Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB396: An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-324.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure; persons age 18 to 21.
Status: Chaptered, April 13, 2026
Driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure; persons age 18 to 21. Expands from 60 days to 90 days the length of time an applicant for a first-time noncommercial driver's license who is at least 18 years old and not more than 21 years old is required to hold a learner's permit and requires such an applicant to complete a course of driver instruction prior to being issued a driver's license. The bill provides that learner's permits other than motorcycle learner's permits, accompanied by other documentation verifying that the driver is at least 18 years old and less than 21 years old and has successfully completed an approved driver's education course, constitute a temporary driver's license for the purpose of driving unaccompanied by a licensed driver 18 years old or older, provided that certain other requirements are met. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 1224.
What the bill says
An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-324.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure; persons age 18 to 21. [S 396] Approved April 13, 2026 1. That § 46.2-324.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: § 46.2-324.1. Requirements for initial licensure of certain applicants. A. No driver's license shall be issued to any applicant who is at least 21 years old unless he either (i) provides written evidence of having satisfactorily completed a course of driver instruction at a driver training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§ 46.2.
From the enrolled text, April 13, 2026:
An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-324.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure; persons age 18 to 21. [S 396] Approved April 13, 2026 1. That § 46.2-324.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: § 46.2-324.1. Requirements for initial licensure of certain applicants. A. No driver's license shall be issued to any applicant who is at least 21 years old unless he either (i) provides written evidence of having satisfactorily completed a course of driver instruction at a driver training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§ 46.2-1700 et seq.) or a comparable course approved by the Department or the Department of Education or (ii) has held a learner's permit issued by the Department for at least 60 days prior to his first behind-the-wheel examination by the Department when applying for a noncommercial driver's license. For any applicant who is at least 18 years old and less than 21 years old, no driver's license shall be issued to any such applicant unless he (a) provides written evidence of having satisfactorily completed a course of driver instruction at a driver training school licensed under Chapter 17 (§ 46.2-1700 et seq.) or a comparable course approved by the Department or the Department of Education and (b) has held a learner's …