Virginia Online Driver's Ed for Adults 18–20
An online classroom does not replace the permit hold. For a first license on or after January 1, 2027, ages 18 through 20 need the course and at least 90 days with a Virginia learner’s permit.
This guide is for study and planning. Virginia DMV’s official pages and the Virginia Driver’s Manual control when a requirement, procedure, or rule applies.
Two official descriptions of the course
DMV describes in-person instruction at a licensed driver training school as 36 classroom sessions of 50 minutes and 14 periods of 50 minutes in the car. Those 14 periods are 7 of driving and 7 of observation, and they include the final road skills exam. Classroom certificates use form DTS 36. The under-18 behind-the-wheel certificate is DTS B. The certificate for age 18 and over is DTS D.
DMV’s online-schools page describes a different classroom shape: 30 hours of online classroom instruction, then an in-person final exam, then 14 behind-the-wheel sessions. That in-person final exam is the school’s exam. It is not the DMV knowledge exam. Anyone 15 years and 6 months or older may take the classroom portion without a learner’s permit. A permit is required before the driving portion.
How the course fits the 2027 age split
Before January 1, 2027, completing in-person driver education, including the end-of-course skills exam, can waive both the 60-day permit hold and the DMV-administered skills exam. The other pre-2027 path is a learner’s permit held at least 60 days plus a Behind-the-Wheel Checklist certified by a licensed driver.
On and after January 1, 2027, ages 18 through 20 need both the approved course and a permit held at least 90 days. Finishing the course before 2027 does not remove that 90-day hold if the license is issued on or after January 1. Age 21 and older can still use either the course or the 60-day hold.
DMV says the school submits the completion certificate and that DMV does not accept it from the applicant. One paragraph on the requirements page, in the age-21 section, says the applicant submits the certificate. The FAQ and a later sentence on the same requirements page say the school submits it. Plan on the school submission, and ask the school and DMV if you are handed a form to carry yourself.
Where to look up a school
DMV publishes the list of licensed driver training schools and a separate list of online driver training schools. This site links those lists. It does not name a commercial provider as approved, and it does not rank schools.
The knowledge exam on this site is practice for the DMV exam. It is not the school’s in-person final exam, and passing a practice set does not issue a DTS certificate.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the online school’s final exam the DMV knowledge exam?
No. DMV says online students complete 30 classroom hours and then an in-person final exam at the school before the 14 behind-the-wheel sessions. That school exam is separate from the DMV knowledge exam.
Can I start the classroom before I have a learner’s permit?
DMV says anyone 15 years and 6 months or older may take the classroom portion without a permit. A learner’s permit is required for the driving portion.
Sources
Review the current Virginia DMV information before taking action.