Commonwealth of Virginia branding bar cardinal logo

Virginia Department of Motor VehiclesAn official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia Here's how you knowAn official websiteHere's how you know

Skip to main content
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Utility menu

  • Online Services
  • Locations
  • Moving
  • Forms
  • My Account

Main menu

  • Licenses & IDs

    • Driver's License
    • REAL ID
    • Learner's Permits
    • ID Cards
    • Commercial Driver's Licenses
    • Motorcycle License
    • Exams & Study Materials
    • Driver Training
    • Driver Improvement
    • Disability Programs
    • Payment Plan Program
    • Organ Donation
    • License Extension
    • Military Personnel
    • Moving

    Document Guide

    Know which documents are required for your driver application before you head to DMV.
    Access Guide
  • Vehicles

    • Title Your Vehicle or Trailer
    • Registration
    • License Plates
    • Buying/Selling a Vehicle
    • Insurance Coverage Verification
    • Taxes & Fees
    • E-ZPass at DMV
    • Insurance Requirements
    • General Information
    • National Motor Vehicle Titling Information System (NMVTIS)
    • Abandoned Vehicles/ Mechanics & Storage Lien (MSL) Vehicles
    • Download Vehicle Forms

    Registration Renewal

    Renew your vehicle registration before it expires to avoid a late fee.
    Renew Registration
  • Businesses

    • Motor Carriers
    • Hauling Permits
    • Insurance Services
    • Electronic Lien Program
    • Virginia Motor Fuels Tax Programs
    • Business Opportunities
    • How to Become a DMV Select Partner
    • Online Fleet
    • Dealer Services
    • Online Dealers
    • Rental Tax
    • Transportation Network Companies (TNC)

    VirginiaMCS

    Access VirginiaMCS to conduct your Virginia IRP and/or IFTA transactions online.
    Access VirginiaMCS
  • Records

    • Driver Alert Voluntary Driving Record Monitoring Program
    • Request a Copy of Your Driver or Vehicle Record
    • Request a Police Crash Report from DMV
    • Obtain Vehicle History
    • Change Address, Name or Sex Designation
    • Non-Governmental Access to DMV Records
    • Governmental Access to DMV Records
    • Resources for Family of Deceased
    • Emergency Contact Information
    • Vital Records at DMV
    • Prospective Purchaser Inquiry (PPI)
    • Release of DMV Information
    • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Rights and Responsibilities
    • Register to Vote

    Driving & Vehicle Records

    Purchase a copy of your driver or vehicle record online.
    View Records
  • Safety

    • Statewide Crash Data
    • Grants Management
    • Safety Programs
      • Bicycle Safety
      • Child Safety Seats
      • Crash Investigation
      • Impaired Driving
      • Mature Driver Safety
      • Motor Carrier Safety
      • Motorcycle Safety
      • Pedestrian Safety
      • School Bus Safety
      • Seat Belts and Airbags
      • Speeding
      • Teen Driver Safety
        • Choosing a Safe Vehicle
        • Nine Actions to Minimize Crashes
        • Teen Driver Safety Frequently Asked Questions
        • Multimedia
        • Related Links and Parent Resources
    • Safety Resources

    Points Balance

    Check your points balance to see where your record stands.
    Check Balance
  • Licenses & IDs

    • Driver's License
    • REAL ID
    • Learner's Permits
    • ID Cards
    • Commercial Driver's Licenses
    • Motorcycle License
    • Exams & Study Materials
    • Driver Training
    • Driver Improvement
    • Disability Programs
    • Payment Plan Program
    • Organ Donation
    • License Extension
    • Military Personnel
    • Moving

    Document Guide

    Know which documents are required for your driver application before you head to DMV.
    Access Guide
  • Vehicles

    • Title Your Vehicle or Trailer
    • Registration
    • License Plates
    • Buying/Selling a Vehicle
    • Insurance Coverage Verification
    • Taxes & Fees
    • E-ZPass at DMV
    • Insurance Requirements
    • General Information
    • National Motor Vehicle Titling Information System (NMVTIS)
    • Abandoned Vehicles/ Mechanics & Storage Lien (MSL) Vehicles
    • Download Vehicle Forms

    Registration Renewal

    Renew your vehicle registration before it expires to avoid a late fee.
    Renew Registration
  • Businesses

    • Motor Carriers
    • Hauling Permits
    • Insurance Services
    • Electronic Lien Program
    • Virginia Motor Fuels Tax Programs
    • Business Opportunities
    • How to Become a DMV Select Partner
    • Online Fleet
    • Dealer Services
    • Online Dealers
    • Rental Tax
    • Transportation Network Companies (TNC)

    VirginiaMCS

    Access VirginiaMCS to conduct your Virginia IRP and/or IFTA transactions online.
    Access VirginiaMCS
  • Records

    • Driver Alert Voluntary Driving Record Monitoring Program
    • Request a Copy of Your Driver or Vehicle Record
    • Request a Police Crash Report from DMV
    • Obtain Vehicle History
    • Change Address, Name or Sex Designation
    • Non-Governmental Access to DMV Records
    • Governmental Access to DMV Records
    • Resources for Family of Deceased
    • Emergency Contact Information
    • Vital Records at DMV
    • Prospective Purchaser Inquiry (PPI)
    • Release of DMV Information
    • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Rights and Responsibilities
    • Register to Vote

    Driving & Vehicle Records

    Purchase a copy of your driver or vehicle record online.
    View Records
  • Safety

    • Statewide Crash Data
    • Grants Management
    • Safety Programs
      • Bicycle Safety
      • Child Safety Seats
      • Crash Investigation
      • Impaired Driving
      • Mature Driver Safety
      • Motor Carrier Safety
      • Motorcycle Safety
      • Pedestrian Safety
      • School Bus Safety
      • Seat Belts and Airbags
      • Speeding
      • Teen Driver Safety
        • Choosing a Safe Vehicle
        • Nine Actions to Minimize Crashes
        • Teen Driver Safety Frequently Asked Questions
        • Multimedia
        • Related Links and Parent Resources
    • Safety Resources

    Points Balance

    Check your points balance to see where your record stands.
    Check Balance
  • Online Services
  • Locations
  • Moving
  • Forms
  • My Account
Reserve Your Spot

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Safety
  3. Safety Programs

Teen Driver Safety

Skip to main content
  • Teen Driver Safety
    • Choosing a Safe Vehicle
    • Nine Actions to Minimize Crashes
    • Teen Driver Safety Frequently Asked Questions
    • Multimedia
    • Related Links and Parent Resources

Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, so becoming a safe driver is one of the smartest and most responsible actions you can take for yourself, your family and others on the road with you.

Virginia's teen driving laws help keep those 18 and younger safe on the roadways. Follow these laws to avoid being ticketed, and most importantly, to prevent death and injury.

Safe, Responsible Driving Begins with You

Reject Ejection.

  • Wear your seat belt to prevent ejection, which almost always means death.
  • Buckle up even in the back seat. Drivers are twice as likely to die in frontal crashes when back-seat passengers are unbuckled.

Get Enough Sleep

  • Teens need at least nine hours of sleep, which allows you to stay alert while driving.

Always Drive Sober

  • Alcohol use by people under 21 is prohibited in Virginia. The penalties for Virginia's "zero tolerance" law regarding for teens includes losing your license for a year and fines or community service. Alcohol and illegal drugs slow reaction time and distort reality, making you think you're driving well when you're not.

Be Smart

  • When lives are at stake, speak up. Always ride with sober drivers, and always buckle up and insist everyone else buckles up.
  • Not buckling up, speed, inexperience and alcohol are reasons for fatalities and serious injuries in single-vehicle crashes, the most common type of crash involving teens.
  • When first learning to drive, respect the ground rules your parents and caregivers set and stick to them. Pay attention to advice from experienced drivers.

Keep Your Distance and Follow a Safe Speed

  • Keep four seconds of following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Tailgating, speeding and underestimating dangerous situations are some of the main factors in teen vehicle deaths.

Focus on the Road

  • Texting while driving is prohibited for all drivers in Virginia, no matter their age.
  • Driving is a complex task and requires your full attention. Examples of distractions are blasting the music, loading up your car with friends and using your phone which is illegal in Virginia for anyone while driving a motor vehicle.

Teen Driver Safety Resources

  • FAQs
  • Multimedia
  • Related Links and Parent Resources
  • Speed and Aggressive Driving
  • Traffic Crash Data

Find out more...

  • Teen Driving Restrictions
  • Learner's Permit Information
  • Order Your College License Plate
  • Parents in the Drivers Seat
  • Virginia Driver's Manual

About Us

Through our mission purpose, the DMV aims to be Virginia's most trusted service provider.

  • About DMV
  • Careers
  • Procurement

Resources

  • Online Services
  • How Do I?
  • Forms
  • News
  • Policies & Regulations
  • Fee Chart
  • ¿Habla Español?

Contact

  • Locations
  • Contact Us
  • Media

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Superior Service | Secure Credentials | Saving Lives)

©2025 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.

Back to top