HB 1224 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure, persons age 18 to 21.

Summary
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 SB 396.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 1 edit · Mar 10, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized for signature, changing the status from a draft proposal to an official law. The substantive policy content regarding driver's license requirements for adults aged 18 to 21, commercial licensing rules, and the effective date of January 1, 2027, remains unchanged.
Scope change
None; the bill's scope and applicability are identical to the previous version.
TECHNICAL

The document status was updated from 'Engrossed' (House version) to 'Enrolled' (final version ready for the Governor), and the layout was adjusted to match official legislative formatting standards.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 2, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

380
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 39
Mar 2, 2026
D Democratic20
19 Yea 1
95% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
30
Key actions
12
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 754 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1224ER)
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Transportation (8-Y 3-N 3-A)
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Transportation
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (88-Y 9-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendments agreed to
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Transportation with amendment(s) (21-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (9-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Committee
Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Transportation
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Karrie Delaney
Karrie Delaney
DDemocratic
VA
9