If your teen is ready to get their Virginia driver’s license, understanding the behind the wheel requirements is the first step. Virginia has specific rules for both teen and adult drivers that must be completed before earning a license. As a parent, knowing exactly what’s required helps you plan ahead and ensures your teen stays on track throughout the process.
This guide covers everything you need to know about behind the wheel requirements in Virginia, including the number of hours needed, required documents, what happens during each appointment, and what to expect after your teen completes the program. Whether they just got their learner’s permit or are almost ready for the road skills test, this page covers every step.
Behind the Wheel Requirements for Teens (Under 18)
Virginia has a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system for teens under 18. The behind the wheel (BTW) requirements for teens are more extensive than for adults because the state wants to ensure young drivers receive thorough instruction and practice before driving independently. Below is a complete breakdown of what your teen needs.
Learner’s Permit
Before beginning any behind the wheel training, your teen must hold a valid Virginia Learner’s Permit. The learner’s permit can be obtained at age 15 years and 6 months after passing a two-part knowledge exam at the DMV. They must carry this permit at all times during BTW lessons.
Driver Education (Classroom Theory)
Your teen must complete a Virginia-approved Driver Education course before starting behind the wheel lessons. This classroom portion covers traffic laws, road signs, safe driving habits, and the responsibilities of being a licensed driver. Driver Education is a prerequisite for BTW training, so it must be finished first.
Seven Behind the Wheel Appointments
Virginia requires teens to complete 7 behind the wheel appointments with a DMV-certified driving school. Each appointment lasts at least 1 hour and 40 minutes and is structured as follows:
- 50 minutes of driving: Your teen drives with the instructor, practicing essential skills such as turning, lane changes, parking, highway driving, and navigating intersections.
- 50 minutes of observation: Your teen observes another student driving. This observation time is valuable because it lets them learn from watching someone else handle real-world driving situations.
The first 6 appointments are dedicated to practice and instruction. Students build confidence and skill with each session, progressing from basic maneuvers to more advanced driving techniques. The 7th appointment is the road skills test, where the instructor evaluates whether your teen can drive safely and independently. For more details on what to expect during the evaluation, see our teen driver guide.
45-Hour Driving Log
In addition to the formal behind the wheel hours with an instructor, Virginia requires teens to log 45 hours of supervised practice driving with a parent or legal guardian. Of those 45 hours, at least 15 hours must be completed after sunset. This practice time helps them gain real-world experience in a variety of conditions, including nighttime driving, rain, and heavy traffic.
You’ll need to maintain a written driving log that records each practice session, including the date, duration, and driving conditions. This log must be submitted as part of your teen’s licensing paperwork. Be thorough and consistent with logging because incomplete logs can delay the process.
Age and Holding Period Requirements
Virginia law requires your teen to meet two additional behind the wheel requirements before receiving a driver’s license:
- Minimum age of 16 years and 3 months: Your teen can’t receive a driver’s license before reaching this age, even if all other requirements are complete.
- Learner’s permit held for at least 9 months: The permit must have been in your teen’s possession for a minimum of 9 months before they can take the road skills test and receive a license.
Driver Education Certificate of Completion
After completing the classroom portion of Driver Education, students receive a signed Driver Education Certificate of Completion, commonly referred to as the “pink sheet.” This document must be presented to the driving school before behind the wheel training can begin. Keep this document safe because it is required at multiple stages of the licensing process.
Behind the Wheel Requirements for Adults (18 and Older)
If you are 18 or older, the Virginia BTW requirements are significantly simpler. Adults are not required to complete Driver Education or log supervised practice hours. Adults need:
- Hold a learner’s permit for at least 60 days: Virginia requires adults to have their permit for a minimum of 60 days before taking the road skills test.
- No driving log requirement: Unlike teens, adults don’t need to document practice hours.
- No Driver Education prerequisite: Adults can go directly to behind the wheel training without completing a classroom course.
- 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.
Taking the road skills test through a certified school rather than the DMV often means shorter wait times and a more comfortable testing environment. Contact us to schedule your adult road skills test.
Documents Needed for Behind the Wheel Training
Before your teen’s first behind the wheel appointment, make sure you have the following documents ready. Being prepared prevents delays and rescheduling. For a more detailed preparation guide, review our road test guide.
- Valid Virginia Learner’s Permit (photocopy): A copy of your teen’s permit is required for the driving school’s records.
- Driver Education Certificate of Completion: The signed pink sheet from your teen’s Driver Education course.
- Driving Log (45+ hours for teens): The completed log showing at least 45 hours of supervised practice, including 15 hours after sunset.
- Payment (Cash or Check): Behind the wheel training fees are due before lessons begin. For current pricing details, visit our BTW cost page.
What Happens After Completing Behind the Wheel
Once your teen passes the road skills test on the 7th appointment, the process isn’t quite over. There are a few more steps, and your teen will receive important documents along the way.
Driver Training Certificate (DTS-B)
Upon passing the road skills test, the instructor issues a Driver Training Certificate, also known as the DTS-B form. This official document confirms that they’ve successfully completed all behind the wheel requirements in Virginia. The DTS-B is valid for 180 days from the date of issue.
Temporary Driving Privileges
Your teen doesn’t need to visit the DMV immediately. The combination of their Learner’s Permit plus the DTS-B serves as a valid driver’s license for the duration of the 180-day validity period. They can legally drive with these two documents until the permanent license is issued.
DMV Notification and Licensing Ceremony
The driving school sends a copy of the DTS-B to the DMV on your teen’s behalf. Within approximately 3 months, your local Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court will send a postcard to your home address. This postcard invites your teen to attend a licensing ceremony, where the court formally grants driving privileges. After the ceremony, they can visit the DMV to receive their permanent Virginia driver’s license.
Re-Examination Requirements
Not every teen passes the road skills test on the first attempt, and that’s perfectly normal. Virginia has specific rules for students who need additional attempts.
If your teen fails the road skills test 3 times, Virginia requires 12 hours of additional one-on-one driving instruction before they can test again. This extra training provides focused attention on the areas where they need improvement.
Abba Driving School offers a re-examination package for $550 that includes the required additional instruction and another road skills test attempt. Our instructors work patiently with students who need extra time, focusing on building confidence and correcting specific weaknesses. If they didn’t pass, read our guide for students who failed their test for more information.
Why Choose Abba Driving School for Behind the Wheel Training
Meeting all Virginia behind the wheel requirements is easier when you have an experienced, trusted driving school on your side. Families across Northern Virginia choose Abba Driving School because:
- DMV-Certified Instructors: All of our instructors are certified by the Virginia DMV and meet every state requirement for behind the wheel instruction.
- 15+ Years of Experience: Our instructors have been teaching teens and adults to drive safely for over 15 years. They know exactly what the road skills test requires and how to prepare your teen for success.
- Pickup Available: Pickup at Battlefield High School and Gainesville High School is always available. Pickup may also be available in other areas. Contact us for details.
- Flexible Scheduling Including Weekends: We offer appointments on weekdays and weekends so you can find times that work around your family’s schedule.
- Annual FBI Background Checks: Your teen’s safety is our top priority. Every instructor undergoes an annual FBI background check.
- Clean, Modern Vehicles: Our training vehicles are well-maintained, equipped with dual brake controls, and feature automatic transmissions for a comfortable learning experience.
- Serving Haymarket, Gainesville, Bristow, and Warrenton, VA: We proudly serve families throughout western Prince William County and Fauquier County.
Our goal is to make the behind the wheel process as smooth and stress-free as possible for both you and your teen. From the first lesson to the road skills test, we handle every requirement so you can focus on what matters most: your teen becoming a safe, confident driver.
Ready to get started on Virginia behind the wheel requirements? Register today and let our experienced instructors guide your teen every step of the way.