Where is my license...
January 22, 2015 8:28 AM Subscribe
I moved to a new state. I need a Virginia driver's license. I lost my Florida license. Help!
I used to live in Virginia. I previously had a VA license, and then gave it up when I moved to FL.
I've moved back to VA. I've lost the FL license somewhere in the shuffle.
How do I get a VA license without having to take the driver's test again?
Do I have to go back to Florida to get a replacement license? If I request one online from Florida, it will take several weeks to appear.
I used to live in Virginia. I previously had a VA license, and then gave it up when I moved to FL.
I've moved back to VA. I've lost the FL license somewhere in the shuffle.
How do I get a VA license without having to take the driver's test again?
Do I have to go back to Florida to get a replacement license? If I request one online from Florida, it will take several weeks to appear.
Also, there's an information desk in every DMV that usually has about a 5 minute wait to talk to someone, they should be able to tell you if there's a way to do it without having your physical FL drivers license.
posted by empath at 8:37 AM on January 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by empath at 8:37 AM on January 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
In the PDF that empath linked, it states:
If you hold an out-of-state driver’s license...DMV may waive the knowledge and skills road tests if you meet the proof documents requirements and Virginia’s driver education requirements, if applicable.
The driver education requirements should not be applicable in your case. Let's assume you have the other proof documents (passport, proof of residency, etc). All it says is that you must "hold" the license, but it does not define "hold." It also seems to be in the discretion of the DMV, so there is room for negotiation. Perhaps all you need is proof that you hold an FL license, not physical possession of the license itself.
FL allows you to check the current status of your license/driving record online for free here. A printout of that may be sufficient, especially since you've previously held a VA license. You'd have to ask at your local DMV office to be sure.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:53 AM on January 22, 2015
If you hold an out-of-state driver’s license...DMV may waive the knowledge and skills road tests if you meet the proof documents requirements and Virginia’s driver education requirements, if applicable.
The driver education requirements should not be applicable in your case. Let's assume you have the other proof documents (passport, proof of residency, etc). All it says is that you must "hold" the license, but it does not define "hold." It also seems to be in the discretion of the DMV, so there is room for negotiation. Perhaps all you need is proof that you hold an FL license, not physical possession of the license itself.
FL allows you to check the current status of your license/driving record online for free here. A printout of that may be sufficient, especially since you've previously held a VA license. You'd have to ask at your local DMV office to be sure.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:53 AM on January 22, 2015
The Virginia DMV will have a record of your old Va license. Probably even the reason you gave it up (to get a Fla one!). Get a temp from Fla and show up at DMV or call their 800 number. I think you will get your Va license without having to take either a written or driving test.
posted by 724A at 9:03 AM on January 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by 724A at 9:03 AM on January 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
You're actually at an advantage in Virginia since you've been licensed there before. They will probably consider it a license renewal instead of a new license application. You may need a few more pieces of identifying information but you'll be able to do it. You should be able to find the info or call the DMV hotline. Also as stated above usually there's an info desk that you can ask *at* the DMV without waiting in too much of a line.
posted by radioamy at 10:29 AM on January 22, 2015
posted by radioamy at 10:29 AM on January 22, 2015
The part at the bottom of this from VA DMV details required documents, etc.
posted by slipthought at 11:04 AM on January 22, 2015
posted by slipthought at 11:04 AM on January 22, 2015
Actually, I've done this same procedure in VA.
I first went to a DMV express. The people at DMV expresses are, in my experience, way more helpful than the big branches. They actually can't do licenses, but I had to do my car, (which you can do at an express). The one in Falls Church is super helpful if you're in the area.
The DMV express saw I still had an account with an expired license and they processed an address change on that account. Then I went to the big DMV, gave them my old license number (which the express had given me), and renew it to me. I had a passport and proof of address.
I hadn't lived in VA for 5ish years, and I think the license would have been valid for another 2 years. So it was definitely expired, but not by like 10 years or something.
posted by fontophilic at 2:00 PM on January 22, 2015
I first went to a DMV express. The people at DMV expresses are, in my experience, way more helpful than the big branches. They actually can't do licenses, but I had to do my car, (which you can do at an express). The one in Falls Church is super helpful if you're in the area.
The DMV express saw I still had an account with an expired license and they processed an address change on that account. Then I went to the big DMV, gave them my old license number (which the express had given me), and renew it to me. I had a passport and proof of address.
I hadn't lived in VA for 5ish years, and I think the license would have been valid for another 2 years. So it was definitely expired, but not by like 10 years or something.
posted by fontophilic at 2:00 PM on January 22, 2015
Response by poster: You're actually at an advantage in Virginia since you've been licensed there before.
Apparently wrong. DMV customer service desk instructed me that it is forbidden for me to take the test again because I used to have a license in VA. They need the FL license before proceeding, so I am awaiting a new FL license in the mail.
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 12:56 PM on February 12, 2015
Apparently wrong. DMV customer service desk instructed me that it is forbidden for me to take the test again because I used to have a license in VA. They need the FL license before proceeding, so I am awaiting a new FL license in the mail.
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 12:56 PM on February 12, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
I let my drivers license expire and had to take the test a couple of years ago. It's literally a five minute drive around the block. As long as you signal properly, stop at stop signs, etc, you'll be fine.
posted by empath at 8:35 AM on January 22, 2015 [2 favorites]