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.
If you already know your city, use the local pages for behind the wheel in Haymarket, behind the wheel in Gainesville, behind the wheel in Bristow, or behind the wheel in Warrenton. Those pages explain pickup details and service-area information in addition to the statewide rules covered here.
Behind the Wheel Requirements for Teens (Under 18)
Virginia has a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system for teens under 18. The behind the wheel 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 behind the wheel 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 behind the wheel training, so it must be finished first.
Seven Behind the Wheel Appointments
Virginia DMV requires seven driving sessions and seven observation sessions. At Abba, those are scheduled as 7 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 road test guide.
45 Hours of Supervised Practice
In addition to the formal behind the wheel hours with an instructor, Virginia DMV requires a parent or guardian to certify 45 hours of supervised practice, including 15 hours after sunset. This practice time helps teens gain real-world experience in a variety of conditions, including nighttime driving, rain, and heavy traffic.
Virginia DMV requires a parent or guardian to certify on the completion certificate that the teen completed the required practice hours. DMV’s public guidance does not say that a separate written log must be submitted to DMV. Abba asks families to keep and bring a practice-driving record so the required hours can be confirmed before the final test.
Age and Holding Period Requirements
Virginia DMV’s current teen requirements include two additional conditions 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
Adult requirements depend on age, licensing history, and which pathway the applicant uses. The Virginia DMV driver education requirements page should be checked before registering because the rules change January 1, 2027.
- Current permit pathway through December 31, 2026: Most first-time applicants age 18 or older may hold a learner’s permit for at least 60 days and complete DMV’s Behind-the-Wheel Checklist before taking the road skills test at DMV.
- Licensed-school pathway: An eligible adult who completes the state-approved driver education program, including its classroom and in-car components, may qualify for the school-administered final test. Individual driving lessons alone do not replace that program or authorize a school-administered test.
- Change effective January 1, 2027: First-time applicants ages 18 through 20 must complete driver education and hold a learner’s permit for at least 90 days. Applicants should confirm the requirements that apply on their eligibility date.
Contact us if you need help choosing between individual adult driving lessons and the full state-approved driver education pathway.
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.
- Abba practice-driving record: Bring Abba’s completed record showing the required 45 hours of supervised practice, including 15 hours after sunset. Virginia requires the parent or guardian to certify those hours on the completion certificate.
- Payment (Cash or Check): Behind the wheel training fees are due before lessons begin. For current pricing details, visit our behind the wheel 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 school-administered final road skills test, an eligible student receives a Driver Training Certificate, also known as the DTS-B form. The DTS-B instructions calculate its expiration from the student’s licensing eligibility date, not simply 180 days from the date the form is issued.
Temporary Driving Privileges
The learner’s permit and DTS-B provide temporary driving privileges only after the student has met Virginia’s licensing eligibility requirements, including being at least 16 years and 3 months old and holding the learner’s permit for at least 9 months. The student must carry both documents while driving and follow the restrictions shown in the DTS-B instructions.
DMV Notification and Licensing Ceremony
The driving school submits the required certificate information. DMV or the local Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court then provides the next instructions. A licensing ceremony may be required; when the court does not require one, DMV may mail the permanent license. Follow the current Virginia DMV license application guidance rather than relying on a fixed postcard or ceremony timeline.
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 DMV requires the in-vehicle re-examination course before another attempt. The course consists of seven 50-minute periods of driving with no observation or road skills test required.
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? Start with your city page for Haymarket, Gainesville, Bristow, or Warrenton, or register today and let our experienced instructors guide your teen every step of the way.