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How to get a driving licence in Virginia

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence

Getting your licence in Virginia

Knowledge test questions, in 2 parts35
Pass marks: signs (all correct), rules10/10 · 20/25
Time for the knowledge testNo limit
Licence fee$32
Road test feeIncluded
Road test length~15–20 min

You must get all 10 road sign questions right.

Before you start driving

2
Learner's permitRequired before you practise. Adults 19+ must hold it 60 days or take driver education before the road test.
Medical checkNo doctor's exam. Vision test at the DMV.

Required lessons

2
Driver educationRequired for a first licence under 19. From 1 January 2027, new training rules also apply to first-time applicants aged 18–20.
Supervised practice (under 18)45 hours, including 15 at night.

Good to know

7
Minimum ageLearner's permit from 15½. Provisional licence at 16 years 3 months. Full licence at 18.
Licence validity8 years.
Exam languagesKnowledge test in English and several other languages.
If you failYou can retake the knowledge test on a later day. After 3 fails you need a classroom course.
Automatic or manualNo restriction.
New driversUnder 18: no driving midnight–4 am, and passenger limits.
Already have a licence from abroad?Canada, France, Germany, South Korea and Japan: no tests, after DMV verifies your licence (form DL 7). Taiwan: knowledge test only. Others take the knowledge and road tests, without the 60-day permit wait.

Step by step

  1. Knowledge test10 sign questions (all correct) and 25 rules questions (20 correct).
  2. Learner's permitAdults: hold it 60 days, or take driver education.
  3. Road testAt the DMV, or at a driving school that offers it.

Tips

  • Learn every road sign: one sign mistake fails the test.
  • Radar detectors are illegal in Virginia.

Official links

Virginia DMV: Driver's Manual ↗Code of Virginia, Title 46.2 ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

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I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

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