Driver Improvement Course

Winding Road Driving Academy, LLC is licensed by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and uses the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course.  The course is taught in two 4-hr small group sessions vs. the 8-hour large group sessions taught at most other schools.   Our goal is not to just have students sit through our course to meet the DMV or court requirements, but to reach our students with the information that will help them be safe drivers and think about the choices they are making.   If you are a parent of teen driver, you can play a larger role in the students learning by asking questions after each session or attendant with the student. (Parents pay a reduced fee if they want to obtain their certificate and have attendance reported to DMV. )

If you are under age 20, you will receive a letter like this upon conviction of a moving violation. (Paying your ticket on-line without going to court is a conviction.)

DMV Information for driver’s under age 18:

  • If you are convicted of a demerit-point traffic violation (or a safety belt or child restraint violation) committed when you were under age 18, you will be required to satisfactorily complete a driver improvement clinic. If you do not satisfactorily complete the clinic within 90 days, DMV will suspend your permit or license until the clinic is completed.
  • After your second demerit point (or a safety belt or child restraint violation) conviction for a violation committed when you were under age 18, DMV will suspend your permit or license for 90 days. If you have no other means of transportation, you may petition the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in your jurisdiction for restricted driving privileges to drive between home and work.
  • After a third demerit point (or a safety belt or child restraint violation) conviction for a violation committed when you were under age 18, DMV will revoke your permit or license for one year or until you reach age 18, whichever is longer.

Safe driving points will not be awarded if clinic attendance was required by DMV or a court. If you voluntarily complete a driver improvement course, you will receive 5 safe driving points.