Virginia Adds 90-Day Permit Rule for Young Drivers
New first-time licensing requirements for applicants ages 18 to 20 take effect January 1, 2027, under House Bill 1224.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Beginning January 1, 2027, first-time driver's license applicants in Virginia ages 18 to 20 must hold a learner's permit for at least 90 days and complete an approved driver education course. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles announced the requirements, which stem from House Bill 1224.
Why it matters
The change applies the same permit and education standards to older first-time applicants that apply to minors, affecting young adults who have never held a license in Virginia or elsewhere. Time already spent on a learner's permit before January 1, 2027 counts toward the 90-day requirement.
The required learner's permit hold period for first-time applicants ages 18 to 20 rises to 90 days, compared with 60 days for applicants 21 and older and nine months for applicants under 18. The announcement does not state how many applicants will be affected in the first year.
The players
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that issues driver's licenses and identification cards in Virginia and announced the new first-time licensing requirements.
The details
Applicants who have never held a driver's license in Virginia, another state, a U.S. territory or another country must complete an approved driver education course. The driver training school submits the completion certificate directly to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the DMV mails the license to the address on file once all requirements are met, since the U.S. Postal Service does not forward licenses.
Timeline
November 1, 2026: An example applicant receives a learner's permit, starting the 90-day count.
January 1, 2027: The new 90-day permit and driver education requirements take effect for ages 18 to 20.
January 30, 2027: An example applicant reaches the 90-day permit requirement.
Legal Context
The requirements are the direct result of House Bill 1224, which extends permit and driver education standards to first-time applicants ages 18 to 20 who have never been licensed. They sit alongside the existing rules for applicants under 18 and those 21 and older.
First-time applicants ages 18 to 20 should begin their learner's permit hold early, since the 90-day count includes time held before January 1, 2027. Those who need an approved driver education course should plan to complete it and have the school submit the certificate to the DMV before applying.
The takeaway
Young adults in Virginia who have never held a license should start planning their learner's permit and driver education now, since the 90-day requirement applies from January 1, 2027.
What happens next
The 90-day permit and driver education requirements take effect January 1, 2027.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Secondary Education in Virginia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WAVY-TV 10 Hampton Roads.
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