Driving Tests

Virginia Driver's Ed Requirements in 2027: Under 18, 18 to 20, 21+

informational·how to guide·Published August 31, 2026

Do I need driver's ed in Virginia?

It depends on your age. Under 18, you need an approved driver education program, a learner's permit held at least nine months and 45 hours of practice, 15 after sunset. Until January 1, 2027, adults 18 or older can choose driver education or a 60-day permit. From that date, ages 18 to 20 need driver education and a 90-day permit. At 21 or older, you still choose one.

Where the Virginia driver education facts come from

The rules by age come from Code of Virginia section 46.2-324.1, which has one version in force until January 1, 2027 and a new version from that date. The 2027 change is in House Bill 1224. The holding periods, the program and the 90-minute parent/teen component come from the Virginia DMV pages on driver education requirements and the revised learner's permit FAQs, and from the DMV pages on the parent/teen component, license eligibility, how to apply for a license and teen driver questions, and Code section 46.2-335. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.virginia.gov) before you drive.

Virginia driver education rules by age, now and from January 1, 2027

Virginia driver education rules by age, now and from January 1, 2027
Your age	Until January 1, 2027	From January 1, 2027
Under 18	Approved driver education, a permit held at least nine months, and 45 hours of practice (15 after sunset)	No change
18 to 20	Driver education, or a permit held at least 60 days	Driver education AND a permit held at least 90 days
21 or older	Driver education, or a permit held at least 60 days	Driver education, or a permit held at least 60 days

Which law changes on January 1, 2027?

House Bill 1224 changes section 46.2-324.1 of the Code of Virginia, and DMV says the change goes into effect January 1, 2027. The new version says that an applicant who is at least 18 years old and less than 21 years old gets a driver's license only with written proof of a completed driver instruction course and a learner's permit held at least 90 days. For an applicant who is at least 21, the law keeps the choice: a course, or a permit held at least 60 days before the first DMV behind-the-wheel exam.

Who must follow these rules?

You have never held a driver's license from Virginia, another state, a U.S. territory or a foreign country

The age rules on this page apply to you.

You can prove an earlier license from another state, a U.S. territory or a foreign country

DMV says you may not need to repeat driver education or take the written and road skills tests.

You are 18 or older and have a license from another state that is not expired for more than one year

You only submit the documents and the fee. You do not need driver training or tests.

Under 18: driver education, nine months and 45 hours

If you are under 18, DMV says you must hold your Virginia learner's permit at least nine months and complete a state-approved driver education program. A parent or guardian signs the completion certificate to certify that you drove at least 45 hours, at least 15 of them after sunset. Code section 46.2-335 sets the same 45-hour rule. These rules stay the same on and after January 1, 2027. For who may sit beside you while you practice, see the Virginia learner's permit rules. Test yourself with a free question on the 15 hours after sunset.

Ages 18 to 20: the biggest change in 2027

Until January 1, 2027, a first-time driver aged 18 to 20 chooses driver education or a 60-day permit. From that date, you need both: a state-approved driver education program completed while you hold the permit, and a permit held at least 90 days. This also applies if your learner's permit is from another state. The new law adds one benefit. A learner's permit with documents that show you are 18 to 20 and finished an approved driver's education course counts as a temporary license to drive without a licensed driver 18 or older, if you meet all other requirements. It is valid until you receive your permanent license.

Age 21 or older: course or 60-day permit

Until January 1, 2027, these two paths apply to every first-time driver aged 18 or older. From that date, they apply at age 21 or older.
Path 1, driver education: at DMV you then take only the two-part knowledge exam.
Path 2, a learner's permit held at least 60 days: you then take the two-part knowledge exam and the road skills test.
Until January 1, 2027, Path 2 also needs a Behind-the-Wheel Checklist: a licensed driver certifies that they were with you while you practiced.
Test yourself with a free question on the 60-day option for adults.

What a Virginia driver education program includes

What a Virginia driver education program includes
Part	Amount
Classroom sessions	36 sessions
Driving sessions	7 sessions
Observation sessions	7 sessions
Final exam	A road skills examination
Length of each session	50 minutes

Can you take driver's ed online or before you get the permit?

Yes to both, for the classroom part. You may take the classroom part online through a driver training school. Anyone who is 15 years and 6 months or older can take the classroom part without a learner's permit. You need a learner's permit for the driving part. Programs run at public or private schools or at driver training schools. If you are 18 or older, a driver training school course may include the final behind-the-wheel exam, and you can still choose to have DMV give that exam.

The 90-minute parent/teen component: do you need it?

You are under 18

Your classroom part includes an extra 90-minute parent/teen component. It covers parent duties, juvenile driving limits, and the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking.

You are under 18 and live in Planning District 8 (the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park)

You and a parent or guardian must complete the component in person.

You are at least 18, an emancipated minor, or an unaccompanied minor who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian

You and your parents are exempt from the 90-minute component.

Who sends your driver education certificate to DMV?

The driver training school sends your completion certificate to DMV. DMV does not accept completion certificates directly from applicants. Most new drivers need this certificate to qualify for a permanent driver's license. When you go to DMV to apply for your license, also bring your driver education completion certificate if it applies to you.

Does out-of-state permit time or driver education count?

If you are under 18 and move to Virginia from another U.S. state or territory with a valid learner's permit, the time you held it counts toward the Virginia holding period. If you finished driver education in another state while you held that permit, the program must show at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction. A teen with a current out-of-state license but no proof of driver education may get a Virginia six-month temporary license. For the full exchange steps, see moving to Virginia with a license.

Key takeaways

Under 18: driver education, a permit held at least nine months, and 45 hours of practice with 15 after sunset. This stays the same in 2027.
Ages 18 to 20: until January 1, 2027, choose driver education or a 60-day permit. From that date, you need driver education AND a permit held at least 90 days.
Age 21 or older: driver education or a permit held at least 60 days, before and from 2027.
The program has 36 classroom, 7 driving and 7 observation sessions of 50 minutes, plus a final road skills exam. Students under 18 also do the 90-minute parent/teen component.
Next step: practice on the free Virginia passenger practice test.

Virginia driver's ed: common questions

How old do you have to be to start driver's ed in Virginia?

You can start the classroom part at 15 years and 6 months, even before you have a learner's permit. That is also the minimum age for the permit, and you need the permit before the driving sessions. The minimum age for a Virginia driver's license is 16 years and 3 months.

How many hours is driver's ed in Virginia?

A program has 36 classroom sessions of 50 minutes each: 36 × 50 = 1,800 minutes, or 30 hours. It also has 7 driving sessions and 7 observation sessions of 50 minutes each, plus a final road skills exam. Students under 18 also do a 90-minute parent/teen component.

Does driver's ed replace the permit holding period?

Under 18, no: you need both the program and nine months. Until January 1, 2027, adults who finish driver education with the end of course skills exam skip the 60-day holding period and the DMV skills exam, but still need a permit. From that date, ages 18 to 20 need both the program and 90 days.

Can homeschooled students take driver's ed at home in Virginia?

Yes, if you are an approved home schooler: DMV says driver education can then be taught at home. You can also take the classroom part online through a driver training school, or take the program at a driver training school. DMV has a separate page with driver education information for home schoolers.