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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>72043</law_id><section_number>46.2-391</section_number><catch_line>Revocation of license for multiple convictions of driving while intoxicated; exception; petition for restoration of privilege</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-270.1</reference><reference>18.2-271</reference><reference>18.2-271.1</reference><reference>18.2-272</reference><reference>18.2-36.1</reference><reference>19.2-299.2</reference><reference>46.2-2099.49</reference><reference>46.2-389</reference><reference>46.2-391.01</reference><reference>46.2-411</reference><reference>46.2-412</reference><reference>46.2-425</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Titling, Registration and Licensure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="3">Licensure of Drivers</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="12">Suspension and Revocation of Licenses, Generally; Additional Penalties</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> shall forthwith <span class="dictionary">revoke</span> and not thereafter reissue for three years the <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license of any person on receiving a record of the <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> of any person who (i) is adjudged to be a second offender in violation of the provisions of subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving a commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated, etc" href="/46.2-341.24/">46.2-341.24</a> (driving a commercial <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> under the influence of drugs or intoxicants), or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a> (driving under the influence of drugs or intoxicants), if the subsequent violation occurred within 10 years of the prior violation, or (ii) is convicted of any two or more <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving after forfeiture of license" href="/18.2-272/">18.2-272</a> (driving while the <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license has been forfeited for a <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a>) if the second or subsequent violation occurred within 10 years of the prior <span class="dictionary">offense</span>. However, if the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> has received a copy of a <span class="dictionary">court order</span> authorizing issuance of a restricted license as provided 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>, he shall proceed as provided in the order of the court. For the purposes of this subsection, an <span class="dictionary">offense</span> in violation of a valid local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, or <span class="dictionary">law</span> of any other <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, which <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> or <span class="dictionary">law</span> is substantially similar to any provision of Virginia <span class="dictionary">law</span> herein shall be considered an <span class="dictionary">offense</span> in violation of such provision of Virginia <span class="dictionary">law</span>. Additionally, in no event shall the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> reinstate the <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license of any person convicted of 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 substantially similar valid local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> or <span class="dictionary">law</span> of another <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, until receipt of notification that such person has successfully completed an alcohol safety action program if such person was required by <span class="dictionary">court order</span> to do so unless the requirement for completion of the program has been waived by the court for good cause shown. A <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> includes a <span class="dictionary">finding</span> of not innocent in the case of a juvenile. <a id="paragraph-259597" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> shall forthwith <span class="dictionary">revoke</span> and not thereafter reissue the <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license of any person after receiving a record of the <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> of any person (i) convicted of a violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Certain conduct punishable as involuntary manslaughter" href="/18.2-36.1/">18.2-36.1</a> or <a class="law" title="Maiming, etc., of another resulting from driving while intoxicated" href="/18.2-51.4/">18.2-51.4</a> or a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a> or (ii) convicted of three <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> arising out of separate incidents or occurrences within a period of 10 years in violation of the provisions of subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving a commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated, etc" href="/46.2-341.24/">46.2-341.24</a>, &#xA7;  <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a>, or a substantially similar <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> or <span class="dictionary">law</span> of any other <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, or any combination of three such <span class="dictionary">offenses</span>. A <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> includes a <span class="dictionary">finding</span> of not innocent in the case of a juvenile. <a id="paragraph-259598" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any person who has had his <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license revoked in accordance with subsection B may <span class="dictionary">petition</span> the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court of his residence, or, if a <span class="dictionary">nonresident</span> of Virginia, any <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court: <a id="paragraph-259599" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> For restoration of his <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> to drive a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> in the Commonwealth after the expiration of five years from the date of his last <span class="dictionary">conviction</span>. On such <span class="dictionary">petition</span>, and for good cause shown, the court may, in its discretion, restore to the person the <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> to drive a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> in the Commonwealth on condition that such person install an ignition interlock system in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Ignition interlock systems; penalty" href="/18.2-270.1/">18.2-270.1</a> on all <span class="dictionary">motor vehicles</span>, as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-100/">46.2-100</a>, owned by or registered to him, in whole or in part, for a period of at least six months, and upon whatever other conditions the court may prescribe, subject to the provisions of <span class="dictionary">law</span> relating to issuance of <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s licenses, if the court is satisfied from the <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> presented that (i) at the time of his previous <span class="dictionary">convictions</span>, the petitioner was addicted to or psychologically dependent on the use of alcohol or other drugs; (ii) at the time of the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> on the <span class="dictionary">petition</span>, he is no longer addicted to or psychologically dependent on the use of alcohol or other drugs; and (iii) the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> does not constitute a threat to the safety and welfare of himself or others with regard to the driving of a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span>. However, prior to acting on the <span class="dictionary">petition</span>, the court shall order that an evaluation of the person, to include an assessment of his degree of alcohol abuse and the appropriate treatment therefor, if any, be conducted by a Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program and recommendations therefrom be submitted to the court, and the court shall give the recommendations such weight as the court deems appropriate. The court may, in lieu of restoring the person&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> to drive, authorize the issuance of a restricted license for a period not to exceed five years in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Ignition interlock systems; penalty" href="/18.2-270.1/">18.2-270.1</a> and 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>. The court shall notify the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program that during the term of the restricted license it shall monitor the person&#x2019;s compliance with the terms of the restrictions imposed by the court. Any violation of the restrictions shall be reported to the court, and the court may then modify the restrictions or <span class="dictionary">revoke</span> the license. <a id="paragraph-259600" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> For a restricted license to authorize such person to drive a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> in the Commonwealth in the course of his employment and to drive a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> to and from his home to the place of his employment after the expiration of three years from the date of his last <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> unless such person&#x2019;s last <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> resulted from a <span class="dictionary">final order</span> being entered by a court after the successful completion of a Veterans Treatment Court Program, behavioral health <span class="dictionary">docket</span>, or other specialty <span class="dictionary">docket</span> established pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Specialty dockets; report" href="/18.2-254.2/">18.2-254.2</a> or <a class="law" title="Behavioral Health Docket Act" href="/18.2-254.3/">18.2-254.3</a> or Rule 1:25 of the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia. If such person&#x2019;s last <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> resulted from a <span class="dictionary">final order</span> being entered by a court after the successful completion of a Veterans Treatment Court Program, behavioral health <span class="dictionary">docket</span>, or other specialty <span class="dictionary">docket</span> established pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Specialty dockets; report" href="/18.2-254.2/">18.2-254.2</a> or <a class="law" title="Behavioral Health Docket Act" href="/18.2-254.3/">18.2-254.3</a> or Rule 1:25 of the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia, such person may file a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> for a restricted license to be issued in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision without having to wait for the expiration of three years from the date of his last <span class="dictionary">conviction</span>, regardless of the date of such <span class="dictionary">conviction</span>. The court may order that a restricted license for such purposes be issued in accordance with the procedures of 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> if the court is satisfied from the <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> presented that (i) at the time of the previous <span class="dictionary">convictions</span>, the petitioner was addicted to or psychologically dependent on the use of alcohol or other drugs; (ii) at the time of the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> on the <span class="dictionary">petition</span>, he is no longer addicted to or psychologically dependent on the use of alcohol or such other drugs; and (iii) the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> does not constitute a threat to the safety and welfare of himself and others with regard to the driving of a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span>. The court shall prohibit the person to whom a restricted license is issued from operating a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> that is not equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock system during all or any part of the term for which the restricted license is issued, in accordance with the provisions set forth in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Ignition interlock systems; penalty" href="/18.2-270.1/">18.2-270.1</a>. However, prior to acting on the <span class="dictionary">petition</span>, the court shall order that an evaluation of the person, to include an assessment of his degree of alcohol abuse and the appropriate treatment therefor, if any, be conducted by a Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program and recommendations therefrom be submitted to the court, and the court shall give the recommendations such weight as the court deems appropriate. The Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program shall during the term of the restricted license monitor the person&#x2019;s compliance with the terms of the restrictions imposed by the court. Any violation of the restrictions shall be reported to the court, and the court may then modify the restrictions or <span class="dictionary">revoke</span> the license.
				The ignition interlock system installation requirement under subdivisions 1 and 2 need only be satisfied once as to any single <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> under subsection B for any person seeking restoration under subdivision 1 following the granting of a restricted license under subdivision 1 or 2. <a id="paragraph-259601" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Any person convicted of driving a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> or any self-propelled machinery or equipment (i) while his license is revoked pursuant to subsection A or B or (ii) in violation of the terms of a restricted license issued pursuant to subsection C shall, provided such <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> was based on at least one <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> for an <span class="dictionary">offense</span> committed after July 1, 1999, be punished as follows: <a id="paragraph-259602" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> If such driving does not of itself endanger the life, limb, or property of another, such person is guilty of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement in jail of 10 days except in cases wherein such operation is necessitated in situations of apparent extreme emergency that require such operation to save life or limb, the sentence, or any part thereof, may be suspended. <a id="paragraph-259603" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> a. If such driving (i) of itself endangers the life, limb, or property of another or (ii) takes place while such person is in violation of &#xA7;  <a class="law" title="Certain conduct punishable as involuntary manslaughter" href="/18.2-36.1/">18.2-36.1</a>, <a class="law" title="Maiming, etc., of another resulting from driving while intoxicated" href="/18.2-51.4/">18.2-51.4</a>, or <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a>, subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving a commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated, etc" href="/46.2-341.24/">46.2-341.24</a>, or a substantially similar <span class="dictionary">law</span> or <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> of another <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, irrespective of whether the driving of itself endangers the life, limb, or property of another and the person has been previously convicted of a violation of &#xA7;  <a class="law" title="Certain conduct punishable as involuntary manslaughter" href="/18.2-36.1/">18.2-36.1</a>, <a class="law" title="Maiming, etc., of another resulting from driving while intoxicated" href="/18.2-51.4/">18.2-51.4</a>, or <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a>, subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving a commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated, etc" href="/46.2-341.24/">46.2-341.24</a>, or a substantially similar local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, or <span class="dictionary">law</span> of another <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, such person is guilty of a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years, one year of which shall be a mandatory minimum term of confinement or, in the discretion of the <span class="dictionary">jury</span> or the court trying the case without a <span class="dictionary">jury</span>, by mandatory minimum confinement in jail for a period of 12 months and no portion of such sentence shall be suspended or run concurrently with any other sentence.
				b. However, in cases wherein such operation is necessitated in situations of apparent extreme emergency that require such operation to save life or limb, the sentence, or any part thereof, may be suspended. <a id="paragraph-259604" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> If any such <span class="dictionary">offense</span> of driving is a second or subsequent violation, such person shall be punished as provided in subdivision 2, irrespective of whether the <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, of itself, endangers the life, limb, or property of another. <a id="paragraph-259605" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#D3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions D 2 and 3, following <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> and prior to imposition of sentence with the consent of the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>, the court may order the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> to be evaluated for and to participate in the community corrections alternative program pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Eligibility for participation in community corrections alternative program; evaluation; sentencing; withdrawal or removal from program; payment of costs" href="/19.2-316.4/">19.2-316.4</a>. <a id="paragraph-259606" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> Any period of <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> imposed pursuant to this section shall not begin to expire until the person convicted has surrendered his license to the court or to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of <span class="dictionary">Motor Vehicles</span>. <a id="paragraph-259607" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from operating any <span class="dictionary">farm tractor</span> on the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span> when it is necessary to move the tractor from one tract of land used for agricultural purposes to another such tract of land when the distance between the tracts is no more than five miles. <a id="paragraph-259608" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> Any person who operates a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> or any self-propelled machinery or equipment (i) while his license is revoked pursuant to subsection A or B or (ii) in violation of the terms of a restricted license issued pursuant to subsection C, where the provisions of subsection D do not apply, is guilty of a violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving after forfeiture of license" href="/18.2-272/">18.2-272</a>. <a id="paragraph-259609" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-391/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 46-417; 1958, c. 541, &#xA7; 46.1-421; 1960, c. 364; 1964, c. 194; 1968, c. 561; 1976, cc. 359, 612, 691; 1983, c. 504; 1984, cc. 658, 673, 780; 1987, c. 409; 1989, cc. 705, 727; 1990, c. 949; 1994, c. 573; 1995, c. 486; 1997, cc. 691, 706; 1999, cc. 945, 987; 2000, cc. 243, 956, 958, 959, 980, 982, 985; 2001, c. 739; 2004, cc. 461, 937, 951; 2013, cc. 415, 655; 2016, c. 230; 2019, c. 618; 2024, cc. 552, 568.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
