Obtaining a

Virginia Driver’s License

or Identification (ID) Card

Minimum Age Requirements

Learner’s Permit 15 years 6 months
Driver’s License 16 years 3 months
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) 18 years
CDL Instruction Permit 18 years
Motorcycle Learner’s Permit 15 years 6 months
ID Card 15 years and older
Child ID (expires on 16th birthday) Under 15 years

Document Requirements
Two proofs of identity
 Two from the primary list, or
 One from the primary and one from the secondary list
Individuals under the age of 19 are required to provide only one
proof of identity from the primary list.
One proof of Virginia residency
One proof of legal presence in U.S.
One proof of your social security number, if applicable
 Required for CDL and CDL Instruction Permit
 Not required for an ID card

DMV may require additional documents.

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

P. O. Box 27412 For acceptable documents, see the inside panel of this
Richmond, Virginia 23269-0001 publication or visit www.dmvNOW.com to use DMV’s
(804) 497-7100 interactive document guide.
DMV 141 (9/7/2010)
© The Commonwealth of Virginia
Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV) 2010. All rights reserved.

Made with recycled material.

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
 Document Requirements • >>Unexpired photo ID card, at least 60 days old, issued by a
Temporary documents and photocopies will not be accepted. All U.S. state (other than Virginia), jurisdiction, or territory (School/
documents must be originals. All documents will be subject to employee ID cards and Native American citizenship cards are not
verification with the issuing entity, which may delay the issuance of accepted.)
your credential. If you have official documentation, not listed below, • >>Unexpired U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card
that you believe meets DMV requirements, please present it to your local (DD-2 or Common Access Card). Military dependant ID cards are
DMV office for review. not accepted as primary documents.
• >>Unexpired Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
DMV will not accept a document when there is reason to believe it has • >>Unexpired Transportation Workers Identification Credential
been altered, fraudulently obtained or is fake, forged, counterfeit, or (TWIC)
otherwise non-genuine or illegitimate. Altering, manufacturing, selling • Asylees may present documentation from the United States
or possessing a fraudulent birth certificate, driver’s license or ID card, or Citizenship and Immigration Service or U.S. Immigration Court
falsifying information, assisting a person with improperly or fraudulently indicating that asylum has been granted. (Verification is required.)
obtaining a credential is a criminal offense. • Applicants for asylum may present an application for asylum
along with documentation from the United States Citizenship and
This list of acceptable documents may change without prior notice. Immigration Service or U.S. Immigration Court indicating receipt
of the application. (Verification is required.)
Your Name: Make sure that your name appears the same on all proof
documents. If your middle name or middle initial begins with the same Secondary Documents
letter, but is not spelled out or displayed on all of your documents, your • Any primary document marked with “>>” symbol that is
documents may be accepted. Nicknames will not be accepted. If your unexpired or expired for NOT more than five years
name appears differently on your proof documents, you may be asked to • Virginia DMV-issued driver’s license, commercial driver’s license,
present additional documentation. or learner’s permit unexpired or expired for not more than five
years (issued on or after September 21, 2001).
Proof of Identity • Virginia DMV-issued ID card, unexpired or expired for not more
Documents submitted as primary proof of identity must show your full than five years (issued on or after September 21, 2001).
legal name and date of birth. You must present at least one document • Marriage certificate issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction, territory or
from the primary list of documents. The second proof of identity municipality
may come from either the primary list or the secondary list. Primary • Medicare Card/Medicaid Card
documents listed with the “>>” symbol may be used as secondary • Unexpired military dependent ID card with photo
documents if unexpired or expired not more than five years. • U.S. Military discharge papers
• U.S. Selective Service Card
If two of your proofs of identity are issued by the same entity, such as • Veterans Universal Access Identification Card
the same state agency, DMV may require additional proof of identity • Certified copy of school records/transcript issued by a school
documents. accredited by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (A report card is
not accepted.)
• Virginia Department of Education Certificate of Enrollment form
Primary Documents • USCIS form I-797 displaying applicant’s name (Depending on the
• Official birth document issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or nature and purpose of the form, the I-797 may not be accepted.)
territory (Birth documents issued by a hospital, notifications • U.S. Department of State form DS-2019 (Applicant’s name must
of birth registration, birth registration cards and foreign birth appear on the form.)
certificates are not accepted.) • USCIS student or dependent SEVIS I-20 with or without USCIS
• Unexpired or expired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card stamp (Applicant’s name must appear on the form.)
(Temporary passports are not accepted.) • U.S. Federal Agency Employer ID Card with applicant’s name and
• >>Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (I-766) photo
• >>Unexpired foreign passport with either one listed below: • Virginia Department of Corrections Offender Information Report
Unexpired or expired U.S. visa and unexpired or expired I-94 • United States Probation Offender Information form
Unexpired or expired I-94W • Court order for adoption, name change or gender change from
Unexpired or expired U.S. immigrant visa a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory. Must contain court seal.
Unexpired or expired I-551 stamp (Abstracts of criminal/civil convictions are not accepted.)
• Unexpired passport from Canada or Micronesia with an • Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the U.S. (I-512L)
unexpired or expired I-94 • Unexpired weapons or gun permit issued by federal, state or
• >>Resident Alien card, Permanent Resident card, or Northern municipal government
Marianas card (I-551) unexpired or expired for not more than one • Unexpired U.S. pilot’s license
year (Conditional resident aliens see next bullet) • Unexpired welfare/social services identification card with photo,
• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (I-551) valid for two years issued by a municipality
issued to a conditional resident alien • Unexpired U.S. Customs and Border Protection FAST card.
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)
• Certificate of Birth Abroad (FS-545)
• Certification of Report of Birth of a U.S. Citizen (DS-1350) Proof of Legal Presence
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. Certificate of Citizenship All first time applicants must present proof of legal presence. Applicants
• U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197) whose Virginia credential has expired or been suspended, revoked or
• Virginia DMV-issued driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, or canceled will need to provide proof of legal presence prior to obtaining a
learner’s permit unexpired or expired for not more than one year. new license or ID card. Documents presented as proof of legal presence
• Virginia DMV-issued ID card, unexpired or expired for not more must show your full legal name and date of birth.
than one year. (Child IDs must have been issued on or after • Official birth document issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or
September 21, 2001.) territory (Birth documents issued by a hospital, notifications
• >>Virginia DMV-issued ID card that has been exchanged for a of birth registration, birth registration cards, and foreign birth
Virginia driver’s license or CDL through Driver’s License Central certificates are not accepted.)
Issue (exchanged on or after March 24, 2009) • Unexpired or expired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
• >>Unexpired U.S. issued (issued by a U.S. state [other than (Temporary passports are not accepted.)
Virginia], jurisdiction, or territory) or Canadian driver’s license, • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
commercial driver’s license, or learner’s permit with photo, at
least 60 days old (Other foreign country and international driver’s
licenses are not accepted.)
 • Unexpired foreign passport with any one listed below: • Monthly bank statement not more than two months old issued by
Unexpired or expired U.S. visa and unexpired I-94 a bank
F1/F2 applicants must present an I-20 • Payroll check stub issued by an employer within the last two
J1/J2 applicants must present a DS-2019 months
Unexpired I-94W • U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form or 1099
Unexpired U.S. Immigrant visa presented within one year form not more than 18 months old
of entry • Receipt for personal property taxes or real estate taxes paid within
Unexpired or expired up to one year I-551 stamp the last year to the Commonwealth of Virginia or a Virginia locality
• Unexpired passport from Canada or Micronesia with an • Current homeowners insurance policy or bill
unexpired I-94 • Current automobile or life insurance bill (Cards or policies are not
• USCIS form I-797 displaying applicant’s name (Depending on the accepted.)
purpose and nature of the form, the I-797 may not be accepted.) • Cancelled check not more than two months old with both name
• Resident Alien Card, Permanent Resident Card, or Northern and address imprinted
Marianas Card (I-551) unexpired or expired for not more than • Annual Social Security Statement for the current or preceding
one year (Conditional residents aliens see next bullet) calendar year
• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (I-551) valid for two years • Certified copy of school records/transcript issued by a school in
issued to a conditional resident alien which the applicant is currently enrolled and is accredited by a
• Unexpired or expired not more than one year temporary I-551 U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (A report card is not accepted.)
stamp on an I-94, with photograph of the bearer • Virginia Department of Education Certificate of Enrollment form
• Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151)
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) Active duty military member assigned to a unit based in Virginia may
• Certification of Report of Birth of a U.S. Citizen (DS-1350) present one of the following:
• Certificate of Birth Abroad (FS-545) • Letter from commanding officer on official letterhead, with an
• U.S. Citizen Identification card (I-179, I-197) original signature, stating that the applicant resides onboard a ship
• Unexpired Re-entry Permit (I-327) docked in Virginia or in a barracks located in Virginia
• Unexpired Refugee Travel Document (I-571) • Orders from the U.S. military assigning the applicant to a military
• Form I-94 Record of Arrival and Departure stamped Refugee, unit with a Virginia address
Parolee or Parole, humanitarian parolee (HP), or public interest • Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) showing Virginia as applicant’s
parolee (PIP) Home of Record
• U.S. Department of Receptions and Placement Program
Assurance Form (Refugee) and I-94 stamped Refugee
• Asylees may present documentation from the United States
Proof of Social Security Number (SSN)
Virginia law requires DMV to collect your social security number (SSN);
Citizenship and Immigration Service or U.S. Immigration Court
however, your SSN will not be displayed on your Virginia credential.
such as a Form I-94 stamped Asylee indicating that asylum has
DMV will assign a customer number which will display on your
been granted. (Verification is required.)
credential.
• Applicants for asylum may present an application for asylum
along with documentation from the United States Citizenship and
Your proof of SSN document must display your name, and all nine digits
Immigration Service or U.S. Immigration Court indicating receipt
of your SSN. DMV will verify all social security numbers with the Social
of the application. (Verification is required.)
Security Administration (SSA). If the information (name, date of birth,
and SSN) you present does not match the information on file at the SSA,
Proof of Virginia Residency DMV cannot issue you a driver’s license, learner’s permit, CDL, or CDL
Original documents must show your name and the address of your instruction permit.
current Virginia residence as it appears on the application. You must give
a street address. A post office box or business address is not acceptable. • Social security card (Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers
are not accepted.)
However, if you do not want your address of residence to appear on • Annual social security statement
your driver’s license or ID card, you may request that an alternate • U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form or 1099 form
mailing address be displayed. This address must also be in Virginia and • Payroll check stub issued by employer
must be an address where you currently receive mail delivered by the • Unexpired U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card
U.S. Postal Service. If you change your residence or alternate mailing (DD-2 or Common Access Card) (ID cards of military dependents
address to one outside Virginia, your driver’s license or ID card will be are not accepted.)
canceled. Exceptions may be made for some individuals such as active
duty military personnel and Virginia residents employed outside the U.S.
(See the publication Re-establishing your Virginia Residency – DMV 143.)
Proof of Name Change
If the name listed on your proof of identification or proof of legal
presence document does not match the name you want to appear on
Applicants under age 19 can have a parent or legal guardian certify their
your driver’s license or ID card you will need to present evidence of your
Virginia residency. The parent or legal guardian must appear in person
legal name change.
with the applicant and provide an ID card and proof of their Virginia
residency with a document from the residency list.
If you were recently married or a court has granted you a name change
you will need to present evidence of your legal name change.
• Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement or residential
rental/lease agreement
If you currently hold a valid Virginia driver’s license or ID card, you must
• U.S. or Virginia income tax return form from the previous
present it along with one of the documents listed below for proof of your
year along with evidence of acceptance of the return by the
name change. If you cannot present your Virginia issued credential, you
appropriate tax agency.
must present one proof of identity from the primary document list in
• Utility bill, not more than two months old, issued to applicant.
addition to one of the documents listed below as proof of name change.
Examples include gas, electric, sewer, water, cable or phone bill.
(Cellular phone and pager bills are not accepted.)
• Marriage certificate
• U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation form or
• Divorce decree if the decree states the change from married
postmarked U.S. mail with forwarding address label
name to maiden name
• Virginia Voter Registration Card mailed to you by your local registrar
• Court order granting the name change
• Virginia driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, learner’s
permit, or DMV-issued ID card displaying the applicants current
Virginia address.
 License Requirements and Driver’s Education Selective Service Registration: Generally, males under age 26 must
Tests include a vision screening and may include a two-part register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal
knowledge exam and a road skills test. Detailed information law to register with the Selective Service, you must authorize DMV
about testing is available in the Virginia Driver’s Manual (DMV 39) to forward your personal information to the Selective Service unless
available at www.dmvNOW.com or any DMV customer service you have already registered. If you are under age 18, your parent
center. or guardian must sign your application authorizing the Selective
Service to register you when you turn age 18. Law prohibits DMV
If you are under age 19, you must provide a driver education from issuing any type of driver’s license or ID card to an applicant
completion certificate or show proof of your successful completion who is required by federal law to register with the Selective Service
of a state-approved driver education program and hold a learner’s but who refuses to authorize DMV to send his information to the
permit at least nine months before you can receive a driver’s Selective Service. If you have questions about Selective Service
license. Anyone under age 18 must have your parent or guardian registration, visit the Selective Service website at www.sss.gov or
certify that you received at least 45 hours of driving practice, 15 of call 847-688-6888 (TTY: 847-688-2567).
which must have been completed after sunset.
Issuance
If you are age 19 or older, and you have not held a driver’s license You may hold either a driver’s license or an ID card, but not both.
issued by Virginia, another state, or foreign country, you must
provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver Applicants that have successfully completed the driver’s license or
education program or you must have held a learner’s permit at ID card process will be issued either a temporary driving permit
least 30 days before taking the road skills test. or an ID card receipt valid for 30 days. You will receive your new
driver’s license or ID card in the mail. Therefore, your address on
If you hold an out-of-state driver’s license or are 19 years or file with DMV must be your current mailing address. The U. S.
older and hold a license from Canada, France or Germany, Postal Service will not forward your credential.
DMV may waive the knowledge and skills road tests if you meet
the proof documents requirements and Virginia’s driver education All first time licenses issued to individuals who applied for their
requirements, if applicable. learner’s permit and driver’s license when under the age of 18
will be sent to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in your
If you hold a valid driver’s license from any country other than locality. The court will then notify you when and where to report
Canada, France, or Germany, and are 19 years or older, you for your licensing ceremony. After completion of the ceremony, the
will be required to complete the knowledge and road skills tests; court will distribute the license to you.
however, DMV may waive the learner’s permit requirements.

Signatures/Consent
If you are under age 18, your parent, custodial parent or legal
guardian must provide written consent by signing your application.
A court order showing that you are an emancipated minor is
acceptable in lieu of written consent. If you previously have been
found not innocent of any offense by a juvenile and domestic
relations court in Virginia or any other state, you must obtain
approval to be licensed from that court or a court in the city or
county where you live.

If you are a foreign exchange student, your host parent(s) are not
eligible to sign your application.

Validity Periods, Expiration Dates and Fees

If you are temporarily authorized to be in the U.S., your driver’s license or ID card will be valid only for the period of time that you are legally present
in the U.S. Individuals required to register with the Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Children Registry (Virginia Code Chapter 9
of Title 9.1) will be issued licenses valid for five years.

Credential Expiration Fee

Driver’s License for ages 16 and 17/learner’s permit Expires on your 20th birthday $4 per year/plus $3
Driver’s License for 18 and older Valid for 8 years (expires on your birthday) $32 or $4 per year
CDLs Valid for 8 years (expires on your birthday) $64 or $8 per year
CDL instruction permit Valid for 1 year $3
CDL endorsements* Expire with CDL $1 per year
ID Cards for ages 15 and older Valid for 5 years (expires in your birth month) $10
Child ID cards for under age 15 Valid until the child’s 16th birthday $10
Motorcycle class Expires with your driver’s license $2 per year
Motorcycle learner’s permit Valid for 1 year $3

*CDL holders with hazardous material endorsements must continue to follow federal guidelines and renew hazmat criminal background checks
every five years.