Virginia driver's license
Get your first license in Virginia after moving to the US.
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Virginia and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
A first license
$32 for a standard eight-year license.
You pay this when you apply.
If you just arrived in the US
Foreign documents with no expiry date
A card with no printed expiry date does not stop the exchange; the form has no box for one. DMV asks the country that issued your license whether it is still in good standing, and that answer is what settles it.
If you have no license to transfer
If you are from a country that does not have a special agreement with Virginia, you must pass a vision test, a two-part written knowledge test, and a driving test to get your license.
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validA U.S. passport or passport card, a foreign passport, an Employment Authorization Document (I-766), or a Permanent Resident Card — valid and unexpired.
- Every document must be an original; photocopies and temporary documents, including a temporary or emergency passport, are not accepted. DMV can also change which documents it accepts without notice, so the list can differ between the day you check it and the day you go.
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
Virginia law requires DMV to collect your Social Security number. The number does not appear on your license; DMV assigns you a customer number instead.
Tests you take
Eye test
A DMV staff member asks you to read a series of letters or numbers on a viewing machine; it is not a medical exam. Failing it does not itself refuse the license — you can be asked to visit an eye care professional.
An unrestricted license requires vision of 20/40 or better in one or both eyes, and a horizontal field of 110 degrees or better in one or both eyes, or a comparable measurement within that range.
20/40 or better in one or both eyes, with or without corrective lenses, and a horizontal field of at least 110 degrees in one or both eyes or a comparable measurement within that range.
Drive test
The examiner requires one of two documents: a driver's education certificate of completion, or a behind-the-wheel checklist (DMV form CSMA 19, at dmv.virginia.gov or any DMV office) on which a licensed driver certifies they were with you while you practiced the driving tasks and that you followed the learner's-permit rules.
Tries you get on the written test
Three failures block a fourth try until you complete and pass the classroom part of driver education. An 8-hour DMV-approved course based on the Virginia Driver's Manual, offered at driver training schools and online, also satisfies this.
Practice questions for the written test
Every exam question comes from the Virginia Driver's Manual. The exam is given on a computer and covers traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving.
The Virginia Driver's Manual is the only source of exam questions, so the manual is all you need to study. A sample exam with answers is printed in Section 8 of the manual and published at dmv.virginia.gov.
Study the driver's manual and the practice questions; DMV names no other exam preparation — no paid course, app or class.
Using an interpreter
If you need help with applications or testing, tell a DMV staff member at any DMV location. That is the only help the manual promises; it names no specific interpreter service, form or booking rule.
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
A licensed driver who is at least 21, your parent or legal guardian, or a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother or step-sister who is at least 18. That person must be alert, able to help you, seated beside you, and allowed to drive.
A licensed driver at least 21 years old must sit in the front passenger seat, holding a valid license, alert and able to help you. That driver can be 18, 19 or 20 if they are your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother or step-sister.
Any licensed driver 21 or older, your parent or legal guardian, or a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother or step-sister 18 or older — seated beside you, alert, able to help, and allowed to drive that vehicle. Driving on a permit without the required accompanying driver is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
The licensed driver with you must be at least 21, hold a valid driver's license, sit in the front passenger seat, and be alert and able to help you. They can be 18, 19 or 20 if they are your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother or step-sister.
A licensed driver signs your behind-the-wheel checklist, on a DMV form, certifying that you practiced the driving maneuvers described on it.
What to bring to the drive test
The car and its insurance
You supply the vehicle, and an autocycle is not allowed. It must have a valid safety inspection sticker, license plates, registration card and decals, and working brakes, safety belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors and speedometer.
A rental or Zipcar can be used only if you are listed on the rental agreement as an authorized driver. Proof of insurance is not on DMV's published list of what the test vehicle needs.
You must provide the vehicle for the test. A rental or Zipcar counts only if you are listed on the rental agreement as an authorized driver.
Where to go
Who gives the tests
Every Virginia road test is now given on the road, in traffic. Closed-course testing ended at all DMV customer service centers after September 29, 2024.
A DMV staff member gives the road skills test if you chose to hold a learner's permit for 60 days; the driver training school gives it if you took driver's education.
Not every DMV office gives the road skills test. The list of testing locations is at dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/exams/road-skills-test.
Booking an appointment
You can book at dmv.virginia.gov/appointments, or walk in for service.
The 'Find an Appointment Time' button opens the live booking system; the stable page to start from is dmv.virginia.gov/appointments.
The 'Reserve Your Spot' link on the DMV site takes you to dmv.virginia.gov/appointments.
Office locations
You can find DMV offices at dmv.virginia.gov/locations.
Other states
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Every source, quoted30 sources
Every fact on this page is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
“Driver’s license fee ($32 for a standard eight-year license)”
dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/license/applyingChecked July 26, 2026
“The status of the foreign driver's license will be verified with the originating country using the information provided.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dl7.pdfChecked August 19, 2026
“If you are age 18 or older and you hold a valid driver's license issued by a country other than Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan, you are not eligible for foreign reciprocity and must pass the two-part knowledge exam, road skills test and a vision screening.”
dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/license/applying/exchange-foreign-dlChecked August 18, 2026
“Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/dmv141.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
“All documents must be originals and are subject to verification; temporary documents and photocopies of documents are not accepted. We will not accept a document when there’s reason to believe it is illegitimate. DMV may require additional documents or change which documents are accepted without prior notice.”
dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/license/applying/eligibilityChecked July 26, 2026
“Virginia law requires DMV to collect your social security number”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/dmv141.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
“To screen your vision, a DMV staff member will ask you to look into a machine and read a series of letters or numbers. The vision screening is not a medical exam. The screening shows whether your vision meets Virginia’s standards to safely drive. If you fail the vision screening, you may be asked to visit an eye care professional.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“Vision Standards Driver’s license – unrestricted ... 20/40 or better vision in one or both eyes, and ... 110 degrees, or better, horizontal vision in one or both eyes, or comparable measurement that shows a field of vision within this range.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“The Department shall not issue a driver's license or learner's permit (i) to any person unless he demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20/40 in one or both eyes with or without corrective lenses or (ii) to any such person unless he demonstrates at least a field of 110 degrees of horizontal vision in one or both eyes or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range.”
law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title46.2/chapter3Checked August 1, 2026
“To take the road skills test, the DMV examiner will require that you either: present an acceptable driver’s education certificate of completion, or complete a behind-the-wheel checklist (DMV form CSMA 19 available at dmv.virginia.gov or any DMV office) that describes specific driving tasks that you may be asked to perform while taking the road skills test. A licensed driver will need to certify on the form that he/ she has been with you while you practiced the driving tasks and that you have complied with all requirements for learner’s permit holders while operating a motor vehicle.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“If you fail the knowledge exam three times, you will not be able to take it a fourth time until you complete and pass the classroom component of driver education. You may have the option of completing an 8-hour course based on the Virginia Driver’s Manual and approved by DMV exclusively for satisfying the three-times-failure requirement. This course is available at a driver training school and online.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“The two-part knowledge exam is given on a computer and tests your knowledge of traffic signs, motor vehicle laws, and safe driving. Exam questions are taken from information in this manual.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“Exam questions are taken from information in this manual.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“Study the driver’s manual and practice questions”
dmv.virginia.gov/appointmentsChecked July 26, 2026
“Services for Persons With Disabilities Customers with special needs or who require special help with applications or testing should tell a DMV staff member at any DMV location.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“when accompanied by any licensed driver 21 years of age or older or by his parent or legal guardian, or by a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother, or step-sister 18 years of age or older.”
law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title46.2/chapter3Checked August 1, 2026
“A learner’s permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated in the front passenger seat. The driver with you must hold a valid driver’s license, be alert and able to assist you while you are driving. The licensed driver with you may be age 18, 19, or 20 if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, halfbrother, half-sister, step brother or stepsister.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“issue a permit entitling the applicant, while having the permit in his immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle or, if the application is made for a motorcycle learner's permit, a motorcycle, on the highways, when accompanied by any licensed driver 21 years of age or older or by his parent or legal guardian, or by a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother, or step-sister 18 years of age or older.”
law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title46.2/chapter3Checked July 27, 2026
“A learner’s permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated in the front passenger seat. The driver with you must hold a valid driver’s license, be alert and able to assist you while you are driving.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“submit to the examiner a behind-the-wheel maneuvers checklist, on a form provided by the Department, that describes the vehicle maneuvers the applicant may be expected to perform while taking the behind-the-wheel examination, that has been signed by a licensed driver, certifying that the applicant has practiced the driving maneuvers contained and described therein”
law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title46.2/chapter3Checked August 1, 2026
“You must provide a vehicle for the road skills test (cannot be taken in an autocycle). The vehicle must have a valid safety inspection sticker, license plates, registration card and decals, working brakes, safety belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors and speedometer.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“You must provide a vehicle for the test. Rental or Zipcars can only be used if you are listed on the rental agreement as an authorized driver. The vehicle must have: a valid safety inspection sticker, license plates and registration card; and working brakes, safety belts*, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors and speedometer.”
dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/exams/road-skills-testChecked July 26, 2026
“You must provide a vehicle for the test. Rental or Zipcars can only be used if you are listed on the rental agreement as an authorized driver.”
dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/exams/road-skills-testChecked July 26, 2026
“Is closed course testing still an option? After September 29, 2024, closed course testing will no longer be available at any DMV customer service center.”
dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/exams/road-skills-testChecked July 26, 2026
“For applicants who choose to take driver's education, the road skills test will be administered by the driver training school. For those who opt to hold a learner's permit for 60 days, the road skills test will be given by a DMV staff member.”
dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
“Road Skills Testing Locations -> https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/exams/road-skills-test”
dmv.virginia.gov/appointmentsChecked July 26, 2026
“Most services can be conducted online or by mail, but if you need to visit us in person, make an appointment, reserve your spot or walk in for service.”
dmv.virginia.gov/appointmentsChecked July 26, 2026
“Find an Appointment Time -> https://appointments.dmv.virginia.gov/OABS/Appointment/Index/f9d2f0ce-2853-4b10-969f-2cfcdc543d1c”
dmv.virginia.gov/appointmentsChecked July 26, 2026
“Reserve Your Spot -> https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/appointments”
dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/licenseChecked July 26, 2026
“Locations -> https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/locations”
dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/licenseChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Virginia?
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