VirginiaSB1462026 Regular SessionSenate

Delinquent children; loss of driving privileges for alcohol, firearm, and drug offenses, truancy.

Sponsored By: Ryan T. McDougle (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Delinquent children; loss of driving privileges for alcohol, firearm, and drug offenses; truancy. Allows the court discretion in ordering the denial of a child's driving privileges in instances when the child has failed to comply with school attendance and meeting requirements as provided in relevant law. Under current law, the court is required to order the denial of such child's driving privileges. The bill also provides that if the court has ordered the denial of a child's driving privileges, the court shall order such child to surrender his driver's license, which shall be held in the physical custody of the court during any period of license denial. This bill is a recommendation of the Committee on District Courts and is identical to HB 123.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Teen drivers lose licenses for listed offenses

The law requires courts to take away a teen’s license after certain offenses, starting at age 13. For DUI, test refusal, some drug crimes, or certain weapon offenses, loss lasts one year or until age 17 for a first offense, and one year or until age 18 for later ones. For misdemeanor drug offenses, alcohol purchase or possession, or public intoxication, loss is six months; if under 16 years and 3 months, the wait starts after that age. For handgun and certain high‑capacity firearm cases, loss is at least 30 days, and two years for the listed weapons; for younger teens, the two‑year wait starts after 16 years and 3 months. Truancy can bring at least a 30‑day loss, and one year or until age 18 for repeat findings. For a first alcohol or public intoxication case, the court can defer a conviction but still must apply the license penalty.

Courts and DMV hold and block licenses

If a court orders a denial and the teen has a license, the teen must surrender it. The court holds the license until the denial ends. The court reports the order to DMV, which keeps a limited record that only police, prosecutors, and courts can see. DMV will not issue a license until the denial ends or the court withdraws the order. No other record goes to DMV unless there is an adjudication of guilt.

Limited relief: permits, programs, dismissals

Courts may grant a restricted permit for hardship, but not for home‑school trips if the school provides a bus. No restricted permits are allowed for certain drug offenses or for repeat violations. Courts may refer teens to an alcohol safety program or other rehab or education services. For a first truancy or test‑refusal denial, you can ask to end it after 90 days; for later ones, you must wait one year. Some first weapon cases can be dismissed after meeting court terms and getting the license back; repeat cases are not dismissed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ryan T. McDougle

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 0

House vote 2/23/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/18/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/22/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/21/2026

Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/20/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/20/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/19/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0070)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 70 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Approved by Governor-Chapter 70 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  6. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB146)

    2/24/2026Senate
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB146ER)

    2/24/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    2/24/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    2/24/2026Senate
  10. Signed by Speaker

    2/24/2026House
  11. Passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026House
  12. Read third time

    2/23/2026House
  13. Read second time

    2/20/2026House
  14. Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N)

    2/18/2026House
  15. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/3/2026House
  16. Read first time

    2/3/2026House
  17. Placed on Calendar

    2/3/2026House
  18. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB146)

    1/26/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/22/2026Senate
  20. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/21/2026Senate
  21. Read second time

    1/21/2026Senate
  22. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/20/2026Senate
  23. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/20/2026Senate
  24. Rules suspended

    1/20/2026Senate
  25. Reported from Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)

    1/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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