20 MPH Over the Speed Limit in Virginia: Fines, Points, and Reckless Driving Risk

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

If you searched how much is a 20 over speeding ticket in Virginia, the answer depends on how the charge ends. Driving 20 mph or more over the limit is reckless driving by speed, a Class 1 misdemeanor with a fine up to $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail. If the case ends as plain speeding and is prepaid, the fine is $6 per mph over plus a $51 court cost, and both outcomes carry 6 demerit points.

Key Facts

  • The line: 20 mph or more over the limit is reckless driving by speed. See why 20 over matters.
  • Two outcomes: reckless driving, or a 6-point speeding conviction. See two ways it can end.
  • Points: 6 either way, compared with 4 for 15 over. See points.
  • No prepaying: a reckless driving charge goes through court. See the reckless penalties.
  • Record: reckless driving stays 11 years; speeding 20 or more over stays 5. See the record.

How Much Is a 20 Over Speeding Ticket in Virginia?

There is no single price for 20 over. The cost depends on the charge on your summons and how the case ends.

  • As reckless driving: a fine up to $2,500, up to 12 months in jail, or both. A judge sets the outcome.
  • As plain speeding, prepaid: $6 for each mph over, plus a fixed $51 court cost. Other fees can be added.

We do not give total-cost estimates. For an overview of fines, points and options, see the Virginia speeding ticket guide.

Why 20 Over Meets the Reckless Line

Code § 46.2-862 sets the line at “20 miles per hour or more” over the limit. The words “or more” mean exactly 20 over counts.

On a 55 mph road, 75 mph meets the line. On a 35 mph road, 55 mph does. On a 25 mph road, 45 mph is enough.

The same law has a second test: over 85 mph on any road. On a 70 mph road, 20 over is 90 mph, so both tests are met. Our guide on when speeding becomes reckless driving explains both tests.

Two Ways a 20-Over Case Can End

DMV’s six-point violations list has two entries for this speed. One is reckless driving. The other is plain speeding.

QuestionIf it ends as reckless drivingIf it ends as speeding 20 or more over
Kind of offenseClass 1 misdemeanorTraffic infraction
Demerit points66
Time on the DMV record11 years5 years
Can it be prepaid?NoYes, if the charge is prepayable
FineUp to $2,500, set by the court$6 per mph over if prepaid

The officer writes the charge, and the court decides how the case ends. We do not give legal strategy. Talk to the court or a Virginia attorney about your own case.

Steps for a 20-over ticket in Virginia, from the charge on the summons to the points and the record

How 20 Over Compares With Nearby Speeds

The step from 19 over to 20 over is the biggest jump on the speed scale. Here is how the speed bands line up under Code § 46.2-492 and DMV’s lists:

  • 1 to 9 over: speeding, 3 points, kept 5 years.
  • 10 to 19 over: speeding, 4 points, kept 5 years.
  • 20 or more over: the reckless line, with 6 points either way.

One mph can move a ticket from a 4-point infraction to a possible Class 1 misdemeanor. Plain speeding is a traffic infraction, “not deemed to be criminal” under Code § 18.2-8. See misdemeanor or infraction for more.

The Fine If It Ends as Plain Speeding

The prepaid rate comes from Code § 46.2-878.3. At 20 over on a regular road, the fine part is 20 times $6, or $120.

The rate is higher in some places:

  • School crossing zone or highway work zone: 20 times $7, or $140.
  • Posted residence district: 20 times $8, or $160.

Code § 16.1-69.48:1 adds a fixed $51 court cost. Other fees can be added, and a judge can set a different amount in court. Our guide to fines by speed shows the per-mph math at other speeds.

If It Ends as Reckless Driving

Code § 46.2-868 makes reckless driving a Class 1 misdemeanor. Code § 18.2-11 sets the range: up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, or both.

The license can be affected too:

  • Suspension. Code § 46.2-392 allows a judge to take the license for as long as 6 months.
  • Intelligent Speed Assistance. Code § 46.2-393 gives the judge this program as the other choice.
  • Over 100 mph. The court must order one of the two.

Reckless driving cannot be prepaid under Code § 16.1-69.40:1. So you must deal with it in court. For more on penalties and the clinic, see reckless driving and the clinic.

Points: 6 Either Way

Code § 46.2-492 gives 6 points for speeding 20 or more over. Reckless driving also carries 6. So the point cost is the same in both outcomes.

Compare that with a slower speed. DMV’s four-point violations list shows speeding 15 to 19 over at 4 points. Five more mph adds 2 more points.

Points count for 2 years from the offense date. Here is the math for a driver 18 or older:

  • Two 6-point convictions in 12 months add up to 12 points. That means a required clinic.
  • Three in 12 months add up to 18 points. That means a 90-day suspension plus the clinic, or the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program plus the clinic under Code § 46.2-506.

The DMV page for drivers 18 and over lists these levels.

Questions to Check on Your Summons

Your summons holds the facts that shape the case. Look for these:

  1. What is the charge? Reckless driving and speeding are different offenses.
  2. What speed and limit are listed? They set the miles over.
  3. Where were you stopped? School crossing zones, work zones and residence districts use higher per-mph rates.
  4. Is the charge prepayable? Reckless driving is not.
  5. Which court and date? The summons names both.

If anything is unclear, contact the court named on the summons.

If You Are Already on Probation

A 6-point ticket weighs more during DMV probation. Under Code § 46.2-499, a point violation during probation brings a suspension. For a 6-point violation, it is 90 days.

After that comes a new 6-month probation. The 18-month control period follows probation, and a point violation in it brings 6 more months of probation.

A DMV clinic order, probation or suspension can be appealed. Under Code § 46.2-489, the appeal must be filed within 30 days of the order.

How Long a 20-Over Conviction Stays

The record time depends on the outcome. DMV’s six-point list shows reckless driving at 11 years. It shows “Speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit” at 5 years.

DMV notes that a suspension or revocation can stretch these times. For more on record time, see how long a speeding ticket stays on your record.

Drivers With Extra Rules

Some drivers face added rules at this speed:

  • CDL holders. Under Code § 46.2-341.20, speeding 15 or more over and reckless driving are serious traffic violations. Two within 3 years mean a 60-day disqualification.
  • Ages 18 and 19. Any demerit-point conviction means a required clinic.
  • Under 18. DMV acts by the number of convictions. The first means a clinic, and the second a 90-day suspension.
  • Drivers licensed elsewhere. A Virginia conviction is sent to the home state under the Driver License Compact. That state uses its own rules. See out-of-state tickets.

For commercial drivers, see CDL speeding tickets.

A 20-over Virginia ticket by the numbers: points, prepaid fine part, court cost, reckless fine and jail range, and license suspension

Insurance and the Clinic

Rate increases tied to a violation “may be applied for 36 months,” in the words of the Bureau of Insurance. The size is not set by law. See insurance after a ticket.

Virginia’s Driver Improvement Clinic (DIC) runs 8 hours, and its price is capped at $100. Finishing an eligible clinic can bring 5 safe driving points, once every 24 months. In the words of Code § 46.2-498, five demerit points are “subtracted” from the completer’s total.

The clinic does not change the charge or the conviction. In a reckless driving case, a clinic is an option only if the court orders or accepts it. Ask the court or your attorney.

A few more limits apply:

  • One benefit. You get the point benefit or an insurance discount, not both.
  • Insurance discount. Code § 38.2-2217 lets insurers offer a 2-year rate cut for a voluntary clinic, for drivers 54 or younger. The cut is optional for the insurer.
  • Ordered clinics. If a court orders the clinic, the court decides on points. Court- or DMV-required clinics do not qualify for the discount.
  • Under 18. A clinic required by DMV or a court gives no safe driving points.

What We Checked on the Official Pages

On the DMV pages we checked on October 27, 2026, the six-point list showed both 20-over entries. The reckless entry showed 11 years, and the plain speeding entry showed 5.

On the Code pages we checked the same day, § 46.2-862 still used “20 miles per hour or more.” The prepayment law still left reckless driving off the prepay list.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Each item comes from the Code or DMV’s lists:

  • Thinking exactly 20 over is safe. “20 or more” includes 20.
  • Planning to prepay reckless driving. It is not on the prepay list.
  • Expecting fewer points as plain speeding. Both outcomes carry 6.
  • Assuming 11 years either way. Plain speeding 20 or more over stays 5.
  • Leaving out the court cost. The fixed $51 is added to a prepaid fine.
  • Forgetting probation. A 6-point violation on probation means a 90-day suspension.

How Requirements Can Vary

Virginia’s point rules, safe driving points and DMV clinic orders come from the Code of Virginia and DMV rules, and they apply statewide. What you must do still depends on whether you take the clinic by choice, because of a DMV notice, or under a court order. A court order sets its own deadline and proof steps.

Laws, fees and court practice can change. Check your DMV notice, your court order and the Virginia DMV website for current rules before you enroll or file anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a 20 over speeding ticket in Virginia?

As reckless driving, the fine can be up to $2,500, with up to 12 months in jail. As plain speeding, prepaid, it is $6 per mph over, or $120 at 20 over, plus a $51 court cost. Other fees can be added.

Is 20 over reckless driving in Virginia?

Yes. Under Code § 46.2-862, any speed 20 or more over the posted limit is reckless driving. Even so, the six-point list also shows a non-reckless speeding conviction at this speed, and the court decides the outcome.

How many points is 20 over?

Six points, whether it ends as reckless driving or as speeding. The points count for 2 years from the offense date.

Can I prepay a 20 over ticket?

Not if the charge is reckless driving. Code § 16.1-69.40:1 leaves reckless driving off the prepay list. Check your summons for the charge.

Is 20 over a misdemeanor in Virginia?

If it ends as reckless driving, yes. Reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Code § 46.2-868. Plain speeding 20 or more over is a traffic infraction.

Can I lose my license for 20 over?

After a reckless driving conviction, a judge may take the license for as long as 6 months, or choose the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program. Points can also lead to DMV action.

How long does 20 over stay on my record?

Reckless driving stays 11 years on the DMV record. Plain speeding 20 or more over stays 5 years.

Conclusion

A 20-over ticket in Virginia meets the reckless driving line, and it carries 6 points whether it ends as reckless driving or speeding. The cost ranges from a prepaid per-mph fine to a court-set fine up to $2,500, so talk to the court or a Virginia attorney about your case.

If the court or your attorney says a clinic is an option in your case, you can take the Virginia Driver Improvement Course online. If a court ordered your clinic, ask the court first whether it accepts an online course.

Sources

Billy Forte is the owner of Driving Logic, a state-approved driver improvement course provider serving Virginia and other U.S. states.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Virginia DMV rules, court orders, fines and penalties depend on your notice, summons, court and case facts, and they can change. Use official Virginia DMV and court sources, and consult a qualified Virginia attorney for advice about your own case.