A person convicted of DUI in Virginia automatically loses their license to drive for a period of one year. However, most persons convicted of a first offense DUI in Virginia are permitted to have the judge consider granting them a restricted license to drive. This is a benefit the law confers under most circumstances.

A restricted license granted under this provision of law places limits on the days of the week and times of day a person may drive legally, as well as the places a person may drive to and from. Usually, permission is granted to drive to and from one's place of employment, to and from school, to and from VASAP, and in unusual circumstances, doctors appointment for themselves, parents or children. One of the conditions judges expect a convicted DUI driver to comply with all the time is the attendance at the VASAP meetings.

Failure to strictly comply with the restrictions placed on one's ability to drive will result in a separate misdemeanor charge punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2500 fine. If convicted of driving outside one's driving restrictions, he or she can expect this restricted license to be revoked.

If a person violates three times within a ten-year period, upon the third conviction, he or she will be punished as a Class 6 felon and face up to five years in prison.