How to Renew Your Virginia Driver's License

Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your situation

Virginia lets you renew your driver's license through three different routes: online if you meet certain conditions, by mail if you prefer not to visit an office, or in person at a DMV location. The fastest route is online, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $24 for a four-year license. If you cannot renew online, mail-in renewal takes roughly two to three weeks from the day the DMV receives your process. In-person renewal at a DMV office typically takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on how busy the location is.

Your current Virginia driver's license must not be suspended, revoked, or expired by more than one year. If your license has been expired longer than that, you will need to renew in person instead. You also cannot renew online if your address has changed, if you need to update your name, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL).

Key Takeaways

Online renewal is the fastest option at 10 minutes, costs $24 for four years, and works only if your license is not expired by more than one year and your address and name have not changed.
Mail-in renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and payment to the DMV, and takes two to three weeks to process.
In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license is expired by more than one year, if you have changed your address or name, or if you hold a commercial license.
Virginia charges $24 for a four-year renewal or $36 for an eight-year renewal, and you can pay by credit card, debit card, or check.
You can check your renewal may be able to access and start the online process at dmvnow.com without creating an account.

Renewing online through DMVnow

Start at dmvnow.com and select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the homepage. You do not need to create an account. The system will ask you to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. It will then tell you whether you are may be able to access to renew online.

If you are may be able to access, you will choose your renewal term (four years for $24 or eight years for $36) and enter your payment information. Virginia accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

If the system tells you that you are not may be able to access for online renewal, note the reason — it will tell you whether you need to renew by mail or in person, and why.

Renewing by mail

Mail-in renewal requires you to send three things to the DMV: your current driver's license, a completed process form, and payment. read form DL-43 from the Virginia DMV website or request it by calling 804-367-0538. Fill in the form by hand or type it, sign it, and include it with your license and a check or money order for $24 (four years) or $36 (eight years). Do not send cash.

Mail your package to the address listed on the form. The DMV will process your process and mail your new license back to you. The entire process typically takes two to three weeks from the day they receive your envelope. If you want to track your process, you can call the DMV at 804-367-0538 and provide your driver's license number.

Mail-in renewal works if your license is not expired by more than one year and your address and name have not changed. If either of those conditions does not explore to you, you must renew in person.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment in cash, check, or card. If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If your license is expired by more than one year, bring proof of your Social Security number as well (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form).

Walk into any DMV office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., though some have extended hours on certain days. You can find your nearest office and check its hours at dmvnow.com. You do not need an appointment for renewal. Wait times vary by location and time of day; visiting early in the morning or mid-week typically means a shorter wait.

When it is your turn, tell the clerk you are renewing your license. They will take your documents, take a new photo, and process your payment. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

What to do if your license is expired by more than one year

If your Virginia driver's license has been expired for longer than 12 months, you cannot use online or mail-in renewal. You must go to a DMV office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099). If you have changed your name, bring the document that shows the change.

The process at the office is the same as a standard in-person renewal: the clerk will take your documents, take a new photo, and process your payment. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Understanding Virginia's license terms and costs

Virginia offers two renewal terms: four years for $24 or eight years for $36. The choice is yours at the time of renewal. A four-year license is cheaper upfront but means you will renew again sooner. An eight-year license costs more but lasts longer and means fewer trips to the DMV. Both are standard driver's licenses with the same legal standing.

If you are 70 years old or older, Virginia offers a special one-year renewal option for $8, though you must renew in person at a DMV office to use it. This option is available only to drivers aged 70 and up and requires you to visit an office every year instead of every four or eight years.

What happens after you submit your renewal

Once you have submitted your renewal — whether online, by mail, or in person — the DMV will process your process and mail your new license to the address on file. You can continue to drive on your current license the entire time. Your new license will arrive within 7 to 10 business days for in-person and online renewals, or two to three weeks for mail-in renewals.

If your new license does not arrive within the expected timeframe, call the DMV at 804-367-0538 with your driver's license number. They can check the status of your process and tell you whether there is a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have a suspended or revoked license?

No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license through any method. You must contact the DMV to resolve the suspension or revocation first. Call 804-367-0538 to find out why your license is suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to clear it.

What if I changed my address since my last license?

You cannot renew online or by mail if your address has changed. You must renew in person at a DMV office and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The clerk will update your address during the renewal process.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

No. Virginia DMV offices do not require appointments for driver's license renewals. Walk in during business hours and wait your turn. You can check your nearest office's hours at dmvnow.com. Early morning and mid-week visits typically have shorter wait times.

What if I lost my current license before renewal?

You cannot renew by mail or online without your current license. You must go to a DMV office in person and tell the clerk that you lost your license. They will treat this as a replacement rather than a renewal, and you will pay the replacement fee instead of the renewal fee. Bring proof of your identity and address.

Can I renew my commercial driver's license online or by mail?

No. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) must be renewed in person at a DMV office. Bring your current CDL, proof of your address, and payment. The process is the same as a standard in-person renewal, and your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

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.