Virginia (VA) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, in 2006 alone, there were 126 fatal car accidents involving teens. Around the country, fatal and non-fatal car crashes involving teens cost taxpayers more than $40.8 billion a year. In partnership with “Partners for Safe Teen Driving,” the commonwealth of Virginia is currently working to reduce the number car crashes involving teens and the economic impact it has on the nation as a whole. The Commonwealth of Virginia does its part by enforcing the laws of its Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. Through the program, teens will gradually move up from one driving level to the next, but before doing so, they must satisfy certain requirements and remain accident-free for a specific amount of time.

Continue reading to learn more about Virginia’s Graduated Driver Licensing program and what is takes to successfully complete it.

Virginia Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

Under Virginia’s Graduated Driver Licensing Program, teens must be at least 15 ½ years of age to begin the process. The first step is the learner permit. To obtain an instruction permit you must:

•    Complete a state approved driver education program
•    Complete 45 hours of practice driving, including 15 hours at night
•    Pass a two-part knowledge test
•    Pass a vision screening test

You must also provide the following documents to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

•    Social security number
•    Proof of Virginia residency
•    Proof of legal presence in the U.S.
•    Signature of parent or legal guardian
•    $5 fee

Your instruction permit is valid for 14 months, but once you have completed all of the terms of the instruction permit phase and you are at least 16 years and 3 months old, you will be eligible to apply for an intermediate license. You will have to pass another vision and knowledge test, as well as a driving test. You will have to complete an application and pay the $5 fee.

During the intermediate phase, you must remain accident and citation free in order to qualify for an unrestricted Virginia driver license. You must also wait for a notice in the mail from the Department of Motor Vehicles to attend a licensing ceremony. All teen drivers under the age of 18 must attend a licensing ceremony with a parent or legal guardian. You will receive your permanent driver license at the ceremony.

Virginia Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

Instruction permit holders may only drive when accompanied by a licensed parent or legal guardian, or a licensed driver age 21 or older. The supervising driver must be seated in the front passenger seat at all times. Intermediate license holders may not drive between the hours of 12 p.m. and  4 a.m., unless accompanied by an adult. The only exceptions are:

•    Driving to and from school
•    Driving to and from work
•    Driving to a religious event
•    Emergencies

In addition, intermediate license holders may not operate a motor vehicle during his first six months of intermediate status with any non-family member passengers under the age of 20. For the next 6 months, the driver is restricted to no more than one non-family member under the age of 20.

Virginia’s licensing restrictions are new as of July 10, 2009. The restrictions are tougher and the penalties for violating them are as well. If you violate any of the laws or conditions of Virginia’s GDL program, you will have to attend a driver improvement clinic if you are under the age of 18. This will delay your licensing. For a second offense, your license will be suspended for 90 days. A third offense will result in license suspension for one year or until your 18th birthday -- whichever is longer. 

Virginia Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

All drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using cell phones in any capacity – this includes talking, texting, emailing, web surfing, etc.

Regarding text messaging for all, The Code of Virginia Section 46.2-1078.1 states: It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a moving motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth while using any handheld personal communications device to:

1. Manually enter multiple letters or text in the device as a means of communicating with another person; or

2. Read any email or text message transmitted to the device or stored within the device, provided that this prohibition shall not apply to any name or number stored in the device nor to any caller identification information.

No citation for a violation of this section shall be issued unless the officer issuing such citation has cause to stop or arrest the driver of such motor vehicle for the violation of some other provision of this Code or local ordinance relating to the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle or any criminal statute.

A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable, for a first offense, by a fine of $20 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of $50.

Virginia Teen DUI Laws

In the state of Virginia, it is a crime for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. A BAC of 0.02% is as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It can be even less for some. Proof of a BAC of 0.02% is all that is needed to convict a Virginia teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, your license or permit will be suspended for a minimum of 6 months. In addition, you will be fined up to $500.

Virginia Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

Whether you are an adult or a teen, in the state of Virginia you must carry minimum auto liability insurance in the amount of $25,000 bodily injury/death of one person, $50,000 bodily injury/death of two or more persons, and $20,000 for property damage (25/50/20).

Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel, Virginia auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year. The average increase is around $2,171 a year.