Virginia Online Driver Education and Licensing Procedures

The process of applying for your Virginia learner’s permit or first Virginia driver’s license can be nerve-racking, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the right information. The first thing you need to know is that Virginia has a “Graduated Driver License Program()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/teen.asp for Virginia teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that you don’t hit any snags while applying for your first Virginia driver’s. Here’s what you need to know:

The Virginia Learner’s Permit or Virginia Instruction Permit

When you turn 15 and a half, you can finally apply for a Virginia Learner’s Permit, otherwise known as a Virginia Instruction Permit. In order to apply, you’ll need:

• “Proof of Virginia residency()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/legal_presqa.asp
• “Proof of identity()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv141.pdf
• The “Virginia Driver Manual()”:http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/manual.asp (so you can study for the written test)
• “The Virginia Learner’s Permit fee()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/applying.asp%22%20%5Cl%20%22payment
• Proof of Social Security Number
• Your parent/guardian must sign your “application()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dl1p.pdf
• Complete a “Virginia approved driver education program()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/ed_reqs.asp
• Your parent/guardian must certify that you have practiced driving for at least 45 hours – 15 practice hours must be at night

Once you’re ready, make an appointment, then head on down to your local Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with your parent or guardian and submit your application. Then, you’ll have to take a “vision test()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/medical/vision.asp, as well as a “two-part written exam()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/know_exam.asp. If you survive, then congratulations. You’ve just earned your Virginia Learner’s Permit.

When practicing, you must have your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or licensed driver who is at least 21 sitting next to you. However, you may also be accompanied by a family member if he/she is at least 18 years old and licensed. All passengers must wear seatbelts, and you are required to carry your Virginia Learner’s Permit with you at all times. Also, with a Virginia Learner’s Permit, you are allowed no more than 1 passenger under 18 (unless immediate family members), and you may not drive between midnight and 4AM. And finally, no cell phones while driving!

If you can hold your Virginia Learner Permit for 9 months and meet a few more requirements, you’re all set for the next step in the Virginia Graduated License Program, the Virginia Driver License.

The Virginia Driver License or Virginia Provisional License

Once you’ve held your Virginia Learner’s Permit for 9 months without incident, you can apply for your Virginia Driver’s License. However, you’ll need to make sure you have satisfied these requirements:

• Hold a Virginia Learner Permit for 9 months
• “Proof of Virginia residency()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/legal_presqa.asp
• “Proof of identity()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv141.pdf
• You must be at least 16 and 3 months old
• Proof of Social Security Number

With these requirements met, you can make an appointment and head back to your local Virginia DMV again. Then you’ll have to take the “dreaded Virginia road test()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/roadtest.asp! Pass it, then congratulate yourself: you’ve just earned your Virginia Driver’s License. However, there are still a few restrictions you’ll have to live with for the time being.

Virginia Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

You’ve come a long way, but you still have a few months of good behavior to go before you’ve earned your full license. There are still a few restrictions you’ll have to keep in mind now that you have your Virginia Driver’s License:

• All passengers and the driver must wear seat belts
• No more than 1 passenger until you’ve held your Virginia Driver’s License for 1 year in good standing
• No driving from midnight to 4AM unless in case of an emergency or when accompanied by a supervising driver
• No cell phones while driving (not even a hands-free device)

But you’re just a few months away from freedom! Once you turn 18, these restrictions will no longer apply.

Virginia Drunk Driving Laws

As a Virginia teen driver, there’s no greater threat to your safety than intoxicated drivers. it’s important for you to learn the Virginia drunk driving laws. First of all, Virginia has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Virginia DUI or Virginia DWI, your Virginia Learner Permit or Virginia Driver’s License will be suspended.

In general, your first conviction of a Virginia DUI can carry the following penalties:

• Jail 5 days to 10 days, depending on your blood alcohol level
• Additional fine of $500-1,000 if a passenger under 18 is in the vehicle
• Virginia license suspension of 1 year
• Alcohol Safety Action Program
• Fine $250 minimum
• Ignition Interlock Device possible (depending on BAC level)

And of course, further Virginia DWI and DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Virginia license suspension or even Virginia license revocation.

Virginia Auto Insurance Financial Responsibility Laws

Once you receive your Virginia Provisional Driver license, you may think you’re ready to hit the road, but there are still a few more things you need to know. First of all, Virginia drivers are required by law to be covered by liability insurance. The minimum liability insurance coverage is:

• $25,000 bodily injury for one person
• $50,000 bodily injury two or more people
• $20,000 for property damage per accident

Take this seriously! Your Virginia Learner Permit or Virginia Driver’s License could be suspended if you are in an accident and found to be driving without Virginia mandatory liability insurance.

Cell Phone and Text Messaging Laws

Currently, Virginia teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving, even with hands-free devices! Needless to say, even adults should exercise caution whenever using a cell phone behind the wheel, and consider keeping such use to a minimum.

Virginia Online Driver Education

Virginia teen drivers must take a Virginia approved driver education class. You can find more information about approved Virginia online driver education on the “Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle website()”:http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/cdl_schools.asp.