I'm a new resident in Virginia: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Virginia. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Virginia

Each rule comes from the Virginia driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  60 days after moving to Virginia, if you drive.

  What the manual says

  • New residents who drive must get a Virginia driver’s license within 60 days of moving.

  • When you need a Virginia license

    Within 60 days of moving to Virginia, you must obtain a Virginia driver’s license. The manual says the same: if you are a new Virginia resident and drive, you must obtain a Virginia driver’s license within 60 days of moving here. If you currently hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), the DMV says you must obtain a Virginia CDL within 30 days.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 33

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Age 18+ with a valid license from another U.S. state: vision screening; no knowledge or road test.

  What the manual says

  • A license from another U.S. state or territory

    If you are 18 or older and hold a valid driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or territory, you must pass a vision screening. The DMV says you may not be required to take the two-part knowledge exam or the road skills test, show proof of a driver education course, or hold a learner’s permit. If you are exchanging a license, bring your current driver’s license. When Virginia issues your license, any license previously issued by another state must be surrendered and is cancelled by the issuing state.

  • A valid license from another U. S. state, Canada, Germany, France, or the Republic of Korea exempts you from the knowledge exam.
  • The road skills test is not required of a person with a valid license from another U. S. state, Canada, Germany, France, the Republic of Korea, or Taiwan.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 3, 4

  Source: [4] [5] [6]

• Liability insurance

  Liability insurance or uninsured-motor-vehicle fee to register; injury minimums $30,000 per person, $60,000 for two or more.

  What the manual says

  • Registration requires liability insurance or payment of the uninsured motor vehicle fee.
  • The current minimum for injury or death of one person is $30,000.
  • The current minimum for injury or death of two or more people is $60,000.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 34

• Change of address

  Within 30 days of moving.

  What the manual says

  • A change of address must be reported to DMV within 30 days of moving.

  • Changing your address

    Within 30 days of moving to a new Virginia residence, you must notify the DMV and provide the new street address; a P.O. box or business address is not acceptable. The fastest and easiest way is online. The postal service will not forward your license, and if the DMV does not have your correct address, the postal service will return the license to the DMV. If you change your residence address or mailing address to a non-Virginia address, the DMV may cancel your driver’s license or photo ID card; exceptions may be made for some individuals, such as active duty military personnel and Virginia residents employed outside of Virginia. If you are not due for renewal soon, you would need to replace your license or ID for the new address to be reflected there.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 33

  Source: [1] [7]

• How long the license lasts

  Normally up to 8 years, expiring on your birthday; 5 years on renewal at age 75 or older.

  What the manual says

  • How long your license lasts

    A Virginia driver’s license is normally valid for up to eight years and expires on your birthday. A renewed license is valid for five years if you are age 75 or older or are required to register as a sex offender.

  Source: [4]

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Under 18: no driving midnight to 4 a.m., with listed exceptions for license holders.

  What the manual says

  • Curfew for drivers under 18

    If you are under age 18, you may not drive from midnight to 4 a.m.; the Teen Driving Restrictions page in the links below has the DMV’s full wording. If you have a driver’s license, the exceptions are when you are driving:

    • to or from a place of business where you are employed;
    • to or from an activity that is supervised by an adult and is sponsored by a school or by a civic, religious or public organization;
    • with a licensed spouse age 18 or older, a parent or another adult acting in place of a parent who is in the front passenger seat; or
    • in case of an emergency, including responding to emergency calls as a volunteer firefighter or rescue squad personnel.

  Source: [8] [9]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Licensed under 18, first year: one passenger under 21 unless licensed parent or parent substitute rides in front; family exempt.

  What the manual says

  • Passengers for drivers under 18 with a license

    If you are under age 18 and have a driver’s license, you may carry only one passenger under age 21, unless you are accompanied by a licensed parent, or another adult acting in place of a parent, in the front passenger seat. Passenger restrictions do not apply to family members. Learner’s permit holders also have a passenger limit; the Teen Driving Restrictions page in the links below has it. After you have held your license for one year, you may carry up to three passengers under age 21 in these situations:

    • traveling to and from a school-sponsored activity;
    • a licensed driver 21 or older is in the front passenger seat; or
    • in case of an emergency.

  Source: [8] [9]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Under 21: BAC .02 to under .08 can bring an illegal-consumption conviction; .08 or higher can mean DUI.

  What the manual says

  • Under age 21, a BAC of at least .02 but less than .08 can bring a conviction for illegal consumption of alcohol.
  • The manual says a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher could be convicted of a DUI.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24

• Refusing a chemical test

  Driving implies breath-test consent; refusal after a DUI charge means automatic suspension, 7 days for a first offense.

  What the manual says

  • Driving on Virginia’s public roads means you have agreed to a breath test when asked.
  • The Administrative License Suspension applies when you refuse a breath test or your BAC is .08 percent or higher and you are charged.
  • For a first offense the automatic suspension lasts seven days.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 30

• Seat belts

  Driver and all passengers, front and rear; the driver must secure anyone under 18.

  What the manual says

  • Virginia law requires the driver and every passenger, front and rear, to wear a safety belt.
  • The driver must ensure anyone younger than 18 is secured, no matter where that person is seated.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 26

• Child safety seats

  Under age 8: child safety seat or booster seat required; rear-facing advised from birth to age 2.

  What the manual says

  • Virginia requires every child under age 8 to be in a child safety seat or booster seat.
  • The manual says children should ride rear facing from birth to 2 years or as long as the manufacturer allows.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 27

• Phone use while driving

  Holding a phone or wireless device while driving is banned; exceptions: driver emergency, or lawfully parked or stopped.

  What the manual says

  • Virginia law prohibits holding a cell phone or other wireless device while driving.
  • The only exceptions are a driver emergency or a vehicle that is lawfully parked or stopped.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24

• School buses

  School bus flashing red: stop until all are clear and it moves; exception: opposite direction across a physical barrier.

  What the manual says

  • You stay stopped until everyone is clear of the roadway and the bus moves again.
  • You stay stopped until everyone is clear of the roadway and the bus moves again.
  • You do not have to stop only when you travel in the opposite direction on a road divided by a barrier and the bus is on the other side; still be ready for people leaving the bus.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 15

• Move Over law

  Change lanes away from a stopped emergency or tow vehicle with flashing lights if safe; else slow down.

  What the manual says

  • You should proceed with caution and, if reasonable, move to a lane not next to the vehicle.
  • You should proceed with caution and, if reasonable, move to a lane not next to the vehicle.
  • If you cannot change lanes safely, reduce your speed and proceed with caution.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 16

• Headlights

  Sunset to sunrise; when using wipers because of bad weather; when bad weather cuts visibility to 500 feet.

  What the manual says

  • Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise, and should go on as soon as light begins to fade.
  • Headlights are required in inclement weather when visibility drops to 500 feet.
  • Using the wipers because of bad weather means your headlights must be on too.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 23, 22

• Right turn on red

  Right turn on red, where allowed: complete stop and yield; banned at intersections with bicycle boxes.

  What the manual says

  • You must come to a complete stop, look both ways and yield to pedestrians and other traffic before turning on red.
  • Right turns on red are not allowed at intersections that have bicycle boxes.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 5, 13

• Speed limits

  Passenger vehicles, unless signed: 25 MPH in school, business, residential areas; 35 unpaved; 55 other roads.

  What the manual says

  • The default limit in school, business and residential areas is 25 MPH.
  • The default maximum on unpaved roads is 35 MPH.
  • The default maximum for all other roads is 55 MPH.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 15

• Left lane and keeping right

  Slower traffic stays in the right lane; the left lane is for passing only.

  What the manual says

  • Drivers moving slower than surrounding traffic should stay in the right lane.
  • The left lane is for passing only, not cruising.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 17

• Points and suspension

  Age 18+ (points/months): 12/12 or 18/24 means a driver improvement clinic; 18/12 or 24/24 means a 90-day suspension plus the clinic.

  What the manual says

  • For drivers 18 or older the clinic is required at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months.
  • At 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months, DMV suspends for 90 days and requires a clinic.

  Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29

Official steps for moving to Virginia

• When you need a Virginia license

  Within 60 days of moving to Virginia, you must obtain a Virginia driver’s license. The manual says the same: if you are a new Virginia resident and drive, you must obtain a Virginia driver’s license within 60 days of moving here. If you currently hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), the DMV says you must obtain a Virginia CDL within 30 days.

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• Who can keep driving on a home license

  The DMV’s eligibility page describes these cases:

  • Active-duty members of the Armed Forces stationed in Virginia, their spouses and their dependent children 16 years and 3 months of age or older may drive with a valid driver’s license issued by their home state or country.
  • A full-time student in an accredited school in Virginia who is not employed may drive in Virginia with a valid out-of-state (or another country) driver’s license.
  • A non-resident temporarily living in Virginia may drive with the home state or country’s driver’s license and license plates for no more than six months; this does not apply to commercial vehicle drivers, and a non-resident who becomes gainfully employed must hold a Virginia driver’s license.

  Source: [2]

• A license from another U.S. state or territory

  If you are 18 or older and hold a valid driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or territory, you must pass a vision screening. The DMV says you may not be required to take the two-part knowledge exam or the road skills test, show proof of a driver education course, or hold a learner’s permit. If you are exchanging a license, bring your current driver’s license. When Virginia issues your license, any license previously issued by another state must be surrendered and is cancelled by the issuing state.

  Source: [4] [5] [6]

• A learner’s permit from another state

  If you are a Virginia resident and you move to Virginia from another U.S. state or territory with a valid learner’s permit, the time you held your learner’s permit may be counted toward the Virginia minimum holding period. If you completed an out-of-state driver education program while holding your out-of-state learner’s permit, the program must provide proof that you completed at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction.

  Source: [10]

• If you are under 18

  The DMV may exchange your out-of-state license for a Virginia license if you are at least 16 years and three months old but under 18 and hold a valid license, you completed a driver education program while living in another state that meets a minimum of 30 classroom hours and six in-car hours, and you can present all the documents required. If you hold a current out-of-state driver’s license but do not have proof of driver education, you may be issued a Virginia six-month temporary license, which gives you time to get proof or to complete a state-approved driver education program.

  Source: [11]

• Licenses from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

  The DMV’s exchange page lists these countries as having reciprocal status: Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan (knowledge test required) and Japan. If you are 18 or older and hold a valid license issued by a Canadian province, France, Germany, Japan or South Korea, you must pass a vision screening, but you may not be required to take the two-part knowledge exam or the road skills test, show proof of a driver education course, or hold a learner’s permit. If you hold a valid license issued by Taiwan, you must pass a vision screening and the two-part knowledge exam; you may not be required to take the road skills test, show proof of a driver education course, or hold a learner’s permit. Except for a Canadian license, the DMV verifies your license with the issuing country first. You submit a completed Exchanging a Driver’s License from a Foreign Country form (DL 7), which is used to request an exchange of a valid driver’s license from certain foreign countries, and a legible copy of your foreign license; the verification could take up to 15 days. Canadian license holders do not need a DL 7. If you hold a license from one of these countries but choose not to submit a DL 7, you must meet all knowledge and road skills testing requirements. If you fail the knowledge or road skills test, you are no longer eligible to have your tests waived.

  Source: [5] [12]

• Licenses from other countries

  If you are 18 or older and hold a valid driver’s license issued by a country other than Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan, you are not eligible for foreign reciprocity and must pass the two-part knowledge exam, the road skills test and a vision screening. However, you may not be required to hold a learner’s permit for 60 days. Applicants under age 18 are not eligible to exchange a foreign license for a Virginia driver’s license and must complete all testing and licensing requirements. The Exchange a Foreign Driver’s License page in the links below has the steps.

  Source: [5]

• Visitors and international driver licenses

  If you are visiting the U.S. from a foreign country, you may drive using your driver’s license issued by your home country. Your home-country license should be accompanied by a translation of the license. An international driver’s license is not a valid driver’s license and does not allow you to drive.

  Source: [1]

Sources

1. Virginia Driver’s Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026) (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
2. Driver License Eligibility Requirements (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
3. New to Virginia (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
4. Apply for a Driver’s License (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
5. Exchange a Foreign Driver’s License (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
6. Driver’s License and Identification Card Application (DL 1P, 07/01/2025) (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
7. Change Address, Name or Sex Designation (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
8. Teen Driving Restrictions (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
9. Parents in the Driver’s Seat (DMV 16, 07/01/2025) (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
10. Revised Learner’s Permit Holding Period and Driver Education Requirements - FAQs (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
11. Driver Education (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
12. Exchanging a Driver’s License From a Foreign Country (DL 7, 07/01/2020) (dmv.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles