How to Renew Your Virginia Driver's License

Virginia Driver's License Renewal: What You Need to Know

Virginia allows you to renew your driver's license in person at a DMV office, by mail, or online through the Virginia DMV website — but which method you can use depends on your license type, how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your address or photo. Most standard licenses can be renewed online or by mail if they are not more than one year expired and you have not had any address changes. If your license is more than one year expired, you must renew in person. Commercial driver's licenses and licenses with medical restrictions require in-person renewal.

Your Virginia license expires on your birthday, and you can renew up to one year before the expiration date. Renewal fees are $24 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license, the same regardless of which renewal method you choose. You must bring proof of identity and Virginia residency for any renewal method.

Key Takeaways

Virginia offers online renewal for most standard driver's licenses that are not more than one year expired and have no address changes.
By-mail renewal takes about two to three weeks and costs the same as in-person renewal, but you cannot update your photo this way.
In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license is more than one year expired, you have a commercial license, or you need a new photo.
Renewal fees in Virginia are $24 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license, and you must bring proof of identity and Virginia residency.
Your Virginia license expires on your birthday, and you can renew up to one year before the expiration date.

Online Renewal Through the Virginia DMV Website

Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. You can renew online if your license is not more than one year expired, you have not changed your address since your last renewal, you do not need a new photo, and you are renewing a standard Class D (passenger vehicle) license. You will need your current Virginia driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or electronic check).

Go to the Virginia DMV website, select "Renew Your License Online," and follow the prompts. The system will verify your information against DMV records. If everything matches, you will pay the renewal fee and receive a confirmation number when ready. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within seven to ten business days. You do not need to visit an office, and you can renew at any time of day.

If the online system rejects your process — usually because your address does not match DMV records or your license is expired by more than one year — you will be directed to renew by mail or in person instead. The system will tell you which method is available for your situation.

By-Mail Renewal and What to Send

By-mail renewal works if your license is not more than one year expired and you do not need to change your address or photo. You will need to request a renewal process form from the Virginia DMV by phone at 804-367-0538 or read it from the DMV website. The form is called the "process for Driver's License" (Form DL-43). You can also pick up a form at any Virginia DMV office.

Complete the form and mail it with a check or money order for the renewal fee ($24 for four years or $48 for eight years), made payable to the Virginia DMV. Include a copy of one form of identification that shows your current address — a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement dated within the past 60 days works. Mail everything to the address listed on the form (usually the DMV's Richmond office). Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file.

Do not send cash. If your check or money order is lost in the mail, you will have no proof of payment, and the DMV will not process your renewal. Keep a copy of the form and your payment confirmation for your records.

In-Person Renewal at a Virginia DMV Office

You must renew in person if your license is more than one year expired, you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), you have medical restrictions or endorsements, you need to change your address, or you need a new photo. Visit any Virginia DMV office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some offer Saturday hours. You can check office hours and locations on the Virginia DMV website.

Bring your current Virginia driver's license, one form of government-issued photo ID (passport, military ID, or state ID), and proof of Virginia residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the past 60 days). If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Pay the renewal fee in cash, by check, or by debit or credit card. The DMV will take a new photo and issue your license on the spot or mail it within seven to ten business days, depending on the office's current workload.

Renewal Fees and License Validity Periods

Virginia offers two renewal periods: a four-year license for $24 or an eight-year license for $48. You choose which term you want when you renew. The eight-year license costs more but means you will not need to renew again for eight years. Both fees are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

Your license expires on your birthday. You can begin the renewal process up to one year before your birthday, so if your birthday is in June, you can renew starting in June of the previous year. If you renew early, your new license will be valid from the date it is issued until your birthday eight years (or four years) later. Renewing early does not extend your license beyond that date.

What Happens If Your License Expires

If your license expires, you can still renew it for up to one year after the expiration date using the same methods (online, by mail, or in person). However, you cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you are stopped by law enforcement, an expired license can result in a traffic citation.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person at a DMV office. You may also be required to pass a vision test or written knowledge test, depending on how long the license has been expired and your age. Call the Virginia DMV at 804-367-0538 to confirm what tests you will need before you visit an office.

Address Changes and License Updates

If you have moved since your last license was issued, you must update your address before or during renewal. Online renewal does not allow address changes, so if you have moved, you must renew by mail or in person. By-mail renewal requires you to include proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the past 60 days). In-person renewal requires the same proof.

Do not wait until your license expires to update your address. You can change your address at any time by visiting a DMV office in person or by mailing a completed Form DL-43 with proof of your new address. Keeping your address current ensures you receive your renewed license and any DMV notices at the correct location. Virginia law requires you to notify the DMV of an address change within 30 days of moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. If you hold a valid Virginia driver's license and live outside Virginia, you can renew by mail or online if you meet the other requirements (license not more than one year expired, no address change, no photo update needed). If you need to change your address to an out-of-state address, you must renew by mail and include proof of your new address. You cannot renew online if you are changing your address.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it?

You cannot renew a lost license online or by mail. You must visit a DMV office in person and request a replacement license. Bring your government-issued photo ID and proof of Virginia residency. The replacement fee is $15, separate from the renewal fee. The DMV will issue you a new license with a new number on the spot or mail it within seven to ten business days.

How long does it take to receive my renewed license in the mail?

Online and by-mail renewals typically arrive within seven to ten business days. In-person renewals may be issued when ready at the office, or mailed within seven to ten business days depending on the office's workload. If you need your license urgently, ask the DMV office staff whether they can issue it on the spot.

Do I need to take a written test or vision test to renew?

No written or vision test is required for a standard license renewal in Virginia, unless your license has been expired for more than one year or you are over 75 years old. Drivers 75 and older must pass a vision test at renewal. If you are unsure whether a test applies to you, call the Virginia DMV at 804-367-0538 before you renew.

Can I renew my commercial driver's license by mail or online?

No. Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a DMV office. You will need to bring your current CDL, government-issued photo ID, proof of Virginia residency, and any medical certificates required by federal law. The renewal fee is the same as for a standard license ($24 for four years or $48 for eight years).

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.