Virginia driver's license renewal: in-person, by mail, or online
Virginia offers three ways to renew your driver's license, and which one you can use depends on your age, how long your license has been expired, and whether you need a new photo. If your license is not yet expired or expired less than one year ago, you can renew online or by mail without visiting a DMV office. If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a DMV location.
The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and costs $36 for a five-year license or $56 for an eight-year license. By-mail renewal costs the same but takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a DMV office takes about 30 minutes on average, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal is available if your license expired less than one year ago and you do not need a new photo; you can complete it in 10 minutes from home.
- By-mail renewal takes two to three weeks but requires the same documents as online renewal and costs the same amount.
- In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than one year ago, and you must bring your current license, proof of residence, and proof of Social Security number.
- Virginia DMV offices accept walk-ins, but you can also schedule an appointment online to reduce wait time.
- Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you renew online or in person; by-mail renewals take longer because processing happens at the central office.
Online renewal: fastest option for current or recently expired licenses
To renew online through the Virginia DMV website, you need a valid email address, your current driver's license number, and a credit or debit card to pay the fee. You will also need to answer security questions based on your driving record and personal history. The system will ask you to confirm your address and whether any information on your license has changed.
Online renewal does not issue a new photo, so your current photo stays on file. If you want a new photo or if your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot use this method. After you complete the online transaction, you will receive a confirmation email, and your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
You can start the online renewal process at dmvnow.com, which is the official Virginia DMV portal. You do not need to create an account; you can proceed as a guest.
By-mail renewal: no office visit, longer processing time
To renew by mail, you must request a renewal form from the Virginia DMV. You can read the form (DL 43) from the DMV website or call 804-367-0538 to have one mailed to you. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form.
By-mail renewal takes two to three weeks because your process must travel to the central DMV office in Richmond, be processed, and then your new license must be mailed back to you. Do not use this method if your license has already expired by more than one year. Like online renewal, by-mail renewal does not issue a new photo.
Include a return envelope with postage if you want your current license returned to you; otherwise, the DMV will destroy it. Keep a copy of your completed form for your records.
In-person renewal at a DMV office: required for expired-over-one-year licenses
If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a Virginia DMV office. You will need to bring your current (expired) driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Acceptable proofs of address include a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 60 days of your visit.
Acceptable proofs of Social Security number include your Social Security card, W-2 form, 1099 form, or tax return. If you do not have your current license, bring a birth certificate or passport instead. You will also need to pay the renewal fee in cash, check, or debit card (credit cards are not accepted at most offices).
At the office, you will have your photo taken, answer vision and knowledge questions, and pay the fee. The entire process usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, though wait times are longer during lunch hours and late afternoon. You can schedule an appointment online at dmvnow.com to skip the walk-in line, or you can walk in without an appointment.
Scheduling an appointment versus walk-in visits
Virginia DMV offices accept both scheduled appointments and walk-ins. Scheduling an appointment online at dmvnow.com typically reduces your wait time to 15 to 30 minutes, while walk-in wait times can range from 30 minutes to over two hours depending on the office and time of day. Appointments are free and can be scheduled up to 30 days in advance.
If you choose to walk in, arrive early in the morning or mid-afternoon to avoid peak times. Lunch hours (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and late afternoon (after 4 p.m.) are typically busier. Some offices are busier than others; if your local office has a long wait, you can visit a different location in your region.
What happens after you renew: receiving your new license
If you renew online or in person, your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail, allow two to three weeks total. You do not need to do anything else; the DMV will mail it automatically.
Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can continue to use it for identification and driving. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it for your records. If your new license does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the Virginia DMV at 804-367-0538 to check the status.
Renewal fees and payment methods
Virginia driver's license renewal costs $36 for a five-year license or $56 for an eight-year license. The fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. Online and by-mail renewals accept credit cards and debit cards. In-person renewals at DMV offices accept cash, checks, and debit cards, but not credit cards at most locations (call ahead to confirm your local office's payment methods).
If you are over 65 years old, the renewal fee is reduced to $12 for a five-year license or $18 for an eight-year license. If you are active military or a veteran, you may be may be able to access for a free or reduced-fee license; contact your local DMV office for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?
Yes, but you must renew in person at a DMV office. You cannot use online or by-mail renewal. Bring your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. You will need to have your photo taken again.
What if I moved and my address changed?
If you renew online or by mail, you can update your address during the renewal process. If you renew in person, tell the DMV employee about the address change, and they will update it on your new license. Bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days).
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
Online and by-mail renewals keep your current photo. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office. In-person renewal always includes a new photo.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and in-person renewals take 7 to 10 business days. By-mail renewal takes two to three weeks total because processing happens at the central office in Richmond. Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives.
What if I lost my driver's license and need to renew it?
If your license is lost or stolen, you must explore for a replacement in person at a DMV office, not a standard renewal. Bring proof of identity (passport or birth certificate), proof of Social Security number, and proof of address. This is a different process from renewal and may have different fees.