How to Get and Renew Your Virginia Driver License

What you need to know about Virginia driver licenses

A Virginia driver license is issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and serves as both proof that you can legally drive in Virginia and a form of identification. You will need one to operate a vehicle on Virginia roads, and you cannot get one without passing a written test, a vision screening, and a driving test — unless you are renewing a license you already hold.

The process differs depending on whether you are getting your first license, renewing an existing one, or transferring a license from another state. Each path has different documents you need to bring, different fees, and different wait times. Understanding which category you fall into before you go to a DMV office will save you a trip.

Key Takeaways

First-time Virginia driver licenses require a written knowledge test, vision screening, and a road test, and you must be at least 16 years old.
You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of Virginia residency, and your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to any DMV visit.
Renewals by mail are available if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no medical restrictions, but most people renew in person at a DMV office.
Virginia offers both a standard driver license and a REAL ID-compliant license, which is required for federal buildings and domestic flights starting May 2025.
You can schedule an appointment at a DMV office online through the Virginia DMV website, which reduces wait time significantly.

Getting your first Virginia driver license

If you have never held a Virginia driver license, you must visit a DMV office in person. You cannot complete this process by mail or online. The DMV will require you to pass three separate tests: a written knowledge test about Virginia traffic laws, a vision screening, and a practical driving test where an examiner rides with you in your own vehicle.

You must be at least 16 years old to take the written test and vision screening. If you pass both, you receive a learner's permit, which allows you to drive only with a licensed adult in the front passenger seat. After holding the learner's permit for a minimum of nine months and practicing driving, you can schedule the road test. Once you pass the road test, you receive your full driver license.

Bring these documents to your first DMV visit: a valid form of identification (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof that you live in Virginia (utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your name and current address), your Social Security number, and the completed process form DL-44, which you can read from the Virginia DMV website or fill out at the office.

Renewing your Virginia driver license

If your Virginia driver license is still valid or expired by less than one year, you can renew it without taking any tests. The DMV offers three ways to renew: by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office. Not all renewal methods are available to everyone — your may be able to access depends on your age, whether your license has medical restrictions, and how long it has been expired.

Renewal by mail works if you are between 18 and 70 years old, your license expired within the last year, and you have no medical restrictions on your license. You will need to complete form DL-43, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail both to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two weeks after the DMV receives your process.

Online renewal is available through the Virginia DMV website if you meet the same age and medical restriction requirements as mail renewal. You will need your current license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method. Online renewal is faster than mail — you receive your new license within days.

In-person renewal at a DMV office takes about 30 minutes if you have an appointment, or longer if you walk in. You will need to bring your current license, proof of residency, and payment. This method is required if your license has expired by more than one year, if you are over 70, or if you have medical restrictions.

Transferring a license from another state

If you hold a valid driver license from another state and you have moved to Virginia, you can transfer it without retaking the written and vision tests. You will still need to visit a DMV office in person and bring your out-of-state license, proof of Virginia residency, and your Social Security number.

The DMV will conduct a vision screening and may ask you questions about Virginia traffic laws, but you will not take a full written test or road test. Processing takes about 30 minutes with an appointment. The fee for a transferred license is the same as for a new Virginia license.

Standard license versus REAL ID

Virginia offers two types of driver licenses: a standard license and a REAL ID-compliant license. The difference matters if you plan to fly domestically or enter a federal building. Starting May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require a REAL ID-compliant license or another approved form of identification for domestic flights.

A REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal security standards. Getting one requires the same documents as a standard license, plus additional proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2 form) and proof of your legal name change if applicable. The fee for a REAL ID license is slightly higher than for a standard license.

If you already have a standard Virginia driver license and want to upgrade to REAL ID, you can do so by visiting a DMV office with the additional documents listed above. You do not need to wait for your license to expire.

Documents you need for any DMV visit

Regardless of whether you are getting your first license, renewing, or transferring, bring these documents to the DMV: a valid form of identification (U.S. passport, birth certificate, state ID, or military ID), proof of Virginia residency dated within the last 60 days (utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and address), and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

If you are renewing and your name has changed since your last license, bring a document proving the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. If you are getting a REAL ID license, bring an original or certified copy of your Social Security card or a W-2 form showing your full Social Security number.

The DMV website lists all acceptable documents for each category. Bringing documents that do not meet the requirements will result in your process being rejected, so check the list before you go.

Scheduling an appointment and visiting a DMV office

You can schedule an appointment at a Virginia DMV office through the Virginia DMV website. Appointments are free and reduce your wait time from potentially hours to about 30 minutes. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary by location and time of day.

DMV offices are open Monday through Friday, with some locations offering Saturday hours. Hours vary by office, so check the website for your nearest location. If you cannot visit during regular hours, some DMV offices offer evening appointments on certain days.

Bring all required documents, your payment method (cash, check, or card), and your completed process form if you have already filled it out. You can read process forms from the Virginia DMV website or complete them at the office.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Virginia driver license cost?

The fee for a standard driver license depends on how long the license is valid for — Virginia offers licenses valid for 5 or 8 years. A REAL ID license costs more than a standard license. Exact fees change periodically, so check the Virginia DMV website for current pricing before your visit.

Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?

If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit a DMV office in person. Depending on how long it has been expired, you may need to retake the written test and vision screening, though you typically will not need to retake the road test.

What if I fail the written test or road test?

If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment. If you fail the road test, you must wait at least one business day before scheduling your next attempt. You can take the road test as many times as needed, though each attempt has a separate fee.

Do I need to bring my learner's permit to my road test?

Yes, you must bring your learner's permit to your road test appointment. You will also need to bring the vehicle you plan to drive during the test, proof of insurance for that vehicle, and a valid form of identification.

Can I get a Virginia driver license if I do not have a Social Security number?

Yes. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Bring documentation of your ITIN, such as a tax return or IRS letter, to your DMV visit.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.