{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-324.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-324.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-324.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-324.1.html"}],"law_id":57804,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57804,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-324.1","catch_line":"Requirements for initial licensure of certain applicants","history":"2000, c. 685; 2005, cc. 245, 513; 2012, cc. 215, 222; 2013, cc. 165, 582; 2014, c. 685; 2015, c. 258; 2016, c. 488; 2019, c. 750.","full_text":"A\n\nNo driver’s license shall be issued to any applicant unless he either (i) provides written evidence of having satisfactorily completed a course of driver instruction at a driver training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§ 46.2-1700 et seq.) or a comparable course approved by the Department or the Department of Education or (ii) has held a learner’s permit issued by the Department for at least 60 days prior to his first behind-the-wheel examination by the Department when applying for a noncommercial driver’s license.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of this section shall only apply to persons who are at least 18 years old and who either (a) have never held a driver’s license issued by Virginia or any other state or territory of the United States or foreign country or (b) have never been licensed or held the license endorsement or classification required to operate the type of vehicle which they now propose to operate. Completion of a course of driver instruction approved by the Department or the Department of Education at a driver training school may include the final behind-the-wheel examination for a driver’s license; however, a driver training school shall not administer the behind-the-wheel examination to any applicant who is under medical control pursuant to § 46.2-322. Applicants completing a course of driver instruction approved by the Department or the Department of Education at a driver training school retain the option of having the behind-the-wheel examination administered by the Department.B\n\nNo commercial driver’s license shall be issued to any applicant unless he (i) is 18 years old or older, (ii) has complied with the requirements of subsection A of § 46.2-341.9, (iii) has completed both the theory and the behind-the-wheel portions of the training course within one year from the date instruction was first commenced, and (iv) has completed both the range and the public road portions of the behind-the-wheel curriculum with the same training provider. Applicants for a commercial driver’s license who have never before held a commercial driver’s license shall apply for a commercial learner’s permit and hold the commercial learner’s permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver’s license.\n\t\t\tHolders of a commercial driver’s license who have never held the license endorsement or classification required to operate the type of commercial motor vehicle which they now propose to operate must (a) complete an entry-level driver training course applicable to the license, classification, or endorsement for the type of commercial motor vehicle they propose to operate and (b) apply for a commercial learner’s permit if the upgrade requires a skills test and hold the permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver’s license.C\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department from requiring any person to complete the skills examination as prescribed in § 46.2-325 and the written or automated examinations as prescribed in § 46.2-335.D\n\nApplicants for a commercial driver’s license who have never before held a commercial driver’s license who are members of the active duty military, military reserves, National Guard, active duty United States Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Auxiliary and provide written evidence of having satisfactorily completed a military commercial driver training program shall hold the commercial learner’s permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver’s license, provided that the program complies with the requirements provided in Article 2 (§ 46.2-1708 et seq.) of Chapter 17, unless such entity is otherwise exempted from such requirements under federal law or regulation.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":211691,"text":"No driver’s license shall be issued to any applicant unless he either (i) provides written evidence of having satisfactorily completed a course of driver instruction at a driver training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§ 46.2-1700 et seq.) or a comparable course approved by the Department or the Department of Education or (ii) has held a learner’s permit issued by the Department for at least 60 days prior to his first behind-the-wheel examination by the Department when applying for a noncommercial driver’s license.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of this section shall only apply to persons who are at least 18 years old and who either (a) have never held a driver’s license issued by Virginia or any other state or territory of the United States or foreign country or (b) have never been licensed or held the license endorsement or classification required to operate the type of vehicle which they now propose to operate. Completion of a course of driver instruction approved by the Department or the Department of Education at a driver training school may include the final behind-the-wheel examination for a driver’s license; however, a driver training school shall not administer the behind-the-wheel examination to any applicant who is under medical control pursuant to § 46.2-322. Applicants completing a course of driver instruction approved by the Department or the Department of Education at a driver training school retain the option of having the behind-the-wheel examination administered by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":211692,"text":"No commercial driver’s license shall be issued to any applicant unless he (i) is 18 years old or older, (ii) has complied with the requirements of subsection A of § 46.2-341.9, (iii) has completed both the theory and the behind-the-wheel portions of the training course within one year from the date instruction was first commenced, and (iv) has completed both the range and the public road portions of the behind-the-wheel curriculum with the same training provider. Applicants for a commercial driver’s license who have never before held a commercial driver’s license shall apply for a commercial learner’s permit and hold the commercial learner’s permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver’s license.\n\t\t\tHolders of a commercial driver’s license who have never held the license endorsement or classification required to operate the type of commercial motor vehicle which they now propose to operate must (a) complete an entry-level driver training course applicable to the license, classification, or endorsement for the type of commercial motor vehicle they propose to operate and (b) apply for a commercial learner’s permit if the upgrade requires a skills test and hold the permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver’s license.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":211693,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department from requiring any person to complete the skills examination as prescribed in § 46.2-325 and the written or automated examinations as prescribed in § 46.2-335.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":211694,"text":"Applicants for a commercial driver’s license who have never before held a commercial driver’s license who are members of the active duty military, military reserves, National Guard, active duty United States Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Auxiliary and provide written evidence of having satisfactorily completed a military commercial driver training program shall hold the commercial learner’s permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver’s license, provided that the program complies with the requirements provided in Article 2 (§ 46.2-1708 et seq.) of Chapter 17, unless such entity is otherwise exempted from such requirements under federal law or regulation.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13718,"edition_id":1,"name":"Obtaining Licenses, Generally","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12772,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:39","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:39","permalink":{"id":226437,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13718,"identifier":"4","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12772,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licensure of Drivers","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12771,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225629,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12772,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/II\/3","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12771,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling, Registration and Licensure","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225627,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12771,"identifier":"II","token":"46.2\/II","url":"\/46.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74834,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-323","catch_line":"Application for driver's license; proof of completion of driver education program; penalty","url":"\/46.2-323\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-323","metadata":false},{"id":65529,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-323.01","catch_line":"Issuance of credentials; relationship with federal law","url":"\/46.2-323.01\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-323.01","metadata":false},{"id":61204,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-323.1","catch_line":"Certification of Virginia residency; nonresidents not eligible for credentials; penalty","url":"\/46.2-323.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-323.1","metadata":false},{"id":73056,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-324","catch_line":"Applicants and license holders to notify Department of change of address; fee","url":"\/46.2-324\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-324","metadata":false},{"id":57804,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-324.1","catch_line":"Requirements for initial licensure of certain applicants","url":"\/46.2-324.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-324.1","metadata":false},{"id":66333,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-325","catch_line":"Examination of applicants; waiver of Department's examination under certain circumstances; behind-the-wheel and knowledge examinations","url":"\/46.2-325\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-325","metadata":false},{"id":63436,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-326","catch_line":"Designation of examiners; conduct of examination; reports","url":"\/46.2-326\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-326","metadata":false},{"id":61645,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-326.1","catch_line":"Designation of commercial driver's license skills testing examiners","url":"\/46.2-326.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-326.1","metadata":false},{"id":75238,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-327","catch_line":"Copies of applications; record of licenses and learner's permits issued, suspended, or revoked","url":"\/46.2-327\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-327","metadata":false},{"id":64850,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-328","catch_line":"Department to issue licenses; endorsements, classifications, and restrictions authorizing operation of certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-328\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-328","metadata":false},{"id":55310,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-328.1","catch_line":"Licenses, permits, and special identification cards to be issued only to United States citizens, legal permanent resident aliens, or holders of valid unexpired nonimmigrant visas; exceptions; renewal, duplication, or reissuance","url":"\/46.2-328.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-328.1","metadata":false},{"id":54709,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-328.2","catch_line":"Department to issue documents; veteran indicator","url":"\/46.2-328.2\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-328.2","metadata":false},{"id":61156,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-328.3","catch_line":"Driver privilege cards and permits","url":"\/46.2-328.3\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-328.3","metadata":false},{"id":66576,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-329","catch_line":"Special restrictions on particular licensees","url":"\/46.2-329\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-329","metadata":false},{"id":55697,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-330","catch_line":"Expiration and renewal of licenses; examinations required","url":"\/46.2-330\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-330","metadata":false},{"id":78255,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-331","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-331\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-331","metadata":false},{"id":74767,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-332","catch_line":"Fees","url":"\/46.2-332\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-332","metadata":false},{"id":57057,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-333","catch_line":"Disposition of fees; expenses","url":"\/46.2-333\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-333","metadata":false},{"id":87183,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-333.1","catch_line":"Surcharges on certain fees of Department; disposition of proceeds","url":"\/46.2-333.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-333.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73056,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-324","catch_line":"Applicants and license holders to notify Department of change of address; fee","url":"\/46.2-324\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-324","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66333,"structure_id":13718,"section_number":"46.2-325","catch_line":"Examination of applicants; waiver of Department's examination under certain circumstances; behind-the-wheel and knowledge examinations","url":"\/46.2-325\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-325","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-324.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2000. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 685<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2005, chapters 245<\/a> and 513<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 215<\/a> and 222<\/a>; in 2013, chapters 165<\/a> and 582<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 685<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 258<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 488<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 750<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80192,"section_number":"46.2-1702","catch_line":"Certification of driver education courses by Commissioner","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1702\/"},{"id":66333,"section_number":"46.2-325","catch_line":"Examination of applicants; waiver of Department's examination under certain circumstances; behind-the-wheel and knowledge examinations","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-325\/"},{"id":80637,"section_number":"46.2-335","catch_line":"Learner's permits; fees; certification required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-335\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":87240,"section_number":"46.2-1700","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1700\/"},{"id":55820,"section_number":"46.2-1708","catch_line":"Licenses required for school and instructors","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1708\/"},{"id":81924,"section_number":"46.2-322","catch_line":"Examination of licensee believed unable to drive safely; suspension or restriction of license; license application to include questions as to abilities of applicant; false answers; examination of applicant; physician's, advanced practice registered nurse's, or physician assistant's statement","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-322\/"},{"id":66333,"section_number":"46.2-325","catch_line":"Examination of applicants; waiver of Department's examination under certain circumstances; behind-the-wheel and knowledge examinations","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-325\/"},{"id":67339,"section_number":"46.2-341.9","catch_line":"Eligibility for commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-341.9\/"}],"permalink":{"id":226455,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57804,"identifier":"46.2-324.1","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-324.1","url":"\/46.2-324.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-324.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/4\/46.2-324.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Requirements for initial licensure of certain applicants","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-324.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No driver<\/span>’s license shall be issued to any applicant unless he either (i) provides written evidence<\/span> of having satisfactorily completed a course of driver<\/span> instruction at a driver<\/span> training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§ 46.2-1700<\/a> et seq.) or a comparable course approved by the Department<\/span> or the Department<\/span> of Education or (ii) has held a learner’s permit issued by the Department<\/span> for at least 60 days prior to his first behind-the-wheel examination by the Department<\/span> when applying for a noncommercial driver<\/span>’s license.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of this section shall only apply to persons who are at least 18 years old and who either (a) have never held a driver<\/span>’s license issued by Virginia or any other state or territory of the United States or foreign country or (b) have never been licensed or held the license endorsement or classification required to operate the type of vehicle<\/span> which they now propose to operate. Completion of a course of driver<\/span> instruction approved by the Department<\/span> or the Department<\/span> of Education at a driver<\/span> training school may include the final behind-the-wheel examination for a driver<\/span>’s license; however, a driver<\/span> training school shall not administer the behind-the-wheel examination to any applicant who is under medical control pursuant to § 46.2-322<\/a>. Applicants completing a course of driver<\/span> instruction approved by the Department<\/span> or the Department<\/span> of Education at a driver<\/span> training school retain the option of having the behind-the-wheel examination administered by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No commercial driver<\/span>’s license shall be issued to any applicant unless he (i) is 18 years old or older, (ii) has complied with the requirements of subsection A of § 46.2-341.9<\/a>, (iii) has completed both the theory and the behind-the-wheel portions of the training course within one year from the date instruction was first commenced, and (iv) has completed both the range and the public road portions of the behind-the-wheel curriculum with the same training provider. Applicants for a commercial driver<\/span>’s license who have never before held a commercial driver<\/span>’s license shall apply for a commercial learner’s permit and hold the commercial learner’s permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver<\/span>’s license.\n\t\t\tHolders of a commercial driver<\/span>’s license who have never held the license endorsement or classification required to operate the type of commercial motor vehicle<\/span> which they now propose to operate must (a) complete an entry-level driver<\/span> training course applicable to the license, classification, or endorsement for the type of commercial motor vehicle<\/span> they propose to operate and (b) apply for a commercial learner’s permit if the upgrade requires a skills test and hold the permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver<\/span>’s license. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department<\/span> from requiring any person to complete the skills examination as prescribed in § 46.2-325<\/a> and the written or automated examinations as prescribed in § 46.2-335<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Applicants for a commercial driver<\/span>’s license who have never before held a commercial driver<\/span>’s license who are members of the active duty military, military reserves, National Guard, active duty United States Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Auxiliary and provide written evidence<\/span> of having satisfactorily completed a military commercial driver<\/span> training program shall hold the commercial learner’s permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver<\/span>’s license, provided that the program complies with the requirements provided in Article 2 (§ 46.2-1708<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 17, unless such entity is otherwise exempted from such requirements under federal law<\/span> or regulation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL LICENSURE OF CERTAIN APPLICANTS (\u00a7 46.2-324.1)\n\nA. No driver’s license shall be issued to any applicant unless he either\n(i) provides written evidence of having satisfactorily completed a course of\ndriver instruction at a driver training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§\n46.2-1700 et seq.) or a comparable course approved by the Department or the\nDepartment of Education or (ii) has held a learner’s permit issued by the\nDepartment for at least 60 days prior to his first behind-the-wheel examination\nby the Department when applying for a noncommercial driver’s license.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of this section shall only apply to persons who are at least\n18 years old and who either (a) have never held a driver’s license issued\nby Virginia or any other state or territory of the United States or foreign\ncountry or (b) have never been licensed or held the license endorsement or\nclassification required to operate the type of vehicle which they now propose to\noperate. Completion of a course of driver instruction approved by the Department\nor the Department of Education at a driver training school may include the final\nbehind-the-wheel examination for a driver’s license; however, a driver\ntraining school shall not administer the behind-the-wheel examination to any\napplicant who is under medical control pursuant to § 46.2-322. Applicants\ncompleting a course of driver instruction approved by the Department or the\nDepartment of Education at a driver training school retain the option of having\nthe behind-the-wheel examination administered by the Department.\n\nB. No commercial driver’s license shall be issued to any applicant unless\nhe (i) is 18 years old or older, (ii) has complied with the requirements of\nsubsection A of § 46.2-341.9, (iii) has completed both the theory and the\nbehind-the-wheel portions of the training course within one year from the date\ninstruction was first commenced, and (iv) has completed both the range and the\npublic road portions of the behind-the-wheel curriculum with the same training\nprovider. Applicants for a commercial driver’s license who have never\nbefore held a commercial driver’s license shall apply for a commercial\nlearner’s permit and hold the commercial learner’s permit for a\nminimum of 14 days prior to taking the behind-the-wheel examination for the\ncommercial driver’s license.\n\t\t\tHolders of a commercial driver’s license who have never held the\nlicense endorsement or classification required to operate the type of commercial\nmotor vehicle which they now propose to operate must (a) complete an entry-level\ndriver training course applicable to the license, classification, or endorsement\nfor the type of commercial motor vehicle they propose to operate and (b) apply\nfor a commercial learner’s permit if the upgrade requires a skills test\nand hold the permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the\nbehind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver’s license.\n\nC. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department from\nrequiring any person to complete the skills examination as prescribed in §\n46.2-325 and the written or automated examinations as prescribed in §\n46.2-335.\n\nD. Applicants for a commercial driver’s license who have never before held\na commercial driver’s license who are members of the active duty military,\nmilitary reserves, National Guard, active duty United States Coast Guard, or\nCoast Guard Auxiliary and provide written evidence of having satisfactorily\ncompleted a military commercial driver training program shall hold the\ncommercial learner’s permit for a minimum of 14 days prior to taking the\nbehind-the-wheel examination for the commercial driver’s license, provided\nthat the program complies with the requirements provided in Article 2 (§\n46.2-1708 et seq.) of Chapter 17, unless such entity is otherwise exempted from\nsuch requirements under federal law or regulation.\n\nHISTORY: 2000, c. 685; 2005, cc. 245, 513; 2012, cc. 215, 222; 2013, cc. 165,\n582; 2014, c. 685; 2015, c. 258; 2016, c. 488; 2019, c. 750.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}