Graduated License

You may get your learner's permit when you reach 15 years and 6 months of age. It allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 year of age is seated beside you. The driver accompanying you may be 18 years of age if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother or step-sister. The driver accompanying you must hold a valid driver's license, be alert and able to assist you and be legally permitted to drive.

When you apply for a learner's permit, you will also complete the application process for your driver's license and pay the fees for both the permit and license. You will be required to pass a vision screening and the two-part knowledge exam.

If you are under age 19, you must provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver education program and you must hold a learner's permit at least nine months before you can receive a driver's license. Plus, your parent, guardian or foster parent must certify that you received at least 40 hours of driver practice, ten of which must have been completed after sunset. You will receive a certificate when you complete the driver education program.

If you are between age 16 years, 3 months and age 18, your driver education certificate and a valid learner's permit allow you to drive without a licensed driver beside you provided you have held your learner's permit for nine months and the certificate is signed by a parent or legal guardian. After you have held your permit nine months, turned age 16 and 3 months and completed driver education, you will receive a notice that tells you when to appear in court for a licensing ceremony where you will receive your permanent driver's license.

Curfew Restrictions

Virginia's curfew laws prohibit a driver under age 18 who holds a learner's permit or driver's license from driving midnight to 4 A.M. If you hold a driver's license you may drive during these hours:

• in case of an emergency;
• when traveling to and from work or a school-sponsored event;
• when accompanied by a parent or other adult acting in place of a parent;
• when responding to an emergency call as a volunteer firefighter or rescue squad personnel.

Passenger Restrictions

If you are under age 18, you may carry only one passenger under age 18 during the first year that you hold your driver's license. After you have held your license for one year, you may carry only three passengers under age 18 until you reach age 18. Learner's permit holders may not carry more than one passenger under age 18. Passenger restrictions do not apply to family members.
Violations of either the curfew or passenger restrictions can result in the suspension of your driver's license.

You will receive a notice that tells you when to appear in court for a licensing ceremony where you will receive your permanent driver's license. You must appear before the judge with a parent or legal guardian to receive your license.

If you are 19 years of age and older and you have never held a license issued by any state, U.S. territory or foreign country, you must hold a learner's permit for 30 days or more or show completion of a state-approved driver education program. You may take your driver education certificate to any DMV customer service center and take the road skills test. You may take the road skills test no more than three times in any three-month period.

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