How to get a Virginia Driver's License
Find out how to get a new VA driver's license, replace your out-of-state license and requirements for international drivers with this Virginia DMV guide.
The Rules
Under VA DMV guidelines, you must be at least 16 years and 3 months of age to obtain a Virginia driver's license.
All applicants need to be familiar with the Virginia Driver's Manual. Think you know the material? Take our DMV practice test now and test your driving knowledge.
First Time Drivers
If this is your first driver's license and you are under 19, you will need to apply for a Virginia learners permit which requires a vision test and a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques.
Once you receive a valid learners permit, you will then need to pass a road skills test to receive a VA drivers license.
If you are age 19 or older, you must provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver education program or you must have held a learner's permit at least 30 days before taking the road skills test.
If you are under age 19, you must provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver education program and you must hold a learner's permit at least nine months before you can receive a driver's license.
If you are under age 18, you must provide a driver education completion certificate or show proof of your successful completion of a state-approved driver education program. Plus, your parent or guardian must certify that you received at least 40 hours of driving practice, ten of which must have been completed after sunset.
New VA Residents
New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain a Virginia license within 30 days of establishing a permanent residence in VA. When heading to the DMV, be sure to bring the license from your former state as you will be required to surrender it in order to obtain the new license.
The written exam and road skills test are may not required to change a valid out-of-state license to a VA driver's license, however you will need to pass a vision test.
If your out-of-state license has been expired for more than one (1) year you will have to take the vision test, written test and road test and you must make an appointment for an exam.
International Drivers
If you are a non-resident temporarily living in Virginia, you may drive with your home state or country driver's license and license plates for no more than six months. If you become gainfully employed, you are required to hold a Virginia driver's license.
If you are age 19 or older and you hold a valid driver's license issued by a country other than Canada, France or Germany, you may not be required to show proof of successful completion of driver education or hold a learner's permit for 30 days. However, you must pass the two-part knowledge exam, road skills test and a vision screening.
Paperwork
Before you head to the Virginia DMV Office, make sure you have all of the following required documents to get your driver's license:
On the Road
Once your licensing requirements have been met, you will receive your operator's license. Your Virginia driver's license normally expires on your birthday and will expire when you reach an age that is divisible by five - 20, 25, 30, 35, etc. Remember... the safe operation of a vehicle requires practiced skill, knowledge, and a respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the other drivers and the environment.
Driver's License Resources
Virginia Driver's Manual |
