program in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Probation, education, and rehabilitation of person charged or convicted; person convicted under law of another state or federal law" href="/18.2-271.1/">18.2-271.1</a> upon such terms and conditions as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> may set forth. If the <span class="dictionary">finding</span> as to such child involves a violation designated under clause (iii), (iv), (v), (vii) or (viii) of subsection A, such child may be referred to appropriate rehabilitative or educational services upon such terms and conditions as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> may set forth.
			<span class="dictionary">The court</span>, in its discretion and upon a demonstration of hardship, may authorize the use of a restricted permit to operate a motor vehicle by any child who has a driver&#x2019;s license at the time of the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> or at the time of <span class="dictionary">the court</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">finding</span> as provided in subsection A1 or A2 for any of the purposes set forth in subsection E of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Probation, education, and rehabilitation of person charged or convicted; person convicted under law of another state or federal law" href="/18.2-271.1/">18.2-271.1</a> or for travel to and from school, except that no restricted license shall be issued for travel to and from home and school when school-provided transportation is available and no restricted license shall be issued if the <span class="dictionary">finding</span> as to such child involves a violation designated under clause (iii) or (iv) of subsection A, or if it involves a second or subsequent violation of any <span class="dictionary">offense</span> designated in subsection A, a second <span class="dictionary">finding</span> by <span class="dictionary">the court</span> of failure to comply with school attendance and meeting requirements as provided in subsection A1, or a second or subsequent <span class="dictionary">finding</span> by <span class="dictionary">the court</span> of a refusal to take a blood test as provided in subsection A2. The issuance of the restricted permit shall be set forth within the <span class="dictionary">court order</span>, a copy of which shall be provided to the child, and shall specifically enumerate the restrictions imposed and contain such information regarding the child as is reasonably necessary to identify him. The child may operate a motor vehicle under the <span class="dictionary">court order</span> in accordance with its terms. Any child who operates a motor vehicle in violation of any restrictions imposed pursuant to this section is guilty of a violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving while license, permit, or privilege to drive suspended or revoked" href="/46.2-301/">46.2-301</a>. <a id="paragraph-267910" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-278.9/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Upon <span class="dictionary">petition</span> made at least 90 days after issuance of the order, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> may review and withdraw any order of denial of a driver&#x2019;s license if for a first such <span class="dictionary">offense</span> or <span class="dictionary">finding</span> as provided in subsection A1 or A2. For a second or subsequent such <span class="dictionary">offense</span> or <span class="dictionary">finding</span>, the order may not be reviewed and withdrawn until one year after its issuance. <a id="paragraph-267911" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-278.9/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">finding</span> as to such child involves a first violation designated under clause (vii) of subsection A, upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions prescribed by <span class="dictionary">the court</span> and after the child&#x2019;s driver&#x2019;s license has been restored, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall or, in the event the violation resulted in the injury or death of any person or if the <span class="dictionary">finding</span> involves a violation designated under clause (i), (ii), (v), or (vi) of subsection A, may discharge the child and dismiss the proceedings against him. Discharge and <span class="dictionary">dismissal</span> under these provisions shall be without an adjudication of guilt but a record of the proceeding shall be retained for the purpose of applying this section in subsequent proceedings. Failure of the child to fulfill such terms and conditions shall result in an adjudication of guilt. If the <span class="dictionary">finding</span> as to such child involves a violation designated under clause (iii) or (iv) of subsection A, the charge shall not be dismissed pursuant to this subsection but shall be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Persons charged with first offense may be placed on probation; conditions; substance abuse screening, assessment treatment and education programs or services; drug tests; costs and fees; violations; discharge" href="/18.2-251/">18.2-251</a>. If the <span class="dictionary">finding</span> as to such child involves a second violation under clause (v), (vi) or (vii) of subsection A, the charge shall not be dismissed pursuant to this subsection but shall be disposed of under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Delinquent juveniles" href="/16.1-278.8/">16.1-278.8</a>. <a id="paragraph-267912" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-278.9/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1991, cc. 534, 696; 1992, cc. 701, 736, 830; 1993, cc. 482, 866, 972; 1994, c. 338; 2000, c. 835; 2001, cc. 248, 266; 2002, cc. 519, 755; 2003, c. 118; 2005, c. 895; 2007, c. 731; 2010, cc. 522, 569, 570; 2017, c. 623; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 550, 551.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
