Virginia lets you renew online if you meet specific requirements
You can renew your Virginia driver's license online through the Department of Motor Vehicles website if your license is still valid or expired for no more than one year, you are a U.S. citizen, you have no medical conditions that would disqualify you, and your address has not changed. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $36 for a four-year renewal or $54 for an eight-year renewal. You will need a valid payment method and your current Virginia driver's license number.
Not everyone can use the online system. If your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need to update your address, if you are not a U.S. citizen, or if you have certain medical conditions on file, you must renew in person at a DMV office. The same applies if you are renewing for the first time or if your license was suspended or revoked.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your Virginia license expired within the last year and your personal information has not changed.
- The online process costs $36 for four years or $54 for eight years and takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.
- You will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days after completing the online transaction.
- If you cannot renew online, you must visit a DMV office in person with your current license and proof of residency.
Step-by-step process for renewing online
Start by going to the Virginia DMV website and selecting the online renewal option. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth to verify your identity. The system will check whether you are may be able to access to renew online; if you are not, it will tell you when ready and direct you to in-person renewal options.
If you pass the may be able to access check, you will review your current information on file — name, address, height, eye color, and other details from your license. Make any corrections if needed. Next, you will choose your renewal term: four years or eight years. Then you will enter your payment information. Virginia accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number by email.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to use your current license until the new one arrives. If you need your license sooner, you cannot expedite an online renewal; you would need to renew in person at a DMV office and request a temporary license.
Who cannot renew online and what to do instead
The Virginia DMV requires in-person renewal if your license has been expired for more than 12 months. You also cannot renew online if you are changing your address, even if you are moving within Virginia. Medical conditions that prevent you from driving — or conditions that require restrictions on your license — also disqualify you from online renewal, because a DMV examiner needs to assess your fitness to drive.
Non-citizens must renew in person. If you are a permanent resident or hold a visa, you will need to bring your current Virginia license, your passport, and your immigration documents to a DMV office. First-time license holders cannot use online renewal either; you must pass a vision test and written exam in person.
To renew in person, find your nearest DMV office on the Virginia DMV website and check its hours. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and your payment method. Processing usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will receive a temporary license on the spot and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Address changes and why they require an in-person visit
If you have moved since your license was issued, you cannot update your address through the online renewal system. Virginia requires you to visit a DMV office in person to change your address on your driver's license. This is true even if you are moving within the same county or the same city.
When you renew in person for an address change, bring your current license and proof of your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. Your new license will reflect your updated address and will be mailed to that address within 7 to 10 business days.
Payment and what happens after you submit
Online renewal costs $36 for a four-year license or $54 for an eight-year license. Virginia accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You will be charged at the moment you submit your renewal. There are no additional fees for online processing.
After your payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with your transaction number. Keep this email for your records. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to do anything else — no signature is required when the license arrives, and you can start using it as soon as you receive it.
If your payment is declined, the system will tell you when ready and you can try again with a different card. If you have trouble completing the transaction, you can call the Virginia DMV at 804-367-0538 during business hours, though they cannot process the renewal over the phone.
What to do if the online system says you are not may be able to access
The online renewal system will reject your request if it detects any of the disqualifying conditions: a license expired for more than one year, a pending address change, a medical flag on your record, a suspension or revocation, or non-citizenship status. When this happens, the system will display a message explaining why you cannot renew online.
Your next step depends on the reason. If your license expired more than a year ago, you will need to renew in person and may need to retake your vision test. If you have a medical condition on file, contact the Virginia DMV's medical review unit before visiting an office; they may need additional documentation from your doctor. If your license was suspended or revoked, you must resolve that issue with the DMV before you can renew. Call 804-367-0538 to find out what steps are required.
Timeline: how long the whole process takes
The online renewal itself takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. After you submit, your payment is processed when ready and you receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. The waiting period begins when your new license enters the mail system.
Standard delivery of your new license takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you submit your renewal. This means if you renew on a Monday, you can expect your license to arrive between the following Monday and Friday. Weekends and holidays do not count toward this timeline. If you do not receive your license within 10 business days, contact the Virginia DMV to report it as missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. The Virginia DMV will not allow online renewal if your license is suspended or revoked. You must resolve the suspension first by paying any outstanding fines, completing required courses, or meeting other conditions the DMV has set. Contact the DMV at 804-367-0538 to find out what you need to do before you can renew.
What if I need my license before the mail arrives?
If you renew online, you cannot get your license faster. If you need it urgently, you must renew in person at a DMV office instead. When you renew in person, you receive a temporary license on the spot that is valid for 45 days while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.
Do I have to use my current address when I renew online?
Yes. Online renewal uses the address currently on file with the DMV. If you have moved, you cannot renew online; you must visit a DMV office in person to update your address. Bring proof of your new address dated within the last 60 days, such as a utility bill or lease.
Can someone else renew my license for me online?
No. You must complete the online renewal yourself using your own driver's license number and date of birth. The system requires your personal information to verify your identity. If you cannot renew online yourself, you can ask someone to take you to a DMV office for in-person renewal, but you will need to be present to provide your signature.
What if I lose my license before the new one arrives?
Contact the Virginia DMV when ready at 804-367-0538 to report it lost. You can request a replacement license, which will be mailed to you. If you need to drive before it arrives, you can visit a DMV office in person and request a temporary license valid for 45 days.