Extending your License

If you have a Virginia driver’s license or ID card, it will probably expire when your I-20 or DS-2019 expires. For students, this is usually when you graduate. If you plan to stay in Virginia and drive, you must extend it. You can apply to extend your Virginia driver’s license or ID Card at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). See the Reves website for Williamsburg address, hours, and directions.

Original Documents

When extending, all documents must be originals, including your I-20/DS-2019 with a blue ink signature.

If you do not have an I-20 or DS-2019 with a blue ink signature, you can request one from ISSP:

Login to iStart using your W&M ID and Password.
J-1s
- Click on J-1 Student Services in the menu on the left-hand side. Then, click on DS-2019 Replacement Form and complete the form. For replacement reason select "Other," and write "DMV -- need original signature." Once your form is approved, your DS-2019 will be available for pickup.
F-1s
- Click on F-1 Student Services in the menu on the left-hand side. Then, click on I-20 Replacement Form and complete the form. For replacement reason select "Other," and write "DMV -- need original signature." Once your form is approved, your I-20 will be available for pickup.

Students with Approved Work Authorization

If you have OPT or AT work authorization that has been approved, you can extend for the length of your work authorization. If you applied for OPT but did not yet receive your card, you cannot extend for the full period of your OPT, but you can extend for your grace period.

Required:

Valid passport with F-1 or J-1 visa (even if it's expired)
I-94 card or printout
I-20 listing OPT approval period or DS-2019 showing AT extension. When your work authorization is approved, you can request this from the Reves Center
F-1 students only: Employment Authorization Document (EAD): OPT card
Proof of Virginia residency
Proof of SSN (if you have been issued one)

Dependents of Students with Work Authorization

If you have a dependent who will be extending their license or ID, you must go with them when they apply, and bring your work authorization proof, and they must bring:

Valid passport with F-2 or J-2 visa (even if it's expired)
I-94 card or printout
Dependent I-20 listing OPT approval period or DS-2019 showing AT extension
F-1 student will need to present their EAD (OPT card)
F-1 student will need to present their I-797 Approval Notice (e.g., OPT approval)
Proof of Virginia residency
Proof of SSN (if they have been issued one)

Students and Scholars Extending for the Grace Period

If you are graduating, but not applying for OPT or AT (or it has not yet been approved), or if you are a scholar and your program is ending, you can extend your license or ID card for your grace period.

You have a grace period (60 days for F-1 students, 30 days for J-1 students and scholars) where you can legally remain in the US after your I-20 or DS-2019 ends. You can renew your license or ID for this period, but DMV will not extend it if your grace period ends less than 30 days from when you apply.

J-1 students and scholars: Renew your license/ID card by the date your DS-2019 expires, as your grace period is 30 days after this.
F-1 students: Renew your license/ID card at least 30 days before your grace period ends.
OPT: If you applied for OPT but do not have your OPT card, you can also apply for a 60 day extension of your driver’s license or ID. When you receive your OPT card, you can apply for another extension of your license/ID card for the length of your work authorization.

Required:

Valid passport with F-1 or J-1 visa (even if it's expired)
I-94 card or printout
Proof of Virginia residency
Proof of SSN (if you have been issued one)
I-20 or DS-2019 (even if it's expired)
- F-1 students: The eligibility for the 60 day extension is listed on page 3 of your I-20 under “Instructions to Students”, in the section called, “Period of Stay.”
Students only:
- Students graduating in May 2023: You will complete an Enrollment Verification/Degree Verification Request, and submit this this signed form through Qualtrics. The May 2023 Form is due Thursday, May 4, 2023.
  - If you are graduating at another time (August or January), submit the enrollment verification form to the Registrar's Office directly instead.
- You will receive a letter from the Registrar's Office with proof of completion of your studies. You will receive an email when it is ready, so that you can pick it up. Letters will be available a few days before graduation (since they must confirm that you have finished your degree).
- This letter must have an original signature, and must be from someone with the title “Registrar.” It must say that you have completed degree requirements. Please use the form template above, and do not request an emailed or faxed version, as the DMV will reject scanned/faxed copies.
- Undergraduate exchange and Law exchange: Your letter will be different. Request it here:
  - DMV Letter Request (Non-Degree Students) (iStart)
    - Login to iStart using your W&M ID and Password.
    - Click on International Office in the menu on the left-hand side.
    - Then, click on DMV Letter Request (Non-Degree Students) and complete the form.

Driver Privilege Card

Another alternative to extending your license may be to request a driver privilege card. This option is only available to people who have earned income and filed a Virginia tax return within the past 12 months. A driver privilege card is not a traditional license, and you cannot use it as identification to board flights or enter federal facilities, but it will enable you to drive.

Requirements (full list available on DMV website):

Copy of your Virginia tax return, filed within the last 12 months (one of these):
- Virginia Resident Form 760 – Individual Income Tax
- Virginia Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return Form 760PY
- Virginia Nonresident Income Tax Return Form 763
Proof of identity (two documents)
- Examples of accepted documents (full list here):
  - Driver's license
  - Passport
  - EAD
  - Official Transcript
  - Health Insurance card
  - Social Security Card
Proof of Virginia residency (two documents)
Proof of SSN or ITIN (if you have been issued one)

Proof of Virginia Residency

These must show your legal name and Virginia address (physical address, not mailing).

Accepted documents include (you only need to show one of these):

Your current (unexpired) driver’s license or Virginia state ID card
Official transcript; when requesting, list your physical address When requesting the transcript, list your street address on the form, as what you list will be printed on the transcript. If you live on campus, street addresses can be found on each individual hall page.
Current automobile or life insurance bill
Payroll check stub issued by an employer within the last two months
US IRS tax W-2 form or 1099 form (not older than 18 months)
US or Virginia tax return from the previous year
Original monthly bank statement not more than two months old
Utility bill, not more than two months old issued to applicant (such as gas, electric, sewer, water, cable or phone – cellular phone bills not accepted)

Moving to another state?

Check with your new state’s Department of Motor Vehicles for how to get a license or identification (ID) card.

Each state has its own rules and requirements.
In some cases you may want to first extend your Virginia driver’s license or ID card using the methods above, and then later apply for a new license or ID card in your new state.
If you own a car, check with your new state’s DMV to see if you must title your car in your new state and for how to register your car and get new license plates.