All Roll Calls
Yes: 277 • No: 66
Sponsored By: J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican)
Became Law
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. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 1224.
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4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Beginning January 1, 2027, if you are 18 to 20 and have a Virginia learner’s permit (not for motorcycles) and proof you passed an approved driver education course, your permit counts as a temporary license. You can drive alone if you meet all other rules, until your permanent license is issued.
Beginning January 1, 2027, adults who are 18 to 20 must finish an approved driver course and hold a Virginia learner’s permit for at least 90 days before getting a license. Adults 21 or older must either finish an approved driver course or hold a learner’s permit for at least 60 days before the road test. These rules apply only to people 18 or older who have never had any license, or who have never had the endorsement or class needed for the vehicle they want to drive.
Beginning January 1, 2027, CDL applicants must be at least 18, meet other legal application requirements, finish both theory and behind-the-wheel training within one year, and complete the range and public-road portions with the same school. New CDL applicants must get a commercial learner’s permit and hold it for at least 14 days before the road test. Current CDL holders who seek a new class or endorsement must complete entry-level training, and if a skills test is required, hold a commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days before testing. Active-duty military and related members who finished a qualifying military CDL program must also hold the commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days before the road test, unless federal rules exempt the program.
Beginning January 1, 2027, an approved driver course may include your final road test, or you can choose to take the test with the Department. The Department may require both skills and written or automated exams before issuing a license. Driver training schools cannot give the road test to applicants under medical control under § 46.2-322; those applicants must test through the Department.
J.D. "Danny" Diggs
Republican • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 277 • No: 66
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
House substitute agreed to by Senate
Yes: 25 • No: 14
House vote • 3/3/2026
Passed House with substitute
Yes: 91 • No: 7
House vote • 2/26/2026
Reported from Transportation with substitute
Yes: 21 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/4/2026
Reconsideration of defeated action agreed to by Senate
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/4/2026
Read third time and defeated by Senate
Yes: 19 • No: 21
Senate vote • 2/4/2026
Read third time and passed Senate
Yes: 22 • No: 18
Senate vote • 2/3/2026
Transportation Amendment agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/2/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/2/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/29/2026
Reported from Transportation with amendment
Yes: 9 • No: 6
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0755)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 755 (Effective 1/1/2027)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB396ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
House substitute agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A)
Passed House with substitute (91-Y 7-N 0-A)
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
committee substitute agreed to
Read third time
Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
Read second time
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)
Committee substitute printed 26108548D-H1
Reported from Transportation with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Read first time
Placed on Calendar
Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
Chaptered
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute
2/26/2026
Substitute
2/24/2026
Engrossed
2/3/2026
Amendment
1/30/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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