Virginia registration renewal happens online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office

Virginia sends renewal notices 30 days before your registration expires. You can renew through the DMV website (dmvnow.com), by mail using the renewal notice, or by visiting a DMV office in person. Most people renew online because it takes about 10 minutes and you get your new decal when ready by email. If you renew by mail, allow two to three weeks for processing. In-person renewal at a DMV office typically takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on wait times.

Your registration renewal date depends on your vehicle's license plate number — Virginia staggered renewals so not everyone renews at once. Check your current registration card or your renewal notice to see your exact expiration date. You can also look it up on dmvnow.com by entering your plate number and VIN.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through dmvnow.com is the fastest option and generates your new decal when ready by email.
  • You need your current registration card, VIN, and payment method (credit or debit card) to renew online.
  • Mail renewal uses the notice Virginia sends you and takes two to three weeks, but you can do it from home.
  • Virginia charges a base registration fee that varies by vehicle weight and type, plus a $4.25 processing fee for online renewal.
  • If your registration has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must visit a DMV office in person.

Online renewal through dmvnow.com

Go to dmvnow.com and select "Renew Vehicle Registration" from the home page. You will need your current registration card, your vehicle's VIN, and a credit or debit card. The system will show you the renewal fee before you pay, so you know the exact amount. After payment, Virginia emails your new decal and registration card within minutes. Print the decal or show the email on your phone at an inspection station if you need one before the physical decal arrives by mail.

Online renewal works only if your registration is current or expired by fewer than 30 days. If you have unpaid traffic violations, outstanding parking tickets, or a suspended license, the system will reject your renewal and direct you to resolve those issues first. You can also renew online if you need to update your address — the system prompts you to confirm your mailing address before processing.

Mail renewal using your renewal notice

Virginia mails a renewal notice to the address on file about 30 days before expiration. The notice includes a payment stub with your vehicle information and the renewal fee. Write a check or money order for the amount shown, sign the back of the notice, and mail both to the address printed on the form. Do not send cash. Include your current registration card if you are changing your address.

Processing by mail takes two to three weeks from the date Virginia receives your payment. Your new registration card and decal arrive separately by mail. If you do not receive your renewal notice, you can still renew by mail — call the DMV at 804-367-0538 to request a duplicate notice, or renew online instead. Mail renewal is not an option if your registration has been expired for more than one year.

In-person renewal at a DMV office

Visit any Virginia DMV office with your current registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid ID. Bring your VIN if you do not have your registration card. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The DMV will issue your new decal and registration card on the spot, though the card may take a few days to arrive by mail if the office is busy.

In-person renewal is required if your registration has been expired for more than one year, if you have a suspended license or unpaid violations, or if you need to make changes that the online system cannot handle (such as adding or removing a vehicle owner). You can also renew in person if you prefer not to use the online system or if you need your decal when ready and cannot wait for mail delivery.

Registration fees and what affects the cost

Virginia's base registration fee depends on your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and type. A standard passenger car typically costs between $35 and $45 per year. Trucks, SUVs, and vehicles over 4,000 pounds cost more — the DMV website has a fee calculator where you enter your vehicle type and weight to see the exact amount. If you renew online, add $4.25 for the processing fee. If you renew by mail or in person, there is no additional processing fee.

Some vehicles pay lower fees: electric vehicles registered before January 1, 2021 pay $64 annually regardless of weight, while newer electric vehicles pay the standard weight-based fee. Disabled veterans with a special license plate pay no registration fee. If you have a vanity plate, the fee is higher — currently $25 extra per year. Your renewal notice shows the exact fee for your vehicle, so you know what to expect before you pay.

Updating your address during renewal

If you moved, update your address when you renew. Online renewal prompts you to confirm or change your mailing address before payment. For mail renewal, write your new address on the renewal notice or include a separate note with your payment. If you renew in person, bring a document showing your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. The DMV will update your record and mail your new registration card to the new address.

Updating your address during renewal is faster than changing it separately. If you do not update during renewal, you can change your address on dmvnow.com anytime, but your registration card will still be mailed to the old address on file unless you update it. Address changes do not affect your registration fee or expiration date.

What to do if your registration has expired

If your registration expired fewer than 30 days ago, you can renew online or by mail using the same process as a current registration. If it expired more than 30 days ago but less than one year, you can still renew online or by mail, but you may face a late fee — currently $10 for registrations expired 30 days to one year. Check dmvnow.com or call 804-367-0538 to confirm the late fee amount.

If your registration has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a DMV office in person with your current registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid ID. The office will process your renewal and may charge additional late fees depending on how long the registration has been expired. You cannot legally drive with an expired registration, so renew as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration before the expiration date?

Yes. Virginia allows renewal up to 30 days before expiration. Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new registration will expire on the same month and day as your current one. This means you can renew in advance and avoid the rush near the important date.

What if I lose my renewal notice?

You can still renew online at dmvnow.com without the notice — just enter your plate number, VIN, and last name. If you prefer mail renewal, call 804-367-0538 to request a duplicate notice. You can also renew in person at any DMV office with your registration card and ID.

Do I need a vehicle inspection to renew my registration?

No. Virginia does not require an inspection for registration renewal. However, you must have current proof of insurance. If your insurance has lapsed, you cannot renew until you obtain a new policy and the insurer reports it to the DMV.

How long does it take to receive my new decal and registration card?

Online renewal sends your decal by email within minutes — you can print it or show it on your phone. Your physical decal and registration card arrive by mail within one to two weeks. In-person renewal gives you the decal when ready, though the registration card may take a few days to arrive by mail.

What happens if I drive with an expired registration?

Driving with an expired registration is illegal in Virginia. You can be stopped and cited, and the fine is typically $100 to $250 depending on how long the registration has been expired. Renew before your expiration date to avoid the citation and late fees.