Virginia Registration Renewal

Virginia Registration Renewal Notice

Notably, The Virginia DMV mails renewal notices several weeks before your car registration expires. If you did not receive your renewal notice, contact the DMV help desk at 804-497-7100.

You have the option to receive your registration renewal notices via email or text message by signing up for E-Notifications. Otherwise, the Virginia DMV will mail registration reminders to you. For more specific details about your vehicle, please contact your nearest VA DMV office.

Renewing Registration in Virginia

NOTE: You may not renew your registration with outstanding parking violations or property taxes.

You can renew your Virginia vehicle registration online, by mail, or in person at your local DMV office, DMV Select or mobile office.

Virginia offers residents three renewal options:

• 1 year.
• 2 year. This option is only available if:
  • You did NOT register your vehicle under the International Registration Plan (IRP).
  • Your vehicle weighs less than 55,000 pounds.
  • You have NOT paid a VA uninsured motorist fee.
  • You have more than 1 year remaining on your current vehicle emissions inspection.
• 3 year. This option is only available if:
  • You have NOT registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP).
  • Your vehicle weighs less than 55,000 pounds.
  • You have NOT paid a VA uninsured motorist fee.
  • You are renewing in person or online.

Online Renewals

You can renew your VA vehicle registration online at the Virginia DMV online registration renewal portal. Notably, your address on your renewal notice must be correct.

If your address is incorrect, you must change your address online prior to renewing your registration.

Be prepared to have:

• Your title number.
• The last 4 digits of your Vehicle ID Number (VIN).
• A passing emissions certificate (in required counties).
• Payment for your VA registration renewal fees. If you renew after your registration expires, a $10 late fee will apply.

The Virginia DMV estimates you’ll receive your renewal decals between 5 days and 15 days after you complete your online registration renewal.

By Mail

To renew your VA vehicle registration by mail, please gather:

• Your completed Virginia registration renewal notice.
• A check or money order for all registration fees shown on your renewal notice and made out
  to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Mail your payment and renewal notice to:

Military Member Registration Renewal

Military members on active duty or stationed in another state must handle their Virginia registration renewals in the same manner as detailed above in Renewing Registration in Virginia.

The Virginia DMV will accept registration renewals either by mail or online via its online registration renewal portal.

Notably, the VA DMV allows an extension of 90 days on registration renewals for active duty military members deployed outside the state who plan to return to Virginia.

Virginia Emissions & Smog Tests

In Virginia emissions inspections are valid for 2 years. Therefore, Virginia requires a passing emissions inspection before you can renew your car registration.

Individual counties set emissions requirements. Please contact your local VA DMV office to determine if your county requires an emissions test for your vehicle.

NOTE: There is an additional $2 fee for emissions inspections if you garage your vehicle in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William or Stafford counties, or cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, or Manassas Park.

You can find local smog test stations on the DMVGO.com nationwide directory.

Registration Renewal Fees

To find out if your county requires a current Virginia emissions test, you’ll need to speak with the nearest Virginia DMV office. Here are some of the Virginia registration renewal fees:

• Passenger vehicles 4,000 pounds or less: $30.75
• Passenger vehicles 4,001 to 6,500 pounds: $35.75
• Pickup trucks 4,001 to 6,500 pounds gross weight: $35.75
• Pickup trucks 6,501 to 10,000 pounds gross weight: $44.75
• Motorcycles: $24.75
• Late registration penalty fee: $10

Payment Methods

To be certain of the acceptable payment method at your local county motor vehicle office for vehicle registration, you’ll need to contact your nearest Virginia DMV office location.

The Virginia DMV currently accepts the following forms of payment:

• Visa/Mastercard
• American Express
• Discover
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Cash
• Check
• Money Order