How to Renew Your Driver's License in Virginia

Virginia drivers must renew their licenses every eight years either by mail, online, or in person through the Virginia DMV.
Written by Brenna Swanston
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Virginia
drivers can renew their driver's licenses online, by mail, or in person. Most driver's licenses in Virginia expire after eight years.
Driver's license renewal in Virginia costs $32. You may not like paying fees or dealing with the DMV, but it's important to renew your license on time. Driving with an expired driver's license can incur some serious penalties.
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When to renew your driver’s license in Virginia

For drivers under the age of 75, your Virginia license will expire every eight years on your birthday. Drivers 75 and older must renew every five years.
You can find your license's expiration date in the bottom right corner on the front of your license card. Drivers can begin the renewal process up to one year before their licenses are set to expire.
The Virginia DMV should send you a driver's license renewal notice before your license expires. Head to the
DMV website
to choose whether you'll receive your notice online or by mail.  

How to renew your driver’s license in Virginia

Virginia drivers can opt to renew their licenses online, by mail, or in person at a customer service center.
Drivers can only renew online or by mail every other renewal cycle. Your renewal notice from Virginia should let you know whether you qualify to renew online or by mail.

Renew your license online

If you qualify for an online driver's license renewal, you may do so through the
Virginia DMV website
.
The following situations disqualify Virginia drivers from renewing their driver's licenses online:
  • Your license has expired, and you have not shown evidence of your legal presence
  • Your license has been suspended or revoked
  • You plan to change or correct your name on your license
  • You need a new driver's license photograph
  • You owe money to the DMV
  • You are required to take the knowledge exam or road skills exam
Other medical or state residency situations may prevent you from renewing your driver's license online as well. 

Renew your license by mail

If you want to renew your Virginia driver's license by mail, the qualifications are mostly the same as they are for online renewals. If you need to correct your address, height, or weight on your driver's license, you may do so if you’re renewing your license by mail. You can also change your organ donor status or register to vote.
If you meet the requirements for driver's license renewal via mail, here's how to do it:
  1. Review, complete, sign, and date the pre-printed driver's license renewal application form that you should have received in the mail.
  2. Include your completed application and renewal fee in the enclosed envelope.
  3. Mail the envelope to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles at P.O. Box 26506 Richmond, Virginia 23260-6506. 
MORE: What is the Virginia driver improvement program?

Renew your license in person

Anyone can renew their Virginia driver's license in person at a customer service center. Those who take this route must pass a vision screening test and take a new driver's license photo. Drivers may also renew in person at a DMV mobile office.
If you do not qualify to renew online or by mail, you must do so in person. Find DMV customer service center locations on
this website
. You can also find DMV mobile office locations
here
.
Make an appointment for your in-person driver's license renewal through the
DMV Now
portal. 

How long does it take to renew a Virginia driver’s license? 

Regardless of how you renew a license in VA, your new driver's license should arrive by mail within 15 days of the date of your renewal request. 
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FAQs

Unfortunately, there is no grace period for expired driver's licenses in Virginia. Moreover, driving without a valid license is a misdemeanor resulting in penalties such as fines and up to 90 days suspension on your license.
Yes. Virginia drivers can renew their driving licensure online every other renewal cycle—given they meet other residency and health screening requirements.
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