SB 396 Virginia Senate · 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 HB 1224.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Department of Motor Vehicles Subcommittee Substitute Transportation Substitute · 1 edit
MINOR
The document transitioned from a House Substitute version to a Transportation Substitute version, primarily involving formatting adjustments and the insertion of a specific date (February 26, 2026) for the committee proposal. No substantive policy changes, such as new laws, fee adjustments, or eligibility criteria modifications, were identified in the provided text.
TECHNICAL

Added the specific date 'February 26, 2026' to the committee proposal line and adjusted the layout to include page numbers and timestamps typical of a Transportation Substitute.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 2, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Feb 2, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
36
Key actions
11
Committee
5
Amendments
2
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 755 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB396ER)
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House with substitute (91-Y 7-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Transportation with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Transportation
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Transportation Amendment agreed to
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Transportation with amendment (9-Y 6-N)
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Transportation
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Danny Diggs
Danny Diggs
RRepublican
VA
24