Virginia
What Virginia asks of a teen driver before the first license, from the practice hours to the road test.
45hours
of supervised practice, including 15 at night
- Permit
- Learner’s Permit
- License
- Provisional Driver’s License
- Practice can start at
- 15 years, 6 months
Before the road test
- Learner’s permit held 9 monthsUntil December 31, 2026, Virginia shortens this to 60 days when the permit is issued at 18 or older with no earlier permit history. From January 1, 2027, learners aged 18 to 20 hold it 90 days and finish driver education.
- Minimum age16 years, 3 months old
- Classes and instructor timeFinish the classroom and in-car course with the instructor. The 90-minute parent session is required in Northern Virginia.
When they can drive
- Midnight to 4 a.m.No driving on the learner’s permit in this window.
Where this comes from
- Apply for a Learner’s Permit
- Driver License Eligibility Requirements
- Code of Virginia Section 46.2-335.2
- Code of Virginia Section 46.2-335
- Code of Virginia Section 46.2-334.01
- Code of Virginia Section 46.2-1030
- Parents in the Driver’s Seats (DMV 16)
- 45-Hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide
Moonroof checked these sources on October 9, 2026. Rules change, so check with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles before booking the road test.