Renewal Of Va Drivers License

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New senior driver’s license renewal law in effect in Virginia on Jan. What’s more, licensed drivers in the state 75 and older must also pass the department’s vision requirements or present a vision statement, no older than 90 days, from an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. The Virginia DMV does not charge any fees to obtain the paperwork required to renew, correct, replace, or apply for a new drivers license, but they do charge fees for most of those services. The fees we charge are to provide a service of convenience to assist in the aforementioned processes and not for any freely available government forms or any official government filing fees. ​CHARLESTON, W.Va. - DMV customers needing to renew their West Virginia driver's license may now do so in just a few minutes from the comfort and convenience of their own homes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Commissioner Pat Reed announced today that this new service implementation is just.

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Renew Your Driver's License in Virginia

Before your Virginia driver's license expires, you need to renew it with the VA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in order to continue driving legally in the state.

On this page, you'll find information on how to renew your driver's license online, by mail, by phone, and in person.

  • If you need to renew your commercial driver's license (CDL), please see our guide to Renewing Your CDL in Virginia.
  • If you need to renew your ID card, please see our section on Identification Cards in Virginia.

If you've already renewed your driver's license, you can check its status by contacting the VA DMV.

When to Renew Your Virginia Driver's License

Your driver's license expires on your birthday every 8 years.

If you were 16 or 17 years old when you got your drivers license, it will be valid until your 20th birthday.

The Virginia DMV will send you a renewal notice before your driver's license expires which will state whether you can renew it:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • In person.

You must renew in person if you:

  • Did not complete your last renewal in person.
  • Are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL).
  • Need to take any tests.
  • Have an expired driver's license.
  • Have a learner's permit.
  • Have a driver's license that is suspended or revoked.
  • Have a driver's license that doesn't expire for at least another 6 months.
  • Are restricted to driving during the day.
  • Have failed a vision test.
  • Need to remove a vision restriction.
  • Have a name change or correction.
  • Have any outstanding Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles fees.
  • Don't have a photo on file with the DMV.
  • Don't have a verified customer/driver license number.
  • Don't have a Virginia address.
  • Don't have a verified Social Security number.
  • Have not verified your U.S. citizenship or legal presence.
  • Have a medical review.
  • Have failed you vision exam.
  • Are 75 years old or older.

License renewal requirements differ based on the status of your driver's license, outlined below.

Renewal

Valid Driver's License

If you hold a valid Virginia drivers license, you can renew it up to 6 months before it expires.

Expired Driver's License

If your Virginia drivers license is expired, you can still renew it.

If it has been expired for over 1 year, you'll need to retake a:

  • Vision exam.
  • Driving knowledge test.
  • Driving skills test.

Suspended Driver's License

If your Virginia driver's license is suspended, you'll need to reinstate your driving privileges before you can renew it.

For more information, please see our VA Suspended License page.

Check Your Driver's License Status: Order Your Driving Record

Is your Virginia driver's license suspended? Check your driving record to find out.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License

If your drivers license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can still renew it.

Do not drive without a valid driver's license in Virginia. If you'd like to request a replacement card, please see our guide to Replacing a Lost License in Virginia.

Online VA Driver License Renewal

To renew your drivers license online, visit the Virginia myDMV website and provide:

  • Your driver license, DMV customer number, or your Social Security number.
  • Your birth date.
  • Payment for the $32 renewal fee.

The Virginia DMV online service portal will guide you through the driver's license renewal process.

By-Mail Driver's License Renewal

If you are eligible to renew by mail, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will send you a mail-in renewal application along with your renewal notice.

To renew by mail, you will need:

  • A completed mail-in application.
  • Payment for the $32 renewal fee. (Make checks payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles).

Mail the above to:

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 26506
Richmond, VA 23260

You will receive your new driver's license in the mail within 15 days.

NOTE: If anything other than your address, height, or weight is incorrect on your pre-printed renewal application, contact the Virginia DMV at (804) 497-7100.

In-Person Driver License Renewal

NOTE: If you are eligible to renew online, but choose to renew in person, you will be charged an additional $5 on top of the renewal fee. If you are also conducting another VA DMV transaction, this additional fee will be waived.

To renew your Virginia driver license in person, visit your local Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office and:

  • Pass a vision exam.
  • Have a new photo taken.
  • Take a driving knowledge test, if you are under 21 years old and have any traffic violations.
  • Pay the $32 renewal fee. Payment can be made by:
    • Cash.
    • Check*.
    • Money order*.
    • Credit/debit card.
*Make checks or money orders payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

NOTE: If you have not verified your legal presence/U.S. citizenship with the Virginia DMV since January 1, 2004 and your driver license has been expired, you must provide documents, such as your:

  • U.S. birth certificate.
  • Valid U.S. passport.
  • Certificate of naturalization.

For a complete list of accepted documents, visit the Virginia DMV website.

Renewal Of Va Drivers License

Non-U.S. Citizen Renewals

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you'll need to apply for a new temporary driver's license when your current license expires.

Visit your local Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office with:

  • 1 document proving your identity (only 1 document is required if you are under 19 years old), such as your:
    • Valid foreign passport with an I-94 card or number.
    • Birth certificate.
    • Social Security card.
  • 1 document proving your legal presence, such as your:
    • Foreign passport and immigration/visa documents.
    • Permanent resident card.
  • 1 document proving your Virginia address, such as a:
    • Utility bill.
    • Bank statement.
    • Rental agreement.
  • Proof of your Social Security number, if you have one.

For more information, please see the complete list of acceptable documents.

If your legal presence document does not have an expiration date, your temporary driver license will be valid for 1 year.

NOTE: You will not receive a temporary driver license if your legal stay will end in less than 30 days from when you apply.

Military Member Extensions

Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany

If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.

If you are an active duty military member stationed outside of Virginia, you can apply for a driver's license renewal extension. This also applies to your spouse and dependents that are also out of state.

You can request an extension online. You'll need your:

  • Full name.
  • VA address.
  • Out-of-state mailing address.
  • Driver's license/customer number OR Social Security number.
  • Date of birth.
  • E-mail address.

You will receive a driver license extension package in the mail. Follow the instructions and include:

  • A completed Driver's License and Identification Card Application (Form DL 1P).
  • A copy of your military ID card or military dependent ID card.
  • A copy of your military orders.

Use the envelope provided to send your documents to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

NOTE: You can also choose to renew your drivers license by mail while out of state. See the “Out-of-State Virginia Residents' section below for more information.

Your expired driver's license must be renewed at your local Virginia DMV office within 180 days of returning to Virginia.

Out-of-State Virginia Residents

If you are out of state and need to renew your Virginia driver's license, you can request an out-of-state renewal packet. You'll need your:

  • Full name.
  • VA address.
  • Out-of-state mailing address.
  • Your drivers license/customer number OR Social Security number.
  • Date of birth.
  • E-mail address.

To renew your Virginia driver license by mail while out of state, you'll need:

  • A completed Driver's License and Identification Card Application (Form DL 1P).
  • A Customer Vision Report (Form MED 4) completed by your doctor.
  • Payment for the $32 renewal fee, either by a:
    • Completed Credit Card Charge Authorization (Form DMS 004).
      OR
    • Check payable to “Department of Motor Vehicles.'
  • Use the envelope included to return your documents and payment.

NOTE: If you do not meet the requirements to renew your driver license online, by mail, or by phone, you cannot renew your license while outside Virginia.

Forms

DL 1P

My Drivers License Expired Virginia

Driver's License and Identification Card Application
Submit to the DMV to apply for an original, renewal, OR replacement Virginia driver's license, learner's permit, OR motorcycle license.
MED 4
Customer Vision Report
Form used to verify your vision meets Virginia DMV standards for an original or renewal driver's license application. Must be completed by an eye doctor.
DMS 004
Credit Card Charge Authorization
Fax this form to the VA Department of Motor Vehicles when using a credit card to make fee payments.

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form

You can renew your license after it expires. The amount of time in which you can do so varies by state, but the process is similar. Your state's motor vehicle department may give you a temporary license while you wait for the real one. It may take up to 10 business days to receive it in the mail.

Valid Period

The period of validity for a driver's license varies by state and ranges from four years in New Jersey to eight years in Virginia. Typically, you may renew yours from a few months to a year in advance of the expiration date. You may also renew after it expires, but you can't legally drive until the license is valid again. The process depends on the amount of time elapsed between the expiration and renewal dates. Many states offer a grace period of one to three years in which you can renew without repercussion. If you have missed the grace period, you would have to apply for a new license and retake the vision, written and driving skills test.

The Renewal Process

Most states allow drivers to renew by mail and in person, but some also offer phone and online options. However, when your license expires you must visit a department office. In most cases this is because the department requires a vision test and a new picture. Complete an application for a driver's license and select the option to renew. Provide two forms of identification, such as a birth certificate and a Social Security card, and proof of your legal presence in the U.S, if required. These include your U.S. passport, permanent residence card and naturalization documents. Take the vision test and a new picture and pay the processing fee.

Renewal Of Ca Drivers License

Renewing While Out of State

You can renew your expired license by mail if you are out of the state or the country when it expires. In most cases, renewing this way involves writing to the regulating department with an explanation for your inability to do it in person. Include a completed renewal application, copies of two forms of identification, a check or money order for the processing fee, your current address and your address in the state and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the renewed license. Contact your state's regulating department or visit the website for specific instructions on the process.

Extending Your Renewal Date

If you are working outside the country for the U.S. government, you might be eligible for an extension when your license expires. Eligible parties include members of the military on active duty, civilian employees or contractors, members of the diplomatic office, and the spouses and dependents of each. The department will extend your driver's license past the due date until several weeks or months after your return, and it will issue documents or a card showing the extension, which you must carry with your license. The application requirements vary by state. Contact your state's regulating department to find out how you may apply.

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