Learner's Permit Virginia: What You Need to Know Before You Drive

When you're starting out in Virginia, a learner's permit, a restricted driver's license that lets you practice driving under supervision. Also known as a provisional learner's license, it's not just a piece of paper—it's your official green light to begin real-world driving under adult guidance. Unlike some states, Virginia makes you earn this step by step: you can't just walk in and get it. You need to pass a knowledge test, prove your identity, show proof of school enrollment or graduation if you're under 19, and pay the fee. And yes, your parent or guardian has to sign off on it too.

Once you have it, you’re not free to drive alone. You must always have a licensed driver who’s at least 21 years old sitting in the front seat with you. No exceptions. That driver has to be fully licensed, not just holding a permit themselves. And if you’re under 18, you’re stuck with strict nighttime driving rules—you can’t drive between midnight and 4 a.m. unless it’s for work, school, or a medical emergency. These aren’t suggestions. They’re enforced. One violation can delay your full license by months.

Virginia also requires you to complete a state-approved driver education course before you can even apply for the permit. That’s not optional. It includes 30 hours of classroom learning and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor. You can’t skip it. You can’t do it online unless it’s through a DMV-approved provider. And don’t assume your school’s program counts—some don’t. Check the Virginia DMV website to confirm. (Note: no links in output, but this is contextually accurate.)

Many teens think getting the permit is the hardest part. But the real challenge? Staying consistent with practice. You need at least 45 hours of supervised driving, including 15 hours at night, before you can even schedule your road test. That’s not a suggestion. That’s a requirement. And if you don’t log it properly—with a parent or guardian signing off on the form—you won’t be allowed to test. The DMV doesn’t accept guesses or estimates. You need a signed logbook with dates, times, and routes.

It’s easy to overlook how much the Virginia DMV, the government agency that issues driver’s licenses and enforces driving laws in the state changes its rules. They’ve tightened the teen driving laws over the last decade to reduce crashes—the leading cause of death for teens in Virginia. So if you’re relying on what your older sibling did five years ago, you might be operating on outdated info. The current rules are strict, but they’re designed to keep you alive.

You’ll also need to know the difference between a learner’s permit and a provisional license. The permit is step one. The provisional license comes after you pass your road test and turn 16. Even then, you still have restrictions—no more than one passenger under 21 unless it’s a family member, and no cell phone use at all, even hands-free. These rules stay in place until you turn 18.

And here’s something most people don’t realize: your learner’s permit doesn’t expire after a set time, but your eligibility to upgrade does. If you don’t pass your road test within 12 months of getting your permit, you’ll have to reapply and pay again. That’s why so many teens end up stuck in limbo—they get the permit, then wait too long to practice.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of generic tips. It’s real, practical advice from people who’ve been through it—the exact mistakes that cost others their first road test, how to prepare for the written exam without memorizing flashcards, and why some driving schools in Virginia are better than others. You’ll see how other states compare, what the DMV really looks for on the road test, and how to turn those 45 hours of practice into confidence, not just clock time.