Virginia Law

Article 14. Suspension of Licenses of Nonresidents or for Accidents in Other States.

Whenever by the laws of the Commonwealth the Commissioner may suspend or revoke: (i) the license of a resident driver, or (ii) the registration cards and license plates of a resident owner, he may:

1. Suspend or revoke the privilege of operating a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth by a nonresident driver, and

2. Suspend the privilege of driving a vehicle owned by a nonresident regardless of whether the vehicle is registered in the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 46-450; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-462; 1984, c. 780; 1989, c. 727.

Every provision of this chapter applies to any person who is not a resident of the Commonwealth under the same circumstances as it would apply to a resident. No nonresident may drive any motor vehicle in the Commonwealth and no motor vehicle owned by him may be driven in the Commonwealth, unless the nonresident has complied with the requirements of this chapter with respect to giving proof of financial responsibility in the future.

Code 1950, § 46-451; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-463; 1972, c. 638; 1989, c. 727.

The failure of a nonresident to report an accident as required in this title shall constitute sufficient ground for suspension or revocation of his privileges of driving a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth and of driving within the Commonwealth of any motor vehicle owned by him.

Code 1950, § 46-452; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-464; 1989, c. 727.

On conviction of a nonresident or in case any unsatisfied judgment results in suspension of a nonresident's driving privileges in the Commonwealth and the prohibition of driving within the Commonwealth of any motor vehicle, or on suspension of a nonresident's driving privileges in the Commonwealth pursuant to any other provision of this chapter, the Commissioner shall transmit a certified copy of the record of the conviction or the unsatisfied judgment, or any other action pursuant to this chapter resulting in suspension of a nonresident's driving privileges of any motor vehicle owned by such nonresident, to the motor vehicle commissioner or officer performing the functions of a commissioner in the state of the United States, or possession under the exclusive control of the United States, Mexico or its states, or Canada or its provinces in which the nonresident resides.

Code 1950, § 46-453; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-465; 1989, c. 727; 2005, c. 513.

The Commissioner shall suspend or revoke the license and registration certificate and plates of any resident of the Commonwealth upon receiving notice of his conviction, in a court of competent jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, any other state of the United States, the United States, Canada or its provinces or any territorial subdivision of such state or country, of an offense therein which, if committed in the Commonwealth, would be grounds for the suspension or revocation of the license granted to him or registration of any motor vehicle registered in his name. No suspension or revocation under this subsection shall continue for a longer period than it would have, had the offense been committed in the Commonwealth, provided the person gives proof of his financial responsibility in the future for the period provided in § 46.2-412.

The Commissioner shall take like action upon receipt of notice that a resident of the Commonwealth has failed, for a period of thirty days, to satisfy any final judgment in amount and upon a cause of action as stated herein, rendered against him in a court of competent jurisdiction of any other state of the United States, the United States, Canada or its provinces, or any territorial subdivision of such state or country.

Code 1950, § 46-454; 1950, p. 888; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-466; 1988, c. 860; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 109; 1997, c. 486.