Virginia license plate renewal happens online, by mail, or in person at your local DMV office

You can renew your Virginia plates without visiting an office if you have a valid driver's license, your vehicle passes inspection, and your registration is not suspended. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) lets you renew online at dmvnow.com, by mail, or at any DMV location. Most people renew online or by mail because it takes less time and you avoid waiting in line.

Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 30 days before your plates expire. The notice shows your current registration number, vehicle information, and the renewal fee. You will need this notice when you renew, though you can also renew using just your vehicle identification number (VIN) and driver's license number if you cannot find it.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia sends renewal notices by mail about 30 days before expiration, and you can renew online, by mail, or at a DMV office using that notice.
  • Online renewal at dmvnow.com takes about 10 minutes and you receive your new plates by mail within two to three weeks.
  • Your vehicle must have a current safety inspection from a Virginia inspector before you can renew, and the inspection sticker must not be expired.
  • If you renew by mail, include your renewal notice, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the back of your notice.
  • Plates expire on the last day of the month shown on your current plate, and driving with expired plates is a traffic violation in Virginia.

Renewing online at dmvnow.com

Online renewal is the fastest option for most people. Go to dmvnow.com, select "Renew Vehicle Registration," and enter your renewal notice number or your VIN and driver's license number. The system will pull up your vehicle record and show you the renewal fee, which varies based on your vehicle type and weight.

You pay by credit card or debit card during the online process. Once you complete the transaction, you receive a confirmation number. Your new plates arrive by mail within two to three weeks. You can continue driving on your current plates until the new ones arrive, as long as your registration has not expired.

Online renewal works only if your vehicle has a current safety inspection. If your inspection has expired, you must get a new one before you can renew online. You can find inspection stations through the DMV website by entering your zip code.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal takes longer than online but requires no trip to an office. Write a check or money order for the renewal fee, include your renewal notice, and mail both to the address printed on the back of your notice. Some renewal notices include a prepaid envelope.

Processing by mail typically takes four to six weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope. Mail your renewal at least two weeks before your plates expire to avoid driving with expired registration. If your mail arrives after your expiration date, you are driving illegally even though you sent it in time.

Like online renewal, mail renewal requires a current safety inspection. If your inspection is expired, you must visit an inspection station before mailing your renewal.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

You can renew at any Virginia DMV office, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Bring your renewal notice, your driver's license, and proof of a current safety inspection. You pay the renewal fee at the counter by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

If you renew in person, you can request new plates when ready and receive them before you leave, or you can have them mailed to you. Getting plates on the spot means you can drive with new registration the same day. The DMV office can also handle renewals for vehicles with suspended registrations or other issues that prevent online or mail renewal.

To find your nearest DMV office and check wait times, visit dmvnow.com and search by location. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require you to book an appointment online first. Check your local office's policy before you go.

Safety inspection requirements

Virginia requires all vehicles to pass a safety inspection every 12 months. Your inspection sticker shows the month and year it expires. You cannot renew your registration if your inspection is expired, even if you have only one day left on it.

Inspection stations are private businesses licensed by the DMV, not DMV offices. You can find them by zip code at dmvnow.com under "Find an Inspection Station." The inspection takes about 15 minutes and costs between $16 and $20, depending on the station. Bring your current registration and proof of insurance.

If your inspection expires before your registration does, get a new inspection before you renew your plates. If your registration expires before your inspection does, you can renew your registration without a new inspection.

Renewal fees and what affects the cost

Virginia renewal fees depend on your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), not its actual weight. The GVWR is listed on your vehicle's door jamb or in your owner's manual. Passenger cars typically renew for $40 to $50 per year. Trucks, vans, and heavier vehicles cost more.

If you have personalized plates, vanity plates, or special plates (such as military or disabled veteran plates), your fee may be different. Your renewal notice shows the exact fee for your vehicle and plate type. If you want to change your plate type during renewal, you can do that online or at a DMV office, though some changes carry an additional fee.

Virginia does not prorate fees if you renew early. If your plates expire in June and you renew in April, you still pay the full annual fee and your new plates expire the following June.

What to do if your plates have already expired

If you are driving with expired plates, renew as soon as possible. Expired registration is a traffic violation and can result in a fine. Police can stop you for expired plates, and you may be cited even if you have already mailed in your renewal or started the online process.

If you renew online or by mail after your plates expire, your new registration is valid from the date the DMV processes it, not from the date you submitted it. This means there may be a gap during which your registration is expired. To avoid this, renew before your expiration date.

If you need plates when ready and cannot wait for mail delivery, renew in person at a DMV office and request plates on the spot. This is the only way to have valid registration the same day you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my plates if my vehicle inspection is expired?

No. Virginia requires a current safety inspection before you can renew your registration through any method — online, by mail, or in person. You must visit an inspection station first, then renew your plates. The inspection sticker must show a future expiration date.

How long does it take to get new plates after I renew online?

New plates arrive by mail within two to three weeks of your online renewal. You can drive on your current plates during this time as long as your registration has not expired. If you need plates sooner, renew in person at a DMV office and request when ready plates.

What happens if I renew my plates but my registration was suspended?

Online and mail renewal will not process if your registration is suspended. You must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your renewal notice, driver's license, and proof of inspection. The DMV office can tell you why your registration was suspended and what you need to do to clear it.

Do I need to renew my plates if I sell my vehicle?

No. When you sell your vehicle, you transfer the registration to the new owner or surrender it to the DMV. You do not renew plates for a vehicle you no longer own. If you buy a new vehicle, you register that vehicle separately.

Can I renew my plates before my renewal notice arrives?

Yes. You can renew online at dmvnow.com using your VIN and driver's license number even if you have not received your renewal notice yet. The system will show you your vehicle information and the renewal fee. This is useful if your notice is lost or delayed.