Minimum age for a car driving licence in Virginia (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A learner's permit is available to residents over 15 years 6 months and a provisional licence from 16 years 3 months. A provisional licence limits passengers under 21 and bars driving between midnight and 4 am except in listed cases. A nonresident over 16 years 3 months with a valid home licence may drive without a Virginia licence.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 16.25 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15.5 years [2] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A learner's permit is available to a resident over 15 years and 6 months and allows driving with a licensed driver 21 or older (or a parent, guardian or sibling 18 or older) beside the holder. A person under 18 needs 45 hours of certified driving (15 after sunset) and an approved driver education course before a licence, which is issued at 16 years and 3 months at the earliest. The initial licence under 18 is provisional: until 18, no more than one passenger under 21 (three after the first year in certain cases), and no driving between midnight and 4 a.m. except for work, supervised activities and similar purposes. [3] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | A nonresident over the age of 16 years and three months who is duly licensed in the home state or country and has the licence in immediate possession may drive in Virginia without a Virginia licence. [4] |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15.5 years [2] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | A driver under 18 must have driven at least 45 hours on a learner's permit, at least 15 of them after sunset, certified by a parent, foster parent or legal guardian. [2] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A provisional licence holder may not drive between midnight and 4:00 a.m., except to or from work, a supervised school, civic, religious or public organisation activity, with a parent or adult spouse beside them, or in an emergency. [3] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | Until 18, a provisional licence holder may carry no more than one passenger under 21. After the first year, up to three under 21 are allowed when driving to or from a school-sponsored activity, with a licensed driver aged 21 or over beside them, or in an emergency. Family and household members do not count. [3] |
Notes
- The earliest age is for a licence that allows driving without a supervising adult. It carries graduated-licensing restrictions, described under 'Driving before the minimum age'.
- 15.5 years is 15 years and 6 months; the law says over that age.
Sources
- Virginia General Assembly: Code of Virginia § 46.2-334. Conditions and requirements for licensure of persons under 18 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Virginia General Assembly: Code of Virginia § 46.2-335. Learner's permits; fees; certification required (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Virginia General Assembly: Code of Virginia § 46.2-334.01. Licenses issued to persons less than 18 years old subject to certain restrictions (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Virginia General Assembly: Code of Virginia § 46.2-307. Nonresidents licensed under laws of home state or country; extension of reciprocal privileges (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Virginia and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 16 yrs 3 mths (provisional licence) | 15 yrs 6 mths (learner's permit) | Permit at 15y 6m; provisional licence at 16y 3m | Nonresident over 16y 3m with a valid home licence |
| District of Columbia | ⚠ Not yet verified | 16 (learner permit) | GRAD: permit at 16, provisional, full from 17 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kentucky | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 (instruction permit) | Intermediate at 16; full licence after 180 days | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Maryland | 16 yrs 6 mths (provisional licence) | 15 yrs 9 mths (learner's permit) | Provisional from 16 yrs 6 mths; full licence 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| North Carolina | 16 (Level 2 limited provisional) | 15 (limited learner permit) | L1 at 15; L2 at 16 after 9 months; L3 after 6 more | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Tennessee | 16 (intermediate restricted licence) | 15 (learner permit) | Permit at 15; intermediate licence at 16 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| West Virginia | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 (level one permit) | Permit 15; intermediate 16; full 17 | Nonresident 16+ with a valid home licence (90 days a year) |
More rules in Virginia
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+ within limits · Growing at home: Up to 4 plants per household
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph; 35 mph elsewhere in towns · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class three: 14, or supervised
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (only permissible fireworks)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed list; folding knife not named · Locking or one-handed knives: Not named; "like kind" clause
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes (state law) · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $12.77 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.