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HB 123

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Atoosa Reaser

Virginia bill suspends teen driving licenses for delinquency findings on alcohol, firearm, drug offenses, and truancy to enforce compliance.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 69 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · HB 123

Legislative bill overview

HB 123 would suspend or revoke driving privileges for juveniles found delinquent of alcohol, firearm, and drug offenses, as well as for truancy violations. The bill expands the circumstances under which Virginia can restrict teen driving as a consequence for specific behavioral and legal infractions.

Why is this important

Driving privileges are economically and socially significant for teenagers, affecting employment, education access, and independence. Using license suspension as a penalty lever can incentivize compliance with substance abuse laws, firearm regulations, and school attendance policies, but also raises questions about equity and effectiveness of punitive approaches to youth behavior.

Potential points of contention

  • Truancy inclusion: Suspending driving privileges for missing school conflates educational attendance with criminal conduct and may disproportionately harm economically disadvantaged students who lack alternative transportation
  • Proportionality concerns: A single drug or alcohol offense by a minor could result in permanent loss of driving ability for months or years, potentially exceeding punishment severity for the underlying infraction
  • Racial and socioeconomic disparities: Enforcement of juvenile delinquency statutes, drug laws, and truancy rules historically affects minority and low-income youth at higher rates, potentially widening existing inequities in license suspensions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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