Applying for a Learner's Permit
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To obtain a learner's permit, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months of age.
Each time you apply for a learner's permit, you must show two proofs of identity, one proof of legal presence and one proof of Virginia residency. Proof of your social security number (if you have been issued one) is required also.
If you are under age 19, you will be required to show one proof of identity, one proof of legal presence, and one proof of Virginia Residency. Proof of your social security number (if you have been issued one) is required also.
You will be required to show your proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency, and social security number documents on each return visit until your learner's permit is issued.
Information about documents that DMV will accept as proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency and social security number (SSN) is presented in Acceptable Documents for Obtaining a Driver's License or Photo ID Card (DMV 141) 
. Temporary documents and photocopies of documents will not be accepted. All documents must be originals. All documents will be subject to verification, which may delay the issuance of your license or learner's permit. DMV will not accept a document as proof of identity, legal presence, residency or social security number when there is reason to believe it has been altered, fraudulently obtained or is fake, forged, counterfeit, or otherwise non-genuine or illegitimate. DMV may require additional documents.
Falsifying information on any driver's license or photo identification card application is a criminal offense. Altering or assisting a person with improperly or fraudulently obtaining a driver's license, learner's permit, CDL, CDL instruction permit or photo ID card are also criminal offenses.
Documents accepted by DMV as proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency and social security number may change without prior notice.
You may hold either a driver's license, or a CDL, but not both. If you hold a license of any kind, you are not eligible for a photo ID card.
When you apply for a Virginia learner's permit, you will also complete the application process for your driver's license and pay the fees for both the permit and license.
DMV will assign you a customer number which will display on your learner's permit. If you wish to change your DMV-assigned number in the future, you may be required to present documentation from law enforcement or the courts indicating that you may be a victim of identity theft.
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Additional requirements
If you are from out-of-state, DMV may exchange your out-of-state learner's permit for a Virginia learner's permit if you meet the identity, legal presence, residency, and social security requirements and Virginia's driver education requirements, if applicable.If you are under age 18, your parent, custodial parent or legal guardian must provide written consent by signing your application. A court order showing that you are an emancipated minor is acceptable in lieu of written consent.
If you previously have been found not innocent of any offense by a juvenile and domestic relations court in Virginia or any other state, you must obtain approval to be licensed from that court or a court in the city or county where you live.
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Selective Service Registration
Generally males under age 26 must register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal law to register with the Selective Service, you must authorize DMV to forward your personal information to the Selective Service unless you have already registered.
If you are under age 18, your parent or guardian must sign your application authorizing the Selective Service to register you when you turn age 18. Law prohibits DMV from issuing any type of driver's license or photo ID card to an applicant who is required by federal law to register with the Selective Service but who refuses to authorize DMV to send his information to the Selective Service. If you have questions about Selective Service registration, visit the Selective Service website at www.sss.gov or call 847-688-6888 (TTY: 847-688-2567).
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Completed Application
When applying for a learner's permit, you must complete an application for a Virginia driver's license (form DL 1P). You may complete this form before or after coming to DMV. Use your full legal name. Abbreviations and nicknames will not be accepted. For your convenience, you also may apply to register to vote or change your voter registration address when you apply for your learner's permit. Additionally, you may indicate your desire to become an organ donor.[Back to Top]
Payment
Your first driver's license will be valid for three to eight years, depending on your age when the license is issued, and will expire on your birthday. If you are under age 18, your learner's permit will expire on your 20th birthday.
The driver's license fee is $4.00 per year. A learner's permit fee is $3.00 plus the yearly cost of a driver's license.
Individuals required to register with the Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Children registry (Virginia Code Chapter 9 of Title 9.1) will be issued licenses valid for five years.
| License Period | Driver's License Cost |
|---|---|
| 3 Years | $12.00 |
| 4 Years | $16.00 |
| 5 Years | $20.00 |
| 6 Years | $24.00 |
| 7 Years | $28.00 |
| 8 Years | $32.00 |
For many individuals authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, a learner's permit/driver's license will be valid only for the amount of time that the individual is legally permitted to stay in the U.S. The expiration of the permit/license will be the same as the expiration date shown on the document used to prove legal presence. If the document does not show an expiration date, the permit/license will be valid for one year. The driver's license will cost $4 per year. A partial year will be rounded to the next full year. So if the driver's license is issued for less than one year, the cost is $4.
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Testing
Tests you need to take are a vision screening and a two-part knowledge exam.[Back to Top]
Issuance
Once you pass your required testing, a DMV representative will take your photograph and ask you to sign a signature pad. In most circumstances, your photograph and information will be processed while you wait. Your name will be called when your learner's permit is ready.
If you are under age 19, you must hold your learner's permit for at least 9 months before you can receive a driver's license.
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Applicants under age 18
All first-time driver's licenses issued to persons under age 18 are sent to the judge of your local juvenile and domestic relations court. The court will notify you by mail about when and where you and your parent, custodial parent or legal guardian must appear to receive your license.
See Also:
For driver's license and learner's permit examples, refer to images of driver's licenses and identification cards
Persons convicted of certain sexual offenses (as listed in Va. Code § (46.2-323) must register with the Virginia Department of State Police as provided in § 19.2-298.1.
