Updated On July 7, 2021
According to Wikipedia, the Virginia DMV serves about 5.9 million licensed drivers and ID card holders with over 7.5 million registered vehicle. Even with a small population of drivers, the Dominion State has some of the toughest drunk driving laws. In fact, in 2012 a new law mandated that first DUI offenders get an IID installed before getting back behind the wheel.
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For the past 30 years, drunk-driving fatalities have gone down significantly, but impaired driving is still a major concern, costing the Commonwealth of Virginia over 425 billion a year. Impaired driving in Virginia is not only a driving safety issue, but also an economic one. In 2019, over 4,400 people were injured and 264 died in alcohol-related traffic incidents in Virginia. Keep reading for more information on driving in Virginia.
Virginia Driver’s License Renewal Guide
How to Renew a Driver’s License in Virginia
It is a smart idea to renew your license before it expires. Once your driver’s license expires in Virginia, you must provide proof of legal presence.
How do I renew my Virginia driver’s license?
You will have to appear at the Department of Motor Vehicles to prove your citizenship or authorization to be in the United States.
Even if your driver’s license has expired for only one day, you will have to undergo this process.
Online Driver’s License Renewal
Renewing a driver’s license in Virginia can be conveniently done online. The Department of Motor Vehicles will send out a notice via mail to notify you whether or not you are eligible to renew online.
If you are eligible, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has a website for you to input information to complete the process.
Unless VA requires you to appear for your license renewal physically, there is a required fee for renewals in person.
Renewing Your Driver’s License In Person
When you choose to renew your Virginia driver’s license in person, you will pay a small fee at the DMV.
You will need to pass a vision screening test, and you will take a new photograph for the renewal of your license. If your license has not expired, you do not have to prove citizenship.
Renewing an Expired Driver’s License
What if your driver’s license has expired?
You must show proof of “legal presence” if you allow your driver’s license to expire. You need to prove that you are a legal resident or citizen of the United States.
You will need to provide official identification like a Social Security card, passport, or a green card to proceed with your renewal. The proper identification will allow you to begin the process of renewing your Virginia license or state ID card.
DMV License Renewal Test
If you have allowed your license to expire for a year, you must retake the two-part knowledge exam and the road skills before you are able to complete the renewal process.
The two-part knowledge exam is facilitated on a computer at the customer service center. You can find information on the exam in the Virginia driver’s manual online through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website.
The manual is available in both written and audio formats. If you fail the test and are 18 or older, there will be a re-examination fee if you retake the exam within 15 days.
You will take the road skills test at the customer service center. You will need to schedule the road test.
The vehicle use must have a valid safety inspection sticker, working brakes, lights, turn signals, registration card, safety belts, and mirrors.
You will need to provide evidence of completion of a state-approved driver education class to take the road test.
Scheduling an Appointment to Renew Your License
Should you have any questions regarding renewing your driver’s license or scheduling an appointment, contact your nearest Virginia DMV location.