What to do if your Virginia driver's license has expired
If your Virginia driver's license has expired, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office. The method you choose depends on how long ago it expired and whether you need to update your address or other information. Virginia allows online renewal for most people whose licenses expired within the past year, but older expirations require an in-person visit.
You cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if you are only going to the DMV. If you are stopped by police, you face a traffic violation. The good news is that Virginia's renewal process is straightforward, and you do not need to retake the written or vision test unless your license has been expired for more than three years.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia allows online renewal if your license expired within the past 12 months and you have not changed your address, name, or other personal information.
- If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office and may need to pass a vision test.
- Renewal by mail is available only if your license expired within the past year and you do not need to update your photo or personal details.
- The renewal fee in Virginia is $36 for a four-year license or $72 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by credit card, debit card, or check.
- You will need your Social Security number, current address, and your expired license card or driver's license number to renew online or by mail.
Online renewal for licenses expired within one year
Virginia's online renewal system is the fastest option if your license expired within the past 12 months. You do not need to visit an office or mail anything in. Go to the Virginia DMV website, select "Renew Your Driver's License," and follow the prompts. You will need your Social Security number, your expired license number or card, your current address, and a valid payment method.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes to complete. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot change your address, name, or other personal information through the online system—if any of those details have changed, you must renew in person instead.
If you do not remember your license number, you can look it up on the Virginia DMV website using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. This lookup tool is separate from the renewal system but takes only a few seconds.
In-person renewal at a DMV office
If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person. You will also need to visit an office if you need to update your address, name, or other personal information, or if you want a new photo on your license. Bring your expired license card, proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment for the renewal fee.
Virginia DMV offices do not require appointments for most transactions, but wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check current wait times on the Virginia DMV website before you go. If your license expired more than three years ago, you will need to pass a vision test at the office. You do not need to retake the written driving test.
In-person renewal typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the office is. Your new license will be issued on the spot, and you can drive home with it the same day. If you need a replacement card mailed to you instead, ask the DMV staff member—this takes 7 to 10 business days.
Renewal by mail for licenses expired within one year
Mail renewal is an option if your license expired within the past 12 months and you do not need to change your address, name, or photo. Print the renewal form from the Virginia DMV website (Form DL-43), fill it out completely, and mail it with your expired license card and payment to the address shown on the form.
Mail renewal takes longer than online or in-person renewal. The DMV typically processes mail applications within 10 to 15 business days after they receive your envelope, and postal delivery adds another 3 to 7 days on each end. Plan for at least three weeks from the time you mail your process until your new license arrives.
Include a check or money order for the renewal fee—the DMV does not accept credit cards by mail. Write your driver's license number on the check. Keep a copy of the form and your payment receipt in case you need to follow up on your process.
Renewal fees and license validity periods
Virginia offers two renewal periods: a four-year license for $36 or an eight-year license for $72. You choose which one when you renew. The eight-year license costs more but means you will not need to renew again for eight years. Both are standard driver's licenses with no difference in what you can do with them.
Your new license will be valid for the period you choose, starting from the date you renew. If you renew online or by mail, the validity period begins when the DMV processes your process, not when you receive the card in the mail. If you renew in person, it begins when ready.
If you are over 70 years old, Virginia offers a four-year license only, regardless of which option you select. The fee remains $36.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than three years
If your license expired more than three years ago, you are treated differently than someone with a recent expiration. You must renew in person at a DMV office. You will need to pass a vision test, but you do not need to retake the written driving test or the road test.
Bring your expired license card, proof of your current address, and payment for the renewal fee. The vision test takes only a few minutes and is the same test given to new drivers. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, the DMV will not issue your license until you have your vision corrected and return for a retest.
In-person renewal for an old expiration typically takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on office traffic and whether you pass the vision test on the first attempt. Your new license will be issued the same day.
Documents and information you will need
| Renewal Method | Documents and Information Needed |
|---|---|
| Online | Social Security number, expired license number or card, current address, payment method (credit or debit card) |
| By Mail | Expired license card, completed Form DL-43, check or money order for renewal fee |
| In Person | Expired license card, proof of current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), payment for renewal fee (cash, check, credit card, or debit card) |
Proof of current address must show your name and street address. A utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the past 60 days all work. A PO box address is not acceptable as your primary address on your license.
If you have changed your name since your license was issued (through marriage, divorce, or legal change), bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change. You will need to renew in person and provide this document before a new license can be issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to the DMV if my license is expired?
No. Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation in Virginia, even if you are only driving to the DMV office to renew it. If you are stopped, you can be cited. Ask someone else to drive you, use a rideshare service, or take public transportation to the DMV office.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
If you renew online or by mail, your new license will arrive within 7 to 10 business days after the DMV processes your process. Mail renewal takes longer overall because of postal delivery time on both ends. If you renew in person, you receive your license the same day.
What if I lost my expired license card?
You can still renew online or by mail if you know your license number. Use the Virginia DMV lookup tool on their website to find your number using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. If you cannot find your number, you will need to renew in person and bring proof of your identity and address.
Do I need a new photo if I renew by mail or online?
No. Mail and online renewal use your existing photo from your expired license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office. The DMV will take a new photo as part of the in-person renewal process.
What if my address has changed since my license expired?
You must renew in person if your address has changed. Bring proof of your new address (such as a utility bill or lease) along with your expired license card and payment. The DMV will update your address and issue a new license with the correct information.