A Virginia CDL renewal differs from that of a standard driver’s license renewal as documentation, testing requirements, fees and procedures are all different by comparison. Therefore, it is important to learn how you can renew your CDL license in Virginia as well as any additional steps that you may need to take, depending on the endorsements that you wish to renew. If you miss the CDL expiration grace period, you will also be required to complete further CDL testing before a new license can be provided to you.

It is important to ask, “What do you need to renew your CDL license in Virginia?” so that you can be better prepared for your visit to the DMV, avoid a second trip and ensure that the renewal for your CDL is completed in a timely manner in order to avoid the expiration of your license.

When to Renew Your CDL License in Virginia

Before reviewing CDL renewal requirements in Virginia, it is important to familiarize yourself with when renewals must be completed and how long past the deadline a renewal can still be requested. In Virginia, a standard CDL license will remain valid for a period of eight years.

However, there are some instances where a CDL must be renewed every five years, such as in the case of an individual who is 75 years of age or older or an individual who is required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry.

You will receive a CDL renewal notice prior to the expiration date of your CDL from the Virginia DMV. This notice will be either mailed to you or, if you have signed up for electronic notifications, you will receive an email regarding your reminder. However, it is worth knowing that you can complete a renewal up to one year prior to the date that your current CDL is set to expire.

Virginia provides a CDL expiration grace period of six months should your license expire before you complete your renewal with the DMV. While you cannot operate a vehicle on an expired license, so long as you renew your CDL within six months of the expiration date, you will not be required to retake the knowledge exams and road skill tests for the type of CDL that you had previously.

Should you fail to renew within or before this grace period, retesting will be required before you can obtain a new commercial driver’s license.

CDL Renewal Testing Requirements in Virginia

When you renew a commercial drivers license in Virginia, you will not generally be asked to retest for your CDL or CDL endorsements at the time of renewal. However, if you hold a hazardous materials endorsement (HME), you will be required to retake the HME knowledge test again in order to renew, along with meeting additional requirements.

When completing a CDL renewal, you will be required to pass a vision exam. As stated previously, you will be required to retest for your CDL and all of your endorsements if your license has been expired for a period that is longer than six months.

What do you need to renew your CDL license in Virginia?

To complete a CDL renewal in Virginia, there are several documents that you will need to present alongside of your renewal application. The required documents are:

• Your current CDL license
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Proof of legal presence, if not a U.S. citizen
• A completed medical examiner’s certificate (also referred to as a DOT Medical Card)
• A completed self-certification form
• CDL renewal cost
• Proof of address, if your address has changed since the last issuance

It is also worth knowing that you can submit your renewal documents to the Virginia DMV in a number of ways. You can bring them with you to your DMV visit or, alternatively, you can upload the documents online or you can fax the documents to the DMV at fax number 804-367-6692.

CDL Renewal Process in Virginia

You can only renew a commercial driver’s license at a Virginia DMV as online and by mail requests are not available for CDL holders within the state. However, you can expedite your wait time by completing an application ahead of time as well as faxing or uploading your documents online so that the DMV is already prepared to receive your application.

During your visit to the DMV, you will need to successfully pass a vision exam and the DMV will take your picture for your new CDL license.

Virginia CDL Permit Renewal Requirements

The question, “How long is a CDL permit good for in Virginia?” is a valid one as each state handles commercial license permits (CLPs) differently. In Virginia, a CLP will remain valid for a 180 day period, unless an individual is only temporarily authorized to be in the U.S.

If an individual is only temporarily permitted in the United States, the CLP will expire on the same day as the document used to provide legal presence within the U.S.

Hazardous Material Endorsement CDL Renewal Requirements in Virginia

If your CDL renewal will include the renewal of a hazardous material endorsement, there will be additional steps that you must take to complete your renewal.

The Virginia DMV recommends that you renew at least six months prior to the expiration of your CDL if you hold a hazardous material endorsement in order to ensure that your CDL is renewed prior to its expiration date as the endorsement cannot be renewed until the TSA is able to complete your Federal background check.

To renew a commercial drives license hazardous material endorsement, you will need to visit a participating DMV in order to apply for the background check and have your fingerprints taken. Additionally, you will be required to successfully pass the hazardous material endorsement knowledge test again to renew.

CDL Renewal Fees in Virginia

The standard CDL renewal price in Virginia is $8.00 per year. For an eight year license, this amount comes to $64.00. For each CDL endorsement that you have on your commercial driver’s license that you would like to renew, you can expect an additional $1.00 per year ($8 for a full eight-year license). However, the renewal of a hazardous materials endorsement, background check and fingerprinting will cost $83.00 total.

If you would like your CDL license renewal to include an upgrade to a Real ID, you can expect a onetime fee of $10.00 in addition to standard fees. You can pay for your renewal by cash, money order, check, debit card or any major credit card.

When you renew a CDL, it is also worth knowing that your employer may cover the costs of the renewal if you need your CDL to perform your job duties. However, you will need to inquire with your employer in order to determine whether or not your employer will cover fees associated with the renewal.

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