Driver's License start over (car registration, school, DMV)

[dtt99]

Last week, I noticed that my driver's license expired for a year and 1 month. I went to the DMV to renew it. They told me that I have to start over like a person who never had a license before, meaning I have to take written and driving tests again. I had my license for over 20 years and never had a ticket. I don't think I would have problem with the driving test but I could not take it without passing the written test. I tried the written test on the same day at the DMV but failed and they said that I had only 2 more chances to take the test without enrolling in driving school. Does anyone had that experience and is there any solution without retaking all driving test or enrolling in driving school? Thanks.

[Newbee_0711]

VA DMV has a driver's manual on their website. If you know everything in that manual, you will not fail the test. So try and prepare harder using that manual, as all of the questions in the test come from that manual.

[RamblingMan]

I had the same problem when my DL expired while I was living overseas. The only exception I'm aware of is for uniformed military. Everyone elsel just has to take the test. Newbee_0711 is right about the manual containing everything you need to know to pass the written test.

[jillybean720]

That's just the rule if your license has been expired for over a year. If you were within the first year after it expired, you wouldn't have to retest.

[cb at sea]

Va. is very tough on renewing your license.....this is a state that issued ID's to some of the 911 terrorists....so they've gone totally overboard about IDs!

If your DL expires, you are in for a rough time! Everyone....check the expiration date, so this doesn't happen to you! It's not just having to take the driver's test again....it's having to PROVE you are who you say you are...documentation up the wahzoo.....just renew BEFORE it expires!!!!

[MrsEvie64]

Does the DMV not send out those renewal notices a few months before your license expires anymore??

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by MrsEvie64

Does the DMV not send out those renewal notices a few months before your license expires anymore??

yup, they do.

[Jayess1]

Originally Posted by MrsEvie64

Does the DMV not send out those renewal notices a few months before your license expires anymore??

Starting almost a year out. FWIW, here's a sample test: Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

and no, VA isn't "tougher after 9/11" or anything like that. sheesh.

[doit41]

Originally Posted by MrsEvie64

Does the DMV not send out those renewal notices a few months before your license expires anymore??

I also got into the same situation and did not get any mail about my DL expired. My sister got an email alert when hers expired because she signed up with the DMV. I only discovered that my DL expired when I tried to sign up to renew my car registration and could not set up a PIN number.

[doit41]

Originally Posted by RamblingMan

I had the same problem when my DL expired while I was living overseas. The only exception I'm aware of is for uniformed military. Everyone elsel just has to take the test. Newbee_0711 is right about the manual containing everything you need to know to pass the written test.

The thing is that the written test now is more complicated than before. It was 2 parts and you cannot take second part until you pass the first part. The first part was 10 questions and you have to get perfect scores. I got only one question wrong and they failed me.