VA · Drivers education
Virginia drivers ed guide
Virginia makes every driver under 18 finish a state-approved driver education program, keep a learner's permit for nine months and drive 45 practice hours, and from January 1, 2027 the course also becomes mandatory for first-time applicants aged 18 to 20. There is no traffic school that wipes out a ticket. Instead, DMV's demerit system lets you offset points: a voluntary 8 hour driver improvement clinic adds 5 safe driving points.
Checked against Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles on 2026-10-23.
Virginia Teen Drivers Ed: What Parents Need to Plan
This page is for Virginia parents whose teen is closing in on 15 and a half. That birthday matters because it opens two doors at once: the learner's permit and the classroom part of driver education. Every Virginian unde...
- Earliest permit age15 years and 6 months
- Earliest license age16 years and 3 months
- Classroom36 periods, 50 minutes each
Virginia Drivers Ed for Adults, Including the 2027 Rule
This page is for Virginians 18 and older who have never been licensed and need to know which rules apply to them. Timing is everything. Until January 1, 2027, any first-time adult can either complete driver education or ...
- Ages 18 to 20, licensed from Jan 1, 2027Course required, plus a 90 day permit hold
- Age 21 and overCourse optional, or hold the permit 60 days
- Any adult licensed before 2027Course optional, or hold the permit 60 days
Defensive Driving in Virginia: How the Clinic Really Works
This page is for a Virginia driver who has heard that a defensive driving course helps after a ticket and wants to know exactly how. Virginia's version is the 8 hour driver improvement clinic. Take it on your own and DMV...
- Course length8 hours
- Most a clinic may charge$100
- Credit for a voluntary clinic5 safe driving points, once per 24 months