It can, and this surprises a lot of students. A fake ID case is fundamentally an identification and alcohol case, and Virginia law gives courts tools that reach your real driver’s license. When a fake or altered ID is used to obtain alcohol underage, the alcohol statutes come into play, and a conviction under the underage possession law carries a possible license suspension of six months to a year. Separate DMV related statutes covering misuse of licenses can also carry suspension consequences depending on how the charge is written.
For an out of state student, a Virginia suspension does not stay in Virginia. States share driver information, and a suspension here typically follows you home through interstate compacts. That can mean insurance consequences and real complications for summer jobs and internships that involve driving.
The encouraging news is that license consequences are often avoidable. In many cases a restricted license can be requested for school and work, and in many more the case can be resolved on terms that avoid suspension entirely. What you should not do is assume the charge is minor and walk into court alone, because the license consequences often ride on details nobody explains to you in advance.
Joel has defended these cases for Virginia Tech and Radford students for decades and knows how to protect both your record and your license. Call 540-961-5297 for a free consultation, or read more about fake ID charges in Blacksburg.