Virginia lets you renew an expired license by mail, online, or in person — but the method depends on how long it has been expired
If your Virginia driver's license has expired, you can renew it through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The fastest route is usually online through the DMV website, but you are only may be able to access to renew online if your license expired within the last year and you have not had any major violations or address changes since it was issued. If your license expired more than a year ago, or if you have had a suspension, revocation, or other serious issue, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
The process itself is straightforward once you know which method you can use. Most people can complete an online renewal in minutes without leaving home. Those who must go in person should expect to spend 30 minutes to an hour at the DMV, depending on how busy the office is and whether you need a new photo or have other documents to bring.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia allows online renewal for licenses expired less than one year ago, as long as you have no violations, suspensions, or address changes since the license was issued.
- If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a Virginia DMV office with a valid form of identification and proof of residency.
- Online renewal costs $24 for a four-year license and takes about 10 business days to arrive by mail; in-person renewal costs $24 and you receive your license when ready if you pass the vision test.
- You will need a new photo if you renew in person, but online renewal uses your existing photo from your expired license.
- If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot renew through any method until you resolve the underlying issue with the DMV.
Renewing online if your license expired within one year
Start at the Virginia DMV website and look for the online renewal option. You will need your expired license number, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against DMV records and ask you to confirm that your address has not changed and that you have not had any violations or suspensions since the license was issued.
If the system approves you, you will pay $24 by credit or debit card. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your expired license while you wait for the new one to arrive, as long as you are not stopped by law enforcement — at that point, you should show the confirmation email from your online renewal.
Online renewal is not available if you need a new photo, have had an address change, or want to update your name. It is also not available if your license was suspended, revoked, or cancelled for any reason. In those cases, you must go to a DMV office in person.
Renewing in person at a Virginia DMV office
If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a DMV office. Bring your expired license, a valid form of identification (such as a passport or military ID), and proof of your current address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
At the office, a DMV staff member will take a new photo of you, check your vision, and process your renewal. The entire visit usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, though wait times vary by location and time of day. You will pay $24 for a four-year license, and you will receive your new license when ready if you pass the vision test.
If you have had a suspension, revocation, or other serious issue on your driving record, the DMV may require additional documents or may not be able to renew your license until the issue is resolved. Call your local DMV office before you go to confirm what you need to bring.
What to bring and what it costs
For online renewal, you need only your expired license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The cost is $24, paid by credit or debit card at the time of renewal.
For in-person renewal, bring:
- Your expired Virginia driver's license
- A valid form of identification (passport, military ID, or similar)
- Proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 60 days)
The cost is $24 for a four-year license. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the DMV office. If you are renewing in person, you will also need to pass a vision test, which is performed at the office at no extra charge.
How long it takes to get your new license
If you renew online, your new license will arrive by mail within 10 business days. You can drive on your expired license while you wait, though it is a good idea to keep your online renewal confirmation email with you in case you are stopped.
If you renew in person, you will receive your new license when ready after you pass the vision test, as long as there are no issues with your driving record. You can drive away from the DMV office with your new license the same day.
If your license was suspended or revoked
You cannot renew your license online or in person if it was suspended or revoked. First, you must resolve the underlying issue with the Virginia DMV. This might mean paying a fine, completing a defensive driving course, or waiting out a suspension period.
Contact the Virginia DMV directly to find out what you need to do to restore your driving privileges. Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can then renew your license through either the online or in-person method, depending on how long it has been expired.
Finding a DMV office near you
Virginia has DMV offices in most cities and counties. You can find the office nearest you on the Virginia DMV website by entering your city or zip code. Many offices allow you to make an appointment online, which can reduce your wait time significantly.
If you cannot find an appointment or prefer to walk in, offices are usually less busy early in the morning or late in the afternoon on weekdays. Avoid Mondays and the first week of the month, when offices tend to be busier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is expired?
Technically, no — driving with an expired license is against Virginia law. However, if you have started an online renewal and have your confirmation email, you have some protection if you are stopped. For in-person renewal, you should not drive to the DMV office on an expired license; ask a friend for a ride or use a rideshare service instead.
What if I lost my expired license?
If you lost your license before it expired, you would have needed to report it as lost and get a replacement. If your license has expired and you have lost it, you can still renew in person at a DMV office — just bring your other forms of identification and proof of address. The DMV will look up your record and issue a new license.
Can I renew my license if I moved out of state?
No. If you no longer live in Virginia, you should get a driver's license from your new state instead. Virginia will not renew a license for someone who has moved away. You can surrender your Virginia license by mail or in person at a DMV office.
How much does it cost to renew in Virginia?
A four-year Virginia driver's license costs $24 to renew, whether you renew online or in person. This is the standard renewal fee and does not change based on your age or driving record, though suspensions or other issues may require additional fees to resolve before you can renew.
What if my name has changed since my license was issued?
You cannot renew online if your name has changed. You must renew in person at a DMV office and bring documentation of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will issue a new license with your updated name.