Virginia DMV Driving Records

Virginia DMV – Motor Vehicle Department

If you live in Virginia or you have recently moved to the state, at some point, you are going to need to contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for almost all of your car- and driver’s license-related needs. While few people enjoy dealing with the DMV, the good news is that the Virginia DMV has made a large number of its services available online. That means in most instances you can skip a visit to the office and get your task completed from the comfort of your home. Below is a look at the various services offered by the DMV and whether or not they can be done online.

How To Obtain Virginia DMV Driving Records

While you can still visit a DMV office in person to get your Virginia driving record, a faster and more convenient process is to make a request for one online. All you will need is either your driver’s license number or Social Security Number, your date of birth, and a method of payment. The information contained on your driving record will vary depending on what you need the information for, but generally it will include the following below.

Virginia DMV Driving Records Include

• Your name and address
• Your license status
• A list of traffic violations and demerit points
• A list of traffic accidents you were involved in
• Your DUI convictions in Virginia

You should keep in mind that while getting your driving record through the DMV is a good idea if you need it for employment, insurance, or government purposes, if you are simply curious about what’s on your record you can also order a non-certified copy through a third-party database, like SearchQuarry.com.

Virginia DMV Driving Test

If you are moving to Virginia from another state then you typically don’t have to worry about taking a driving test. However, if your license is expired or this is your first license then you will need to complete a test. Almost all DMV Customer Service Centers offer testing (the two exceptions being Oaks Mall and Arlington DMV Metro at Virginia Square) and to book an appointment you can call the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle Direct Customer Contact Center at (804) 497-7100. To undergo the test, you will need to provide a vehicle that has a valid safety inspection sticker and you will need to provide proof that you have completed either an In Car Maneuvers Observation Record or a state-approved driver education class.

Virginia DMV Driver’s License

If you recently moved to Virginia then you must exchange your out-of-state license for a new driver’s license within 60 days (or within 30 days for a commercial driver’s license). If your out-of-state license is still valid and was issued by a U.S. state or territory, Canadian province, Germany, France, or South Korea then typically you only need to complete a vision test to get your Virginia driver’s license. If you have a valid Taiwanese driver’s license then you can usually skip the road test and driver’s education requirement, but you will need to pass a vision test and knowledge test. Also, note that if your license was suspended or revoked by another state then you will need to get it reinstated by the issuing state before you can apply for a Virginia driving license. To reinstate a driver’s license contact the issuing state’s DMV.

Virginia Driver and Vehicle Request Forms

The Virginia DMV has an impressive list of forms on its website. All forms are in PDF format and can be printed out at home, allowing you to then mail them to the DMV or bring them to a customer service center in person. You can find a list of Virginia Driver Request Forms here.

Virginia Traffic Tickets

In most cases you can pay your Virginia traffic ticket online, but you will have to do so through the court and not through the DMV. There are two methods for paying your traffic tickets online and they depend on the type of ticket you have. If your case is before a Virginia Circuit Court then you will have to pay your traffic ticket directly through that particular court, which can often be done online. For cases that are before the General District Court, you can also pay your ticket online but in that case it will be through the Virginia General District Court’s website.

Virginia Car Registration

To register a vehicle in Virginia for the first time it must first be titled (more on that below). You must also complete an application for registration, provide proof of insurance (or pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee), and, in some counties, you will need to pass an emissions test. First-time registration must be done in-person or by calling the DMV. However, if you are simply renewing your registration you can do so online.

Virginia Vehicle Title Transfers

If you are bringing your vehicle from out-of-state then you will need to title it in Virginia. To do so you will need to provide a completed Application for Title and Registration, proof of address, the previous out-of-state title and registration, and a proof of purchase price if you bought the vehicle in the last 12 months. Also, if the previous title doesn’t include an odometer reading you will need to complete an odometer statement. You can apply for title in person, by mail, or, in some cases, online and choose to receive your title either in paper or electronic format.