Resources for Youth over 18

You are in the right place if you are a youth who aged out of foster care and are interested in starting the driver’s licensing process (or someone helping a youth!)

All information below is from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles that oversees the driver’s licensing process. More detailed information about the driver’s licensing process can be found at DMVNow.com

Printable checklist for youth over 18 who do not have their learner's permit yet

PRINTABLE CHECKLIST FOR YOUTH OVER 18 WHO ALREADY HAVE THEIR LEARNER'S PERMIT BUT NOT THEIR LICENSE

PRINTABLE GRAPHIC TO DO LIST FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE AGED OUT OF CARE (18+)

PRINTABLE GRAPHIC TO DO LIST FOR SOCIAL WORKER/FOSTER PARENT/PROVIDER (18+)

Getting your driver’s license is a critical pathway to independence and yet for youth who have aged out of foster care it can be a challenging process. This information should guide you in taking steps towards beginning this important process:

The first step is talking with your social worker about the licensing process and creating a plan.
Next, you will need to get your learner’s permit which is the first step of the licensing process. You will need some important documents that your social worker likely has or can get for you. You will need one proof of identity and one proof of legal presence. Your birth certificate will work as proof of both. You’ll also need two proofs of your Virginia address and your social security card. Click here to get more information about the documents needed. Remember, your social worker can help you gather all of these documents. If your name has changed, you’ll also need a document for that.
If you have a medical issue that may impact your ability to drive, or may need additional approval from a medical provider, please review this additional information.
If you have any prior court involvement that may have impacted your ability to get a driver’s license, you will need to contact DMV directly to identify if there are any barriers. Their customer service number is 1 (804) 497-7100. Another way to contact them is by messaging them on Facebook Messenger, during normal business hours.
When you apply for your learner’s permit, you will need to fill out this application.
There will be a fee for you to obtain your learner’s permit. Click here to get more information about what the fee will be.
You will need to take a Knowledge Exam & a vision screening at DMV on the day you apply for your learner’s permit.
Next, you will need to determine whether or not you need to complete a driver’s education program (a classroom and Behind the Wheel portion). If you do not have experience driving, this will be a critical step for you! You can talk with your social worker about funding opportunities for this class and to help get you enrolled in an approved course. As part of this course, you will take the final road skills examination.
If you already know how to drive, you are given the option to have a licensed driver, who has observed you meeting multiple driving requirements, complete the required DMV paperwork instead of taking a driver’s education program. If you can fulfill this requirement, you will have to hold your learner’s permit for 60 days and will be required to take a roads skill test on site at DMV. You will have to use a “street legal” (insured, registered, titled, etc) car for this roads test (it is not provided by DMV).
There will be a fee for you to obtain your driver’s license. Click here to get more information about what the fee will be.