Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB 396
Driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure, persons age 18 to 21.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED
Driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure; persons age 18 to 21. Expands from 60 days to 90 days the length of time an applicant for a first-time noncommercial driver's license who is at least 18 years old and not more than 21 years old is required to hold a learner's permit and requires such an applicant to complete a course of driver instruction prior to being issued a driver's license. The bill provides that learner's permits other than motorcycle learner's permits, accompanied by other documentation verifying that the driver is at least 18 years old and less than 21 years old and has successfully completed an approved driver's education course, constitute a temporary driver's license for the purpose of driving unaccompanied by a licensed driver 18 years old or older, provided that certain other requirements are met. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 1224.
Text versions
- Introduced
- Transportation Amendment
- Engrossed
- Department of Motor Vehicles Subcommittee Substitute
- Transportation Substitute
- Enrolled
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 4:19 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 5, 2026 Senate | Concur House Substitute R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 3, 2026 House | H VOTE: | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 26, 2026 House | Reported from Transportation with substitute | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 24, 2026 House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 4, 2026 Senate | Passage R | fail | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 4, 2026 Senate | Passage R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 4, 2026 Senate | Reconsider R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 2, 2026 Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Jan 29, 2026 Senate | Reported from Transportation with amendment | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
Actions
- Apr 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 755 (effective 7/1/2026) - Mar 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 - Mar 14, 2026 · Senate
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 - Mar 12, 2026 · House
Signed by Speaker - Mar 11, 2026 · Senate
Signed by President - Mar 11, 2026 · Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396) - Mar 11, 2026 · Senate
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB396ER) - Mar 11, 2026 · Senate
Enrolled - Mar 5, 2026 · Senate
House substitute agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A) - Mar 3, 2026 · House
Passed House with substitute (91-Y 7-N 0-A) - Mar 3, 2026 · House
Engrossed by House - committee substitute - Mar 3, 2026 · House
committee substitute agreed to - Mar 3, 2026 · House
Read third time - Mar 3, 2026 · House
Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar - Mar 2, 2026 · House
Read second time - Feb 27, 2026 · Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396) - Feb 26, 2026 · House
Committee substitute printed 26108548D-H1 - Feb 26, 2026 · House
Reported from Transportation with substitute (21-Y 0-N) - Feb 24, 2026 · House
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N) - Feb 20, 2026 · House
Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles - Feb 9, 2026 · House
Referred to Committee on Transportation - Feb 9, 2026 · House
Read first time - Feb 9, 2026 · House
Placed on Calendar - Feb 4, 2026 · Senate
Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A) - Feb 4, 2026 · Senate
Reconsideration of defeated action agreed to by Senate - Feb 4, 2026 · Senate
Read third time and defeated by Senate (19-Y 21-N 0-A) - Feb 3, 2026 · Senate
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote) - Feb 3, 2026 · Senate
Transportation Amendment agreed to - Feb 3, 2026 · Senate
Read second time - Feb 2, 2026 · Senate
Passed by for the day - Feb 2, 2026 · Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) - Feb 2, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) - Feb 2, 2026 · Senate
Rules suspended - Jan 29, 2026 · Senate
Reported from Transportation with amendment (9-Y 6-N) - Jan 13, 2026 · Senate
Referred to Committee on Transportation - Jan 13, 2026 · Senate
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104758D