Virginia Learner's Permit Next Steps: Practice Hours, Driver Training, and Getting Your License

Virginia sets specific requirements between the learner's permit and the road test: driver education hours, supervised driving time, and a mandatory holding period.

Virginia Permit Holding Period Before the Road Test

The minimum permit-holding period depends on age and date. Drivers under 18 generally hold the permit for at least nine months. Through December 31, 2026, first-time applicants age 18+ generally use the 60-day adult pathway unless an approved driver-education route applies. Beginning January 1, 2027, first-time applicants ages 18–20 must hold the permit for 90 days and complete driver education; applicants 21+ keep the 60-day-or-approved-driver-education pathway.

For the full waiting-period rules and the correct road-skills-test route for each age group, see the Virginia road test and license guide.

Supervised Driving Hours Virginia Requires Before Licensing

Drivers under 18 must complete at least 45 hours of supervised driving, including at least 15 hours after sunset. The parent or guardian certifies those hours through the applicable driver-education completion process. Standard adult applicants do not use this teen 45-hour requirement.

For practice-hour logging, qualifying supervisors, and driving-rule detail, use the Virginia permit driving-rules guide.

What Driver Education Does Virginia Require?

Drivers under 18 must complete the state-approved teen driver-education path. Through December 31, 2026, eligible adults may use an approved driver-education route as an alternative to the standard adult licensing path. Beginning January 1, 2027, first-time applicants ages 18–20 must complete driver education and hold the permit for 90 days; applicants 21+ retain the adult options that apply to them.

Whether you take a separate DMV road-skills test depends on your age and training path. Approved schools submit the applicable completion certificate to DMV, and qualifying teen certificates can provide temporary licensing authority when the age, holding-period, and training requirements are met.

For the full training requirements, certificates, and road-test pathway, see the Virginia road test and license guide.

Preparing for the Virginia Road Skills Test

Once you are eligible, follow the road-skills-test path that applies to your age and training route. The dedicated road-test pages cover testing locations, documents, vehicle requirements, and test-day preparation in detail.

If DMV administers your test, bring the required permit and vehicle documents and use a vehicle that meets DMV requirements. Teen applicants normally complete the road-skills test through the approved driver-education program rather than booking a standard DMV road test.