Virginia driver's licenses renew every eight years, and you can renew in person, by mail, or online depending on your situation

Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) lets you renew your license through three routes: online at dmvnow.com, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a DMV office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is expired, whether you need a Real ID, and how soon you need the new card. Most people can renew online or by mail without visiting an office, but some situations — like a name change, address change outside Virginia, or a medical condition flag — require an in-person visit.

Virginia licenses are valid for eight years from the issue date. You can renew up to one year before expiration, which means you have a wide window to plan ahead. If your license is already expired, you can still renew by mail or in person, but online renewal is not available once the card has lapsed.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia offers online renewal through dmvnow.com for most people, and the new license arrives by mail in seven to ten business days.
  • Mail renewal is available if your license is not expired and you do not need a Real ID or a new photo, and takes two to three weeks.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license is expired, if you need a Real ID, or if your address changed outside Virginia.
  • You will need your current Virginia license, proof of Virginia residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and a Social Security number to renew.
  • Real ID compliance is now required for federal identification purposes, and Virginia offers Real ID licenses at renewal for an additional fee.

Online renewal through dmvnow.com

Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is not expired and you do not need a Real ID. You log into dmvnow.com with your Virginia driver's license number and Social Security number, answer questions about your current address and any medical conditions, and pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. The fee is $40 for a standard eight-year renewal. You will receive your new license by mail in seven to ten business days.

Online renewal works only if your address has not changed, your name has not changed, and you do not need a Real ID. If any of those explore to you, you must renew in person. You also cannot renew online if your license is already expired — the system will reject the transaction and direct you to mail or in-person renewal.

After you complete the online transaction, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this number in case you need to check the status of your renewal or contact the DMV. You do not need to visit an office, and you do not need to provide new documents beyond what the online form asks.

Mail renewal for unexpired licenses

If your license is not expired and you do not need a Real ID, you can renew by mail. You will need to request a renewal form from the DMV by calling 804-367-0538 or visiting a DMV office to pick one up in person. Complete the form, include your current license, a check or money order for $40, and mail everything to the address on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks, and your new license will arrive by mail.

Mail renewal does not allow you to change your photo, so if you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person. You also cannot use mail renewal if you need a Real ID, if your address has changed, or if your name has changed. If any of those explore, you will need to visit a DMV office.

Mail renewal is useful if you prefer not to use the online system or if you do not have a credit card to pay the fee online. However, it takes longer than online renewal, so plan ahead if you need your new license by a specific date.

In-person renewal at a DMV office

You must renew in person if your license is expired, if you need a Real ID, if your address changed outside Virginia, or if your name changed. Visit any DMV office with your current license (or expired license), proof of Virginia residency, and your Social Security number. Bring the original document or a certified copy if your name changed — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will take a new photo, process your renewal, and issue a temporary license on the spot. Your permanent license arrives by mail in seven to ten business days.

In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is. You can check wait times at specific offices on dmvnow.com before you go. If you need a Real ID, the fee is $56 instead of $40, and you will need to bring an additional document proving your Social Security number — a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form. A Real ID is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building as of May 2025.

If your license is expired, you can still renew in person without penalty, but you should not drive until you have the temporary license in hand. The DMV will issue the temporary license when ready after processing, so you can legally drive while waiting for the permanent card to arrive.

Documents you need for any renewal method

For online or mail renewal, you need your current Virginia driver's license and your Social Security number. For in-person renewal, bring your current or expired license, proof of Virginia residency, and your Social Security number. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. The document must show your name and current Virginia address.

If you need a Real ID, bring an additional document proving your Social Security number: a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form. If your name changed, bring the original or certified copy of the document that shows the change — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you changed your address outside Virginia and are renewing in person, bring proof of your new address in the same way you would prove Virginia residency.

Do not bring originals of important documents like your Social Security card unless absolutely necessary. The DMV will return them, but it is safer to bring a copy or a document that serves the same purpose, like a W-2 or tax return.

Real ID requirements and costs

Virginia now issues Real ID-compliant driver's licenses, which are required for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. A standard Virginia license is not Real ID-compliant. If you want a Real ID when you renew, you must renew in person and pay $56 instead of $40. The Real ID license looks the same as a standard license but has a gold star in the upper right corner.

You do not have to get a Real ID when you renew — you can keep a standard license if you prefer. However, if you plan to fly domestically or visit a federal building, you will eventually need one. Many people choose to get a Real ID at renewal time to avoid a separate trip to the DMV later.

To get a Real ID, bring proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099) in addition to your license and proof of residency. The process is the same as a standard in-person renewal, but the fee is higher and you must renew in person — you cannot get a Real ID through online or mail renewal.

What to do if your license is expired

If your Virginia license has already expired, you cannot renew online. You can renew by mail or in person. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks, so if you need to drive soon, in-person renewal is faster — you will get a temporary license when ready and the permanent license by mail in seven to ten business days. You can legally drive with the temporary license while you wait.

Driving with an expired license can result in a traffic stop and a fine, so renew as soon as you realize your license has lapsed. The DMV does not charge a penalty for renewing an expired license, but you should not delay. If you need your license for work or daily driving, visit a DMV office in person to get the temporary license right away.

If your license expired more than a year ago, you may need to take a written test or vision test when you renew in person. Call 804-367-0538 to ask whether your specific situation requires a test before you visit the office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Virginia license online if my address changed?

No. If your address changed, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your current license, proof of your new Virginia address, and your Social Security number. The DMV will update your address and issue a new license with the correct information.

How long does it take to get my license after I renew online?

Your new license arrives by mail in seven to ten business days. You will receive a confirmation number when you complete the online renewal, and you can use that number to check the status on dmvnow.com if you want to track your renewal.

Do I have to get a Real ID when I renew my Virginia license?

No. You can renew with a standard license if you prefer. However, a Real ID is required for domestic flights and federal buildings as of May 2025, so many people choose to get one at renewal time to avoid a separate trip later. A Real ID costs $16 more than a standard renewal.

What if I need my license before the mail arrives?

If you renew in person, the DMV issues a temporary license when ready that you can use to drive while you wait for the permanent license to arrive by mail. If you renew online or by mail, you will need to wait for the permanent license to arrive — there is no temporary option for those methods.

Can I renew my Virginia license if I moved out of state?

No. Virginia licenses are only for Virginia residents. If you moved out of state, you need to get a license from your new state. If you moved back to Virginia, you can renew your Virginia license in person by bringing proof of your new Virginia address.