How to Get a Driver’s License in Virginia: The Complete Guide

If you’re a teen working toward your first license or an adult applying for one for the first time, we’ll explain how to get a driver’s license in Virginia in simple terms.

What Is Virginia’s GDL Program?

Virginia’s GDL, or graduated driver licensing program, gives younger drivers time to build driving skills before they have fewer restrictions. The process works in stages rather than putting a new driver straight onto the road with full driving privileges.

For drivers under 18, the process includes three main parts:

• Learner’s permit – You learn the rules of the road and begin supervised driving.
• Driver education and practice – You complete the required education and build driving experience.
• Driver’s license – Once you meet the required age, holding period, education, practice, and testing requirements, you can move to the licensing stage.

The age of the driver matters throughout the process. A person under 18 has different requirements from someone applying for the first time at 18 or older. That’s why knowing which part of Virginia’s GDL program applies to you can save you from following requirements meant for another age group.

At 2020 Driving School, our learner’s permit preparation course helps new drivers build a foundation in Virginia traffic laws, road signs, and driving rules before taking the DMV knowledge test.

Step 1 — Eligibility Requirements

Before looking at the steps to get a driver’s license, it helps to know whether you meet the basic requirements.

In Virginia, you can apply for a learner’s permit at age 15 years and 6 months. A driver’s license can generally be issued beginning at age 16 years and 3 months, provided you meet the other requirements that apply to you.

You also need the documents required by the Virginia DMV. These can include proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency, and your Social Security number when one has been issued to you.

For drivers under 18, a parent or guardian also has an important role in the licensing process. The driver education completion certificate includes a parent, guardian, or foster parent’s certification of the required supervised driving hours.

These are some of the key DMV requirements for new drivers in Virginia, but your age and individual circumstances can change which requirements apply.

Step 2 — Get Your Learner’s Permit

The learner’s permit is where your driving journey moves from studying rules to getting real practice behind the wheel.

To apply, you need to meet the DMV’s eligibility and documentation requirements and pass the required knowledge examination and vision screening. The knowledge exam has two parts and covers Virginia traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices.

A learner’s permit also comes with driving restrictions. For example, a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old generally needs to sit beside the permit holder. A legal guardian or sibling who is at least 18 may also serve in that role under Virginia’s rules.

For drivers under 18, the learner’s permit must generally be held for at least nine months before a driver’s license can be issued. Adults follow different holding-period rules, which we’ll cover below.

If you’re preparing for this stage, our learner’s permit preparation course focuses on the material covered by the DMV permit test and gives new drivers a structured place to start.

Step 3 — Required Driving Hours & Driver’s Ed

Once you have your permit, practice becomes a major part of the process.

For drivers under 18, Virginia requires a state-approved driver education program, at least 45 hours of supervised driving, and at least 15 of those hours after sunset. The parent or guardian must certify those hours when completing the required documentation.

Driver education provides you with more than an opportunity to sit in a classroom. Virginia-approved programs cover classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training, helping connect driving rules with practical skills.

Our driver education classroom course includes 36 periods of instruction. We also offer behind-the-wheel training and private driving lessons.

Every new driver starts from a different place, so the number of professional lessons you need can vary. If you’re wondering how many hours of driving lessons you need, it’s wise to separate required supervised practice from professional instruction. The two serve different purposes.

Professional lessons can give you focused time with an instructor while your regular supervised practice gives you more opportunities to build experience.

Step 4 — Pass the Road Skills Test

The road skills test is where your preparation comes together. Instead of answering questions on paper, you show that you can handle a vehicle safely and follow the rules of the road.

The skills assessed can include basic vehicle control, turns, lane use, stopping, observation, and other driving behaviors expected during the test. Good preparation is less about memorizing a list and more about making safe driving habits feel natural.

The exact testing path depends on your age and how you complete driver education. For adults under the rules currently in effect through December 31, 2026, completing an approved driver education program can waive the 60-day permit holding period and the DMV-administered skills test because the road skills test is part of the program. Another option is to hold the permit for at least 60 days and complete the required Behind-the-Wheel Checklist before taking the DMV road skills test.

Our guide on how to pass your driving test on the first attempt covers preparation in more detail.

Step 5 — Provisional License

For drivers under 18, earning a driver’s license does not mean every restriction disappears immediately.

Virginia places restrictions on young drivers, including rules involving passengers and late-night driving. For example, drivers under 18 generally cannot drive between midnight and 4 a.m., except in certain situations allowed by law. Passenger restrictions also apply during the first year of licensure, with specific exceptions.

These restrictions are part of the graduated licensing approach. They give newer drivers time to gain experience while limiting some of the situations that can create added risk for inexperienced drivers.

The restrictions do not mean you have to stay at the same skill level. Regular practice and good driving habits continue to matter as you gain more experience.

Adult Applicants (18+) — How It Differs

If you’re 18 or older and applying for your first Virginia driver’s license, the process can be different from the path followed by a teenager.

Under the rules in effect before January 1, 2027, a first-time applicant age 18 or older can generally choose between holding a learner’s permit for at least 60 days or completing a state-approved driver education program while holding the permit.

Starting January 1, 2027, the requirements change for some adult applicants. Drivers age 21 and older will need to either hold a learner’s permit for at least 60 days or successfully complete an approved driver education program while holding the permit. Applicants ages 18 through 20 will need to hold the permit for at least 90 days and complete an approved driver education program.

So if you’re researching how to get your license in Virginia as an adult, pay close attention to both your age and the date you plan to obtain your license.

At 2020 Driving School, we work with adults as well as teens. Our private driving lessons provide one-on-one instruction for new drivers and adults who want additional practice at their own pace.

How Long Does It Take?

There isn’t one timeline that applies to every new driver.

For someone under 18, the process takes time because Virginia requires a nine-month learner’s permit holding period, approved driver education, and 45 hours of supervised driving, including 15 hours after sunset.

For adults, the timeline can be shorter depending on their age and the path they choose. Before January 1, 2027, first-time applicants age 18 and older can generally use the 60-day permit route or complete an approved driver education program while holding the permit. The requirements change for ages 18 through 20 beginning January 1, 2027.

Your own timeline will also depend on how quickly you get your paperwork done, pass the knowledge test, complete education and practice, and meet the testing requirements that apply to you.

Keeping Your License Valid

Getting your license is an important milestone, but keeping it valid matters just as much.

In Virginia, a driver’s license is issued for eight years. Renewal options can depend on your circumstances, and some drivers may need to renew in person.

An expired license can create additional steps. For example, if your license has been expired for more than a year, you will have to retake the vision screening, two-part knowledge exam, and road skills test. Our guide to renewing an expired Virginia driver’s license covers the process in more detail.

FAQs

How do I get a driver’s license in Virginia?

The basic path is to meet the eligibility requirements, get your learner’s permit, complete the required driver education and supervised practice for your age, meet the applicable holding period, and pass the required tests. The exact route depends on your age and when you apply.

What are the steps to get licensed as a new driver in Virginia?

The main steps to get a driver’s license are meeting the eligibility requirements, getting a learner’s permit, completing the required education and practice, meeting the applicable holding period, and completing the required road skills testing. The requirements vary by age, so a teen and an adult may not follow the same timeline.

Walk me through Virginia’s graduated licensing process.

For a teen driver, the process starts with a learner’s permit. From there, the driver completes the required education and supervised practice while following the rules that apply to permit holders. After the required nine-month holding period and other requirements are met, the driver can move toward a driver’s license. Restrictions continue to apply to drivers under 18.

Your Next Step Toward a Virginia Driver’s License

Knowing how to get a driver’s license in Virginia is much easier when the process is broken into manageable stages. You start with eligibility and a learner’s permit, build your knowledge and driving skills, complete the requirements that apply to your age, and work toward the road skills test and driver’s license.

At 2020 Driving School, we offer the training that can help make that journey more organized. If you are ready to get started, enroll in the course that fits your needs and let us help you build the knowledge and driving skills you need for the road ahead.