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

You can renew your Virginia vehicle registration without visiting an office. The Virginia DMV lets you renew online through its website if your vehicle has a valid inspection, your license plate is not suspended, and you have no outstanding violations. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person. If you cannot renew online, you can mail your renewal form and payment to the DMV, or walk into a local office during business hours.

Your registration renewal notice arrives in the mail 30 to 60 days before your expiration date. That notice contains your renewal code, which you will need to start an online renewal. If you lose the notice, you can still renew online by entering your vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate number instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Virginia DMV website is the fastest option and requires only your renewal code or VIN and plate number.
  • Your vehicle must have a current inspection and no suspended plates or outstanding violations to renew online.
  • Mail-in renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after the DMV receives your form, so send it at least two weeks before expiration.
  • In-person renewal at a local DMV office is same-day, but wait times vary by location and time of day.
  • Virginia charges the same renewal fee regardless of method, and you can pay by credit card, debit card, or check.

Renewing online through the Virginia DMV website

Go to dmvnow.com and select "Renew Vehicle Registration" from the menu. You will need either your renewal notice (which has your renewal code) or your VIN and current license plate number. Enter the requested information, review your vehicle details, and confirm that your inspection is current. If your inspection has expired or you have any violations on record, the system will tell you that you cannot renew online and will direct you to the in-person or mail option.

Once you confirm your information is correct, you will be asked to pay the renewal fee. Virginia accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After payment processes, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your new registration card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally with your confirmation number and old registration until the new card arrives.

Mailing your renewal form and payment

If you received a renewal notice in the mail, you can return it with your payment. Sign the back of the notice, include a check or money order made payable to the Virginia DMV, and mail it to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash. Include your phone number or email address so the DMV can contact you if there is a problem with your payment or vehicle information.

Mail your renewal at least two weeks before your registration expires. The DMV processes mail renewals in the order they are received, and processing takes 7 to 10 business days after arrival. If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can read Form VSA 14 from the Virginia DMV website, fill it out, and mail it with your payment to the address on the form. Your new registration card will be mailed to the address on file with the DMV.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

Bring your current registration card, a valid photo ID, and proof of a current vehicle inspection. You can renew the same day you visit. Walk-in hours vary by location, and some offices accept appointments through the DMV website. Check the hours for your nearest office before you go, because some locations close for lunch or have limited evening hours.

You will pay the renewal fee at the counter. Virginia DMV offices accept cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Your new registration card is printed on site and given to you before you leave. If you need new license plates (because yours are damaged or you want a specialty plate), you can order them at the same time, though specialty plates may take longer to arrive by mail.

What happens if your registration expires before you renew

Driving with an expired registration is a traffic violation in Virginia. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited. However, if you renew within 30 days after expiration, you can show proof of renewal to a court and the citation may be dismissed. The renewal fee does not change if you renew after expiration, but you should renew as soon as possible to avoid a traffic stop.

If your registration has been expired for more than 30 days, you will need to renew in person at a DMV office or by mail. Online renewal is not available for registrations that are more than 30 days past expiration. Bring your current registration card and a valid photo ID to an office, or mail your renewal form with payment to the address on the form.

Inspection requirements and what blocks online renewal

Your vehicle must have a current safety inspection to renew your registration. Virginia inspections are valid for 12 months from the inspection date. If your inspection expires before or on the same day as your registration, you cannot renew online. You will need to get a new inspection first, then renew your registration. Inspections are performed at any Virginia inspection station, which includes many gas stations, repair shops, and tire stores.

Online renewal is also blocked if your license plate is suspended, you have unpaid traffic violations, or your vehicle has an open recall that affects safety. If any of these explore to you, you will see a message when you try to renew online. Contact the DMV by phone at 804-367-0538 to find out what needs to be resolved before you can renew, or visit a local office in person.

Specialty plates and plate replacement during renewal

If you want to order a specialty plate (such as a military, college, or environmental plate) during renewal, you must renew in person or by mail. Online renewal does not offer specialty plate options. At an in-person visit, ask the DMV staff which specialty plates are available and what the additional fee is. Some specialty plates cost more than standard plates.

If your current plates are damaged, faded, or unreadable, you can order replacement plates during renewal. In-person renewal allows you to order replacements on the spot. By mail, include a note with your renewal form explaining that you need replacement plates. The new plates will be mailed to you separately from your registration card, usually within 7 to 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if my vehicle inspection is expired?

No, you cannot renew online if your inspection is expired. You must get a new inspection first at any Virginia inspection station, then renew your registration. In-person or mail renewal also requires a current inspection, so you will need to complete the inspection before the DMV will process your renewal.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can still renew online by entering your VIN and current license plate number instead of your renewal code. If you prefer to renew by mail, read Form VSA 14 from the Virginia DMV website, fill it out, and mail it with your payment. You do not need the original notice to renew.

How long does it take to get my new registration card after I renew?

Online and mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days for your new card to arrive by mail. In-person renewal is same-day — your new card is printed while you wait. You can drive legally with your confirmation number (for online renewal) or old card until the new one arrives.

Can I renew my registration if I have unpaid traffic violations?

No, online renewal is blocked if you have unpaid violations. You must resolve the violations first by paying the fine or contacting the court. Once violations are cleared from your record, you can renew online. Call the DMV at 804-367-0538 to confirm your violations are resolved before attempting to renew.

What payment methods does the Virginia DMV accept for renewal?

Online renewal accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Mail renewal accepts check or money order only — do not send cash. Make checks payable to the Virginia DMV.