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Driver Services: Driver Education Requirements
If you are a Virginia resident under age 19, you must complete a state-approved driver education
program and hold your Virginia learner's permit for at least nine months.
If you are a Virginia resident, 19 years of age or older, you must hold a Virginia learner's permit
for at least 30 days or show completion of a state-approved driver education program.
Driver education programs are available statewide to students, adults and out-of-school youths. Public and private school programs are approved by the Department of Education. Follow the same course content and are licensed by DMV.
The program must present 36 classroom periods. It must include components about alcohol safety, drug abuse awareness, aggressive driving, distracted driving, motorcycle awareness and organ and tissue donation awareness. It must also include 14 in-car instruction periods, 7 periods of driving and 7 periods of observation.
The course must be taken at a public, private or commercial driver training school.
You will receive a driver education completion certificate when you successfully complete a driver education program. A copy of your certificate will be sent by your school instructor to DMV for issuance of a permanent driver's license.
If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or legal guardian must sign the certificate to attest to academic standing and to authorize issuance of a driver's license to you. Your parent, legal guardian or foster parent must also certify that you have driven at least 40 hours, 10 of which occurred after sunset.
Exchanging Your Out-of-state License (Juvenile Applicants Only)
DMV may exchange your out-of-state license for a Virginia license if you meet the following conditions:
- * You are at least age 16 and three months but under age 19 and hold a valid license; and
- * You have successfully completed a driver education program while residing in another state and the program meets a minimum of 30 classroom hours and six in-car instruction hours; and
- * You can present proof of legal presence, identity, Virginia residency, and your social security number.
Refer to "Acceptable Documents for Obtaining a Driver's License or Photo ID Card"
(DMV 141).
To find out the documents that you need to bring to DMV click here.