Independent Educational Resource • Not Affiliated With Virginia DMV or VASAP
Virginia Intelligent Speed Assistance Program Guide
What Is the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program (ISAP) in Virginia?
Virginia's Intelligent Speed Assistance Program, commonly called ISAP,
is a restricted-driving program that uses approved Intelligent Speed Assistance technology
in qualifying Virginia cases.
Plain-English definition:
ISAP is the Virginia program. ISA is the speed-limiting technology installed in the vehicle.
VASAP administers the program. Driver Improvement is a separate educational requirement that
applies in the Virginia DMV excessive-demerit-point ISAP pathway.
ISAP stands for Intelligent Speed Assistance Program. Virginia uses the program
in certain restricted-driving situations involving approved speed-limiting vehicle technology
and continuing program compliance.
ISAP
Intelligent Speed Assistance Program — the overall Virginia program.
ISA
Intelligent Speed Assistance system — the vehicle technology.
VASAP
The Virginia commission that administers and regulates the program.
Driver Improvement
A separate educational requirement in the DMV excessive-point ISAP pathway.
ISAP is not simply a driving class.
It can involve enrollment, restricted driving privileges, certified vehicle technology,
inspections, program compliance and, in the applicable DMV pathway, a separate Driver Improvement requirement.
Two Terms That Are Easy to Confuse
ISAP vs. ISA: What Is the Difference?
ISAP
Intelligent Speed Assistance Program
ISAP is the overall Virginia program governing qualifying participants,
restricted driving privileges, enrollment and continuing compliance.
Virginia statutory program
Administered through VASAP
May originate from a court or Virginia DMV
Includes continuing program obligations
ISA
Intelligent Speed Assistance System
ISA is the in-vehicle technology used within the program.
Installed vehicle technology
Uses location and speed-limit information
Limits available vehicle speed
Must meet applicable Virginia certification requirements
Program Responsibilities
DMV, VASAP and the Participant Have Different Roles
1
Virginia DMV
DMV manages the driver's licensing record and, in the excessive-demerit-point pathway,
provides the written statutory choice between the applicable suspension and ISAP alternatives.
2
VASAP
VASAP administers ISAP and oversees enrollment, approved ISA providers,
device requirements and program compliance.
3
The Participant
The driver must follow the applicable court or DMV instructions,
complete enrollment, satisfy vehicle requirements and remain compliant.
When ISAP May Be Required
Virginia ISAP Is Not Limited to One Type of Case
Virginia ISAP can arise through qualifying court cases and through a separate
Virginia DMV Driver Improvement pathway involving excessive demerit points.
Reckless Driving — Too Fast for Conditions
ISAP may be involved in qualifying cases when ordered by a Virginia court under applicable law.
Reckless Driving — Excessive Speed
A court may use ISAP in a qualifying disposition where Virginia law permits it.
Racing
Qualifying racing cases are among the circumstances in which court-ordered ISAP may arise.
Excessive Demerit Points
Virginia law provides an ISAP alternative in the DMV Driver Improvement process at the statutory point thresholds.
Two Different Ways Into ISAP
Court-Ordered ISAP vs. DMV Driver Improvement ISAP
Why a driver enters ISAP matters because the legal trigger, timing and educational requirements
are not automatically the same in every case.
Court-Ordered Path
ISAP Required by a Virginia Court
The court enters the applicable order.
DMV receives the applicable conviction and ISAP information.
The driver completes the applicable VASAP enrollment process.
The driver completes the restricted-license and device requirements.
The driver remains enrolled for the period required by the court and applicable law.
DMV Driver Improvement Path
ISAP Offered Because of Excessive Demerit Points
DMV provides written notice of the statutory choice.
The driver communicates the choice to DMV within 30 days.
If ISAP is selected, the driver enrolls through the applicable VASAP process.
The driver obtains the applicable restricted license.
The driver remains continuously enrolled in ISAP for nine months.
The driver also satisfactorily completes Driver Improvement.
DMV Excessive-Point Path
Five Numbers That Explain the Driver Improvement ISAP Path
18Demerit points within 12 consecutive months
24Demerit points within 24 consecutive months
30Days to indicate the statutory choice to DMV
9Months of ISAP enrollment in the § 46.2-506 pathway
8Hours in the standard Virginia Driver Improvement Clinic
Why Driver Improvement Matters
ISAP and Driver Improvement Are Separate Requirements
In the Virginia DMV excessive-demerit-point pathway, ISAP governs the restricted-driving program
while Driver Improvement is the separate traffic-safety educational requirement.
1
ISAP Enrollment
The participant completes the applicable VASAP enrollment process.
2
Restricted Driving
The driver follows the applicable restricted-license and vehicle requirements.
3
Driver Improvement
In the § 46.2-506 pathway, the required Driver Improvement Clinic must also be satisfactorily completed.
4
Continued Compliance
Completing Driver Improvement does not itself shorten or eliminate the separate ISAP enrollment period.
ISAP, Driver Improvement and RADEP Serve Different Purposes
ISAP
Intelligent Speed Assistance Program
Restricted-driving program involving approved Intelligent Speed Assistance technology
and continuing program compliance.
Driver Improvement
8-Hour Driver Improvement Clinic
Virginia traffic-safety educational program that is separately required
in the DMV excessive-point ISAP pathway.
RADEP
Reckless/Aggressive Driver Education Program
A separate educational program associated with certain reckless or aggressive driving requirements.
It should not automatically be treated as the same requirement as ISAP or standard Driver Improvement.
Virginia ISAP Resource Center
Continue With the Question You Need Answered
Each guide addresses a distinct part of Virginia ISAP, Intelligent Speed Assistance
or Driver Improvement so the site remains useful rather than repetitive.
Commercial motor vehicle limitation:
Virginia Code § 46.2-506 states that the restricted license and ISAP enrollment provided under that section
do not authorize operation of a commercial motor vehicle. A regular Driver Improvement Clinic also should not
be assumed to satisfy separate Commercial Driver Improvement requirements.
Virginia ISAP Questions
What Is ISAP? Frequently Asked Questions
What does ISAP stand for in Virginia?
ISAP stands for Intelligent Speed Assistance Program.
What does an Intelligent Speed Assistance system do?
Virginia law describes an Intelligent Speed Assistance system as technology that limits
the speed a motor vehicle is capable of traveling based on the applicable speed limit
where the vehicle is being operated.
Who administers Virginia ISAP?
Virginia ISAP is administered through the Commission on Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program,
commonly called VASAP.
Is ISAP only for reckless-driving cases?
No. Virginia ISAP can arise through qualifying court cases and through a separate
excessive-demerit-point Virginia DMV Driver Improvement pathway.
Is ISAP the same as Driver Improvement?
No. ISAP is the restricted-driving program. Driver Improvement is a separate traffic-safety
educational program. The DMV excessive-point ISAP pathway requires both.
How long is ISAP for the excessive-demerit-point DMV pathway?
Virginia Code § 46.2-506 specifies nine months of ISAP enrollment for that pathway,
together with satisfactory completion of Driver Improvement.
How much time does a driver have to make the DMV choice?
Under § 46.2-506, the driver must indicate the choice to DMV within 30 days
after receiving the written notice.
Does completing Driver Improvement end ISAP?
No. Driver Improvement satisfies the separate educational requirement.
Applicable ISAP enrollment and compliance obligations must still be completed.
Primary Virginia Sources
Verify Virginia ISAP Requirements at the Official Source
Individual requirements can depend on why ISAP was required.
Current Virginia law, DMV notices, court orders and VASAP instructions control.
Virginia DMV — ISAPOfficial program overview, pathways and licensing information.
Virginia VASAPOfficial Virginia program administration information.