Driver Licensing: Driving Laws for VA Teens

Your driver's license gives you a lot of freedom. But, it also brings new responsibilities. Here's a summary of some of your responsibilities.

1. You must be a resident of the Commonwealth and at least 16 years and three months of age to obtain a driver's license. To obtain a learner's permit, you must be at least 15 years and six months of age. If you are under age 18, you must provide written consent from one of your parents or your legal guardian unless you are married or emancipated. If you are under age 19, you must complete of a state-approved driver education program, you must hold a learner's permit for at least nine months or until you turn age 19 before you can receive your driver's license. (This requirement does not apply if you were age 18 and your learner's permit was issued prior to July 1, 2002.) In addition, until you reach age 19, you must provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver education course which includes both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. No exceptions will be made to any of these requirements.

2. In order to get your learner's permit, you will need to pass a two-part knowledge exam and a vision screening at DMV. Contact your nearest DMV customer service center for a driver's manual and be sure to study it before you take the exam. You may also practice by taking the sample knowledge exam. If you are under 18 and you fail the test, you must wait 15 days before you can take it again.

3. Your learner's permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated beside you. The driver accompanying you must be at least 18 years of age if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother, or step-sister.
   
   The driver accompanying you must hold a valid driver's license, be legally permitted to drive and be alert and able to assist you. The person may not be under the influence of alcohol or have a suspended license. If you learn to drive with an experienced and safe driver, you'll learn more and be better prepared for the challenges of safe driving.

4. New curfew laws prohibit drivers under age 18 who hold a learner's permit or driver's license from driving from midnight to 4 a.m. If you hold a driver's license you may drive during these hours:
   • in case of an emergency,
   • when traveling to and from work or a school-sponsored event,
   • when accompanied by a parent or other adult acting in place of a parent,
   • when responding to an emergency call as a volunteer firefighter or rescue squad personnel.
   Also, you are restricted to the number of passengers under age 18 who may travel with you when you drive (three passengers if you are age 16; four passengers if you are age 17). Learner's permit holders may not carry more than one passenger under age 18. Passenger restrictions do not apply to family members.

5. If you are under age 20, you will be required to attend a driver improvement clinic after your first demerit point conviction (including safety belt and child restraint violations) for an offense committed while you were under age 20. You will not receive safe driving points for satisfactorily completing a clinic. If you do not complete the clinic within 90 days, your driving privilege will be suspended until the clinic is completed.
   
   If you are under age 18, after your second demerit point conviction for an offense committed while you were under age 18, DMV will suspend your permit or license for 90 days. After the third demerit point conviction for an offense committed while you were under age 18, DMV will revoke your permit or license for one year or until you reach age 18, whichever is longer. Drive safely, obey all the signs and be sure you and your passengers buckle-up and this won't be a problem.

6. Your parents, custodial parent or guardian have responsibilities, too. If you are under age 18, they must give permission for you to obtain a driver's license and certify that you received at least 40 hours of driving practice (10 hours completed after sunset) before you receive a license. They can also take your license for any amount of time or direct DMV to cancel your license for a six-month period. Talk to your parents or guardian about what they expect from you as a new driver in the family.

7. A juvenile court judge can suspend your license for any number of reasons, including truancy, alcohol or drug-related offenses, delinquency and curfew violations. Keep your record clean and you'll stay on the road.

8. If you are a male, under age 26 and applying for a learner's permit, driver's license, commercial driver's license or photo ID card, you must authorize DMV to forward your personal information to the Selective Service System for registration or you must indicate that you are already registered. If you are under age 18, your parent or guardian must sign your registration authorization. Document issuance, whether original or a renewal, is contingent on registration authorization as required by federal law.

9. For more information, read learner's permit information and applying for a learner's permit.