Virginia state law concerning when you can get your driver's license?

[kienan]

I've heard varying opinions on this, so I'd like some confirmation with hard evidence. Normally, when you get your permit at an early age, you have to have the permit for like 9 months and go through driver's ed and have a certain amount of logged hours, etc. I've heard people say that changes and you can get your license sooner if you're 18 or 19. But which is it? My family is convinced it's 19, my friends are convinced it's 18...so which is it in the state of Virginia? And what exactly do you still have to do to get it?

[macquaid35]

I've heard varying opinions on this, so I'd like some confirmation with hard evidence. Normally, when you get your permit at an early age, you have to have the permit for like 9 months and go through driver's ed and have a certain amount of logged hours, etc. I've heard people say that changes and you can get your license sooner if you're 18 or 19. But which is it? My family is convinced it's 19, my friends are convinced it's 18...so which is it in the state of Virginia? And what exactly do you still have to do to get it?

First Time Drivers
You must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia and at least 16 years and 3 months of age to obtain a Virginia driver's license. To obtain a learner's permit, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months of age. No exceptions will be made to these age requirements. If you are under age 18, you must provide written consent from one of your parents or your legal guardian unless you are married or emancipated.

If you are under age 19, you must complete a state-approved driver education program.

If you are age 19 or older, and you have never held a driver's license issued by Virginia, another state, a U.S. territory, or foreign country, or cannot show proof that you previously held such a license, you must show proof that:

•you have passed an approved driver education course, or,
•you have held a Virginia learner's permit at least 30 days before taking the DMV road skills test.

At any age, as a first time driver, you will be required to provide documents to prove identity, legal presence, Virginia residency, and, if you have one, Social Security number. Use the interactive document guide to determine which documents you will need to bring to DMV when you apply, or refer to "Acceptable Documents for Obtaining a Driver's License or Photo ID Card" (DMV 141)