{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-334.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-334.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-334.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-334.html"}],"law_id":55605,"edition_id":1,"section_id":55605,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-334","catch_line":"Conditions and requirements for licensure of persons under 18","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 46-353, 46-361, 46-363, 46-364; 1950, p. 249; 1952, c. 396; 1954, c. 123; 1956, c. 665; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-357; 1960, cc. 110, 424; 1962, cc. 254, 482; 1964, c. 617; 1966, c. 36; 1968, c. 642; 1970, c. 41; 1972, c. 823; 1973, c. 1; 1974, cc. 223, 542; 1976, c. 8; 1977, cc. 548, 552; 1980, c. 165; 1982, c. 287; 1984, c. 780; 1987, cc. 154, 632; 1989, cc. 392, 705, 727; 1991, c. 214; 1993, cc. 471, 501; 1995, c. 535; 1996, cc. 943, 994, 1011, 1022; 1997, c. 841; 1999, cc. 459, 462, 887; 2001, cc. 659, 665, 851; 2003, c. 951; 2014, cc. 286, 685; 2016, c. 488.","full_text":"A\n\nMinors at least 16 years and three months old may be issued driver’s licenses under the following conditions:1\n\nThe minor shall submit a proper application and satisfactory evidence that he (i) is a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) has successfully completed a driver education course approved by either the State Department of Education or, in the case of a course offered by a driver training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§ 46.2-1700 et seq.) of this title, by the Department of Motor Vehicles; and (iii) is mentally, physically, and otherwise qualified to drive a motor vehicle safely.2\n\nThe minor’s application for a driver’s license must be signed by a parent of the applicant, otherwise by the guardian having custody of him. However, in the event a minor has no parent or guardian, then a driver’s license shall not be issued to him unless his application is signed by the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the city or county in which he resides. If the minor making the application is married or otherwise emancipated, in lieu of any parent’s, guardian’s or judge’s signature, the minor may present proper evidence of the solemnization of the marriage or the order of emancipation.3\n\nThe minor shall be required to state in his application whether or not he has been convicted of an offense triable by, or tried in, a juvenile and domestic relations district court or found by such court to be a child in need of supervision, as defined in § 16.1-228. If it appears that the minor has been adjudged not innocent of the offense alleged or has been found to be a child in need of supervision, the Department shall not issue a license without the written approval of the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court making an adjudication as to the minor or the like approval of a similar court of the county or city in which the parent or guardian, respectively, of the minor resides.4\n\nThe application for a permanent driver’s license by a minor of the age of persons required to attend school pursuant to § 22.1-254 shall be accompanied by evidence of compliance with the compulsory school attendance law set forth in Article 1 (§ 22.1-254 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 22.1. This evidence shall be provided in writing by the minor’s parent. If the minor is unable to provide such evidence, he shall not be granted a driver’s license until he reaches the age of 18 or presents proper evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or an order of emancipation, or the parent, as defined in § 22.1-1, or other person standing in loco parentis has provided written authorization for the minor to obtain a driver’s license.\n\t\t\t\tA minor may, however, present a high school diploma or its equivalent or a certificate indicating completion of a prescribed course of study as defined by the local school board pursuant to § 22.1-253.13:4 as evidence of compulsory school attendance compliance.5\n\nThe minor applicant shall certify in writing, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner, that he is a resident of the Commonwealth. The applicant’s parent or guardian shall also certify that the applicant is a resident by signing the certification. Any minor providing proper evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order of emancipation shall not be required to provide the parent’s certification of residence.B\n\nAny custodial parent or guardian of an unmarried or unemancipated minor may, after the issuance of a permanent driver’s license to such minor, file with the Department a written request that the license of the minor be canceled. When such request is filed, the Department shall cancel the license of the minor and the license shall not thereafter be reissued by the Department until a period of six months has elapsed from the date of cancellation or the minor reaches his eighteenth birthday, whichever shall occur sooner. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, in the case of a minor whose parents have been awarded joint legal custody, a request that the license of the minor be cancelled must be signed by both legal custodians. In the event one parent is not reasonably available or the parents do not agree, one parent may petition the juvenile and domestic relations district court to make a determination that the license of the minor be cancelled.C\n\nThe provisions of subsection A of this section requiring that an application for a driver’s license be signed by the parent or guardian shall be waived by the Commissioner if the application is accompanied by proper evidence of the solemnization of the minor’s marriage or a certified copy of a court order, issued under the provisions of Article 15 (§ 16.1-331 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1, declaring the applicant to be an emancipated minor.D\n\nA learner’s permit accompanied by documentation verifying the minor’s successful completion of an approved driver education course, signed by the minor’s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis, shall constitute a temporary driver’s license for purposes of driving unaccompanied by a licensed driver as required in § 46.2-335, if all other requirements of this chapter have been met. The temporary license shall only be valid until the permanent license is presented as provided in § 46.2-336.E\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A requiring the successful completion of a driver education course approved by the State Department of Education, the Commissioner, on application therefor by a person at least 16 years and three months old but less than 18 years old, shall issue to the applicant a temporary driver’s license valid for six months if he (i) certifies by signing, together with his parent or guardian, if applicable, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner that he is a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) is the holder of a valid driver’s license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory; and (iii) has not been found guilty of or otherwise responsible for an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle. No temporary license issued under this subsection shall be renewed, nor shall any second or subsequent temporary license under this subsection be issued to the same applicant. Any such minor providing proper evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order of emancipation shall not be required to obtain the signature of his parent or guardian for the temporary driver’s license.\n\t\t\tIn order to obtain a permanent driver’s license, applicants who transfer to Virginia from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory must have documentation of at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction from a government-approved program in the other U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province or Canadian territory. If a transfer applicant successfully completes a government-approved classroom and in-car driver education program from another state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory, the applicant must present the certificate of completion, specifying the number of instructional hours, to the Department.F\n\nFor persons qualifying for a driver’s license through driver education courses approved by the Department of Education or courses offered by driver training schools licensed by the Department, the application for the learner’s permit shall be used as the application for the driver’s license pursuant to § 46.2-335.G\n\nDriver’s licenses shall be issued by the Department to students successfully completing driver education courses approved by the Department of Education (i) when the Department receives from the school proper certification that the student (a) has successfully completed such course, including a road skills examination and (b) is regularly attending school and is in good academic standing or, if not in such standing or submitting evidence thereof, whose parent or guardian, having custody of such minor, provides written authorization for the minor to obtain a driver’s license, which written authorization shall be obtained on forms provided by the Department and indicating the Commonwealth’s interest in the good academic standing and regular school attendance of such minors; and (ii) upon payment of a fee of $2.40 per year, based on the period of the license’s validity. For applicants attending public schools, good academic standing may be certified by the public school principal or any of his designees. For applicants attending nonpublic schools, such certification shall be made by the private school principal or any of his designees; for students receiving home schooling, such certification shall be made by the home schooling parent or tutor. Any minor providing proper evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order of emancipation shall not be required to provide the certification of good academic standing or any written authorization from his parent or guardian to obtain a driver’s license.H\n\nFor those home schooled students completing driver education courses approved by the Board of Education and instructed by his own parent or guardian, no driver’s license shall be issued until the student has successfully completed the driver’s license examination administered by the Department. Furthermore, the Commissioner shall not issue a driver’s license for those home schooled students completing driver education courses approved by the Board of Education and instructed by his own parent or guardian if it is determined by the Commissioner that, at the time of such instruction, such parent or guardian had accumulated six or more driver demerit points in the most recently preceding 12 months, had been convicted within the most recent 11 preceding years of driving while intoxicated in violation of § 18.2-266 or a substantially similar law in another state, or had ever been convicted of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter in violation of § 18.2-35 or 18.2-36 or a substantially similar law in another state.I\n\nThe Commissioner, on application therefor by a person from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory who is at least 16 years and three months old but less than 18 years old, shall issue a Virginia driver’s license to the applicant if the applicant (i) certifies by signing, together with his parent or guardian, if applicable, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner that he is now a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) has completed a government-approved classroom and in-car driver education program from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory, which shall not be required to meet the 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction requirement in subsection E; (iii) is the holder of a valid driver’s license from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory; (iv) has held the valid driver’s license for the 12 months immediately prior to applying for a Virginia license; (v) has not been found guilty of or otherwise responsible for an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle; and (vi) successfully completes behind-the-wheel and driver knowledge examinations administered by the Department.\n\t\t\tThe applicant must present the certificate of completion specifying the number of classroom and in-car driver education program instructional hours for the government-approved classroom and in-car driver education program from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory to the Department.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":203832,"text":"Minors at least 16 years and three months old may be issued driver’s licenses under the following conditions:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":203833,"text":"The minor shall submit a proper application and satisfactory evidence that he (i) is a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) has successfully completed a driver education course approved by either the State Department of Education or, in the case of a course offered by a driver training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§ 46.2-1700 et seq.) of this title, by the Department of Motor Vehicles; and (iii) is mentally, physically, and otherwise qualified to drive a motor vehicle safely.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":203834,"text":"The minor’s application for a driver’s license must be signed by a parent of the applicant, otherwise by the guardian having custody of him. However, in the event a minor has no parent or guardian, then a driver’s license shall not be issued to him unless his application is signed by the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the city or county in which he resides. If the minor making the application is married or otherwise emancipated, in lieu of any parent’s, guardian’s or judge’s signature, the minor may present proper evidence of the solemnization of the marriage or the order of emancipation.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":203835,"text":"The minor shall be required to state in his application whether or not he has been convicted of an offense triable by, or tried in, a juvenile and domestic relations district court or found by such court to be a child in need of supervision, as defined in § 16.1-228. If it appears that the minor has been adjudged not innocent of the offense alleged or has been found to be a child in need of supervision, the Department shall not issue a license without the written approval of the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court making an adjudication as to the minor or the like approval of a similar court of the county or city in which the parent or guardian, respectively, of the minor resides.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":203836,"text":"The application for a permanent driver’s license by a minor of the age of persons required to attend school pursuant to § 22.1-254 shall be accompanied by evidence of compliance with the compulsory school attendance law set forth in Article 1 (§ 22.1-254 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 22.1. This evidence shall be provided in writing by the minor’s parent. If the minor is unable to provide such evidence, he shall not be granted a driver’s license until he reaches the age of 18 or presents proper evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or an order of emancipation, or the parent, as defined in § 22.1-1, or other person standing in loco parentis has provided written authorization for the minor to obtain a driver’s license.\n\t\t\t\tA minor may, however, present a high school diploma or its equivalent or a certificate indicating completion of a prescribed course of study as defined by the local school board pursuant to § 22.1-253.13:4 as evidence of compulsory school attendance compliance.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":203837,"text":"The minor applicant shall certify in writing, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner, that he is a resident of the Commonwealth. The applicant’s parent or guardian shall also certify that the applicant is a resident by signing the certification. Any minor providing proper evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order of emancipation shall not be required to provide the parent’s certification of residence.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"6":{"id":203838,"text":"Any custodial parent or guardian of an unmarried or unemancipated minor may, after the issuance of a permanent driver’s license to such minor, file with the Department a written request that the license of the minor be canceled. When such request is filed, the Department shall cancel the license of the minor and the license shall not thereafter be reissued by the Department until a period of six months has elapsed from the date of cancellation or the minor reaches his eighteenth birthday, whichever shall occur sooner. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, in the case of a minor whose parents have been awarded joint legal custody, a request that the license of the minor be cancelled must be signed by both legal custodians. In the event one parent is not reasonably available or the parents do not agree, one parent may petition the juvenile and domestic relations district court to make a determination that the license of the minor be cancelled.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"C"},"7":{"id":203839,"text":"The provisions of subsection A of this section requiring that an application for a driver’s license be signed by the parent or guardian shall be waived by the Commissioner if the application is accompanied by proper evidence of the solemnization of the minor’s marriage or a certified copy of a court order, issued under the provisions of Article 15 (§ 16.1-331 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1, declaring the applicant to be an emancipated minor.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"8":{"id":203840,"text":"A learner’s permit accompanied by documentation verifying the minor’s successful completion of an approved driver education course, signed by the minor’s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis, shall constitute a temporary driver’s license for purposes of driving unaccompanied by a licensed driver as required in § 46.2-335, if all other requirements of this chapter have been met. The temporary license shall only be valid until the permanent license is presented as provided in § 46.2-336.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"9":{"id":203841,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A requiring the successful completion of a driver education course approved by the State Department of Education, the Commissioner, on application therefor by a person at least 16 years and three months old but less than 18 years old, shall issue to the applicant a temporary driver’s license valid for six months if he (i) certifies by signing, together with his parent or guardian, if applicable, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner that he is a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) is the holder of a valid driver’s license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory; and (iii) has not been found guilty of or otherwise responsible for an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle. No temporary license issued under this subsection shall be renewed, nor shall any second or subsequent temporary license under this subsection be issued to the same applicant. Any such minor providing proper evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order of emancipation shall not be required to obtain the signature of his parent or guardian for the temporary driver’s license.\n\t\t\tIn order to obtain a permanent driver’s license, applicants who transfer to Virginia from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory must have documentation of at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction from a government-approved program in the other U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province or Canadian territory. If a transfer applicant successfully completes a government-approved classroom and in-car driver education program from another state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory, the applicant must present the certificate of completion, specifying the number of instructional hours, to the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"10":{"id":203842,"text":"For persons qualifying for a driver’s license through driver education courses approved by the Department of Education or courses offered by driver training schools licensed by the Department, the application for the learner’s permit shall be used as the application for the driver’s license pursuant to § 46.2-335.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"11":{"id":203843,"text":"Driver’s licenses shall be issued by the Department to students successfully completing driver education courses approved by the Department of Education (i) when the Department receives from the school proper certification that the student (a) has successfully completed such course, including a road skills examination and (b) is regularly attending school and is in good academic standing or, if not in such standing or submitting evidence thereof, whose parent or guardian, having custody of such minor, provides written authorization for the minor to obtain a driver’s license, which written authorization shall be obtained on forms provided by the Department and indicating the Commonwealth’s interest in the good academic standing and regular school attendance of such minors; and (ii) upon payment of a fee of $2.40 per year, based on the period of the license’s validity. For applicants attending public schools, good academic standing may be certified by the public school principal or any of his designees. For applicants attending nonpublic schools, such certification shall be made by the private school principal or any of his designees; for students receiving home schooling, such certification shall be made by the home schooling parent or tutor. Any minor providing proper evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order of emancipation shall not be required to provide the certification of good academic standing or any written authorization from his parent or guardian to obtain a driver’s license.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"12":{"id":203844,"text":"For those home schooled students completing driver education courses approved by the Board of Education and instructed by his own parent or guardian, no driver’s license shall be issued until the student has successfully completed the driver’s license examination administered by the Department. Furthermore, the Commissioner shall not issue a driver’s license for those home schooled students completing driver education courses approved by the Board of Education and instructed by his own parent or guardian if it is determined by the Commissioner that, at the time of such instruction, such parent or guardian had accumulated six or more driver demerit points in the most recently preceding 12 months, had been convicted within the most recent 11 preceding years of driving while intoxicated in violation of § 18.2-266 or a substantially similar law in another state, or had ever been convicted of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter in violation of § 18.2-35 or 18.2-36 or a substantially similar law in another state.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"13":{"id":203845,"text":"The Commissioner, on application therefor by a person from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory who is at least 16 years and three months old but less than 18 years old, shall issue a Virginia driver’s license to the applicant if the applicant (i) certifies by signing, together with his parent or guardian, if applicable, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner that he is now a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) has completed a government-approved classroom and in-car driver education program from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory, which shall not be required to meet the 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction requirement in subsection E; (iii) is the holder of a valid driver’s license from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory; (iv) has held the valid driver’s license for the 12 months immediately prior to applying for a Virginia license; (v) has not been found guilty of or otherwise responsible for an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle; and (vi) successfully completes behind-the-wheel and driver knowledge examinations administered by the Department.\n\t\t\tThe applicant must present the certificate of completion specifying the number of classroom and in-car driver education program instructional hours for the government-approved classroom and in-car driver education program from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory to the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12892,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licensure of Minors, Student Drivers, School Bus Drivers, and Motorcyclists","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12772,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":226515,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12892,"identifier":"5","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/5\/","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":55605,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-334","catch_line":"Conditions and requirements for licensure of persons under 18","url":"\/46.2-334\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-334","metadata":false},{"id":54013,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-334.001","catch_line":"Court to suspend driver's license issued to certain minors","url":"\/46.2-334.001\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-334.001","metadata":false},{"id":61788,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-334.01","catch_line":"Licenses issued to persons less than 18 years old subject to certain restrictions","url":"\/46.2-334.01\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-334.01","metadata":false},{"id":76226,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-334.02","catch_line":"Licenses issued to persons less than twenty years old subject to certain restrictions","url":"\/46.2-334.02\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-334.02","metadata":false},{"id":85632,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-334.1","catch_line":"Knowledge test; waiting period prior to reexamination","url":"\/46.2-334.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-334.1","metadata":false},{"id":80637,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-335","catch_line":"Learner's permits; fees; certification required","url":"\/46.2-335\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-335","metadata":false},{"id":78353,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-335.1","catch_line":"Knowledge test; waiting period prior to reexamination","url":"\/46.2-335.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-335.1","metadata":false},{"id":70055,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-335.2","catch_line":"Learner's permits; required before driver's license; minimum holding period","url":"\/46.2-335.2\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-335.2","metadata":false},{"id":83220,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-336","catch_line":"Manner of issuing original driver's licenses to minors","url":"\/46.2-336\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-336","metadata":false},{"id":78428,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-337","catch_line":"Examination and road test required for license to operate motorcycle; regulations","url":"\/46.2-337\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-337","metadata":false},{"id":79936,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-338","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-338\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-338","metadata":false},{"id":70529,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-339","catch_line":"Qualifications of school bus operators; training; examination","url":"\/46.2-339\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-339","metadata":false},{"id":67491,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-340","catch_line":"Information concerning school bus drivers and driver education instructors","url":"\/46.2-340\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-340","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":54013,"structure_id":12892,"section_number":"46.2-334.001","catch_line":"Court to suspend driver's license issued to certain minors","url":"\/46.2-334.001\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-334.001","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-334\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 30 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 1952, chapter 396; in 1954, chapter 123; in 1956, chapter 665; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1960, chapters 110 and 424; in 1962, chapters 254 and 482; in 1964, chapter 617; in 1966, chapter 36; in 1968, chapter 642; in 1970, chapter 41; in 1972, chapter 823; in 1973, chapter 1; in 1974, chapters 223 and 542; in 1976, chapter 8; in 1977, chapters 548 and 552; in 1980, chapter 165; in 1982, chapter 287; in 1984, chapter 780; in 1987, chapters 154 and 632; in 1989, chapters 392, 705, and 727; in 1991, chapter 214; in 1993, chapters 471 and 501; in 1995, chapter 535<\/a>; in 1996, chapters 943<\/a>, 994<\/a>, 1011<\/a>, and 1022<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 841<\/a>; in 1999, chapters 459<\/a>, 462<\/a>, and 887<\/a>; in 2001, chapters 659<\/a>, 665<\/a>, and 851<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 951<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 286<\/a> and 685<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 488<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82754,"section_number":"16.1-334","catch_line":"Effects of order","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-334\/"},{"id":80192,"section_number":"46.2-1702","catch_line":"Certification of driver education courses by Commissioner","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1702\/"},{"id":74834,"section_number":"46.2-323","catch_line":"Application for driver's license; proof of completion of driver education program; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-323\/"},{"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":85632,"section_number":"46.2-334.1","catch_line":"Knowledge test; waiting period prior to reexamination","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-334.1\/"},{"id":80637,"section_number":"46.2-335","catch_line":"Learner's permits; fees; certification required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-335\/"},{"id":70055,"section_number":"46.2-335.2","catch_line":"Learner's permits; required before driver's license; minimum holding period","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-335.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":63788,"section_number":"16.1-228","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-228\/"},{"id":57297,"section_number":"16.1-331","catch_line":"Petition for emancipation","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-331\/"},{"id":67410,"section_number":"18.2-266","catch_line":"Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-266\/"},{"id":70478,"section_number":"18.2-35","catch_line":"How voluntary manslaughter punished","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-35\/"},{"id":78426,"section_number":"18.2-36","catch_line":"How involuntary manslaughter punished","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-36\/"},{"id":74111,"section_number":"22.1-1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-1\/"},{"id":59319,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:4","catch_line":"Standard 4. Student achievement and graduation requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-253.13_4\/"},{"id":64677,"section_number":"22.1-254","catch_line":"Compulsory attendance required; excuses and waivers; alternative education program attendance; exemptions from article","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-254\/"},{"id":87240,"section_number":"46.2-1700","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1700\/"},{"id":80637,"section_number":"46.2-335","catch_line":"Learner's permits; fees; certification required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-335\/"}],"permalink":{"id":226517,"object_type":"law","relational_id":55605,"identifier":"46.2-334","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-334","url":"\/46.2-334\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-334\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/5\/46.2-334","dublin_core":{"Title":"Conditions and requirements for licensure of persons under 18","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-334","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Minors<\/span> at least 16 years and three months old may be issued driver<\/span>’s licenses under the following conditions: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The minor<\/span> shall submit a proper application and satisfactory evidence<\/span> that he (i) is a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) has successfully completed a driver<\/span> education course approved by either the State Department<\/span> of Education or, in the case of a course offered by a driver<\/span> training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§ 46.2-1700<\/a> et seq.) of this title, by the Department<\/span> of Motor Vehicles<\/span>; and (iii) is mentally, physically, and otherwise qualified to drive a motor vehicle<\/span> safely. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The minor<\/span>’s application for a driver<\/span>’s license must be signed by a parent of the applicant, otherwise by the guardian having custody<\/span> of him. However, in the event a minor<\/span> has no parent or guardian, then a driver<\/span>’s license shall not be issued to him unless his application is signed by the judge<\/span> of the juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> of the city or county in which he resides. If the minor<\/span> making the application is married or otherwise emancipated, in lieu of any parent’s, guardian’s or judge<\/span>’s signature, the minor<\/span> may present proper evidence<\/span> of the solemnization of the marriage or the order<\/span> of emancipation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The minor<\/span> shall be required to state in his application whether or not he has been convicted of an offense<\/span> triable by, or tried in, a juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> or found by such court<\/span> to be a child in need of supervision, as defined in § 16.1-228<\/a>. If it appears that the minor<\/span> has been adjudged not innocent of the offense<\/span> alleged or has been found to be a child in need of supervision, the Department<\/span> shall not issue<\/span> a license without the written approval of the judge<\/span> of the juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> making an adjudication as to the minor<\/span> or the like approval of a similar court<\/span> of the county or city in which the parent or guardian, respectively, of the minor<\/span> resides. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The application for a permanent driver<\/span>’s license by a minor<\/span> of the age of persons required to attend school pursuant to § 22.1-254<\/a> shall be accompanied by evidence<\/span> of compliance with the compulsory school attendance law<\/span> set forth in Article 1 (§ 22.1-254<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 22.1. This evidence<\/span> shall be provided in writing by the minor<\/span>’s parent. If the minor<\/span> is unable to provide such evidence<\/span>, he shall not be granted a driver<\/span>’s license until he reaches the age of 18 or presents proper evidence<\/span> of the solemnization of his marriage or an order<\/span> of emancipation, or the parent, as defined in § 22.1-1<\/a>, or other person standing in loco parentis has provided written authorization for the minor<\/span> to obtain a driver<\/span>’s license.\n\t\t\t\tA minor<\/span> may, however, present a high school diploma or its equivalent or a certificate indicating completion of a prescribed course of study as defined by the local school board pursuant to § 22.1-253.13:4<\/a> as evidence<\/span> of compulsory school attendance compliance. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The minor<\/span> applicant shall certify in writing, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner<\/span>, that he is a resident of the Commonwealth. The applicant’s parent or guardian shall also certify that the applicant is a resident by signing the certification. Any minor<\/span> providing proper evidence<\/span> of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order<\/span> of emancipation shall not be required to provide the parent’s certification of residence. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any custodial parent or guardian of an unmarried or unemancipated minor<\/span> may, after the issuance of a permanent driver<\/span>’s license to such minor<\/span>, file with the Department<\/span> a written request that the license of the minor<\/span> be canceled. When such request is filed, the Department<\/span> shall cancel<\/span> the license of the minor<\/span> and the license shall not thereafter be reissued by the Department<\/span> until a period of six months has elapsed from the date of cancellation<\/span> or the minor<\/span> reaches his eighteenth birthday, whichever shall occur sooner. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, in the case of a minor<\/span> whose parents have been awarded joint legal custody<\/span>, a request that the license of the minor<\/span> be cancelled must be signed by both legal custodians. In the event one parent is not reasonably available or the parents do not agree, one parent may petition<\/span> the juvenile and domestic relations district court to make a determination that the license of the minor<\/span> be cancelled. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The provisions of subsection A of this section requiring that an application for a driver<\/span>’s license be signed by the parent or guardian shall be waived by the Commissioner<\/span> if the application is accompanied by proper evidence<\/span> of the solemnization of the minor<\/span>’s marriage or a certified copy of a court order<\/span>, issued under the provisions of Article 15 (§ 16.1-331<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1, declaring the applicant to be an emancipated minor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A learner’s permit accompanied by documentation verifying the minor<\/span>’s successful completion of an approved driver<\/span> education course, signed by the minor<\/span>’s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis, shall constitute a temporary driver<\/span>’s license for purposes of driving unaccompanied by a licensed driver<\/span> as required in § 46.2-335<\/a>, if all other requirements of this chapter have been met. The temporary license shall only be valid until the permanent license is presented as provided in § 46.2-336<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A requiring the successful completion of a driver<\/span> education course approved by the State Department<\/span> of Education, the Commissioner<\/span>, on application therefor by a person at least 16 years and three months old but less than 18 years old, shall issue<\/span> to the applicant a temporary driver<\/span>’s license valid for six months if he (i) certifies by signing, together with his parent or guardian, if applicable, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner<\/span> that he is a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) is the holder of a valid driver<\/span>’s license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory; and (iii) has not been found guilty of or otherwise responsible for an offense<\/span> involving the operation of a motor vehicle<\/span>. No temporary license issued under this subsection shall be renewed, nor shall any second or subsequent temporary license under this subsection be issued to the same applicant. Any such minor<\/span> providing proper evidence<\/span> of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order<\/span> of emancipation shall not be required to obtain the signature of his parent or guardian for the temporary driver<\/span>’s license.\n\t\t\tIn order to obtain a permanent driver<\/span>’s license, applicants who transfer to Virginia from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory must have documentation of at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction from a government-approved program in the other U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province or Canadian territory. If a transfer applicant successfully completes a government-approved classroom and in-car driver<\/span> education program from another state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory, the applicant must present the certificate of completion, specifying the number of instructional hours, to the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> For persons qualifying for a driver<\/span>’s license through driver<\/span> education courses approved by the Department<\/span> of Education or courses offered by driver<\/span> training schools licensed by the Department<\/span>, the application for the learner’s permit shall be used as the application for the driver<\/span>’s license pursuant to § 46.2-335<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> Driver<\/span>’s licenses shall be issued by the Department<\/span> to students successfully completing driver<\/span> education courses approved by the Department<\/span> of Education (i) when the Department<\/span> receives from the school proper certification that the student (a) has successfully completed such course, including a road skills examination and (b) is regularly attending school and is in good academic standing or, if not in such standing or submitting evidence<\/span> thereof, whose parent or guardian, having custody<\/span> of such minor<\/span>, provides written authorization for the minor<\/span> to obtain a driver<\/span>’s license, which written authorization shall be obtained on forms provided by the Department<\/span> and indicating the Commonwealth’s interest in the good academic standing and regular school attendance of such minors<\/span>; and (ii) upon payment of a fee of $2.40 per year, based on the period of the license’s validity. For applicants attending public schools, good academic standing may be certified by the public school principal or any of his designees. For applicants attending nonpublic schools, such certification shall be made by the private school principal or any of his designees; for students receiving home schooling, such certification shall be made by the home schooling parent or tutor. Any minor<\/span> providing proper evidence<\/span> of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order<\/span> of emancipation shall not be required to provide the certification of good academic standing or any written authorization from his parent or guardian to obtain a driver<\/span>’s license. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> For those home schooled students completing driver<\/span> education courses approved by the Board of Education and instructed by his own parent or guardian, no driver<\/span>’s license shall be issued until the student has successfully completed the driver<\/span>’s license examination administered by the Department<\/span>. Furthermore, the Commissioner<\/span> shall not issue<\/span> a driver<\/span>’s license for those home schooled students completing driver<\/span> education courses approved by the Board of Education and instructed by his own parent or guardian if it is determined by the Commissioner<\/span> that, at the time of such instruction, such parent or guardian had accumulated six or more driver<\/span> demerit points in the most recently preceding 12 months, had been convicted within the most recent 11 preceding years of driving while intoxicated in violation of § 18.2-266<\/a> or a substantially similar law<\/span> in another state, or had ever been convicted of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter<\/span> in violation of § 18.2-35<\/a> or 18.2-36<\/a> or a substantially similar law<\/span> in another state. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> The Commissioner<\/span>, on application therefor by a person from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory who is at least 16 years and three months old but less than 18 years old, shall issue<\/span> a Virginia driver<\/span>’s license to the applicant if the applicant (i) certifies by signing, together with his parent or guardian, if applicable, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner<\/span> that he is now a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) has completed a government-approved classroom and in-car driver<\/span> education program from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory, which shall not be required to meet the 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction requirement in subsection E; (iii) is the holder of a valid driver<\/span>’s license from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory; (iv) has held the valid driver<\/span>’s license for the 12 months immediately prior to applying for a Virginia license; (v) has not been found guilty of or otherwise responsible for an offense<\/span> involving the operation of a motor vehicle<\/span>; and (vi) successfully completes behind-the-wheel and driver<\/span> knowledge examinations administered by the Department<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe applicant must present the certificate of completion specifying the number of classroom and in-car driver<\/span> education program instructional hours for the government-approved classroom and in-car driver<\/span> education program from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory to the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE OF PERSONS UNDER 18 (\u00a7 46.2-334)\n\nA. Minors at least 16 years and three months old may be issued driver’s\nlicenses under the following conditions:\n\n 1. The minor shall submit a proper application and satisfactory evidence that\n he (i) is a resident of the Commonwealth; (ii) has successfully completed a\n driver education course approved by either the State Department of Education\n or, in the case of a course offered by a driver training school licensed under\n Chapter 17 (§ 46.2-1700 et seq.) of this title, by the Department of\n Motor Vehicles; and (iii) is mentally, physically, and otherwise qualified to\n drive a motor vehicle safely.\n\n 2. The minor’s application for a driver’s license must be signed\n by a parent of the applicant, otherwise by the guardian having custody of him.\n However, in the event a minor has no parent or guardian, then a driver’s\n license shall not be issued to him unless his application is signed by the\n judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the city or\n county in which he resides. If the minor making the application is married or\n otherwise emancipated, in lieu of any parent’s, guardian’s or\n judge’s signature, the minor may present proper evidence of the\n solemnization of the marriage or the order of emancipation.\n\n 3. The minor shall be required to state in his application whether or not he\n has been convicted of an offense triable by, or tried in, a juvenile and\n domestic relations district court or found by such court to be a child in need\n of supervision, as defined in § 16.1-228. If it appears that the minor\n has been adjudged not innocent of the offense alleged or has been found to be\n a child in need of supervision, the Department shall not issue a license\n without the written approval of the judge of the juvenile and domestic\n relations district court making an adjudication as to the minor or the like\n approval of a similar court of the county or city in which the parent or\n guardian, respectively, of the minor resides.\n\n 4. The application for a permanent driver’s license by a minor of the\n age of persons required to attend school pursuant to § 22.1-254 shall be\n accompanied by evidence of compliance with the compulsory school attendance\n law set forth in Article 1 (§ 22.1-254 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title\n 22.1. This evidence shall be provided in writing by the minor’s parent.\n If the minor is unable to provide such evidence, he shall not be granted a\n driver’s license until he reaches the age of 18 or presents proper\n evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or an order of emancipation, or\n the parent, as defined in § 22.1-1, or other person standing in loco\n parentis has provided written authorization for the minor to obtain a\n driver’s license.\n \t\t\t\tA minor may, however, present a high school diploma or its equivalent or a\n certificate indicating completion of a prescribed course of study as defined\n by the local school board pursuant to § 22.1-253.13:4 as evidence of\n compulsory school attendance compliance.\n\n 5. The minor applicant shall certify in writing, on a form prescribed by the\n Commissioner, that he is a resident of the Commonwealth. The applicant’s\n parent or guardian shall also certify that the applicant is a resident by\n signing the certification. Any minor providing proper evidence of the\n solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order of\n emancipation shall not be required to provide the parent’s certification\n of residence.\n\nB. Any custodial parent or guardian of an unmarried or unemancipated minor may,\nafter the issuance of a permanent driver’s license to such minor, file\nwith the Department a written request that the license of the minor be canceled.\nWhen such request is filed, the Department shall cancel the license of the minor\nand the license shall not thereafter be reissued by the Department until a\nperiod of six months has elapsed from the date of cancellation or the minor\nreaches his eighteenth birthday, whichever shall occur sooner. Notwithstanding\nthe foregoing provisions of this subsection, in the case of a minor whose\nparents have been awarded joint legal custody, a request that the license of the\nminor be cancelled must be signed by both legal custodians. In the event one\nparent is not reasonably available or the parents do not agree, one parent may\npetition the juvenile and domestic relations district court to make a\ndetermination that the license of the minor be cancelled.\n\nC. The provisions of subsection A of this section requiring that an application\nfor a driver’s license be signed by the parent or guardian shall be waived\nby the Commissioner if the application is accompanied by proper evidence of the\nsolemnization of the minor’s marriage or a certified copy of a court\norder, issued under the provisions of Article 15 (§ 16.1-331 et seq.) of\nChapter 11 of Title 16.1, declaring the applicant to be an emancipated minor.\n\nD. A learner’s permit accompanied by documentation verifying the\nminor’s successful completion of an approved driver education course,\nsigned by the minor’s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person\nstanding in loco parentis, shall constitute a temporary driver’s license\nfor purposes of driving unaccompanied by a licensed driver as required in §\n46.2-335, if all other requirements of this chapter have been met. The temporary\nlicense shall only be valid until the permanent license is presented as provided\nin § 46.2-336.\n\nE. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A requiring the successful\ncompletion of a driver education course approved by the State Department of\nEducation, the Commissioner, on application therefor by a person at least 16\nyears and three months old but less than 18 years old, shall issue to the\napplicant a temporary driver’s license valid for six months if he (i)\ncertifies by signing, together with his parent or guardian, if applicable, on a\nform prescribed by the Commissioner that he is a resident of the Commonwealth;\n(ii) is the holder of a valid driver’s license from another U.S. state,\nU.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory; and (iii) has not been\nfound guilty of or otherwise responsible for an offense involving the operation\nof a motor vehicle. No temporary license issued under this subsection shall be\nrenewed, nor shall any second or subsequent temporary license under this\nsubsection be issued to the same applicant. Any such minor providing proper\nevidence of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court\norder of emancipation shall not be required to obtain the signature of his\nparent or guardian for the temporary driver’s license.\n\t\t\tIn order to obtain a permanent driver’s license, applicants who\ntransfer to Virginia from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian\nprovince, or Canadian territory must have documentation of at least 30 hours of\nclassroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction from a\ngovernment-approved program in the other U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian\nprovince or Canadian territory. If a transfer applicant successfully completes a\ngovernment-approved classroom and in-car driver education program from another\nstate or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory, the\napplicant must present the certificate of completion, specifying the number of\ninstructional hours, to the Department.\n\nF. For persons qualifying for a driver’s license through driver education\ncourses approved by the Department of Education or courses offered by driver\ntraining schools licensed by the Department, the application for the\nlearner’s permit shall be used as the application for the driver’s\nlicense pursuant to § 46.2-335.\n\nG. Driver’s licenses shall be issued by the Department to students\nsuccessfully completing driver education courses approved by the Department of\nEducation (i) when the Department receives from the school proper certification\nthat the student (a) has successfully completed such course, including a road\nskills examination and (b) is regularly attending school and is in good academic\nstanding or, if not in such standing or submitting evidence thereof, whose\nparent or guardian, having custody of such minor, provides written authorization\nfor the minor to obtain a driver’s license, which written authorization\nshall be obtained on forms provided by the Department and indicating the\nCommonwealth’s interest in the good academic standing and regular school\nattendance of such minors; and (ii) upon payment of a fee of $2.40 per year,\nbased on the period of the license’s validity. For applicants attending\npublic schools, good academic standing may be certified by the public school\nprincipal or any of his designees. For applicants attending nonpublic schools,\nsuch certification shall be made by the private school principal or any of his\ndesignees; for students receiving home schooling, such certification shall be\nmade by the home schooling parent or tutor. Any minor providing proper evidence\nof the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order of\nemancipation shall not be required to provide the certification of good academic\nstanding or any written authorization from his parent or guardian to obtain a\ndriver’s license.\n\nH. For those home schooled students completing driver education courses approved\nby the Board of Education and instructed by his own parent or guardian, no\ndriver’s license shall be issued until the student has successfully\ncompleted the driver’s license examination administered by the Department.\nFurthermore, the Commissioner shall not issue a driver’s license for those\nhome schooled students completing driver education courses approved by the Board\nof Education and instructed by his own parent or guardian if it is determined by\nthe Commissioner that, at the time of such instruction, such parent or guardian\nhad accumulated six or more driver demerit points in the most recently preceding\n12 months, had been convicted within the most recent 11 preceding years of\ndriving while intoxicated in violation of § 18.2-266 or a substantially\nsimilar law in another state, or had ever been convicted of voluntary or\ninvoluntary manslaughter in violation of § 18.2-35 or 18.2-36 or a\nsubstantially similar law in another state.\n\nI. The Commissioner, on application therefor by a person from another U.S. state\nor any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory who is at least\n16 years and three months old but less than 18 years old, shall issue a Virginia\ndriver’s license to the applicant if the applicant (i) certifies by\nsigning, together with his parent or guardian, if applicable, on a form\nprescribed by the Commissioner that he is now a resident of the Commonwealth;\n(ii) has completed a government-approved classroom and in-car driver education\nprogram from another U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or\nCanadian territory, which shall not be required to meet the 30 hours of\nclassroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction requirement in\nsubsection E; (iii) is the holder of a valid driver’s license from another\nU.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory; (iv)\nhas held the valid driver’s license for the 12 months immediately prior to\napplying for a Virginia license; (v) has not been found guilty of or otherwise\nresponsible for an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle; and (vi)\nsuccessfully completes behind-the-wheel and driver knowledge examinations\nadministered by the Department.\n\t\t\tThe applicant must present the certificate of completion specifying the\nnumber of classroom and in-car driver education program instructional hours for\nthe government-approved classroom and in-car driver education program from\nanother U.S. state or any U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian\nterritory to the Department.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 46-353, 46-361, 46-363, 46-364; 1950, p. 249; 1952, c.\n396; 1954, c. 123; 1956, c. 665; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-357; 1960, cc. 110, 424;\n1962, cc. 254, 482; 1964, c. 617; 1966, c. 36; 1968, c. 642; 1970, c. 41; 1972,\nc. 823; 1973, c. 1; 1974, cc. 223, 542; 1976, c. 8; 1977, cc. 548, 552; 1980, c.\n165; 1982, c. 287; 1984, c. 780; 1987, cc. 154, 632; 1989, cc. 392, 705, 727;\n1991, c. 214; 1993, cc. 471, 501; 1995, c. 535; 1996, cc. 943, 994, 1011, 1022;\n1997, c. 841; 1999, cc. 459, 462, 887; 2001, cc. 659, 665, 851; 2003, c. 951;\n2014, cc. 286, 685; 2016, c. 488.","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}}