Driving on a Suspended License in Virginia: What the Court Data Shows

According to 58,295 public court records from 2023–2024, Driving Suspended cases across 123 Virginia jurisdictions have an average dismissal rate of 26.2% and an average conviction rate of 72.2%.

Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a commonly charged offense in Virginia courts. This page examines what public court records reveal about how these cases are resolved across the state.

What Our Data Shows About Driving Suspended Outcomes

Our analysis of 58,296 driving on suspended license cases across 123 Virginia jurisdictions (2023-2024) reveals:

• 25.7% average dismissal rate — lower than most charge categories
• 72.7% average conviction rate
• 106 days average median case duration
• Dismissal rates range from 5.3% (Madison County) to 71.4% (Falls Church)

View driving on suspended license statistics across all Virginia jurisdictions for detailed data on each court.

Variation Across Virginia

Driving on suspended license outcomes differ depending on which court hears the case:

• Highest dismissal rates: Falls Church (71.4%), Buena Vista (71.0%), Alexandria (67.2%)
• Lowest dismissal rates: Madison County (5.3%), Prince Edward County (5.6%), Surry County (6.8%)

Cases resolved by addressing the underlying cause of the suspension (such as paying fines or reinstating insurance) may be more likely to result in dismissal, which could explain some of the jurisdictional variation.

Understanding Driving Suspended Statistics

When reviewing our data, keep in mind:

• Licenses can be suspended for various reasons, and the reason for the suspension may affect how the case is handled
• Dismissal includes judicial dismissals and nolle prosequi
• Some cases may be resolved by addressing the underlying cause of the suspension
• These are aggregate statistics — individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case

Next Steps

For information about Virginia suspended license laws, consult a licensed Virginia attorney or visit the Virginia Legislative Information System.

To explore how driving on suspended license cases are resolved in your specific court, view our driving suspended data by jurisdiction.