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 SB 396.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 754 (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 10Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 10Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 10Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1224)
- Mar 10Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1224ER)Major
- Mar 10EnrolledMinor
- Mar 3Passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Read third timeMinor
- Mar 2Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 2Rules suspended
- Feb 26Reported from Transportation (8-Y 3-N 3-A)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Transportation. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18Referred to Committee on TransportationMinor
- Feb 18Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 17Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1224)
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Read third time and passed House (88-Y 9-N 0-A)Passed House
- Feb 16Engrossed by House as amended
- Feb 16committee amendments agreed toMajor
- Feb 16Read second timeMinor
- Feb 16Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
- Feb 15Read first timeMinor
- Feb 12Reported from Transportation with amendment(s) (21-Y 0-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Transportation with amendment(s). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1224)
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (9-Y 0-N)
- Feb 10House subcommittee offered
- Jan 29Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor VehiclesMinor
- Jan 14Referred to Committee on TransportationMinor
- Jan 14Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101582DIntroduced