Virginia DMV locations stay open until 5 p.m. on weekdays, with limited Saturday hours

Most Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles offices close at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you need to take your learner's permit knowledge test, you'll need to arrive with enough time to complete it before closing — the test itself typically takes 20 to 30 minutes, but you should plan for check-in and waiting time as well.

Saturday hours vary by location. Some offices open on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., but not all DMV branches offer weekend service. The DMV website lists which locations near you have Saturday availability, and you can call ahead to confirm hours before you go.

No Virginia DMV office is open on Sundays or major holidays. If you're planning to test on a holiday week, check the DMV's holiday schedule online — offices may close early or stay shut for multiple days around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia DMV offices close at 5 p.m. on weekdays, so you need to arrive early enough to finish your test before then.
  • Not all locations offer Saturday hours, and those that do typically close at 1 p.m., so check your specific branch online.
  • You can call your local DMV office to confirm current hours and ask how much time to allow for the learner's permit test.
  • Walk-in testing is available at most locations, but arriving early in the day reduces wait times.

How to find your nearest DMV office and its exact hours

The Virginia DMV website has a location finder tool where you enter your city or zip code and see all nearby offices with their hours listed. Each location page shows weekday hours, Saturday hours (if available), and holiday closures. This is the fastest way to confirm whether a branch near you is open when you plan to test.

You can also call the DMV customer service line at 1-866-DMV-VIRGINIA (1-866-368-8742) to ask about hours at a specific location. Staff can tell you how busy that office typically is at different times of day, which helps you decide whether to go early morning or mid-afternoon to avoid long waits.

What to bring and how long the test takes

Bring your completed process (Form DL-44), proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Virginia residency. The knowledge test itself is 35 questions and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. However, you should plan for 45 minutes to an hour total once you factor in check-in, waiting, and any questions the examiner asks.

If you arrive during a busy time — typically mid-morning or early afternoon on weekdays — you may wait 15 to 30 minutes before being called. Arriving right when the office opens (usually 8:30 a.m.) or in the last hour before closing (after 4 p.m.) often means shorter waits, though you risk the office being very busy if you cut it close to closing time.

Walk-in testing versus scheduling ahead

Virginia DMV offices do not require you to schedule an appointment for the learner's permit knowledge test — you can walk in during business hours and take it the same day. This means you don't have to plan weeks in advance, but it also means you might wait if other people are testing ahead of you.

Some DMV locations now offer online appointment scheduling through the Virginia DMV website. If your local office has this option, booking a time slot can reduce your wait time significantly. Check the location page to see whether appointments are available in your area.

What happens if you arrive too close to closing time

If you walk in within 30 minutes of closing, the DMV staff may turn you away and ask you to come back another day. They need time to process your paperwork, administer the test, and score it before the office closes. Arriving with less than an hour before closing is risky — you might not be admitted to test.

If you're turned away, you haven't lost anything — you can return the next day or visit a different location. There's no penalty for not testing on a particular day, and you can take the knowledge test as many times as you need.

Testing on holidays and during office closures

The Virginia DMV closes on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Some offices also close the day after Thanksgiving. If you're planning to test during a holiday week, check the DMV website for that specific week's hours — some locations may have reduced hours or be closed for multiple consecutive days.

If a holiday falls on a weekday, the office is closed that day. If it falls on a weekend, the office operates on its normal weekend schedule (or is closed if that location doesn't have Saturday hours).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the learner's permit test after 4:30 p.m.?

It's unlikely. Most DMV staff will not start a new test if you arrive within 30 minutes of closing at 5 p.m. If you need to test late in the day, call your local office first to ask how much time they need — some may turn you away if you arrive after 4 p.m.

What if my local DMV closes at a different time than 5 p.m.?

A few Virginia DMV locations have different hours. Check the DMV website's location finder or call ahead to confirm your specific office's closing time. Some rural locations may close earlier than 5 p.m.

Can I test on a Saturday if my office is closed Saturdays?

You'll need to find a different DMV location that's open on Saturday, or test on a weekday. The DMV website shows which branches near you offer Saturday service. You can visit any Virginia DMV office — you're not limited to the one closest to your home.

Do I need to call ahead to schedule a time, or can I just show up?

You can show up and walk in without calling ahead. However, if your local office offers online appointment scheduling, booking a slot can reduce your wait time. Check the location page on the DMV website to see if appointments are available in your area.

What if I fail the test — can I retake it the same day?

You can retake the test, but you'll need to wait at least one day before trying again. You cannot test twice on the same day. If you fail, schedule your next attempt for the following day or later in the week.