New Virgnia Driver's Licenses Valid for 8 Years

The Virginia DMV announced on its official blog that driver's licenses will now be valid for 8 years for most Virginia drivers. The annualized costs will remain the same, $4/yr.

2/10/08 - A Virginia state lawmaker is proposing a law to make anyone convicted of a single DUI/drunk driving charge install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle as a condition of license reinstatement. Under current Virginia DUI laws, An ignition interlock device is only required in cases where the person blew over a .15 BAC on a breathalyzer, or almost twice the legal limit.

We believe this is a terrible idea. It is absolutely unfair to saddle someone who could even have been under the legal limit with this burden. Or if you made a one time mistake, you have to pay for it with something that could affect your job.

Even more important, there is absolutely no credible evidence that an ignition interlock device does anything to prevent drunk driving in people who are not chronic alcoholics or multiple offenders.

More on Virginia ignition interlock devices here.

More abusive driver fees fallout

8/12/07 - More abusive driver fees fallout, from the Washington Post. A woman feeling labor pains is cited for reckless driving and tries to fight the new fees.

Virginia abusive driving fees

7/24/07 - The Washington Post reports on how abusive driving fees have a punitive effect on the poor, and result in more charges of driving on a suspended license, due to the inability of people to pay the fees to get their licenses renewed. [story]

Abusive Driving Laws and Fines

7/2/07 - Press release on Virginia's Abusive Driving Laws - in effect 7/2/07