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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>79681</law_id><section_number>46.2-342</section_number><catch_line>What license to contain; organ donor information; Uniform Donor Document</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>20-91</reference><reference>32.1-263</reference><reference>32.1-267</reference><reference>32.1-268</reference><reference>32.1-292.2</reference><reference>46.2-345</reference><reference>46.2-345.3</reference><reference>46.2-600.1</reference><reference>54.1-116</reference><reference>55.1-1203</reference><reference>63.2-1903</reference><reference>63.2-1937</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Titling, Registration and Licensure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="3">Licensure of Drivers</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="7">Form of Licenses; Identity Documents Issued by Department</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Every license issued under this chapter shall bear: <a id="paragraph-285478" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> For licenses issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2003, a license number which shall be assigned by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> to the licensee and shall not be the same as the licensee&#x2019;s social security number; <a id="paragraph-285479" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A photograph of the licensee; <a id="paragraph-285480" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The licensee&#x2019;s full name, year, month, and date of birth; <a id="paragraph-285481" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The licensee&#x2019;s address, subject to the provisions of subsection B; <a id="paragraph-285482" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> A <span class="dictionary">brief</span> description of the licensee for the purpose of identification; <a id="paragraph-285483" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> A space for the signature of the licensee; and <a id="paragraph-285484" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Any other information deemed necessary by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> for the administration of this title.
				No abbreviated names or nicknames shall be shown on any license. <a id="paragraph-285485" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> At the option of the licensee, the address shown on the license may be either the post office box, business, or residence address of the licensee, provided such address is located in Virginia. However, regardless of which address is shown on the license, the licensee shall supply the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> with his residence address, which shall be an address in Virginia. This residence address shall be maintained in the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>&#x2019;s records. Whenever the licensee&#x2019;s address shown either on his license or in the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>&#x2019;s records changes, he shall notify the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of such change as required by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Applicants and license holders to notify Department of change of address; fee" href="/46.2-324/">46.2-324</a>. <a id="paragraph-285486" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> may <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with the United States Postal Service or an authorized <span class="dictionary">agent</span> to use the National Change of Address System for the purpose of obtaining current address information for a person whose name appears in customer records maintained by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. If the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> receives information from the National Change of Address System indicating that a person whose name appears in a <span class="dictionary">Department</span> record has submitted a permanent change of address to the Postal Service, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> may then update its records with the mailing address obtained from the National Change of Address System. <a id="paragraph-285487" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The license shall be made of a <span class="dictionary">material</span> and in a form to be determined by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span>. <a id="paragraph-285488" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Licenses issued to persons less than 21 years old shall be immediately and readily distinguishable from those issued to persons 21 years old or older. Distinguishing characteristics shall include unique design elements of the document and descriptors within the photograph area to identify persons who are at least 15 years old but less than 21 years old. These descriptors shall include the month, day, and year when the person will become 21 years old. <a id="paragraph-285489" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall establish a method by which an applicant for a <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license or an identification card may indicate his consent to make an anatomical gift for transplantation, therapy, research, and education pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Manner of making anatomical gift before donor's death" href="/32.1-291.5/">32.1-291.5</a>, and shall cooperate with the Virginia Transplant Council to ensure that such method is designed to encourage organ, tissue, and eye donation with a minimum of effort on the part of the donor and the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. <a id="paragraph-285490" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> If an applicant indicates his consent to be a donor pursuant to subsection F, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> may make a notation of this designation on his license or card and shall make a notation of this designation in his <span class="dictionary">driver</span> record. The notation shall remain on the individual&#x2019;s license or card until he <span class="dictionary">revokes</span> his consent to make an anatomical gift by requesting removal of the notation from his license or card or otherwise in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Amending or revoking anatomical gift before donor's death" href="/32.1-291.6/">32.1-291.6</a>. Inclusion of a notation indicating consent to making an organ donation on an applicant&#x2019;s license or card pursuant to this subsection shall be sufficient legal authority for removal, following death, of the subject&#x2019;s organs or tissues without additional authority from the donor or his family or estate, in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Preclusive effect of anatomical gift, amendment, or revocation" href="/32.1-291.8/">32.1-291.8</a>. <a id="paragraph-285491" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> A <span class="dictionary">minor</span> may make a donor designation pursuant to subsection F without the consent of a parent or legal guardian as authorized by the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act; short title" href="/32.1-291.1/">32.1-291.1</a> et seq.). <a id="paragraph-285492" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I"><p><span class="prefix-number">I.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall provide a method by which an applicant conducting a <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of <span class="dictionary">Motor Vehicles</span> transaction using electronic means may make a voluntary contribution to the Virginia Donor Registry and Public Awareness Fund (Fund) established pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="The Virginia Transplant Council" href="/32.1-297.1/">32.1-297.1</a>. The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall inform the applicant of the existence of the Fund and also that contributing to the Fund is voluntary. <a id="paragraph-285493" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#I"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="J"><p><span class="prefix-number">J.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall collect all moneys contributed pursuant to subsection I and transmit the moneys on a regular basis to the Virginia Transplant Council, which shall credit the contributions to the Fund. <a id="paragraph-285494" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#J"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="K"><p><span class="prefix-number">K.</span> When requested by the applicant, and upon presentation of a signed statement by a licensed physician confirming the applicant&#x2019;s condition, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall indicate on the applicant&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license that the applicant (i) is an insulin-dependent diabetic; (ii) is deaf or hard of <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> or speech impaired; (iii) has a traumatic brain injury; (iv) has an intellectual disability, as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/37.2-100/">37.2-100</a>, or autism spectrum disorder, as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Coverage for autism spectrum disorder" href="/38.2-3418.17/">38.2-3418.17</a>; or (v) has a <span class="dictionary">non-apparent disability</span>. Any request for a traumatic brain injury indicator on an applicant&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license shall be accompanied by a form prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> and completed by a licensed physician. For purposes of this subsection, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">non-apparent disability</span>&#x201D; means a physical, sensory, mental, or emotional impairment that substantially limits one or more activities of daily living and that may not be visible or otherwise apparent, or a record of such impairment. <a id="paragraph-285495" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#K"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="L"><p><span class="prefix-number">L.</span> In the absence of gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> or willful misconduct, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> and its employees shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability in connection with the making of or failure to make a notation of donor designation on any license or card or in any person&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">driver</span> record. <a id="paragraph-285496" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#L"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="M"><p><span class="prefix-number">M.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall, in coordination with the Virginia Transplant Council, prepare an organ donor information brochure describing the organ donor program and providing instructions for completion of the uniform donor document information describing the bone marrow donation program and instructions for registration in the National Bone Marrow Registry. The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall include a copy of such brochure with every <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license renewal notice or application mailed to licensed <span class="dictionary">drivers</span> in Virginia. <a id="paragraph-285497" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#M"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="N"><p><span class="prefix-number">N.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall establish a method by which an applicant for an original, reissued, or renewed <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license may indicate his blood type. If the applicant chooses to indicate his blood type, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall make a notation of this designation on his license and in his record. Such notation on the <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license shall only be used by emergency medical services agencies in providing emergency medical support. Upon written request of the license holder or his legal guardian to have the designation removed, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> the <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license without such designation upon the payment of applicable fees.
			Notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall not disclose any data collected pursuant to this subsection except to the subject of the information and by designation on the <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license. Nothing herein shall require the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> to verify any information provided for the designation. No action taken by any person, whether private citizen or public officer or employee, with regard to any blood type designation displayed on a <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license, shall create a warranty of the reliability or accuracy of the document or electronic image, nor shall it create any liability on the part of the Commonwealth or of any <span class="dictionary">department</span>, office, or agency or of any officer, employee, or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> thereof. <a id="paragraph-285498" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-342/#N"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 46-370; 1958, c. 541, &#xA7; 46.1-375; 1962, c. 368; 1968, c. 642; 1972, c. 538; 1976, c. 57; 1979, c. 124; 1982, c. 180; 1983, c. 608; 1984, c. 780; 1989, cc. 139, 705, 727; 1990, c. 159; 1993, cc. 118, 986; 1995, cc. 350, 372; 1997, c. 486; 1998, c. 322; 1999, c. 330; 2000, c. 810; 2001, cc. 148, 157; 2002, cc. 135, 767, 834; 2003, cc. 306, 335; 2005, cc. 259, 828; 2007, cc. 92, 907; 2008, c. 82; 2009, cc. 834, 872; 2010, cc. 25, 55; 2014, c. 702; 2016, cc. 135, 743; 2019, c. 288; 2020, c. 545; 2022, c. 796; 2025, c. 532.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
