Where the Fairfax City DMV is located

Fairfax City has one Department of Motor Vehicles office, located at 10039 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030. This is a full-service DMV location that handles driver's licenses, vehicle registration, title work, and identification cards. The office is inside Fairfax City limits, separate from the larger Fairfax County DMV system, though both are run by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

The building is on Main Street in downtown Fairfax City, near the intersection with North Street. Parking is available on the street and in nearby lots. The office is not accessible by public transit, so you will need to drive or arrange a ride.

Hours and how to plan your visit

The Fairfax City DMV is open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and closed on weekends and Virginia state holidays. Hours can change without notice, so call ahead at (703) 385-7860 to confirm before you go. The office does not take appointments, so you arrive and take a number at the door.

Wait times vary by day and time of day. Mornings before 10 a.m. and late afternoons after 3 p.m. tend to be less crowded than midday. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically busier than other weekdays. If you are renewing a driver's license or registration with no complications, plan for 30 to 60 minutes. More complex transactions like title transfers or first-time license applications can take longer.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fairfax City DMV is at 10039 Main Street in downtown Fairfax City and is open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  • You do not need an appointment — arrive during business hours, take a number, and wait for your turn.
  • Call (703) 385-7860 to confirm hours or ask about wait times before you go.
  • Bring your current ID, proof of residency, and any documents specific to your transaction, such as a signed title or insurance card.
  • Early mornings and late afternoons are usually less crowded than midday.

What documents to bring for common transactions

The documents you need depend on what you are doing. For a driver's license renewal, bring your current license or ID card, proof of Virginia residency (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. If your address has changed, bring proof of your new address.

For a vehicle registration renewal, bring your current registration card, proof of insurance, and your vehicle identification number (VIN). If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Virginia, bring the title, a bill of sale if you purchased it, proof of insurance, and proof of residency.

For a title transfer (buying or selling a vehicle), bring the signed title from the seller, a bill of sale, proof of insurance, and proof of residency. If the vehicle has a lien, bring documentation from the lender. For a replacement ID card, bring proof of identity and proof of residency.

Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within 60 days. A driver's license from another state counts as proof of identity but not proof of Virginia residency.

Online and mail options before you visit

Not every transaction requires a trip to the office. Virginia DMV allows you to renew your driver's license online at dmvnow.com if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address, name, or medical information. The online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person.

Vehicle registration renewals can also be done online through dmvnow.com if your vehicle has no liens and your registration is not expired. You will need your registration card and proof of insurance to start the process.

If you prefer mail, you can request a form from the DMV website or call (703) 385-7860 to have one sent to you. Mail processing takes longer than in-person service — typically two to three weeks — so use this option only if you have time before your current document expires.

What to do if you cannot visit in person

If you are unable to visit the Fairfax City office, you can use any other Virginia DMV location. There are offices in Fairfax County, Arlington, and most other parts of the state. The transaction you need will be the same regardless of which office you visit, and you do not need to go to the Fairfax City location specifically.

You can also mail certain documents to the Virginia DMV regional office. Call (703) 385-7860 to ask whether your specific transaction can be handled by mail and what forms and documents to send. Include a return envelope and allow extra time for processing.

Common reasons visits take longer than expected

Bring all required documents the first time. The most common reason for a second visit is a missing document — for example, forgetting proof of residency or bringing an expired ID when a current one is required. Check the DMV website or call ahead to confirm what you need.

If you are transferring a title, make sure the seller has signed it correctly. Unsigned or incorrectly signed titles cause delays. If you are registering a vehicle with a lien, contact your lender beforehand to confirm they have the correct address on file — some lenders mail title documents directly to the DMV, and if the address is wrong, the document may not arrive in time.

If your name or address has changed since your last transaction, bring documentation of the change (such as a marriage certificate or lease). Without it, you may not be able to complete your transaction that day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration or license before it expires?

Yes. Virginia allows you to renew your driver's license up to one year before it expires and your vehicle registration up to one month before it expires. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new document — it will still be valid for the full term (eight years for a driver's license, one year for registration).

What if I lost my title or registration card?

You can request a replacement at the Fairfax City DMV office. Bring your ID and proof of residency. For a replacement title, you will also need to provide the vehicle identification number (VIN). Replacement documents usually take a few minutes to issue if you are at the office in person.

Do I need to take a new photo for a license renewal?

Only if your current license photo is more than eight years old or if you are renewing in person at the DMV office. Online renewals do not require a new photo. If you are renewing in person and your photo is current, you can usually keep it, but the staff member will let you know if a new one is needed.

What if my vehicle has a lien and I am trying to register it?

Bring proof from your lender showing they hold the lien. This is usually a document titled "lienholder information" or "security agreement." Some lenders send this directly to the DMV, so call your lender first to confirm they have the correct DMV office address on file. If the lender has already sent it, the DMV staff can look it up in their system.

Can I handle my transaction by phone?

No. The DMV does not process transactions over the phone. You must visit in person, use the online system at dmvnow.com, or mail documents. You can call (703) 385-7860 to ask questions about what you need to bring or to confirm hours, but the actual transaction must happen through one of those three methods.