Virginia Renewal: Online, by Mail, or In Person
Virginia lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Which route you take depends on how much time you have, whether your license is still valid, and what type of license you hold. Most people can renew online or by mail without visiting an office, but some situations require an in-person visit.
Your Virginia driver's license is valid for eight years if you are between 21 and 65 years old, and five years if you are under 21 or over 65. The DMV sends renewal notices about 60 days before your license expires. You can renew up to one year before expiration or up to two years after expiration, though driving with an expired license is illegal.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia offers online renewal through its DMV website for most standard licenses, and the process takes about 10 minutes if your address and other information have not changed.
- By-mail renewal is available if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change, address change, or medical condition flag since your last renewal.
- You must visit a DMV office in person if your license is expired by more than two years, if you need a new photo, or if you have had a name change or certain medical updates.
- The renewal fee is $36 for an eight-year license (ages 21–65) or $18 for a five-year license (under 21 or over 65), and you can pay by credit card, debit card, or check.
- Processing times vary: online renewals are issued within 7 to 10 business days, mail renewals take 2 to 3 weeks, and in-person renewals are issued the same day.
Online Renewal Through the Virginia DMV Website
The fastest and most convenient option for most people is online renewal through the Virginia DMV website at dmvnow.com. You will need your current Virginia driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.
Online renewal is available only if your current license is not expired, your address has not changed, you have not had a name change, and you do not have any medical conditions or restrictions that need updating. If any of these explore to you, you must renew by mail or in person instead.
After you submit your renewal online, the DMV will mail your new license to the address on file. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days. Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue to drive legally during this time.
Renewing by Mail
Mail renewal is an option if your license is not expired and you meet the same conditions as online renewal: no address change, no name change, and no medical updates. To renew by mail, you must request a renewal form from the DMV or read it from dmvnow.com.
Complete the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee ($36 for eight years, $18 for five years), and mail both to the address shown on the form. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your current driver's license or a government-issued ID if you are renewing for the first time in Virginia.
Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the DMV receives your form. Your old license remains valid during this period. If you need your new license faster, online or in-person renewal is a better choice.
In-Person Renewal at a DMV Office
You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need a new photo, if you have had a name change, or if you have medical conditions or restrictions that need to be reviewed by a DMV examiner. You will also need to visit an office if you want to change your address or update any other information on your license.
Bring your current Virginia driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you have had a name change, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
You can schedule an appointment online at dmvnow.com or call 1-866-DMV-LINE (1-866-368-5463) to book a time slot. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment holders are seen first. In-person renewals are issued the same day, though you may be asked to take a new photo or pass a vision test.
Documents and Fees You Will Need
The renewal fee is $36 for an eight-year license (ages 21 to 65) or $18 for a five-year license (under 21 or over 65). You can pay by credit card, debit card, or check. If you renew online, you must use a credit or debit card. If you renew by mail, send a check or money order. If you renew in person, you can use any of these methods.
For online or mail renewal, you need only your current license number and Social Security number. For in-person renewal, bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. If you have had a name change, bring the certified document that shows the change.
If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), you must renew in person and may need to pass a medical examination. Contact your local DMV office for specific requirements before you attempt to renew.
What Happens If Your License Has Expired
If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew it using any of the three methods: online, by mail, or in person. The process is the same as a standard renewal, and you do not need to retake the written or driving test.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office. You will need to bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal, and you may be asked to pass a vision test or answer questions about traffic laws. You do not need to retake the full written or driving test unless the DMV examiner determines it is necessary.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Virginia, even if you have submitted a renewal form. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can show proof that you have applied for renewal, but this does not may provide you will avoid a citation. Renew as soon as your license expires to avoid this risk.
Timeline and Processing
| Renewal Method | Processing Time | When You Can Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Online | 7 to 10 business days | when ready (old license valid until new arrives) |
| By Mail | 2 to 3 weeks | when ready (old license valid until new arrives) |
| In Person | Same day | when ready (new license issued on the spot) |
Plan ahead if your license is expiring soon. Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access, but if you need a new photo or have had a name change, you must visit an office. If you wait until your license has expired, you can still renew, but you will not be able to use online or mail renewal if the expiration was more than two years ago.
The DMV sends renewal notices about 60 days before your license expires. Use that notice as your reminder to begin the renewal process, especially if you are choosing mail or in-person renewal, which take longer than online renewal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not wait until your license expires to renew. You can renew up to one year before expiration, and doing so early avoids the risk of driving with an expired license. The DMV sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, so use that as your reminder.
Do not try to renew online if your address has changed. The DMV will reject your process, and you will have to start over by mail or in person. Update your address first if you have moved recently.
Do not send cash by mail. The DMV will not accept it, and your renewal will be delayed. Send a check or money order instead, and keep a copy of your form for your records.
If you are renewing a commercial driver's license, do not assume you can renew online or by mail. CDL renewals require an in-person visit and a medical examination in most cases. Contact your local DMV office to confirm what you need before you attempt to renew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Virginia license if I have moved out of state?
No. If you no longer live in Virginia, you cannot renew a Virginia license. You must obtain a driver's license from your new state of residence. If you are temporarily out of state but still a Virginia resident, you can renew online or by mail as long as you have a Virginia address on file.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?
You must visit a DMV office in person. Bring proof of your identity (passport, state ID, or military ID) and proof of your Social Security number. The DMV will issue a replacement license and renew it in one visit. You will pay both the replacement fee and the renewal fee.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
Not unless you are renewing in person or your license has been expired for more than two years. If you renew online or by mail, your old photo will be used on your new license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person.
How long is my renewed license valid?
Your renewed license is valid for eight years if you are between 21 and 65 years old, or five years if you are under 21 or over 65. The expiration date will be printed on your new license.
What if the DMV rejects my online renewal?
The DMV will send you an email explaining why your renewal was rejected. Common reasons include an address change, a name change, or an expired license. Once you have resolved the issue, you can renew by mail or in person, or resubmit your online renewal if the problem has been fixed.