Driving Tests

Foreign Driver's License in Virginia: Reciprocal Countries and Tests

informational·how to guide·Published August 9, 2026

Can you exchange a foreign driver's license in Virginia?

Yes, if you are 18 or older and your license is valid. Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are reciprocal: their holders pass a vision screening and may skip the road skills test, and all but Taiwan may skip the knowledge exam. Except for Canada, DMV first checks the license with a DL 7, which can take up to 15 days. Other countries take all three tests.

Where these Virginia facts come from

The exchange steps, the reciprocal countries and the tests come from the Virginia DMV page Exchange a Foreign Driver's License. The 60-day rule and the first-time driver rules come from the DMV driver's license eligibility page and Code of Virginia § 46.2-324.1. The card facts come from the DMV driver privilege card page. The exam format comes from the DMV knowledge exam page, and the Japan note from the April 2026 Virginia Driver's Manual. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.virginia.gov) before you drive.

Virginia foreign license exchange at a glance, by country

Virginia foreign license exchange at a glance, by country
Where your license is from	DL 7 check first?	Tests you may need
France, Germany, Japan or South Korea	Yes	Vision screening. You may skip the knowledge exam and the road skills test.
Canada	No. Make an in-person appointment.	Vision screening. You may skip the knowledge exam and the road skills test.
Taiwan	Yes	Vision screening and the two-part knowledge exam. You may skip the road skills test.
Any other country	No. Not eligible for reciprocity.	Vision screening, the two-part knowledge exam and the road skills test.

Who can exchange a foreign license in Virginia?

You must be at least 18 years old and meet the requirements for a Virginia driver's license or driver privilege card. Then your valid foreign license may help you meet Virginia's rules. The steps depend on the country that issued it. Applicants under 18 cannot exchange a foreign license; they must complete all testing and licensing requirements.

Which countries are reciprocal in Virginia?

DMV lists six reciprocal countries: Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan. These countries have shown Virginia that they issue licenses with a process similar to Virginia's. Taiwan holders must still take the knowledge exam. The April 2026 Virginia Driver's Manual does not name Japan in its lists of licenses that skip the knowledge exam or the road skills test. This guide follows the DMV exchange page. With a Japanese license, ask DMV which tests you need.

How to exchange a reciprocal-country license, step by step

1
Send the DL 7 and a copy of your license
Submit a completed Exchanging a Driver's License from a Foreign Country (DL 7) and a legible copy of your foreign license. DMV verifies it with the issuing country. Canadian holders skip this step.
2
Wait for verification
The check can take up to 15 days. If DMV verifies your license and it is in good standing, you get an approval letter by mail.
3
Visit a DMV customer service center
After the approval letter, visit any DMV customer service center with the documents below.
4
Pass the vision screening and any test that applies
Everyone must pass a vision screening. Taiwan license holders also pass the two-part knowledge exam.

How to send your DL 7 documents

Online upload is the fastest way. Send legible images of the DL 7 and your license: DMV cannot process images it cannot read. You can also mail them to Department of Motor Vehicles, License and ID Card Work Center, Room 420, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, Virginia 23269, fax them to 804-367-1112, or bring them to any customer service center, with an appointment or on any day DMV is open.

What to bring to DMV for the exchange

One proof of identity
One proof of legal presence
Two proofs of Virginia residency
One proof of your Social Security number, if you have been issued one
Your current driver's license
Proof of name change, if your name appears differently on your proof documents
Originals only: DMV does not accept temporary documents or photocopies.
Holders from non-reciprocal countries bring the same list to their first visit.

Which tests do people from other countries take?

With a license from any other country, you are not eligible for reciprocity. Make an in-person appointment and pass the two-part knowledge exam, the road skills test and a vision screening. If your foreign license is acceptable, you do not need proof of driver education or a 60-day learner's permit. Part one of the exam has 10 road sign questions, and all 10 must be right. Part two has 30 general knowledge questions, and you need 24 right. Study with our Virginia knowledge exam guide.

What if you opt out, fail a test or have never held a license?

You hold a reciprocal-country license but choose not to submit a DL 7

You must meet all knowledge and road skills testing requirements. If you can prove that you held a foreign driver's license, you may not need to hold a learner's permit.

You fail the knowledge or road skills test

You lose the test waiver. You must pass both tests before DMV issues a Virginia driver's license. At 18 or older, you can take the knowledge exam only one time each day.

You are 18 or older and have never held a license from any U.S. state, U.S. territory or foreign country, or cannot show proof of one (rule now, until January 1, 2027)

You must pass an approved driver education course, or hold a learner's permit for at least 60 days before the road skills test.

You have never held a license from Virginia, another U.S. state or territory, or a foreign country (rule from January 1, 2027)

If you are at least 18 years old and less than 21 years old, you must complete an approved driver education course and hold a learner's permit for at least 90 days. At 21 or older, you must complete the course or hold a permit for at least 60 days before the road skills test.

Can you get a driver privilege card instead?

A driver privilege card is a driver's license for Virginia residents who are not U.S. citizens. It needs no proof of legal presence. You must have reported income from Virginia sources, or be claimed as a dependent on a Virginia tax return, in the past 12 months. You may be able to exchange a foreign license for a card. The first card costs $50, each renewal $50, and a combined card and permit $53. It is not REAL ID-compliant, so you cannot use it to board a flight. Our driver privilege card guide lists the documents.

Can you drive in Virginia before you exchange?

A full-time student at an accredited school in Virginia who is not employed may drive with a valid license from another country and valid out-of-state plates. A non-resident living in Virginia for a short time may drive on a home country license for no more than six months; with a job, you need a Virginia license. New residents must get a Virginia license within 60 days of moving. Try our free question on a new resident's license deadline.

Key takeaways

You can exchange a valid foreign license in Virginia at age 18 or older. Applicants under 18 cannot.
DMV lists Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan as reciprocal. Ask DMV about Japan, because the April 2026 manual does not name it.
Except for Canada, send a DL 7 first. The check can take up to 15 days, and the approval letter comes by mail.
Reciprocal holders pass a vision screening, and Taiwan holders also pass the knowledge exam. Other countries, and anyone who fails a test or opts out, take both tests.
Next step: practice on the free Virginia passenger practice test (English only).

Foreign license in Virginia: common questions

Does a Canadian license need a DL 7 in Virginia?

No. Canadian license holders skip the DL 7 and the verification wait. Make an in-person appointment on the DMV site and bring your valid Canadian license with your identity, legal presence and residency documents. You must pass a vision screening, but you may not need the knowledge exam or the road skills test.

How long does it take to exchange a foreign license in Virginia?

For France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, the DL 7 check alone can take up to 15 days. DMV verifies your license with the issuing country and mails an approval letter if it is in good standing. Online upload is the fastest way to send the DL 7.

Do I have to take a driving test with a reciprocal license?

Not always. At 18 or older with a license from Canada, France, Germany, Japan or South Korea, you may skip the knowledge exam and the road skills test, but you must pass a vision screening. Taiwan holders take the two-part knowledge exam and may skip the road skills test. If you fail a test, you must pass both.

Do I need a learner's permit or driver's ed if my license is from another country?

With a valid reciprocal license, you may not need to show driver education or hold a learner's permit. With an acceptable license from another country, you need no driver education proof or 60-day permit, but you take all three tests. If you opt out of the DL 7, proof of your foreign license may remove the permit requirement.