Navigating the Road to Independence: A Guide to Getting Your Learner's Permit in Virginia

The process of getting a first-time driver’s license is an important milestone, marking a significant step toward independence and responsibility. In Virginia, this journey begins with obtaining a learner's permit, which allows aspiring drivers to practice under supervision before hitting the road solo. Driving is not a “right” guaranteed by the constitution or laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Driving is a “privilege” that is granted by parents to their children. If abused, the privilege may be revoked or taken away. Driving is a complex task, even for the most seasoned drivers. For young drivers, it is especially difficult and can be lethal. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the requirements, restrictions, and responsibilities associated with acquiring a learner's permit in Virginia.

Eligibility and Application

Anyone who is at least 15 years and six months of age may apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a learner’s permit.

To apply for a learner’s permit, please submit the following to DMV:

A completed Application for a Virginia Driver's License. You may print the form and complete it prior to your visit or do so while at the DMV.
If you are under 18, your parent or legal guardian must provide written consent by signing your application. In place of written consent, a court order showing that you are an emancipated minor is acceptable.
$3 learner’s permit fee plus the yearly cost of a driver’s license. See fee chart.
One proof of identity.Use your full legal name on all documents. Don’t use abbreviations and nicknames, as they will not be accepted.Submit original documents, as they will be subject to verification. Don’t use copies.Note: DMV will not accept documents if there’s reason to believe they are illegitimate. Postal Service will not forward learner's permits.
One proof of legal presence.
Two proofs of Virginia residency.
Proof of your Social Security number (SSN), if you have been issued one. If you know your SSN, DMV can verify it electronically.
See acceptable documents guide.

Both steps can be done in person at any DMV customer service center. Schedule an Appointment Online

Testing Requirements

You will be required to take a knowledge and vision test. The knowledge test is one of the most important aspects of gaining your Virginia learner’s permit. The exam is split into two parts. You will first be tested on traffic signs followed by general traffic laws around the state of Virginia. All ten questions on traffic signs must be answered correctly before moving on to the next part. The permit test can be daunting for new drivers. However, there is no need to fear. A vision test will be assessed at the time of your permit application.

Anyone who fails the knowledge test three times must take and successfully complete the classroom portion of a driver education course before being allowed to retake the knowledge test at the DMV.

Driver Education Programs

Driver education programs are available statewide through public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools. The program must include 36 classroom periods and 14 in-car instruction periods - seven periods of driving and seven periods of observation. Classroom instruction must include components about alcohol safety, drug abuse awareness, motorcycle awareness, and organ and tissue donation awareness.

When you complete the driver education requirements, the instructor will submit a certificate of completion to the DMV. If you complete a required state-approved driver education program, you will not be required to take a road skills test at the DMV to get your driver’s license. The in-car driver education instructor will administer the final road test. If you pass the test, the school will issue a completion certificate.

If you are being home schooled, the classroom and/or the behind the wheel portions can be taught at home. A parent or legal guardian may provide in-car instruction to his or her own child, based on prior application and approval by the DMV.

Learner's Permit Restrictions

A learner’s permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver of at least 21 years of age is seated beside you. The driver accompanying you may be 18 years of age if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother, or step-sister.

A learner's permit lets you drive a vehicle when a licensed driver is seated beside you. The licensed driver must be at least 21 years old, or 18 years of age or older if they are your legal guardian or sibling. state or territory with a valid learner’s permit, in addition to the requirements above, you will need to provide your current learner's permit. The time you held your learner's permit will be counted toward the Virginia minimum holding period.

Drivers will face certain restrictions during the period of time they hold their permit. Teenage drivers are prohibited from driving between the times of midnight and 4 AM, except when driving to or from work, school, or a religious event. You may also drive during these hours if you are accompanied by a family member over the age of 18 or you need to operate a motor vehicle in case of emergency.

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program

Virginia follows a graduated driver's licensing (GDL) program. Basically, this means there are a specific set of steps you need to follow to get your driver's license.

If you are under the age of 19, you must hold a learner’s permit for at least nine months or until you turn age 19 before you can receive a driver’s license. After you have held your permit for a period of nine months, turned age 16 and 3 months and have completed driver education, you will receive a notice telling you when to appear in court for a licensing ceremony during which you will receive your permanent driver’s license.

If you are under 18 - You must hold your learner’s permit for at least 9 months and complete a state-approved driver education program. Additionally, you’ll need to complete 45 hours of supervised driving, with at least 15 of those taking place after sunset. Your parent or legal guardian will need to sign off certifying that you have completed this practice in their presence.

Read also: Permit Expiration Info

If you are over 18 and have never held a license, you will need to hold your permit for at least 60 days OR provide proof of a completed driver education course before applying for a driver’s license.

Passenger Restrictions

If you are under age 18, you may carry only one passenger under the age of 21 during the first year that you hold your driver’s license unless a parent (who is a licensed driver) is in the seat beside you. However, after you have held your license for one year, until age 18, you may carry up to three passengers under age 21 when you are driving to or from a school-sponsored activity, when a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is in the seat beside you, or in cases of emergency. Passenger restrictions do not apply to family members.

You may carry only one passenger under the age of 21 years old unless accompanied by a licensed parent. However, three passengers can ride with you if you are traveling to or from school, or a licensed driver over the age of 21 is in the front passenger seat.

If you are under 18, you may carry only one passenger under age 21, unless accompanied by a licensed parent, or other adult acting in place of a parent, in the front passenger seat. After holding your license for one year, you may carry up to three passengers under age 21 in the following situations: travel to and from a school-sponsored activity, there is a licensed driver 21 years old or older in the front passenger seat or there is an emergency.

Consequences of Traffic Offenses

Obey motor vehicle laws. Certain traffic offenses are punishable by fines, license suspension or revocation, possible jail time, and/or points against your driving record. When you receive convictions for traffic offenses, the courts communicate with the DMV. Stay out of trouble. When a juvenile is found to be delinquent, a judge may impose a wide range of dispositions, including suspending the driver’s license or imposing a curfew on the juvenile as to the hours during which he or she may operate a motor vehicle. (Code of Virginia § 16.1-278.8(A)(9)) In addition, a juvenile may lose driving privileges for alcohol, drug, and firearm offenses. Attend school.

Demerit points are the way that the DMV keeps up with moving violations. Points are recorded against your driving record whenever you are convicted of not obeying the law in a moving vehicle. For example, a first violation of the passenger and curfew-restrictions will result in three demerit points. Drivers under age 18 receiving a demerit point conviction (including safety belt or child restraint violations) will be required to attend a driver improvement clinic. If you are under age 18 and receive a second conviction, the DMV will suspend your driving privilege for 90 days.

Driving Under the Influence

Virginia has enacted some of the toughest laws in the United States for minors caught driving under the influence of alcohol. Under Code of Virginia § 18.2-266.1, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol or drugs. A violation of this law is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Under Code of Virginia § 18.2-268.2, if you operate a motor vehicle, you automatically consent to have samples of your blood and/or breath taken for a chemical test to determine the level of alcohol or drugs in your blood. This applies if you have been arrested for a violation of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Code of Virginia § 18.2-268.3 prescribes the penalties for refusing to take the test. For a first offense, you may lose your privilege to drive for a period of one year.

Parental Authority

Your parents granted you the privilege to obtain a learner’s permit or a driver’s license and to drive on Virginia’s highways. They can also take away the privilege.

Cell Phone Usage

Virginia’s cellular telephone law (Code of Virginia § 46.2-818.2) restricts ANY driver, including those under age 18, from holding a cell phone while driving in Virginia. Text messaging while driving is also prohibited. “Hands-free” use of a cell phone is allowed. The penalty is considered a traffic infraction; for the first offense there is a fine of $125. (Code of Virginia § 46.2-818.2(C)). Any offense after that can result in suspension of your driver’s license if you are under 18. (Code of Virginia § 46.2-334.01(D)) and a fine of $250.

Interacting with Law Enforcement

Law enforcement officers are charged with enforcing the law and protecting the safety of the public. If signaled to pull over, stop at the first safe place you come upon. Carefully follow the officer’s instructions. Do not get out of the car unless told to do so. If you have violated a traffic law, you will be told. With most violations, drivers receive a summons to appear in traffic court.

Safe Driving Practices

It is vitally important to know about the driving laws and regulations in Virginia. It is equally important that you become a safe and responsible driver to keep your learner’s permit or driver’s license. Remember: driving is a privilege. Buckle up! Make sure you always wear your seat belt and everyone else in the vehicle is buckled up. This is your best defense against anything that might go wrong on the road. Facts: (1) air bags are made to work with safety belts, and (2) most crashes happen close to home.

Get enough sleep! Teens need more sleep than younger children and adults. Teens need at least nine hours of sleep every night. Most teens are sleep deprived and get less than seven hours of sleep each night. If you are a teen with a motorcycle, take motorcycle safety training and always wear your safety gear. Always drive sober. Not only are alcohol and drugs illegal, they can slow your reaction time and distort reality. They can also make you believe you’re a great driver. Only ride with sober drivers. If you’re riding with a driver who has been drinking or doing drugs, your life is in danger. Single vehicle crashes are the most common type involving teens.

Parents and caregivers play a big role in teen driver safety from the beginning. It is important that they take their teen out to practice driving skills and to set clear ground rules. Always drive with your headlights on. Don’t tailgate. Focus on your driving. Follow the restrictions on passenger numbers and don’t load your car with too many friends. Don’t get stressed out. Follow traffic safety rules, and don’t drive faster than the speed limit.

Additional Information

An applicant, or parent or legal guardian if the applicant is under 18, may request indicators be placed on their learner’s permit to identify a condition/impairment to law enforcement.

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