You can renew your Virginia license after the expiration date, but the process depends on how long it has been expired
Virginia allows you to renew your driver's license after it expires, but the rules change based on how much time has passed. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew by mail or online without taking a new written test or vision test. If it has been five years or longer since expiration, you must visit a DMV office in person and pass both tests again, as if you were getting your first license.
The reason for this rule is that Virginia treats very old licenses as potentially unsafe to renew without verification — the state wants to confirm you can still see well enough and know current traffic laws. For licenses expired less than five years, the state assumes your knowledge and vision are still current.
Key Takeaways
- Licenses expired fewer than five years can be renewed by mail or online without retesting.
- Licenses expired five years or longer require an in-person visit to a DMV office, a written test, and a vision test.
- Mail renewal takes about two weeks; online renewal is faster but requires a valid credit or debit card.
- You will need your current or expired license, proof of Virginia residency, and a Social Security number to renew.
- Your new license will be valid for eight years from the date of renewal.
Renewing online if your license expired within five years
Online renewal is the fastest option if your license expired fewer than five years ago. You go to the Virginia DMV website, create or log into your account, and complete the renewal form. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, Social Security number, and a valid credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee. The system will ask you to confirm your address and answer a few questions about your driving record.
Once you submit, the DMV processes your renewal and mails your new license to the address on file. This usually takes five to seven business days. You do not need to visit an office, take any tests, or provide documents in person. Your new license will arrive by mail with an eight-year expiration date.
Renewing by mail if your license expired within five years
Mail renewal takes longer than online but does not require a credit card. You read the process for Driver's License or Permit (Form DL 43) from the Virginia DMV website, fill it out by hand, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with your renewal fee. You will also need to include a copy of proof of Virginia residency — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address.
Mail the packet to the DMV address shown on the form. Processing takes about two weeks from the day the DMV receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail. Keep track of when you mailed it so you know roughly when to expect your new license in the mail.
Renewing in person if your license expired five years ago or longer
If your license has been expired for five years or more, you must visit a Virginia DMV office. You cannot renew by mail or online. Bring your expired license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of Virginia residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement). You will also need to bring payment for the renewal fee.
At the DMV office, you will take a written test covering Virginia traffic laws and road signs. You will also take a vision test. If you pass both, the DMV will issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you within a few days, depending on the office. Your new license will be valid for eight years.
Wait times at DMV offices vary by location and time of day. You can check the Virginia DMV website to see current wait times at offices near you before you go. Some offices allow you to schedule an appointment online, which can reduce your wait time.
What documents you need for any renewal method
No matter which renewal method you use, you will need to provide certain information. For online renewal, you enter it directly into the form. For mail renewal, you include copies with your process. For in-person renewal, you bring the originals.
| Document Type | What Counts | Required for Mail? | Required for In-Person? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof of Social Security Number | Social Security card, W-2, 1099, or tax return | No — you enter the number online | Yes — bring the original |
| Proof of Virginia Residency | Utility bill, lease, bank statement, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days | Yes — include a copy | Yes — bring the original |
| Current or Expired License | Your Virginia driver's license | No — you have the number | Yes — bring it with you |
For mail renewal, make copies of your residency proof and Social Security proof before you send them. Keep the originals for your records. The DMV will not return documents you mail in, so do not send anything you need to keep.
The renewal fee and how long your new license lasts
The renewal fee for a standard eight-year license is set by Virginia and does not change based on your age or how long your license has been expired. You pay the same fee whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. The DMV website lists the current fee amount.
Your new license will be valid for eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license expired. For example, if your license expired in 2020 and you renew it in 2024, your new license will expire in 2032. This means you do not get back the time your license was expired — you start a fresh eight-year period from the renewal date.
What happens if you drive with an expired license
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Virginia, even if you have already started the renewal process. If a police officer stops you and your license is expired, you can be charged with driving with an expired license. This is a traffic violation that can result in a fine.
If you are in the middle of renewing — for example, you mailed your process two weeks ago and are waiting for your new license — you are still technically driving with an expired license. The safest approach is to renew before your license expires, not after. If your license has already expired and you need to drive, renew it as soon as possible using the fastest method available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Virginia license if I moved out of state?
No. Virginia only renews licenses for people who still live in Virginia. If you moved to another state, you need to get a license from your new state. You can contact the DMV in your new state to learn about their process.
Do I need to take a new photo for my renewal?
For online and mail renewal, the DMV uses your photo from your current or expired license — you do not provide a new one. For in-person renewal, the DMV takes a new photo at the office.
What if I lost my expired license and cannot find it?
For online renewal, you need your license number. If you do not have it, you can call the Virginia DMV to look it up using your name and date of birth. For mail renewal, you can still explore without the physical license as long as you provide your license number. For in-person renewal, bring a different form of ID and tell the DMV staff you lost your license.
How do I know if my license has been expired for more than five years?
Look at the expiration date on your license. Count forward five years from that date. If today's date is after that five-year mark, you must renew in person. If today is before that date, you can renew by mail or online.
Can someone else renew my license for me?
For online and mail renewal, no — you must complete the process yourself using your own information. For in-person renewal, you must go to the DMV office yourself. The DMV does not allow someone else to renew a license on your behalf.