New Residents
If you are age 19 or older and you hold a valid driver’s license issued by a U.S. state, territory, jurisdiction, a Canadian province, France or Germany, you may not be required to
- take the two-part knowledge exam or the road skills test;
- hold a learner's permit for 30 days; or
- show proof of successful completion of driver education.
However, you must pass a vision screening.
If you are age 19 or older and hold a valid driver's license issued by a country other than Canada, France or Germany, you may not be required to hold a learner's permit or show proof of successful completion of driver education. However, you must pass the two-part knowledge exam, road skills test and a vision screening.
Canadian or U.S. licenses must be surrendered when you apply for a Virginia driver’s license. Be sure to photocopy your out-of-state driver’s license—you may need it for insurance or licensing purposes.
If your license has been suspended or revoked by another state, a Virginia license may not be issued until your driving record in that state is cleared and you meet Virginia requirements.
Military Personnel
If you are an active-duty member of the Armed Forces stationed in Virginia, you,
your spouse and dependent children 16 years and 3 months of age or older may
drive with a valid driver’s license issued by your home state or country. If you are a non-Virginia active duty military service member, activated reserve or national guard member, or mobilized reserve or national guard member living in Virginia and sole owner of a vehicle that is titled and registered in another state, you are not required to title or register your vehicle in Virginia.
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Out-of-State Students
If you are enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited school in Virginia and not employed, you may drive in Virginia with a valid out-of-state (or another country)
driver’s license and valid out-of-state license plates on your vehicle. If you are a
full-time student and employed, you are considered a resident of Virginia for the
purposes of motor vehicle laws only. This does not necessarily qualify you for in-state
tuition rates. Therefore, you must apply for a Virginia driver’s license and register your vehicle in Virginia. You must register the vehicle in Virginia even if it is owned by someone else.
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Non-residents
If you are a non-resident temporarily living in Virginia, you may drive with your home state or country driver’s license and license plates for no more than six months. If you become gainfully employed, you are required to hold a Virginia driver's license. This does not apply to commercial vehicle drivers. Contact your local DMV customer
service center for more information or call toll free 1-866-DMV-LINE (1-866-368-
5463) or 1-800-435-5137.
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Exchanging Your Out-of-State License (Juvenile Applicants Only)
DMV may exchange your out-of-state license for a Virginia license if you meet the following conditions:
- You are at least age 16 and three months but under age 19 and hold a valid license; and
- You have successfully completed a driver education program while residing in another state and the program meets the minimum of 30 classroom hours and six in-car instruction hours and;
- You can present proof of identity, Virginia residency, and your social security number. You will also need to show proof of legal presence.
If you hold a current out-of-state driver’s license but do not have proof of driver
education, you may be issued a Virginia six-month temporary license. This will give
you time to obtain proof or complete a state-approved driver education program.
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If you’re a new Virginia resident,
Within 60 days of moving here, you must obtain a Virginia driver’s license.
Within 30 days of moving here, you must:
- Title your vehicle in Virginia.
- Register your vehicle and obtain Virginia license plates.
To ensure that your vehicle is mechanically safe to operate on the highways of the Commonwealth, it must pass an annual vehicle safety inspection. Any vehicle registered in Virginia must display a valid safety inspection sticker. In certain localities, your vehicle also must pass an emissions inspection.
Prior to registering your vehicle, you must:
- Insure your vehicle with a company authorized to do business in Virginia. At a
minimum, your insurance policy must provide the following liability insurance coverage:
- $25,000 for injury or death of one person;
- $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people; and
- $20,000 for property damage.
- Insure your Virginia-registered vehicle during the entire registration period even if it is not driven or is inoperable. If the vehicle is not insured, you must cancel the registration and return the license plates to DMV.
- If your vehicle is not insured, you must pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee. This does not provide insurance coverage, but allows you to register and operate the vehicle in Virginia for a one-year period.
After registering your vehicle:
- You must pay any required local vehicle registration fees and obtain a local sticker or decal if required by the city or county in which you live. Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer or Director of Finance for the city, county or town in which you live for more information. Some localities partner with DMV and you will pay your local registration fee at the same time you obtain your state registration and license plates.
Obtain a Virginia safety inspection sticker:
- Your vehicle must pass a safety equipment state inspection and, in certain Northern Virginia localities, your vehicle also must pass an emissions inspection.
Organ/Tissue Donation
- When you apply for your driver's license, learner's permit or photo ID card, you will be asked if you wish to become an organ donor. If you decide to become a donor, your choice will be noted on the front of your driver's license or photo ID card. If you wish to change your decision later, you must notify DMV and pay a $10.00 fee. You may also complete this transaction on the Internet with a DMV-issued PIN number. Or, you may have the change made free of charge at your next renewal. The decision to become an organ/tissue donor is yours. Your decision will not affect your driving privileges.
- If you wish to become an organ/ tissue donor, you must be at least 18 years of age. If you are under age 18, you must obtain your parent's or legal guardian's written consent.
Applying to Register to Vote
You may apply to register to vote or to change your voter registration mailing address at any DMV office. Just indicate your intentions on the voter registration section of the driver's license application or ask your DMV representative for assistance.
To apply to register to vote in Virginia, you must be a United States citizen, a resident of Virginia, and be 18 years old by the next general election. You must have had your voting rights restored if you have been convicted of a felony or if you have been declared mentally incompetent and had your competency declared restored by a circuit court.
To check your voter registration status, visit DMV's web site at www.dmvNOW.com. To protect your privacy, you must first obtain a DMV-issued Personal Identification Number (PIN). You may also call your local registrar or contact the State Board of Elections at 1-800-552-9745 or TDD 1-800-260-3466.