Reviewed and updated October 21, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read that day from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' own pages on dmv.virginia.gov, and the official page each fact came from is linked where it appears.
The Virginia DMV in one place: who does what, license and ID fees, title and registration costs, the 133 offices with their hours and holidays, and all 53 guides.
In this guide: Who does what in Virginia, Driver licenses, ID cards and REAL ID, Vehicle registration, titles and plates, Offices, hours and holidays, Every Virginia DMV guide on SearchSystems, Questions people ask about the Virginia DMV
Who does what in Virginia
Virginia keeps every driver and vehicle transaction under one Department of Motor Vehicles, which runs its own customer service centers and authorizes local governments and businesses as DMV Select offices for vehicle work. There is no county clerk or tax office in the chain, and the safety inspection is done at private inspection stations the State Police license.
A visit can be an appointment, a same day reservation or a walk in, and most renewals and replacements are on the DMV's online services list. Start with the office list when a counter is needed, the DMV Select guide for the vehicle only offices, and the online services guide for what needs no visit.
Driver licenses, ID cards and REAL ID
Virginia prices a license by the year. The DMV's fee schedule DMV 201, revised August 10, 2026 and read October 21, 2026, lists $4 a year with a $20 minimum, so the normal eight year license is $32 and the five year license a driver aged 75 or older receives is $20; a renewal costs the same. A REAL ID adds a one time $10, a replacement license is $20, a driver privilege card $50, and a photo ID $2 a year with a $10 minimum.
A CDL is $8 a year, $64 for eight years without endorsements, a motorcycle classification $2 a year and a motorcycle only license $6 a year. The driver license guide, the REAL ID guide and the fee guide take those apart.
Vehicle registration, titles and plates
DMV 201 lists a title at $15, original, substitute, replacement or supplemental lien, and an annual passenger registration base of $30.75 at 4,000 pounds or less and $35.75 up to 6,500 pounds, with a motorcycle at $24.75; the registration page sets out the categories. A transfer is $2, a replacement decal $1, a late renewal $10 more, and an electric vehicle owes a $135.63 highway use fee.
The motor vehicle sales and use tax is 4.15 percent of the gross sales price with a $75 minimum, and the localities in the Northern Virginia emissions program add $2 to a registration. The registration guide, the title guide, the inspection guide and the emissions guide set out the paperwork.
Offices, hours and holidays
The DMV's locations page, read October 21, 2026, carries 133 offices: its own customer service centers, open Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm with Saturday morning at most of them, 58 on Saturday in all, and the DMV Select offices it names beside them. 75 carry their own telephone number; the DMV answers on (804) 497-7100.
A visit can be an appointment, a same day reservation or a walk in. The nine 2026 holidays the DMV announced in January and every office are on the Virginia DMV office list.
Every Virginia DMV guide on SearchSystems
Each guide below is written from the Virginia DMV's own pages and names the date its facts were read. There are 53 of them.
Licenses and IDs 12 guides
- Get and Maintain a Virginia Driver LicenseVirginia separates first licensing, transfers, renewals, and card replacements.
- Prepare a Complete Virginia Driver License ApplicationA successful Virginia application connects your identity documents, legal presence, residence, driving history, and completed training to the license you are requesting.
- Complete Your Virginia Driver License RenewalVirginia allows renewal online, by mail, or in person when eligible.
- Replace a Lost or Damaged Virginia Driving CredentialVirginia issues replacements for missing or damaged licenses and permits and for certain changes.
- Apply for a Virginia Non-Driver ID CardVirginia offers identification cards for residents of any age who meet the applicable requirements.
- Apply for a Virginia REAL ID License or ID CardVirginia REAL ID is an optional federal identification upgrade.
- Set Up and Present Your Virginia Mobile IDVirginia residents with eligible credentials can use the Virginia Mobile ID app or add their credential to Apple Wallet.
- Update Virginia DMV Records After a Move or Legal Name ChangeA Virginia address update changes the customer record, while a legal name change requires supporting documents and an office visit.
- Prove Virginia License Eligibility With the Right DocumentsVirginia reviews identity, legal presence, state residence, and Social Security information separately.
- Understand Virginia Limited-Duration CredentialsVirginia's current rules distinguish temporary-lawful-status REAL IDs from non-REAL-ID credentials.
- Virginia Licensing Services for Military Families and VeteransVirginia military accommodations depend on active-duty status, the location of an assignment, and the credential involved.
- Getting the Right Virginia Motorcycle ClassificationVirginia distinguishes two-wheel, three-wheel, and motorcycle-only privileges.
Teens, seniors and testing 6 guides
- Begin Driving With a Virginia Learner PermitA Virginia learner permit connects the knowledge and vision tests with supervised driving.
- Guide a Virginia Teen From Permit to Licensed DrivingVirginia teen licensing combines education, supervised practice, a temporary certificate arrangement, and age-based restrictions.
- Prepare for Virginia Driver ExaminationsVirginia testing includes a two-part knowledge examination, vision screening, and a road-skills assessment when required.
- Select the Right Virginia Driver Education ProgramVirginia schools offer several different training products.
- Virginia Driving and License Renewal After Age 75Virginia changes the renewal cycle at age 75 while continuing to evaluate driving ability individually.
- Navigating Virginia Medical Review ServicesVirginia Medical Review Services evaluates how a condition, medication, or medical event affects driving.
Vehicles, titles and plates 11 guides
- Obtaining or Transferring a Virginia Vehicle TitleBuild a Virginia title application around the ownership document, complete assignments, purchase evidence and any liens, then choose the DMV service channel that fits the transaction.
- Virginia Vehicle Registration from Purchase to Plate DisplayPut a Virginia vehicle into registered service by establishing its title, arranging insurance, checking inspection requirements and submitting the correct registration application and fees.
- Virginia License Plates, Transfers and Specialty ChoicesSelect a Virginia plate that fits the vehicle and owner, complete the registration transaction, and keep the physical plates and DMV record aligned through transfers, replacements and periods of nonuse.
- Completing a Private Vehicle Sale in VirginiaFinish a Virginia vehicle sale with accurate ownership assignments, a documented price, proper plate handling and separate notifications to DMV and the insurer.
- Transferring a Virginia Vehicle After an Owner DiesA Virginia vehicle may pass through survivorship, a recorded beneficiary designation, estate administration, or an eligible heir procedure, and each route requires different evidence.
- Resolving Missing Ownership Evidence for a Virginia VehicleVirginia reviews specified missing-title cases through an affidavit and supporting ownership evidence, so identify the actual document problem before buying a bond or requesting registration alone.
- Following Virginia's Mechanic or Storage Lien Vehicle ProcessAn eligible Virginia repair, towing or storage business must establish its lien, obtain DMV records and complete the applicable notice and sale procedure before seeking a new vehicle title.
- Handling a Salvage or Nonrepairable Vehicle in VirginiaIdentify the vehicle's exact damage document before buying, repairing or disposing of it, because Virginia gives salvage, rebuilt and nonrepairable records very different consequences.
- Bringing a Foreign Vehicle into Virginia's Title SystemPrepare the foreign ownership chain, Customs release records and federal compliance evidence before applying to title and register an imported vehicle in Virginia.
- Titling a Reconstructed, Specially Constructed or Replica Vehicle in VirginiaComplete the build, document each major component and obtain Virginia DMV's required ownership and identification review before treating a custom vehicle as ready for registration.
- Titling and Registering a Motorcycle in VirginiaMatch the motorcycle's ownership documents and vehicle classification to Virginia's title, insurance, registration and inspection requirements before putting it on public roads.
Registration, fees and inspections 9 guides
- Renewing a Virginia Vehicle RegistrationRenew a Virginia registration after checking the vehicle record, insurance, applicable emissions status and available registration term, then confirm delivery of the new card and decals.
- Replacing Virginia Vehicle Plates, Decals and Registration DocumentsUse the Virginia replacement service that matches the missing item, with separate DMV procedures for plates and registration decals and State Police guidance for windshield safety inspection stickers.
- Estimating Virginia DMV ChargesVirginia DMV charges depend on the credential term, vehicle, requested service, and any record requirements.
- Paying Virginia DMV Charges and Requesting RefundsVirginia uses different payment and refund procedures for licenses, registrations, reinstatement orders, taxes, and carrier accounts.
- Keeping a Virginia Vehicle Properly InsuredVirginia vehicle owners must maintain required liability insurance, keep the DMV record accurate and resolve coverage interruptions before they become registration or driving privilege problems.
- Virginia Disability Parking Applications, Renewals, and Permitted UseVirginia's current disability parking program provides free individual placards and automatically renews permanent placards, while vehicle plates follow their own application and registration requirements.
- Taking a Virginia Vehicle Off the Road and Returning It to UseVirginia owners can deactivate registration for temporary nonuse, but the timing of insurance changes, eventual reactivation and any permanent plate surrender needs to match the actual plan for the vehicle.
- Completing Northern Virginia's Emissions RequirementCheck the vehicle's registration location, fuel, model year and existing inspection record before choosing a station inspection, an eligible RAPIDPASS result or a documented exemption.
- Completing Virginia's Vehicle Safety InspectionUse an authorized inspection station, track the safety sticker separately from registration and follow the current statutory rules for rejection, exceptions and replacement stickers.
Suspensions, DUI and records 6 guides
- Virginia Driving Privileges After a DUIA Virginia DUI can produce an immediate administrative suspension, a conviction-based loss of driving privileges, and separate commercial consequences.
- Requesting Review of a Virginia DUI Administrative SuspensionVirginia sends a challenge to the immediate DUI administrative suspension to the court where the charge arose.
- Resolving Virginia License Suspensions and RevocationsVirginia reinstatement starts with the outstanding orders on the driver's record.
- Understanding Virginia Demerit Points and Driver ImprovementVirginia tracks demerit points, safe driving points, and driver improvement actions on separate schedules.
- Choosing and Obtaining a Virginia Driver TranscriptVirginia issues different driving transcripts for personal, employment, insurance, and other authorized purposes.
- Requesting Virginia Police Crash Reports and Submitting Crash InformationVirginia DMV holds the official record of reportable crashes, but access to a complete report depends on the requester's involvement or other recognized authority.
Commercial, trucks and special vehicles 7 guides
- Getting a Virginia Commercial Driver's LicenseA Virginia CDL application combines vehicle classification, commercial eligibility, training, examination, and medical status.
- Selecting Virginia Commercial EndorsementsVirginia commercial endorsements identify the loads and passengers a driver may transport, while restriction codes limit how that authority can be used.
- Keeping Virginia Commercial Medical Status CurrentVirginia commercial medical compliance now relies on electronic examiner reporting and the driver's separate operating-category certification.
- Preparing a Truck and Driver for Virginia OperationsA Virginia trucking trip depends on the driver's qualification, the carrier's authority, the vehicle's credentials, and the load's route.
- Registering Virginia Work Vehicles, Fleets and TrailersA Virginia business should identify the vehicle's use, weight and travel area before choosing ordinary registration, apportioned registration or a specialized trailer and carrier program.
- Virginia Boat Titles, Registration, Taxes, and Boating EducationVirginia boat owners work with the Department of Wildlife Resources for the vessel and with DMV for its trailer, using updated boat fees effective October 1, 2026.
- Virginia ATV and Off-Road Motorcycle Titles, Taxes, and Riding AccessVirginia generally uses titles rather than ordinary registrations for ATVs and off-road motorcycles, and a title does not establish permission to ride on a road or trail.
Offices, online services and new residents 2 guides
- Choose a Virginia DMV Select for Eligible Vehicle TransactionsDMV Select partners offer many title, registration, plate, and related transactions through local governments and private operators.
- Transfer Your License and Vehicle Records After Moving to VirginiaVirginia gives new residents different deadlines for driver licenses and vehicles.
Public records beside the Virginia DMV
The Virginia DMV holds licenses and titles, not court cases, arrests or deeds; those are public records kept by other offices, and SearchSystems covers them for the whole state: Virginia court records, Virginia arrest records, the Virginia property records guide, Virginia people searches, the Virginia background check guide and Virginia records requests, all from the Virginia public records index.
Court cases, jail bookings and deeds are kept county by county. The largest in Virginia: Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Chesterfield, Henrico, Arlington, Newport News and Stafford.
Questions people ask about the Virginia DMV
Who runs the DMV in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, through its own customer service centers and the DMV Select offices it authorizes for vehicle work; there is no county office in the chain.
How much is a Virginia driver license in 2026?
$4 a year with a $20 minimum on DMV 201, so $32 for the normal eight year license and $20 for the five year license at 75 and older, plus $10 once for a REAL ID.
How much does a Virginia title cost?
$15, whether original, substitute, replacement or supplemental lien, plus the 4.15 percent sales and use tax on a purchase with a $75 minimum.
What is the registration fee in Virginia?
$30.75 a year for a passenger vehicle at 4,000 pounds or less and $35.75 up to 6,500 pounds, with $2 more in the Northern Virginia emissions localities and a $135.63 highway use fee for an electric vehicle.
Do I need an appointment at a Virginia DMV?
No. The DMV offers an appointment, a same day reservation or a walk in at every customer service center; a CDL skills test is booked ahead.
When are Virginia DMV offices closed in 2026?
On the nine state holidays the DMV announced in January, from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to Veterans Day, with the end of year dates announced separately; a DMV Select may differ.