Whether you never had the chance to learn, recently moved to the US, or just decided it’s time, you’re not alone. Many adults come to Abba Driving School to get their Virginia driver’s license. Learning to drive as an adult is more common than most people think, and there’s absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. Every year, we teach dozens of adult students who are in the exact same situation you are in right now.
Adult driving lessons in Virginia follow a straightforward process. The requirements are simpler than they are for teens, the timeline is shorter, and you don’t need any prior classroom instruction. This guide covers everything you need to know about behind the wheel for adults, from Virginia’s specific requirements to what your first lesson will look like and how to get started.
Virginia Requirements for Adult Drivers vs. Teen Drivers
One of the biggest advantages of getting your license as an adult is that Virginia’s requirements are significantly less involved than they are for teen drivers. This side-by-side comparison shows exactly what applies to you.
Learner’s Permit Holding Period
Adults must hold a Virginia learner’s permit for 60 days before taking the road skills test. Compare that to teens, who must hold their permit for a minimum of 9 months. This shorter waiting period means you can move through the process much faster. You can get your learner’s permit at any Virginia DMV location by passing a two-part knowledge exam covering road signs and traffic laws.
No Driving Log Required
Teen drivers in Virginia are required to complete a 45-hour supervised driving log, including 15 hours after sunset. As an adult, you do not need to log any practice hours. While we always recommend practicing as much as possible before your road skills test, there’s no formal documentation requirement for adults.
No Driver Education Prerequisite
Teens under 18 must complete a full Driver Education classroom course before they can begin behind the wheel training. Adults have no Driver Education prerequisite. You can go directly to behind the wheel lessons without any classroom instruction. This saves you time and money while still getting you the hands-on training you need.
Road Skills Test Options
Adults can take the road skills test at the DMV or through a DMV-certified driving school like Abba Driving School. Many of our adult students prefer testing with us because the environment is familiar, the wait times are shorter, and the process is less stressful. For a full breakdown of what Virginia requires, visit our Virginia behind the wheel requirements guide.
Why Adults Choose Professional Driving Lessons
Some adults consider asking a friend or family member to teach them, but there are strong reasons to choose professional behind the wheel instruction instead. Adult students consistently tell us they’re glad they invested in proper lessons, and for good reason.
Structured, Step-by-Step Learning
Our DMV-certified instructors follow a proven curriculum designed to build your skills progressively. You start with the basics (adjusting mirrors, understanding the controls, pulling out of a parking lot) and gradually work up to lane changes, highway merging, parallel parking, and navigating complex intersections. Every lesson builds on the one before it so you never feel overwhelmed or thrown into a situation you’re not ready for.
Patient, Judgment-Free Instruction
This is the number one concern we hear from adult students: “I’m embarrassed that I don’t know how to drive.” We want to be clear: there is no judgment at Abba Driving School. Our instructors have taught hundreds of adults who are learning to drive for the first time. They understand your situation, they have seen it before, and they are trained to be patient and encouraging every step of the way.
No Strained Relationships
Learning to drive from a spouse, parent, or friend can create tension and frustration for both people. A professional instructor provides calm, objective feedback without the emotional baggage. You can make mistakes without worrying about an argument, and you’ll learn faster because the instruction is consistent and methodical.
What to Expect from Adult Behind the Wheel Lessons
Adult students at Abba Driving School receive the same high-quality instruction that we provide to every student. This is what your experience will look like.
Modern, Well-Maintained Vehicles
You’ll learn in a clean, modern vehicle equipped with dual brake controls and an automatic transmission. The dual brakes mean your instructor can stop the car if needed, which gives both of you an extra layer of safety and confidence. You don’t need to bring your own car to lessons.
Flexible Scheduling for Working Adults
We understand that most adult students have jobs, families, and busy schedules. That’s why we offer flexible appointment times including weekdays and weekends. You can schedule lessons around your work hours, and pickup may be available in your area. Contact us for details.
Personalized Instruction
Unlike a one-size-fits-all program, our instructors tailor each lesson to your current skill level and specific needs. If you need extra time on parallel parking, we spend extra time on parallel parking. If highway driving makes you nervous, we focus on highway driving until you feel confident. For tips on managing driving anxiety, see our guide for nervous drivers.
Re-Examination for Adults Who Have Failed the DMV Road Test
If you’ve already attempted the DMV road skills test and didn’t pass, you’re not alone. Many adults come to Abba Driving School specifically because they need professional instruction to prepare for their next attempt.
Virginia law requires that if you fail the road skills test 3 times, you must complete 12 hours of additional one-on-one driving instruction with a DMV-certified school before you can test again. This applies equally to teen and adult drivers. Abba Driving School offers a re-examination package for $550 that includes all 12 hours of required instruction plus another road skills test attempt.
Even if you’ve only failed once or twice, taking professional behind the wheel lessons before your next attempt can make a significant difference. Our instructors know exactly what the DMV examiners are looking for and can help you correct the specific mistakes that caused you to fail. To learn more about your options after a failed test, read our guide for students who failed the road test.
Common Situations for Adult Driving Students
Adults come to us from all kinds of backgrounds and circumstances. Here are some of the most common situations we see, and you may recognize yourself in one of them.
New to the United States
If you recently moved to the US, you may have driven in your home country but never held a Virginia license. Or you may come from a country where driving was not common or not necessary. Either way, you need to understand Virginia traffic laws, road signs, and driving customs. Our instructors are experienced at working with international students and will make sure you’re comfortable with American road rules and driving culture.
Never Had the Opportunity to Learn
Many adults grew up in cities with strong public transportation, or they simply never had access to a car or a willing teacher. Life circumstances change, and now you need to drive for work, for your family, or for independence. There’s no wrong time to start, and starting later in life often means you’re more focused and motivated than the average teen student.
Lapsed or Expired License
Some adults held a license years ago but let it lapse. If your license has been expired for an extended period, Virginia may require you to retake the road skills test. Behind the wheel lessons can help you refresh your skills and rebuild the confidence you need to pass. Even a few sessions with a professional instructor can bring back the muscle memory and road awareness you had before.
Failed the DMV Road Test
As mentioned above, failing the road test is more common than you might think. Rather than going back to the DMV without additional preparation, professional instruction targets the exact areas where you struggled. Whether it was parallel parking, three-point turns, or checking mirrors consistently, our instructors will make sure you’re fully prepared for your next attempt.
How to Get Started with Adult Behind the Wheel Lessons
Getting started is simple. Follow these steps and you’ll be on the road in no time.
- Register with Abba Driving School. Visit our registration page to sign up for behind the wheel lessons. The cost is $340 for the standard behind the wheel package.
- Get your Virginia learner’s permit. Visit any Virginia DMV location to take the knowledge exam. You’ll need to bring identification documents and pass a vision screening. Study the Virginia Driver’s Manual before your visit.
- Wait the 60-day holding period. Virginia requires adults to hold their learner’s permit for at least 60 days before taking the road skills test. Use this time to practice with a licensed driver if possible.
- Begin your behind the wheel lessons. Once you’re registered and have your permit, we’ll schedule your lessons at times that work for your schedule. Our instructors will pick you up and drop you off at your preferred location.
- Take the road skills test. When your instructor determines you’re ready, you’ll take the road skills test. Pass the test and you’ll receive the documentation you need to get your Virginia driver’s license.
For detailed information on what lessons cost, visit our behind the wheel cost page.
You’ve already taken the hardest step by deciding to learn. Now let us handle the rest. Register today and take the first step toward your Virginia driver’s license.