Virginia HB 1137: Renewal of licenses; persons serving in the armed services on active duty outside the Commonwealth.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104043D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1137

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-330 of the Code of Virginia, relating to renewal of licenses; persons serving in the armed services on active duty outside the Commonwealth.

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Patron—Cherry

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Referred to Committee on Transportation

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 46.2-330 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-330. Expiration and renewal of licenses; examinations required.

A. Every driver's license shall expire on the applicant's birthday at the end of the period of years for which a driver's license has been issued. At no time shall any driver's license be issued for more than eight years or less than five years, unless otherwise provided by law. Thereafter, the driver's license shall be renewed on or before the birthday of the licensee and shall be valid for a period not to exceed eight years, except as otherwise provided by law. Any driver's license issued to a person age 75 or older shall be issued for a period not to exceed five years. Notwithstanding these limitations, the Commissioner may extend the validity period of an expiring license if (i) the Department is unable to process an application for renewal due to circumstances beyond its control, (ii) the extension has been authorized under a directive from the Governor, and (iii) the license was not issued as a limited-duration driver's license under the provisions of subsection B of § 46.2-328.1. However, in no event shall the validity period be extended more than 90 days per occurrence of such conditions. In determining the number of years for which a driver's license shall be renewed, the Commissioner shall take into consideration the examinations, conditions, requirements, and other criteria provided under this title that relate to the issuance of a license to operate a vehicle. Any driver's license issued to a person required to register pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900 et seq.) of Title 9.1 shall expire on the applicant's birthday in years which the applicant attains an age equally divisible by five.

B. Within one year prior to the date shown on the driver's license as the date of expiration, the Department shall send notice, to the holder thereof, at the address shown on the records of the Department in its driver's license file, that his license will expire on a date specified therein, whether he must be reexamined, and when he may be reexamined. Nonreceipt of the notice shall not extend the period of validity of the driver's license beyond its expiration date. The license holder may request the Department to send such renewal notice to an email or other electronic address, upon provision of such address to the Department.

Any person serving in the armed services of the United States, including the regular Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard or other reserve component, on active duty who will be serving outside the Commonwealth at the time of the expiration of his valid driver's license may, more than one year prior to the date shown on such driver's license as the date of expiration, request the Department to send such renewal notice prior to the deadline for sending such notice required pursuant to this subsection. The Department shall send such renewal notice within two business days of receipt of such request. If such person provides the date of his departure from the Commonwealth in his request for such notice, the Department shall ensure that the time when he may be reexamined, if applicable, occurs prior to his departure from the Commonwealth, such that he may renew his driver's license prior to his departure. The Commissioner may require that such request for notice be submitted on a form prescribed by the Commissioner.

Any driver's license may be renewed by application after the applicant has taken and successfully completed those parts of the examination provided for in §§ 46.2-311, 46.2-325, and the Virginia Commercial Driver's License Act (§ 46.2-341.1 et seq.), including vision and written tests, other than the parts of the examination requiring the applicant to drive a motor vehicle. All drivers applying in person for renewal of a license shall take and successfully complete the examination each renewal year. Every applicant for a renewal shall appear in person before the Department, unless specifically notified by the Department that renewal may be accomplished in another manner as provided in the notice. Applicants who are required to appear in person before the Department to apply for a renewal may also be required to present proof of identity, legal presence, residency, and social security number or non-work authorized status.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Commissioner, in his discretion, may require any applicant for renewal to be fully examined as provided in §§ 46.2-311 and 46.