Virginia lets you renew most vehicle registrations online through the DMV website, without visiting an office or mailing documents
You can renew your Virginia registration online if your vehicle is registered in Virginia, your license plate is not suspended or revoked, and you do not have unpaid traffic fines or safety inspection violations on record. The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person — you pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Your new registration documents arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Not all vehicles can renew online. Commercial vehicles, vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, vehicles registered to businesses that need to update their information, and vehicles with certain violations must renew in person or by mail. If you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies, you can start the online process and the system will tell you before you pay.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online at dmvnow.com using your vehicle identification number (VIN) and current registration number, which appear on your registration card.
- Your vehicle must have a current safety inspection and no unpaid fines, suspensions, or violations for the online system to accept your renewal.
- You will receive your new registration documents by mail; you do not need to visit a DMV office or mail anything yourself.
- Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal and takes effect when ready after you pay, even though your physical documents arrive later.
- If the online system rejects your renewal, you will see the reason on screen and can renew by mail or in person instead.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather your current registration card before you begin. You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the registration number printed on it. Both appear in the upper right corner of the card. If you cannot find your registration card, you can look up your VIN on your vehicle's dashboard (visible through the windshield on the driver's side) or in your vehicle's title documents.
You will also need a valid payment method: a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, or a checking account number for an electronic check payment. The renewal fee varies by vehicle weight and type; the DMV website shows your exact fee before you pay.
Check that your vehicle has a current safety inspection before you renew. Virginia requires all vehicles to pass a safety inspection every 12 months. If your inspection is expired or expiring within 30 days, renew the inspection first — at a licensed inspection station, not the DMV — then renew your registration online.
Step-by-Step: Renewing Online at DMVnow
Go to dmvnow.com and click "Vehicle Registration Renewal" on the home page. You will land on a page that asks whether you are renewing a personal vehicle or a commercial vehicle; select personal vehicle.
Enter your VIN and registration number in the fields provided. The system will pull up your vehicle record and show you the current registration status, the renewal fee, and the expiration date of your current registration. Review this information for accuracy.
The system will then ask whether your vehicle information has changed — for example, whether you have a new address, a new owner, or a new lienholder. Answer honestly. If you have moved, update your address now; if ownership or lien information has changed, you may need to renew by mail or in person instead, and the system will direct you to do so.
Select your payment method and enter your payment information. The system accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your renewal takes effect when ready, even though your new registration documents will not arrive for 7 to 10 business days.
When the Online System Will Not Accept Your Renewal
The DMV online system will reject your renewal and explain why if any of the following are true: your vehicle has an expired or expiring safety inspection, you have unpaid traffic fines or court costs, your license plate is suspended or revoked, your vehicle has a salvage or rebuilt title, your vehicle is registered to a business, or your vehicle record shows other violations or holds.
If your renewal is rejected, you have two options. You can fix the problem — for example, get a safety inspection or pay outstanding fines — and try renewing online again. Or you can renew by mail or in person at a DMV office. The rejection notice will tell you which problems must be resolved before any renewal method will work.
If you have unpaid fines or a suspended plate, contact the court or the DMV office that issued the suspension to resolve it before you renew. This usually takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the court's schedule.
What Happens After You Pay
Your renewal is complete and in effect as soon as your payment processes. You can drive legally on your current registration while you wait for your new documents. The DMV will mail your new registration card and, if you purchased new license plates, your new plates to the address on file.
Your new registration documents arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If you do not receive them within 14 business days, contact the DMV at 804-497-7100 or through dmvnow.com to check the status.
If you purchased new license plates as part of your renewal, you must install them on your vehicle as soon as they arrive. You can continue driving on your old plates until the new ones arrive, but once they arrive, you are required to use them. Keep your old plates; you can turn them in at a DMV office if you wish, but you are not required to.
Renewing Before Your Registration Expires
You can renew your registration up to one month before it expires. The DMV recommends renewing at least two weeks before expiration to may support your new documents arrive in time. If you wait until after your registration expires, you cannot renew online — you must renew in person or by mail, and you may face a late fee.
Virginia does not send renewal reminders by mail or email. Mark your registration expiration date on a calendar or set a phone reminder so you do not miss the important date. Your registration expiration date appears on your registration card.
Scam Alert: Fake Renewal Websites
The only official Virginia DMV website for online renewal is dmvnow.com. Do not use any other website, even if it appears in a search result or in an email. Scammers create fake DMV renewal sites that look nearly identical to the real one and steal payment information and personal data.
If you receive an email, text, or phone call asking you to renew your registration or warning that your registration is expiring, do not click any links or call any numbers in the message. Go directly to dmvnow.com by typing the address into your browser yourself. The real DMV does not contact drivers by email or text to ask them to renew.
If you are unsure whether a website is real, call the DMV directly at 804-497-7100 before entering any information. A staff member can confirm whether you need to renew and direct you to the correct website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my registration if it has already expired?
No, the online system will not accept an expired registration. You must renew in person at a DMV office or by mail. You may also face a late fee. Renew as soon as possible to avoid driving with an expired registration, which is illegal in Virginia.
What if I get an error message partway through the online renewal?
Write down the error message and try again in a few minutes — the system may be temporarily busy. If the same error appears, contact the DMV at 804-497-7100 or try renewing by mail or in person instead. Do not enter your payment information more than once, as you may be charged multiple times.
Do I need to print anything or visit the DMV after I renew online?
No. Your new registration documents arrive by mail. You do not need to print, sign, or submit anything else. Your renewal is complete once you pay.
Can I renew online if I recently bought the vehicle?
Only if the title transfer is complete and the vehicle is registered in your name. If you just bought the vehicle and have not yet registered it in your name, you must register it first — either in person or by mail — before you can renew online.
What if my address has changed since I registered the vehicle?
Update your address during the online renewal process when the system asks whether your information has changed. Your new registration documents will be mailed to your updated address. If you do not update your address, documents will go to your old address and you may not receive them.