State guide · VA
Virginia learner's permit and license requirements
At a glance
Minimum age is 15 years and 6 months. 45 hours of supervised driving, 15 of them after sunset. Under 18: hold the permit at least 9 months. 18 and older: 60 days, or finish driver ed instead.
An independent study guide, not affiliated with the Virginia DMV. Last checked October 2026. Requirements change, so confirm with the Virginia DMV before you apply.
Permit age
Minimum age is 15 years and 6 months.
Applicants must pass the two-part knowledge exam (and a vision screening) to get the permit.
Source: Code of Virginia § 46.2-335; DMV: Applying for a Learner's Permit, § 46.2-335(A) · Learn this rule
Who can supervise
A licensed driver age 21+ must sit beside you. A parent, guardian, or sibling/half-sibling/step-sibling age 18+ may also supervise.
The supervising driver must be alert, able to assist, and actually seated beside the driver.
Source: Code of Virginia § 46.2-335, § 46.2-335(A)
How long you hold the permit
Under 18: hold the permit at least 9 months. 18 and older: 60 days, or finish driver ed instead.
Starting January 1, 2027, applicants age 18 to 20 must hold the permit 90 days AND complete driver ed; age 21+ keep the 60-days-or-driver-ed option.
Source: DMV: Applying for a Learner's Permit; DMV: Driver Education Requirements, Holding period section
Practice hours
45 hours of supervised driving, 15 of them after sunset.
A parent, foster parent, or legal guardian certifies the hours for drivers under 18.
Source: Code of Virginia § 46.2-335; DMV: Driver Education Requirements, § 46.2-335(B)
Driver education
Under 18 must complete a state-approved driver ed program: 36 classroom sessions, 7 driving sessions, 7 observation sessions, plus a 90-minute parent/teen session.
Each session is 50 minutes. Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia) requires the parent/teen component in person. From Jan 1, 2027, ages 18 to 20 also must complete driver ed.
Source: DMV: Driver Education Requirements, Under 18 section
Permit curfew
Permit holders may not drive between midnight and 4 a.m.
Applies to all learner's permits under the Code.
Source: Code of Virginia § 46.2-335, § 46.2-335(D)
Permit passengers
Permit holders may carry no more than one passenger under 21 (family/household members do not count).
Family and household members do not count, and driver education courses are exempt. Some DMV pages say one passenger under 18; the state law (Code) says under 21.
Source: Code of Virginia § 46.2-335, § 46.2-335(C)
Provisional license curfew
No driving from midnight to 4 a.m.
Exceptions: to/from work; to/from adult-supervised school, civic, religious, or public organization activity; with a parent or spouse 18+ in the front seat; emergencies, including volunteer firefighter/EMS response. Police cannot stop a car just for this.
Source: Code of Virginia § 46.2-334.01, § 46.2-334.01(C), (F)
Provisional license passengers
First year: only 1 passenger under 21. After 1 year: up to 3 passengers under 21, but only for school activities, with a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat, or in an emergency.
Family and household members do not count. Restrictions end at age 18. A violation is a traffic infraction; police cannot stop a car just for this (secondary).
Source: Code of Virginia § 46.2-334.01, § 46.2-334.01(B), (D), (F)
Phones under 18Partly confirmed
Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone at all while driving, even hands-free, except in an emergency or when lawfully parked or stopped.
This is how the Virginia DMV describes the teen driving restriction.
Source: DMV: Teen Driving Restrictions, Cell phone section · Learn this rule
Tickets under 18
Under 18: any demerit-point violation means a required driver improvement clinic. A 2nd conviction means a 90-day suspension; a 3rd means revocation for 1 year or until 18, whichever is longer.
Failing to finish the clinic within 90 days leads to suspension. Adults must take a clinic at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months. Violations carry 3, 4, or 6 points.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 5: Penalties; Code § 46.2-334.01(A), Section 5, Demerit Points (p. 28)