Licensing - Driver's ED

How old do I need to be to try to get my learner’s permit?

15 years, 6 months

What 4 things do I need to provide proof of when I go to the DMV to apply for my learner’s permit?

1. Proof of Identity 

2. Virginia residency

3. Social Security number

4.  Legal presence

When I go with my documents, I need to bring

originals of those documents, not copies.

The learner’s permit test has

two parts.

The first part is 10 questions on

traffic signs. I must get all correct to pass.

The second part is multiple choice questions on

general knowledge. I must get 80% correct to pass.

If you fail your learner’s permit test 3 times, what do you have to provide proof of before you are allowed to attempt the test for the 4^th time?

You completed and pass the classroom component of driver education.

When I have my learner’s permit, the person in my passenger seat must be:

• 21 years old

•  Must have a driver's license

•  May be 18, 19, 20 if they're your legal guardian or an immediate family member

When you have your permit, you can only have 1 passenger(s) in the car with you

who is under the age of 18.

If you fail your permit test,

Applicants under 18: Wait 15 days and pay a fee

Applicants over 18: Pay $2 or wait 15 days

The youngest you can possibly be to get your driver’s license is 16.25,

but that’s only if you have had your permit for 9 months.

Requirements to be eligible to get your driver’s license include: 

• Have this: Parent/Guardian permission

• Be this age: 16.25

• Have your permit for at least this much time: 9 months

• Complete this: 45 hours

  • After dark: 15 of those hours (minimum)

Part 1 of becoming eligible for a driver’s license

• You cannot miss more than 3 days of class.

• Attend PTSD meeting. If you don’t attend, you will receive a grade of I.

• Once you meet all requirements above, you will be issued a Pink Card. It is your ticket to the second part.

Part 2 of becoming eligible for a driver’s license

Once you have completed all requirements to get your license, you will be issued a Temporary Driver's License (TDL) by your Behind The Wheel driver education instructor.

• This is a document that you must keep with your learner's permit until you are issued your plastic license.

• You will receive your plastic driver’s license from a Juvenile and Domestic relations court at a licensing ceremony.

Earning your license doesn’t mean you are a safe driver or skilled driver. It will take you about

5 years to develop the driving ability of an average driver.

Nearly half of all new drivers will either be charged with a traffic offense or be involved in a collision during their first

12 months of driving. 

f you are interested in driving a motorcycle, can you legally do that with your driver’s license?

Yes

If you are interested in driving a tractor trailer or school bus can you legally do that with your driver’s license?

No

To legally drive large vehicles, you need to complete the process of obtaining a

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

If you get a ticket under the age of 18,

you must complete a Driver's Improvement Clinic within 90 days.

If you get a second ticket under 18,

your license is automatically suspended for 90 days and you must complete the clinic and pay a reinstatement fee within that time.

What does it mean to have your license suspended?

Driving privileges have been temporarily taken away.

What does it mean to have your license revoked?

Driving privileges have been terminated by a judge for a set period of time.

What’s the difference between having your license suspended and having it revoked?

If your license is revoked, you must reapply (including passing your test) to get a license again. However, once the set time period of having your license suspended is up, you may drive again.

Curfew restriction

Cannot drive from midnight-4am

Over 21

Horizontal license

Under 21

Vertical license

A license only means

you have demonstrated basic knowledge and ability needed to control a motor vehicle

It will take your eyes about

5 years to develop the driving ability demonstrated by an average driver

A temporary license is equal to a

valid Virginia Driver’s license when presented with a valid learner’s permit

Juvenile licensing Ceremony

Court will send notice of the date to appear within 180 day licensing period, Dress appropriately and on time and bring learner’s permit and 180 day temporary driver’s license

Judge will give your parents

the hard copy of your license at a ceremony held by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations court that serves your zip code

Motorcycle permit

Allows you to operate a motorcycle after 4 am and before midnight

Must be supervised by a person at least 21, licensed to operate a motorcycle, and able to assist you/ride along with you

Must wear an approved helmet

Must hold a permit for a minimum of 30 days

Motorcycle License

Must pass drivers license two part knowledge exam, motorcycle knowledge exam, and motorcycle road skills test

If you already hold a driver’s license, you may already drive a motorcycle.

Having the little black heart (Organ Donation) on your license isn’t enough,

family consent is REQUIRED at time of death