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 at dmvnow.virginia.gov if your vehicle is registered in Virginia and your registration has not been expired for more than one year. The process takes about 10 minutes, you pay by credit or debit card, and you receive your new registration card and decal by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Not every registration can be renewed online. If your vehicle has a lien, if you owe unpaid taxes or fines, if your vehicle failed inspection, or if you are renewing a commercial or fleet registration, you will need to renew in person at a DMV office or by mail. The online system will tell you whether your registration is may be able to access before you pay.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online at dmvnow.virginia.gov using your registration number and vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Online renewal costs the same as renewing by mail or in person, and you receive your new card and decal in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- You cannot renew online if your vehicle has a lien, if you owe taxes or fines, if your vehicle failed inspection, or if your registration expired more than one year ago.
- You must have a valid Virginia driver's license or ID card to renew online, and you will need to provide your vehicle's VIN and current registration number.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather your current registration card and your vehicle's VIN before you go to dmvnow.virginia.gov. The VIN appears on your registration card, on your vehicle's dashboard (visible through the windshield on the driver's side), and on your insurance card. You will also need a valid Virginia driver's license or ID card.
Have a credit or debit card ready to pay the renewal fee. Virginia registration renewal costs depend on your vehicle's weight and type — a standard passenger car typically costs between $40 and $50, but commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers have different fees. The DMV website will show you the exact fee for your vehicle before you complete payment.
Step-by-step: renewing your registration online
Go to dmvnow.virginia.gov and select "Renew Vehicle Registration" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter your registration number and VIN. The system will pull up your vehicle record and show you the renewal fee.
Review the vehicle information on the screen to make sure it matches your registration card. If anything is wrong — the vehicle type, the owner name, or the address — stop and contact the DMV before paying, because renewing with incorrect information can cause problems later. If everything is correct, proceed to payment.
Enter your credit or debit card information and confirm your mailing address. The address on file will be where your new registration card and decal are sent. If you have moved since your last renewal, update your address before you pay. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.
When the online system says you cannot renew
If dmvnow.virginia.gov tells you that you cannot renew online, the system will usually tell you why. Common reasons include an unpaid parking ticket or traffic fine, a vehicle inspection that expired or failed, or a lien on the vehicle. You can renew by mail or in person at a DMV office, but you may need to resolve the issue first.
If your registration expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew it — you must register the vehicle as if it were new. Contact your local DMV office or visit dmvnow.virginia.gov to find out what documents you need. If your vehicle has a lien, your lienholder (usually your bank or credit union) must release it before you can renew.
How long it takes to receive your new registration
After you pay online, your new registration card and decal are mailed to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to wait for the physical card to arrive to drive your vehicle — your registration is active when ready after you complete payment online.
If you need to prove your registration before the card arrives, you can print your confirmation email or show the confirmation number to a police officer. Some people take a photo of the confirmation screen on their phone as backup. If your registration card does not arrive within two weeks, contact the DMV to request a replacement.
Renewing before your registration expires
You can renew your registration online up to one month before it expires. The DMV recommends renewing at least two weeks early to make sure your new card arrives before the expiration date. If you wait until the last week, you risk driving with an expired registration while you wait for the mail.
Virginia does not charge a penalty for renewing a few days late, but driving with an expired registration is a traffic violation and can result in a fine. If your registration is already expired, you can still renew online as long as it expired less than one year ago — the system will accept your renewal and backdate your new registration to cover the gap.
What happens if you lose your registration card or decal
If your registration card arrives and you lose it, or if your decal is damaged or missing, you can request a replacement through dmvnow.virginia.gov or by mail. A replacement card costs $5 and a replacement decal costs $2. You do not need to renew your registration to get a replacement — you can order one anytime during your registration period.
If you lose your decal, you can drive legally without it for a short time while you wait for the replacement to arrive, but you must carry your registration card. If a police officer stops you and you cannot show either the card or the decal, you may receive a citation. Order the replacement as soon as you notice it is missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my registration if it is already expired?
Yes, as long as it expired less than one year ago. The online system will accept your renewal and your new registration will be active when ready. If your registration expired more than one year ago, you must register the vehicle as new and contact your local DMV office.
What if I moved and my address changed since my last registration?
Update your address during the online renewal process before you pay. Your new registration card will be mailed to the updated address. If you forget to change it during renewal, contact the DMV to request a replacement card with the correct address.
Do I need to print anything or bring anything to an office?
No. Online renewal is completely paperless. You do not need to visit an office or mail anything. Your new card and decal arrive by mail automatically after you pay.
What if my vehicle failed inspection?
You cannot renew your registration online if your vehicle failed inspection. You must pass a new inspection at a Virginia inspection station, then renew your registration in person at a DMV office or by mail.
Can I renew online if I have a payment plan for a traffic fine?
It depends on the status of your payment plan. If you are current on payments, you may be able to renew online. If you are behind, the system will block online renewal. Contact the DMV or the court that issued the fine to check your status before you try to renew.