Documents and fees you'll need to bring
To renew your Virginia driver's license, you need to bring your current license, proof of Virginia residency, and the renewal fee. Virginia charges $70 for a standard five-year renewal or $105 for an eight-year renewal. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the DMV office.
Proof of residency means a recent document showing your current Virginia address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts. If you've moved since your last license was issued, bring the residency document. If your address hasn't changed, you may not need to show it, but bringing one anyway prevents delays.
Your current license itself serves as your primary ID. If you've lost it or it's been stolen, you'll need to report that to the DMV and may face additional requirements — contact your local DMV office before you go to find out what they need from you.
Key Takeaways
- Bring your current Virginia driver's license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and $70 to $105 depending on whether you want a five-year or eight-year license.
- You can renew online through the Virginia DMV website if your license is not expired, you have no medical conditions that affect driving, and you have not changed your name or address.
- If you renew by mail, send your current license, the completed process form DL-44, and a check or money order to the DMV; processing takes about two weeks.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office takes about 30 minutes to an hour and is required if your license is expired, you need a new photo, or you've had a name or address change.
- Virginia does not require a vision test for renewal unless you are over 75 or have certain medical conditions noted on your record.
Renewing online through the Virginia DMV website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet Virginia's requirements. You can renew online only if your current license is not expired, you have no medical conditions that restrict your driving, and your name and address have not changed since your last renewal. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $70 for a five-year license.
Go to the Virginia DMV website, select "Renew Your License Online," and enter your license number, date of birth, and Social Security number. You'll upload a new photo or use the photo from your current license. You'll receive your renewed license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives.
If the online system tells you that you don't meet the requirements, you'll need to renew in person or by mail instead. The system will explain why you're not may be able to access — usually because your license is expired or your address has changed.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal takes longer than online but doesn't require a trip to the DMV. You can renew by mail if your license is not expired and you meet the same conditions as online renewal: no name or address change, no new medical restrictions, and no need for a new photo.
Complete form DL-44 (process for Driver's License or Permit), which you can read from the Virginia DMV website or pick up at any DMV office. Include your current license, a check or money order for $70 or $105, and proof of residency if your address has changed. Mail everything to the address listed on the form.
Processing by mail takes about two weeks. Your current license stays valid during that time. If the DMV needs more information from you, they'll contact you by mail, which can add another week or two to the process.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
In-person renewal is required if your license is expired, if you need a new photo, if your name or address has changed, or if you have medical conditions that affect your driving. You'll also need to renew in person if you're over 75 or if the online and mail options tell you that you don't meet their requirements.
Bring your current license, proof of residency, and your fee. Go to your local DMV office — you can find the nearest one and check hours on the Virginia DMV website. Most offices operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though some allow you to reserve a time slot online. Bring all your documents even if you've reserved a time, because staff may ask for additional paperwork.
The visit usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. You'll have your photo taken, answer a few questions about your health and driving record, and pay your fee. You'll receive a temporary license on the spot that's valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Your new license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
What happens if your license is expired
If your Virginia license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. This means going to a DMV office in person, bringing proof of identity and residency, and paying the full process fee, which is higher than a renewal fee.
If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew it, but you must do so in person at a DMV office. You cannot renew an expired license online or by mail. Bring the same documents you would for any in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of residency, and your fee.
Name or address changes during renewal
If you've changed your name since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you must renew in person and bring proof of the name change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for legal name change all work. Without this document, the DMV cannot issue a license in your new name.
If you've moved to a new Virginia address, you must update your address on your license. You can do this during renewal in person or by mail if you include proof of your new residency. Online renewal will not let you proceed if your address has changed, so you'll be directed to the mail or in-person option instead.
Medical conditions and vision requirements
Virginia does not require a vision test for most license renewals. However, if you are 75 or older, you must take a vision test at the DMV office during renewal. If you have medical conditions noted on your current license that affect your driving — such as seizure disorders or severe vision problems — you may need to provide a medical report from your doctor or take a vision test.
If you've been diagnosed with a new medical condition since your last renewal, tell the DMV staff when you renew. They'll let you know whether you need documentation from your doctor or whether you need to take a test. Some conditions may result in restrictions on your license, such as corrective lenses required or daylight driving only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's been expired for two years?
No. Virginia allows renewal only if your license expired less than one year ago. If it's been expired for one year or longer, you must explore for a new license instead, which requires an in-person visit, a written test, and a vision test. Contact your local DMV office to find out what documents you'll need to bring.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
Not always. If you renew online or by mail, you can use the photo from your current license. If you renew in person, the DMV will take a new photo automatically. If you want a new photo but are renewing online or by mail, you'll need to renew in person instead.
What if I don't have proof of residency?
You'll need to bring one of the documents Virginia accepts: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. If you don't have any of these, contact your DMV office before you go — they may accept other documents depending on your situation.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Virginia typically mails renewed licenses within 7 to 10 business days of processing. If you renew in person, you'll receive a temporary license valid for 45 days while you wait for the permanent one. If you renew by mail, your current license remains valid during processing.
Can I renew my license online if I wear glasses?
Yes. Wearing glasses or contacts does not prevent online renewal. Virginia only requires a vision test for renewal if you're 75 or older or if you have medical conditions affecting your vision that are already noted on your license. If you need corrective lenses, that restriction will carry over to your renewed license automatically.