VirginiaDriver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure, persons age 18 to 21.
What it does
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.
More detail
The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 1224.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 755 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Mar 14Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 14Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026Minor
- Mar 12Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 11Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 11Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)
- Mar 11Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB396ER)Major
- Mar 11EnrolledMinor
- Mar 5House substitute agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A)Major
- Vote recorded Concur House Substitute R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Passed House with substitute (91-Y 7-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Mar 3committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Mar 3Read third timeMinor
- Mar 3Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
- Mar 2Read second timeMinor
- Feb 27Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)
- Feb 26Committee substitute printed 26108548D-H1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Transportation with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 26Reported from Transportation with substitute (21-Y 0-N)Minor
- Feb 24Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)Major
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 20Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor VehiclesMinor
- Feb 9Referred to Committee on TransportationMinor
- Feb 9Read first timeMinor
- Feb 9Placed on Calendar
- Feb 4Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Reconsider R. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 4Reconsideration of defeated action agreed to by Senate
- Feb 4Read third time and defeated by Senate (19-Y 21-N 0-A)Major
- Feb 3Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
- Feb 3Transportation Amendment agreed toMajor
- Feb 3Read second timeMinor
- Feb 2Passed by for the day
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 2Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Feb 2Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 2Rules suspended
- Jan 29Reported from Transportation with amendment (9-Y 6-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Transportation with amendment. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on TransportationMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104758DIntroduced