VirginiaSB3962026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure, persons age 18 to 21.

Sponsored By: J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

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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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

18-20 can drive alone sooner

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.

New steps for first adult license

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.

Tighter rules for commercial driver licenses

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.

New rules for driving tests

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.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • J.D. "Danny" Diggs

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

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

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0755)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 755 (Effective 1/1/2027)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026Senate
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  6. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)

    3/11/2026Senate
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB396ER)

    3/11/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    3/11/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    3/11/2026Senate
  10. House substitute agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  11. Passed House with substitute (91-Y 7-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026House
  12. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    3/3/2026House
  13. committee substitute agreed to

    3/3/2026House
  14. Read third time

    3/3/2026House
  15. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    3/3/2026House
  16. Read second time

    3/2/2026House
  17. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)

    2/27/2026Senate
  18. Committee substitute printed 26108548D-H1

    2/26/2026House
  19. Reported from Transportation with substitute (21-Y 0-N)

    2/26/2026House
  20. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)

    2/24/2026House
  21. Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles

    2/20/2026House
  22. Referred to Committee on Transportation

    2/9/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/9/2026House
  24. Placed on Calendar

    2/9/2026House
  25. Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026Senate

Bill Text

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