Driver training rules in Virginia

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Virginia for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Required under 18: state-approved program of 36 classroom periods plus 14 in-car periods (7 driving, 7 observation).source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	45 hours (15 after sunset), parent/guardian-certified; hold learner's permit at least 9 months.source 2 · source 1
New adult drivers	Until Jan. 1, 2027: first-time applicants 18+ must complete state-approved driver ed or hold a learner's permit at least 60 days. From Jan. 1, 2027: ages 18-20 must complete driver ed and hold the permit at least 90 days; 21+ keep the either/or choice (Va. Code 46.2-324.1; 2026 Acts cc. 754, 755).source 2 · source 3 · source 4
Who licenses driving schools	Department of Motor Vehicles licenses and oversees fee-charging driver training schools.source 5
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	DMV applies federal ELDT: Class A/B and P/S applicants need theory and BTW before the road skills exam; providers follow 49 CFR 380.719 and the FMCSA TPR. No state hours found.source 6
CDL schools: state license	Yes. DMV Class A driver training school license plus a TPR number before giving ELDT (Va. Code 46.2-1708).source 7
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state hour minimum found, but curriculum must meet DMV requirements and trainees must score at least 80% on theory.source 7
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes. Theory and BTW instructors need a DMV license: a CDL of the same or higher class and at least 2 years' experience.source 7
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Exempt when an employer trains its own employees and charges no fee or tuition (Va. Code 46.2-1700).source 7
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hour minimum found. A no-fee employer program is not a driver training school (Va. Code 46.2-1700). All CDL applicants must finish theory and BTW within one year and do range and public road with the same training provider (46.2-324.1 B). Whether the 46.2-1709 training-provider duties reach employer programs is not settled.source 7 · source 8 · source 3
Carriers: instructor rules	Not settled. Instructor licenses cover school owners and employees (Va. Code 46.2-1701), but Ch. 17 defines theory and BTW instructors as people who meet 46.2-1708 licensure rules and work for a training provider, and only government entities are expressly exempt (46.2-1711). Federal 380.605 applies.source 7 · source 8
New school bus drivers	24 hours classroom + 6 hours behind-the-wheel (no pupils) if no CDL; 4 hours classroom + 3 hours BTW if already CDL.source 9
School bus refresher	In-service at least 2 hours before school opens and 2 hours in the second half of the school year (4+ hours a year).source 10

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Virginia, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Virginia

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/dmv16.pdf
2. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/license/applying
3. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-324.1/
4. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/learners/revised-learners-permit-holding-period-and-driver-education-requirements-faqs
5. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/training/dts-become
6. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/training/dts-become/dts-licensing-a
7. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title46.2/chapter17/
8. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-341.4/
9. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter70/section350/
10. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter70/section360/

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