What Virginia requires to get your first driver's license

Virginia issues a standard driver's license to anyone at least 18 years old who passes a written test and a road test, and who provides proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number. If you are 16 or 17, you can get a Learner's Permit first, which lets you drive with a licensed adult in the car while you practice. After holding the permit for a set time and meeting other conditions, you can take the road test and move to a Restricted License, then to a full license once you turn 18.

The path depends on your age. Adults 18 and older can skip the permit stage and go straight to the written and road tests. Teenagers follow a longer progression that includes supervised driving hours and a waiting period. Either way, you will need the same documents at the start: a valid form of ID, proof you live in Virginia, and your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia requires proof of identity, Virginia residency, and a Social Security number or ITIN before you can take any test for a license or permit.
  • Adults 18 and older can take the written and road tests back-to-back and receive a full license without holding a permit first.
  • Teenagers 16 and 17 must hold a Learner's Permit for at least 9 months and 10 days, complete 60 hours of supervised driving (10 at night), and pass the road test before they can get a Restricted License.
  • You must pass a vision screening, written knowledge test, and road test; the written test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices specific to Virginia.
  • Virginia accepts a limited list of documents for identity and residency; a passport, military ID, or state ID card counts as identity, while a utility bill or lease counts as residency proof.

Documents you need to bring to the DMV

Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires original or certified documents—photocopies alone will not work. You need one document that proves your identity, one that proves you live in Virginia, and proof of your Social Security number or ITIN.

For identity, Virginia accepts a U.S. passport, military ID card, state ID card, or a certified birth certificate paired with a photo ID. If you use a birth certificate, the photo ID can be a school ID, employee ID, or passport card. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your current Virginia address. Your name must appear on the document. For Social Security, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. If you have an ITIN instead, bring your ITIN letter from the IRS.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign your process. Bring their ID as well. If you were born outside the United States and are a permanent resident or visa holder, bring your green card or visa along with your other documents.

Age requirements and the permit-to-license path for teenagers

Virginia lets you get a Learner's Permit at 16 and a Restricted License at 16 and 9 months, but you cannot get a full unrestricted license until you turn 18. The Learner's Permit stage is mandatory and lasts at least 9 months and 10 days. During this time, you must drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat next to you.

To move from a Learner's Permit to a Restricted License, you must complete 60 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours at night. You must also pass the road test. Once you hold a Restricted License, you can drive alone, but with limits: you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you cannot have more than one teenage passenger in the car unless a licensed adult 21 or older is present. These restrictions lift when you turn 18 and take the road test again to get your full license.

If you are 18 or older, you skip the permit and Restricted License stages entirely. You take the written test and road test, and if you pass both, you receive a full, unrestricted license on the spot (or within a few days if you take the test at a DMV office).

The written test: what to study and how it works

Virginia's written knowledge test has 35 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 28 correctly to pass. The test covers Virginia traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, safe driving practices, and what to do in emergencies. You have 30 minutes to complete it. The test is offered in English and several other languages; ask the DMV which languages are available at your location.

You can study using the Virginia DMV's official Driver's Manual, which is free and available online or in print at any DMV office. The manual covers everything the test asks about. Many people also use practice tests online to get familiar with the question format. You do not need to memorize the manual word-for-word—focus on understanding road signs, speed limits, parking rules, and what to do at traffic lights and stop signs.

If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day at most DMV locations, though some offices may ask you to come back another day. There is no waiting period between attempts, but you will pay the test fee again.

The road test: what the examiner checks and how to prepare

Virginia's road test lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and takes place on public roads near the DMV office where you test. The examiner watches you perform basic driving tasks: starting the car, turning, stopping, parking, merging, and following traffic laws. They also check that you can use your mirrors, signal before turning, and maintain a safe speed. The test is not designed to trick you—it is meant to confirm you can handle a car safely in real traffic.

Before the test, make sure the car you bring is in working order: all lights and wipers work, the horn sounds, the brakes are responsive, and the steering is smooth. Bring your Learner's Permit or Restricted License, proof of insurance, and the vehicle's registration. The person supervising your practice (if you are a teenager) does not need to be present during the test, but the car must be insured and registered. If you fail, you can retake the test after a waiting period—Virginia typically allows a retest within a few days, though the exact timing depends on the DMV office.

Vision screening and medical requirements

Before you take the written test, you must pass a vision screening at the DMV. The screener will check that you can see clearly enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision screening, the DMV will not let you test that day, and you will need to see an eye doctor and bring a signed form confirming your vision meets Virginia's standard (20/40 or better in each eye, with or without correction).

Virginia does not require a medical exam or doctor's note for a standard driver's license unless you have a medical condition that might affect your driving. If you have a seizure disorder, heart condition, or other serious health issue, tell the DMV staff when you arrive. They will let you know if you need a doctor's clearance. Most first-time drivers do not need this step.

Fees and how long the process takes

Virginia charges a fee for each test and for the license itself. The written test costs money, the road test costs money, and the license fee depends on how long you want it to last. Fees change periodically, so check the Virginia DMV website for current amounts before you go. If you fail a test, you pay the test fee again to retake it.

The timeline varies. If you are 18 or older and pass both tests on your first try, you can walk out with a license the same day or within a few days. If you are a teenager with a Learner's Permit, the whole process from permit to full license takes at least 9 months and 10 days, plus the time it takes to schedule and pass the road test. If you fail a test, add time for studying and retesting. Plan ahead and do not wait until the last minute to schedule your road test, because appointment slots fill up quickly at busy DMV offices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test and road test on the same day?

Yes, if you are 18 or older and have your documents ready. You can take the written test in the morning and the road test in the afternoon at the same DMV office, or on different days—it is up to you. If you are a teenager with a Learner's Permit, you can also take both tests on the same day once you have completed your 60 hours of supervised driving and met the 9-month waiting period.

What if I was licensed in another state—do I still need to take Virginia's tests?

If you have a valid driver's license from another state and you move to Virginia, you can exchange it for a Virginia license without taking the written or road test. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Virginia residency, and your Social Security number or ITIN to the DMV. The process is faster and cheaper than testing from scratch.

Do I need to take a driver education course?

Virginia does not require a formal driver education course to get a license, but some insurance companies offer discounts if you complete one. For teenagers, a course can sometimes reduce the supervised driving hours needed before the road test—check with your insurance company or the DMV to see if a course qualifies for a waiver.

What happens if I fail the road test?

You can retake the road test after a short waiting period, usually a few days to a week depending on the DMV office. You will need to pay the test fee again and schedule a new appointment. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, so do not give up after one failure.

Can I get a Virginia license if I do not have a Social Security number?

Yes. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Bring your ITIN letter from the IRS along with your other documents. The process is the same as for anyone else.