Qualifying for Your Virginia Driver's License
Getting Your First License |
First-time Drivers
You must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia and at least 16 years and 3 months of age to obtain a Virginia driver's license. To obtain a learner's permit, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months of age. No exceptions will be made to these age requirements. If you are under age 18, you must provide written consent from one of your parents or your legal guardian unless you are married or emancipated.
If you are under age 19, you must complete a state-approved driver education program.
If you are 19 years of age or older, and you have never held a driver’s license issued by Virginia, another state, or foreign country, or cannot show proof that you previously held such a license, you must show proof that:
- you passed a state-approved driver education course; or,
- you held a learner’s permit at least 30 days before taking the DMV road skills test.
If you are under age 18, your parent, guardian or spouse over age 18 must sign your learner's permit or driver's license application. If your parents are deceased or do not have legal custody of you, your application must be signed by your custodial parent, legal guardian or the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations court in your locality. A court order showing that you are an emancipated minor is acceptable in lieu of written consent. If you are a foreign exchange student, your host parents are not eligible to sign your application.
If you previously have been found not innocent of any offense by a juvenile and domestic relations court in Virginia or any other state, you must obtain approval to be licensed from that court or a court in the city or county where you live.
Learner's Permit
You may get your learner’s permit when you reach 15 years and 6 months of age. It allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated beside you. The driver accompanying you may be 18 years of age if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother or step-sister. The driver accompanying you must hold a valid driver’s license, be alert and able to assist you and be legally permitted to drive.When you apply for a learner’s permit, you will also complete the application process for your driver’s license and pay the fees for both the permit and license. You will be required to pass the two-part knowledge exam and a vision screening.
If you are under age 18, your parent/guardian or foster parent must also certify that you have driven at least 45 hours. Fifteen of the 45 hours must be completed after sunset. The certification must include the parent/guardian's signature and driver's license or identification card number. Upon completion of driver's education/training and the practice driving requirement, your driver's education/training instructor will submit your certificate of completion to DMV. If your certificate does not include the signature and driver's license number or DMV-issued identification card number, DMV will not be able to process your application for a permanent driver's license.
If you are under age 19, you must hold the permit for at least nine months or until you turn age 19 before you can receive a driver's license. You will receive a certificate when you complete a required state-approved driver education program. Your parent/guardian or foster parent must also certify that you have driven at least 40 hours. Ten of the forty hours must be completed after sunset. You will not be required to take a road skills test at DMV to get your driver’s license.
If you are a home schooler, refer to the “Home-Schooled In-Car Driver Education Information Sheet,” HS-3, for the criteria you must satisfy to meet your driver’s education requirements. This publication is available at www.dmvNOW.com or at any DMV customer service center.
Driver Education Requirements
If you are a Virginia resident under age 19, you must complete a state-approved driver
education program and hold your Virginia learner’s permit for at least nine months.
If you are a Virginia resident 19 years of age or older, you must hold a learner’s permit for at least 30 days or show proof of completion of a state-approved driver education program.
Driver education programs are available statewide to students, adults and out-of-school youths. Public and private school programs are approved by the Department of Education. Driver training schools follow the same course content and are licensed by DMV.
The program must present 36 classroom periods. It must include components about alcohol safety, drug abuse awareness, aggressive driving, distracted driving, motorcycle awareness and organ and tissue donation awareness. It must also include 14 in-car instruction periods—7 periods of driving and 7 periods of observation.
If you are a home schooler, the classroom and/or behind-the-wheel portions can be taught at home. Visit the DMV web site for suppliers of approved courses. Refer to the “Home-Schooled In-Car Driver Education Information Sheet,” HS-3, for additional information.
You will receive a driver education completion certificate when you successfully complete a state-approved driver education program. A copy of your certificate will be sent by your school instructor to DMV for issuance of a permanent driver’s license. If you are a home schooler, you must visit a DMV office and successfully complete the road skills test. Refer to the “Home-Schooled In-Car Driver Education Information Sheet,” HS-3, for additional information.
If you currently hold a valid out-of-state license but do not have proof of driver education, you may be issued a Virginia six-month temporary license. This will give you time to obtain proof or to complete a state-approved driver education program.
Getting Your First License
If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or legal guardian must sign the certificate to verify your academic standing and to authorize issuance of your driver’s license. If you are between ages 16 years and 3 months and age 18, your driver education certificate (signed by your parent or legal guardian) and your valid learner’s permit (held for at least nine months) allow you to drive without a licensed driver beside you.
After you have held your permit nine months, turned age 16 and 3 months and completed driver education, you will receive a notice that tells you when to appear in court for a licensing ceremony. You will receive your permanent driver’s license at the licensing ceremony.
Generally, males under age 26 must register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal law to register with Selective Service, you must authorize DMV to send your personal information to Selective Service unless you have already registered. If you are under age 18, your parent or guardian must sign your application authorizing the Selective Service to register you when you turn 18. Law prohibits DMV from issuing any type of driver’s license or photo ID card to an applicant who is required by federal law to register with the Selective Service but who refuses to authorize DMV to send his information to the Selective Service. If you have questions about Selective Service registration, visit their website at www.sss.gov, or call 847-688-6888, TTY: 847- 688-2567.
