Extending your Driver's License

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IMPORTANT NOTICE The content on this webpage has not been updated to be consistent with the July 2026 final rule eliminating "duration of status" (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants in favor of a fixed admission period. Please contact ISSP at globe@wm.edu for questions about your immigration situation. Visit the Immigration Updates webpage for more information about the elimination of D/S final rule.

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 your license. You can apply to extend your Virginia driver’s license or ID Card at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Virginia driver's license extensions sometimes involve the local DMV sending documents to a central office for review, which can take time (sometimes a week or more). We recommend applying for an extension as soon as you are able.

Moving to another state?

Check with your new state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 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 below and apply for a new license or ID card in your new state later.

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 how to register your car and get new license plates.

Driver's License Renewal Requirements

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, request a DS-2019 Replacement Form or I-20 Replacement Form in iStart. For replacement reason select "Other," and write "DMV -- need original signature." Once your form is approved, your document will be available for pickup.

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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.

Please be aware that you may only be able to renew your driver's license once your OPT or AT work authorization start date has been reached, which may impact your ability to drive if your license will expire before this date.

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
2 proofs of Virginia residency
Proof of SSN (if you have been issued one)

Please be sure to bring all required documentation with you to the DMV, as missing documents may extend the wait time to renew your license by several days or weeks.

Students may also call the DMV Customer Contact Center at 804-497-7100 before visiting in-person to determine the specific documents needed to renew your license.

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)
2 Proofs of Virginia residency
Proof of SSN (if they have been issued one)

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.

F-1 and J-1 students and scholars have a grace period of 60 days for F-1 students and 30 days for J-1 students and scholars to legally remain in the U.S. after the program end date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019. You can renew your license or ID for the duration of this period, but the 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.
F-1 students applying for OPT: If you applied for OPT but do not yet have your EAD card, you can also apply for a 60-day extension of your driver’s license or ID. When you receive your EAD card, you can apply for another extension of your license/ID card for the length of your work authorization.

Required Documents:

Valid passport with F-1 or J-1 visa (even if it's expired)
I-94 card or printout
2 proofs 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.”
Graduating students also need:
- DMV Letter Request (Graduating Students)
  - 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 (Graduating Students) and complete the form
  - The earliest you will receive the letter is after your classes have ended
- DMV Letter Request (Non-Degree Students) - for Undergraduate and Law Exchange students
  - 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

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
- Examples of accepted documents (full list here):
  - Driver's license
  - Passport
  - EAD
  - Official Transcript
  - Health Insurance card
  - Social Security Card
2 proofs of Virginia residency
Proof of SSN or ITIN (if you have been issued one)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Moving to another state?

Driver's License Renewal Requirements

Topics

Students with Approved Work Authorization

Dependents of Students with Work Authorization

Students and Scholars Extending for the Grace Period

Driver Privilege Card