Virginia Permit Application
Applying for a Virginia learners permit is the first step for those who have never been licensed before and would like to obtain a drivers license. Having a Virginia drivers permit will allow you to practice driving and to gain some driving experience before you get out on the road alone. Although some find that applying for a learners permit is a confusing experience, it does not have to be. If you invest some time into researching the process of applying for Virginia learner's permit, the actual application will go smoothly without a hitch.
Graduated Driver's License Requirements
Due to the fact that teenagers have higher crash rates than older drivers, they must also meet additional requirements when it comes to applying for a learner's permit or a drivers license. Traffic accident is a number one cause of death for persons between 15 and 20 years of age, something not many people think about. A mundane task such as driving kills more teenagers that disease or anything else.
In order to counteract factors that lead to such high numbers of teenagers being injured in traffic accidents, the state has developed a number of restrictions and requirements that must be observed by those seeking to apply for a Virginia drivers license before the age of 19 years. These requirements were combined under the name of Virginia graduated driver's license program and if you would like to learn more about the program, you may check out one of many DMV publications available on the web.
Required Testing
Driving is a serious matter and operating a vehicle requires both skill and knowledge. The DMV will not allow you behind the wheel before you can prove that you know the state driving rules and are able to meet minimum health and vision requirements. The process of applying for a Virginia learners permit involves taking a vision exam and a learner's permit test.
Vision Requirements
Your vehicle is capable of covering a great distance very quickly and seeing far ahead is very important. Furthermore, if you plan on driving both day and night, you have to be able to see well in low-light conditions. Vision testing is a must for all first-time drivers permit applicants all over the country.
In Virginia, vision examination is conducted with mechanical aid. When you submit your application for a Virginia drivers permit, you will be asked to look into a machine and read a series of numbers and letters. If you wear glasses or contact lenses during the exam, you will also have to wear them while operating under your Virginia learner's permit.
In order to receive an unrestricted Virginia drivers license, you have to have 20/40 or better vision in one or both eyes and 100 degrees or better horizontal vision in one or both eyes. If you do not meet these standards, you will be issued with a restricted learners permit or you will be asked to see an eye care professional before a permit can be issued.
Drivers Permit Test
A learners permit test in Virginia consists of two parts - the first part that has questions on road signs and the second part that features multiple-choice questions on driving rules and safe driving practices. In order for you pass the test, you must answer all of the traffic signs questions correctly and then get a score of at least 80% on the second part of the test.
Although the DMV permit test is not hard, a large proportion of first-time applicants fail it the first-time they take it, mostly due to the fact that they do not study before taking the exam. There are many ways for you to prepare for the knowledge exam and many of them are completely free.
If you are looking for a study guide that could help you get prepared for the permit test, you should obtain a copy of Virginia drivers permit book. The book is published by the DMV and it contains all of the state's driving rules that you will be tested on. Read the book couple of times, then take a free Virginia permit practice test. If you find that the score that you receive on practice tests is too low, you may need to revisit the book and study some more.
Paperwork Required
In order to make sure that you are the person you say you are and that you are eligible to apply for a Virginia DMV permit, you will be required to present the following paperwork at the time when you submit your application:
- proof of ID (two forms)
- proof of Virginia residency
- proof of citizenship or legal presence
- Social Security Number
If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian will need to grant their consent to your application by signing your application form. You will not be able to apply for a driver permit without parental consent.
If you have doubts as to what documents pass for proof of ID or residency, you may check out official list that comes under the name of DMV 141. This publication contains details about acceptable documentation, so just google it or download it straight from the DMV website.
Applying for a Drivers Permit - Under 19 Years of Age
The minimum age when you can apply for a permit is 15 years, 6 months, however if you want to receive a learners permit at this age, you should probably start learning the driving rules well before this time. When you meet the age requirement and are ready to take on the permit test, visit a nearest DMV office, take a vision exam, a permit test and file your paperwork. If everything checks out and you pass the tests, you are granted your first Virginia driver permit.
Applying for a Learners Permit - 19 Years of Age and Older
At this point, there is really no difference in application procedures for teens and adults. Just like any other first time Virginia drivers permit applicant, you have to visit the DMV where you present all of the required paperwork, take a vision test and a DMV knowledge exam. Once done, you receive your first drivers permit.
Operating under a Permit
One thing you should always keep in mind while operating under a Virginia learners permit is that it does not grant you full driving privileges and that you are to observe all Virginia permit restrictions at all times. You are not allowed to drive alone and must have a supervising driver accompany you at all times when you are practicing driving. These restrictions will need to be observed up until the time when you take a Virginia driving test and receive a drivers license.
Those who take their drivers test before reaching the age of 18 years will be issued with a provisional license and will have to observe all Virginia provisional license restrictions until they are 18 years of age. These restrictions are part of the state's graduated license program and cannot be avoided.
