Where to renew and what documents you need
You can renew your Virginia driver's license in person at any DMV customer service center, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Virginia DMV website for standard renewals. The fastest route depends on whether your license is still valid and whether you want to make changes to your address or other information.
For an in-person renewal, bring your current driver's license, proof of Virginia residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days), and your Social Security number. If you're renewing by mail, you'll need to send your current license along with the completed process form DL 44. Online renewal requires your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid email address.
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must appear in person at a DMV office. The same applies if you need to update your photo, change your name, or correct information on your license.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia offers three renewal routes: in-person at any DMV office, by mail if your license is current, or online through the DMV website for standard renewals without address changes.
- You will need your current license, proof of Virginia residency dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number for any renewal method.
- If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person and cannot use mail or online options.
- A standard renewal takes about 10 business days by mail and is processed when ready online, while in-person renewals issue your license the same day.
- Your new license will be valid for eight years from the date of renewal, or until age 70 if you are older than 62.
Online renewal through the Virginia DMV website
The Virginia DMV online renewal system is available at dmvnow.com and works for most standard renewals. You'll need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The system will verify your identity and ask you to confirm your address and other information on file.
Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal — currently $24 for a standard eight-year license — and you can pay by credit card or debit card. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 10 business days. You cannot change your address, name, or photo through the online system, so if you need any of those updates, you must renew in person.
If the online system tells you that you're not may be able to access to renew online, it means your record requires in-person verification. This usually happens if your address has changed, your license is expired by more than one year, or there's a discrepancy in your file that the DMV needs to resolve face-to-face.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal is available if your Virginia license is still valid and you don't need to change your address, name, or photo. Complete form DL 44 (process for Driver's License or Identification Card), which you can read from the Virginia DMV website or pick up at any DMV office. Sign the form, enclose your current license, and mail both to the address listed on the form.
The renewal fee is $24 for a standard eight-year license. Mail your process and current license to the DMV processing center — the address is on form DL 44. Processing takes about 10 business days from the date the DMV receives your envelope, so add time for mail delivery both ways. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file.
If you're concerned about mailing your current license, you can renew in person instead and avoid that step. Some people also choose in-person renewal to get their new license when ready rather than waiting for mail delivery.
In-person renewal at a DMV office
Walk-in service is available at all Virginia DMV customer service centers, though wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check current wait times on the DMV website before you go. Bring your current license, proof of Virginia residency dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number. If you need a new photo, the DMV will take one at no additional charge.
The renewal fee is $24 for a standard eight-year license, payable by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Your new license is issued on the spot, so you can leave with it the same day. If you need to change your address, name, or other information, you can do that during your in-person visit.
If you want to avoid waiting at an office, some DMV locations offer appointment scheduling through the DMV website. Appointments are often available within a few days and can significantly reduce your time in the office.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew by mail or online using the standard process. If it expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office — the mail and online options are not available to you.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Virginia, even if you have applied for renewal. If you're stopped by law enforcement, you can show proof that you've submitted a renewal process, but that does not prevent a citation. Renew as soon as possible to avoid this risk.
If your license has been expired for several years, the DMV may require you to retake the written test or vision test. Ask at the DMV office when you arrive, or call ahead to find out what the office will require based on how long your license has been expired.
License validity and expiration dates
A renewed Virginia driver's license is valid for eight years from the date of renewal. If you are 62 years old or older at the time of renewal, your license will expire on your 70th birthday instead. This shorter validity period applies only to drivers age 62 and up.
Your expiration date appears on the front of your license. Mark it on your calendar or set a phone reminder a few weeks before it expires so you don't accidentally let it lapse. Virginia does not send renewal reminders by mail, so tracking the date yourself is important.
If you renew before your current license expires, your new license validity period starts from the renewal date, not from when your old license would have expired. There is no penalty for renewing early.
Address changes and other updates
If you've moved to a new address in Virginia, you can update it during your renewal. For in-person renewal, bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days) along with your current license and Social Security number. The DMV will update your address and issue your new license with the correct information.
You cannot change your address through online or mail renewal — those methods only work if your address on file is current. If you've moved and want to renew online or by mail, you must first update your address in person at a DMV office, then you can use the other methods for future renewals.
If you need to change your name on your license due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew in person and bring legal documentation of the name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). A name change cannot be done online or by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Virginia license if I live out of state now?
No. Virginia requires you to be a Virginia resident to hold a Virginia driver's license. If you've moved out of state, you should obtain a license from your new state. If you still maintain a Virginia residence and are only temporarily out of state, you may be able to renew in person when you return, but contact your local DMV office to confirm your residency status first.
What if I lost my current license before renewal?
You cannot renew by mail or online if you don't have your current license to send or reference. You must go to a DMV office in person and request a replacement license. Bring your proof of residency and Social Security number. The replacement fee is $20, and you'll receive your new license the same day.
How long does it take to get my license if I renew online?
Online renewal is processed when ready, but your new license is mailed to your address on file. Delivery typically takes 10 business days from the date the DMV processes your renewal, though mail delivery times can vary. You should receive it within two to three weeks in most cases.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
For online and mail renewal, your current photo is kept on file and used for your new license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office. The DMV will take a new photo at no additional charge during your in-person visit.
What if the DMV says my renewal was denied?
Renewal can be denied if there's a problem with your driving record, an unpaid traffic fine, a suspended license, or a discrepancy in your identity information. Contact your local DMV office to find out the specific reason and what you need to do to resolve it before you can renew.