Driver privilege cards now available

Published 10:07 am Thursday, January 7, 2021

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Eligible Virginians may now apply for a driver privilege card at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Applications will be accepted by appointment only; appointments can be made at dmvNOW.com/appt.

This change in Virginia law, authorized by the Virginia General Assembly, creates a driving credential for individuals who are non-U.S. citizens and cannot meet Virginia’s legal presence requirements, making them ineligible to receive a standard or REAL ID-compliant driver’s license in Virginia. 

Customers may be eligible to obtain a driver privilege card if they meet the following criteria:

• Are a non-U.S. citizen who is a resident of Virginia

• Have reported income from Virginia sources or are claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed in Virginia in the past 12 months

• Do not have a driving privilege that is currently suspended or revoked in Virginia or any other state, to include insurance-related infractions

In order to obtain a driver privilege card in Virginia, the following documents must be provided:

• Two proofs of identity (e.g., foreign passport and Consular identification document issued by country of citizenship)

• Two proofs of Virginia residency (e.g., monthly mortgage statement and utility bill)

• Proof of Social Security number (if one has been issued) or the individual’s taxpayer identification number (e.g., W-2 form or ITIN letter)

• Tax return documentation (e.g. Virginia Resident Form, Virginia Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return Form or Virginia Nonresident Income Tax Return Form, filed in the past 12 months)

All documents must be originals and are subject to verification; however, printouts of approved online residency documents may be accepted.

The steps to obtain a driver privilege card vary based on a customer’s licensed driving history. DMV encourages those eligible to make an appointment, study and prepare for applicable tests at dmvNOW.com, and organize the documents necessary to obtain a driver privilege card. An interactive document guide, available on DMV’s website, helps to prepare customers for their visit. 

For more information, visit dmvNOW.com/dpc.