When to Complete a Virginia DMV License Renewal

In most cases, renewing drivers license credentials in Virginia must be completed every eight years. However, a drivers license renewal every five years is needed under certain circumstances. First, you must renew your drivers license every five years if you are listed on the Sex Offender Registry. Second, once you turn 75 years of age or older, you will need to renew your credentials every five years.

Renewing a Virginia drivers license is not possible if you have a temporary or limited-term drivers license. Instead of applying for a driver license renewal for a temporary driver’s license, you may be eligible to apply for a new limited-term driver license. In most cases, your temporary driving license is only valid for the duration of your legal presence in the U.S. For example, if you are legally permitted to reside in Virginia for one year, then you may only receive a temporary license that is valid for one year.

Methods for Renewing a Drivers License in Virginia

You will receive a Virginia drivers license renewal notice in the mail before your license is due to expire. Your DMV license renewal notification will indicate which methods you may use for completing the process. The three methods include an online drivers license renewal, an in-person renewal and a renewal by mail. Renewing your drivers license online or by mail is considered a “preferred method.” You may be wondering, “Can you renew your license online every time?” due to the convenience of this method. Note that you may only use a preferred renewal method every other time you renew your license. An in-person drivers license renewal is required if you already used a preferred method the last time you renewed your license. In-person drivers license renewals are required so that the DMV can administer new vision tests, update your photo or have you complete other requirements as needed.

Note that to complete a Virginia drivers license renewal online or through the mail, you must meet a few eligibility criteria. You cannot renew a drivers license in Virginia using a preferred method if any of the following apply:

• You are 75 years of age or older.
• You have an expired drivers license, even if your license expired a day ago.
• You have driving restrictions or a suspended drivers license.
• You must retake a driver’s license vision test or knowledge test, if requested by the DMV.
• You must provide other information needs that the DMV needs to verify or update.

What is the driving license renewal fee in Virginia?

In general, the Virginia drivers license renewal fee is the same fee that you paid for your original license. When you renew your Virginia drivers license by mail or online, you do not have to pay a convenience fee on top of your renewal fee. In fact, completing a drivers license renewal online gives you a small discount on the process. Additionally, when renewing a drivers license in person, you usually do not have to pay a service fee. However, if you are eligible to renew your driver license online or by mail but choose not to, then you may be charged a small service fee for renewing your license in person. This service fee will be waived if you have other DMV services to complete that require an in-person visit. In general, it is best to renew drivers license credentials using a preferred method, if you are eligible to do so.

Renewing a Drivers License Online in Virginia

To choose renew drivers license online in Virginia, simply visit the DMV website and prepare to enter your personal information. When submitting a drivers license renewal online, you will need to enter your Social Security Number or driving license number, as well as your date of birth and address. Next, you will make a payment using a debit card, credit card or your checking account.

How to Renew Drivers License in Virginia by Mail

Renewing drivers license credentials by mail requires that you complete the application you received from the DMV. When you renew drivers license cards by mail, you can also register to vote if you are not already registered. Send the completed VA drivers license renewal application and your payment to the following address:

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 26506
Richmond, VA 23260-6506

Renewing Virginia Drivers Licenses in Person

An in-person drivers license renewal is required in Virginia when you are ineligible to renew your credentials online or through the mail. Renewing drivers license credentials in person can be done at any DMV customer service center as well as mobile offices, such as DMV Connect or DMV 2 Go. When you renew a drivers license in person, the DMV will take a new photograph and administer vision tests. If you have an expired Virginia drivers license, then the DMV may require you to take a knowledge test and provide proof of your legal presence in order to complete the renewal process.

How to Renew a Virginia Drivers License in the Military

There are several options for renewing a Virginia drivers license if you are in the military and are currently out of the state. First, an out-of- state DMV license renewal allows you to renew your license while you are temporarily living elsewhere. Second, you may apply for a military driver’s license extension, which allows you to postpone your renewal. An application packet is available for each of these options. You must request either a drivers license renewal packet or a military extension packet before your license expires. These packets contain the applications, forms and information that you will need to send back to the DMV.