Filed under Schools & Settling In · 4 min read
Key takeaways
- Driver’s license: within 60 days of becoming a resident (30 days for a commercial license).
- Title and register your car: within 30 days.
- Safety inspection: every year, before you drive on Virginia registration.
- Emissions inspection: not required for vehicles kept in Richmond, Henrico or Chesterfield.
Moving to Virginia starts two clocks at the DMV, and they are not the same length. The car clock is shorter. Here is what the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Code of Virginia require, in the order most people should tackle it.
The 30-day car deadline
Section 46.2-662 of the Code of Virginia lets a new resident drive a car, pickup, motorcycle or similar vehicle that is registered in another state for the first 30 days of residency without registering it here or paying Virginia fees. After that, the vehicle must be titled and registered in Virginia. The same law allows any city or county to impose a penalty of up to $250 a year on a resident who keeps an unregistered vehicle past the 30 days.
Step 1: Insure it
From the day you register until the registration expires, Virginia requires you to keep at least the minimum liability insurance, even if the car is not being driven. If coverage lapses, the DMV says you must reinsure the vehicle, temporarily deactivate the plates or surrender them. Drivers who let it lapse can face suspension and a $145 reinstatement fee.
Step 2: Title it
A title proves ownership; registration proves the car may be driven. The DMV says you must title your vehicle within 30 days of moving to Virginia before you can register it. Bring the completed Application for Title and Registration and your title or registration card from your previous state. If you bought the car within the last 12 months, you also need proof of the purchase price, such as a buyer’s order or bill of sale.
Step 3: Register it
Register at any DMV customer service center within 30 days. You get front and back plates and decals showing the expiration date. Registration must be renewed, and the DMV offers small discounts for longer terms: $3 off a two-year registration done online or by phone, $4 off a three-year one.
Inspections
Every vehicle operated in Virginia must pass an annual safety inspection and display a valid sticker. Most repair shops perform them; for information or to find a station, the DMV points to the Virginia State Police at (804) 674-2000. Driving without a sticker can mean a ticket, a fine and a mark on your record.
Emissions inspections are a different matter. They apply only to vehicles kept in the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. If you are moving to the Richmond area, an emissions test is not part of registration.
The 60-day license deadline
Under section 46.2-308, a new resident over 16 years and three months who holds a valid license from another state or country may drive for the first 60 days of residency without a Virginia license. Holders of a commercial driver’s license must switch within 30 days.
The good news for most adults: if you are 18 or older and your out-of-state license has not been expired for more than a year, the DMV says you only need to bring documents. No driver training and no tests. A Virginia license is generally valid for up to eight years.
Should you get REAL ID?
Since May 7, 2025, the federal government has required a REAL ID compliant license or ID card, or another federally approved form of ID, to board a domestic flight or enter secure federal facilities. The TSA requires anyone who moves to a new state to get a new REAL ID even if they already had one. Because you are bringing documents to the DMV anyway, it is the easiest time to upgrade. REAL ID adds $10 to the cost of the license. All documents must be originals, though printouts of acceptable online residency documents are accepted.
First-time drivers
Different rules apply if you have never held a license anywhere. Adults 21 and older must hold a learner’s permit for 60 days or complete an approved driver education course. From January 1, 2027, applicants aged 18 through 20 who have never been licensed must hold a permit for at least 90 days and complete an approved driver education program.
One more thing at the DMV
Voter registration is available at any DMV office. Updating your license, registration and voter record at the same time builds the paper trail that also counts toward state residency for taxes and college tuition; see Qualifying for In-State Tuition in Virginia After a Move: The One-Year Domicile Rule.
Tip: The city or county vehicle tax runs on its own schedule. In Richmond, tax on a newly arrived vehicle is due within 60 days, and the annual due date is June 5. See Richmond Real Estate and Car Taxes: Rates, Due Dates, Appeals and the Shrinking Car Tax Relief.