Learner's permit, license and vehicle paperwork

Key points

1. Always carry a valid driver's license or learner's permit when you drive.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Whenever you drive, you must carry a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit with you.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 31

2. With a learner's permit, a licensed driver at least 21 must sit in the front passenger seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “A learner’s permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated in the front passenger seat.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 31

3. The supervising driver may be 18, 19 or 20 if they are your legal guardian, sibling, half sibling or stepsibling.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “The licensed driver with you may be age 18, 19, or 20 if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, halfbrother, half-sister, step brother or stepsister.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 31

4. At 19 or older, hold the permit 60 days or show a driver education certificate before applying for a license.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “If you are age 19 or older, you must hold a learner’s permit for 60 days, or present a driver’s education certificate of completion to apply for a driver’s license.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 31

5. Your new license comes by mail; DMV does not issue licenses at customer service centers.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “You will receive your new driver’s license in the mail. For security, DMV does not issue licenses in customer service centers.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

6. Notify DMV within 30 days if you move.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “If you move, you are required to notify DMV within 30 days.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

7. New residents who drive must get a Virginia license within 60 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “If you are a new Virginia resident and drive, you must obtain a Virginia driver’s license within 60 days of moving here.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

8. Title and register your vehicle and get Virginia plates within 30 days of moving here.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Title and register your vehicle and obtain Virginia license plates within 30 days of moving to Virginia.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

9. Your vehicle must pass an annual safety inspection and show a valid sticker.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Your vehicle must pass an annual vehicle safety inspection and display a valid safety inspection sticker.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

10. An international driver's license is only a translation and does not let you drive.

    Source: Handbook p. 32

    “An international driver’s license is not a valid driver’s license and does not allow you to drive.”
    Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 32

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Virginia practice test

1. 1. What must a Virginia driver carry whenever operating a vehicle?

   1. A valid driver's license or learner's permit
   2. A current passport instead of a license
   3. A vehicle title and insurance card only
   4. A copy of the most recent inspection receipt
   Show answer

   A valid driver's license or learner's permit. Virginia requires the driver to carry a valid driver's license or learner's permit whenever driving. A title proves ownership, and an insurance card documents coverage, but neither document grants driving authority by itself. A passport is not a substitute for the license or permit the manual requires behind the wheel. The inspection receipt concerns the vehicle's condition rather than the operator's permission to drive. The manual adds that any misuse of a driver's license or learner's permit is illegal and can bring a fine, jail or a license suspension.

2. 2. On a Virginia learner's permit, your licensed supervisor is neither your legal guardian nor a sibling, including a half sibling or step sibling. What must be true about that driver?

   1. The driver is any adult passenger, even without a license
   2. The driver is at least 16 and has held a permit for six months
   3. The driver is at least 21, licensed, alert, and able to assist
   4. The driver is at least 25 but may be asleep during practice
   Show answer

   The driver is at least 21, licensed, alert, and able to assist. The person supervising a Virginia learner must normally be at least 21, hold a valid driver's license, stay alert, and be able to help while the learner drives. The manual allows one exception: a licensed legal guardian, brother, sister, half sibling, or step sibling may be 18, 19, or 20. Age alone is not enough, so an unlicensed adult cannot satisfy the requirement, and a 16 year old permit holder does not qualify. A sleeping passenger cannot provide the alert help the manual requires. Confirm the supervisor's license and readiness before the vehicle moves.

3. 3. A Virginia permit holder aged 19 or older wants a driver's license. Which path is described in the manual?

   1. Hold the permit 30 days and pass a motorcycle skills test
   2. Hold the permit one year with no education option
   3. Hold the permit 60 days or present a driver education completion certificate
   4. Skip the permit period by submitting a vehicle registration
   Show answer

   Hold the permit 60 days or present a driver education completion certificate. For an applicant who is 19 or older, Virginia describes two routes before applying for the driver's license: keep the learner's permit for 60 days, or present a driver education certificate of completion. The rule is not a one year waiting period, and a vehicle registration does not replace either requirement. The motorcycle examination belongs to a different credential and does not shorten this automobile licensing step. Keep the permit dates or certificate available when preparing the application so the chosen route can be documented.

Source: the Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 6: License Types. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.