Applying for a Driver's License

The minimum age for obtaining a Virginia driver's license is sixteen years and three months. To obtain a Virginia learner's permit you must be at least fifteen years and six months. Each time you apply for a driver's license, learner's permit, CDL, or CDL instruction permit, you must show two proofs of identity, one proof of legal presence and one proof of Virginia residency. Proof of your social security number (if you have been issued one) is required also. Proof of your social security number is always required for a CDL.

If you are under 19 years of age, you will be required to show one proof of identity, one proof of legal presence, and one proof of Virginia residency, along with proof of your social security number (if you have been issued one).

You will be required to show your proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency, and social security number documents on each return visit until your driver's license is issued.

Information about documents that DMV will accept as proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency and social security number (SSN) is presented in Acceptable Documents for Obtaining a Driver's License or Photo ID Card (DMV 141) . Temporary documents and photocopies of documents will not be accepted. All documents must be originals. All documents will be subject to verification, which may delay the issuance of your license or learner's permit. DMV will not accept a document as proof of identity, legal presence, residency or social security number when there is reason to believe it has been altered, fraudulently obtained or is fake, forged, counterfeit, or otherwise non-genuine or illegitimate. DMV may require additional documents.

Falsifying information on any driver's license or photo identification card application is a criminal offense. Altering or assisting a person with improperly or fraudulently obtaining a driver's license, learner's permit, CDL, CDL instruction permit or photo ID card are also criminal offenses.

Documents accepted by DMV as proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency and social security number may change without prior notice.

You may hold either a driver's license, or a CDL, but not both. If you hold a license of any kind, you are not eligible for a photo ID card.

DMV will assign you a customer number which will display on your driver's license, learner's permit, CDL, or CDL instruction permit. If you wish to change your DMV-assigned number in the future, you may be required to present documentation from law enforcement or the courts indicating that you may be a victim of identity theft.
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Additional requirements

If you are from out-of-state, DMV may exchange your out-of-state driver's license for a Virginia driver's license if you meet the identity, legal presence, residency, and social security requirements and Virginia's driver education requirements, if applicable.

If you are under age 18, your parent, custodial parent or legal guardian must provide written consent by signing your application. A court order showing that you are an emancipated minor is acceptable in lieu of written consent.

You must also provide a driver education completion certificate or show proof of your successful completion of a state-approved driver education program. The driver education certificate of completion is considered part of the driver's license application. Your parent, guardian or foster parent must list his or her driver's license or state-issued identification card number and sign the certificate to certify that you have driven at least 45 hours,15 of which occurred after sunset, and that the statements made and the information submitted on the certificate are true and correct. Certifying false statements can result in prosecution.

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.

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 age 19 or older and you have never held a license issued by any state, U.S. territory or foreign country, 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.
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Selective Service Registration

Generally males under age 26 must register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal law to register with the Selective Service, you must authorize DMV to forward your personal information to the 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 age 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 the Selective Service website at www.sss.gov or call 847-688-6888 (TTY: 847-688-2567).
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Completed Application

When applying for an original driver's license, you must complete an application for a Virginia driver's license (form DL 1P). You may complete this form before or after coming to DMV. Use your full legal name. Abbreviations and nicknames will not be accepted. For your convenience, you also may apply to register to vote or change your voter registration address when you apply for your driver's license. Additionally, you may indicate your desire to become an organ donor.
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Payment

Normally, your Virginia driver's license is valid for 8 years and expires on your birthday. Your first driver's license will expire on your birthday in the eighth year of license validity. If you are under age 18, your learner's permit or driver's license will expire on your 20th birthday.

However, the Code of Virginia mandates that persons required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Chapter 9 of Title 9.1 renew their driver's licenses every 5 years.

The licensing fee is $4.00 per year; so, your fee will range from $12.00 to $32.00. A learner's permit costs $3.00 plus the yearly cost of a driver's license.

A standard renewal with no endorsements costs $32.00 and is valid for 8 years.

For many individuals authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, a driver's license will be valid only for the amount of time that the individual is legally permitted to stay in the U.S. The expiration of the driver's license will be the same as the expiration date shown on the document used to prove legal presence. If the document does not show an expiration date, the license will be valid for one year. The driver's license will cost $4 per year. A partial year will be rounded to the next full year. So if the driver's license is issued for less than one year, the cost is $4.
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Testing

Tests may include a vision screening, a two-part knowledge exam and a road skills test. A DMV representative will tell you which tests you need to take.
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Issuance

Once you pass your required testing, a DMV representative will take your photograph and ask you to sign a signature pad. In most circumstances, your photograph and information will be processed while you wait. Your name will be called when your driver's license is ready.

Beginning spring 2009, DMV will convert to a new process for issuing driver's licenses and ID cards. Office by office over three months, DMV will discontinue issuing licenses and ID cards over the counter. As each office begins using the new process and equipment, applicants will receive licenses and ID cards in the mail. By July 2009, all driver's licenses and ID cards will be mailed to customers. The new secure process will be similar to the U. S. passport process and reduce the risks of fraud.

Make sure DMV has your current, correct address on record. If you have moved, notify DMV right away.

Photographs

DMV may refuse to issue a driver's license or identification card to any applicant who appears for photographing in a disguise or intentionally distorts their face to alter their appearance.

Applicants under age 18

All first-time driver's licenses issued to persons under age 18 are sent to the judge of your local juvenile and domestic relations court. The court will notify you by mail about when and where you and your parent, custodial parent or legal guardian must appear to receive your license.

DMV can deny or suspend driving privileges for persons under age 18 if the juvenile:

• Is found delinquent by a court,
• Is in need of supervision,
• Is involved in an alcohol or drug-related offense, or
• Needs court-assigned services or programs such as counseling.

Questions about this law may be directed to DMV.

See Also:
Special Restrictions

For driver's license examples, refer to images of driver's licenses and identification cards.

Persons convicted of certain sexual offenses (as listed in Va. Code § 46.2-323) must register with the Virginia Department of State Police as provided in § 19.2-298.1.