VA SB 396
enactedDriver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure, persons age 18 to 21.
Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · upper
Quick answers
Did VA SB 396 pass?
Yes. VA SB 396 has been enacted into law as of 2026-04-13. Latest recorded action (2026-04-13): Approved by Governor-Chapter 755 (effective 7/1/2026)
What is VA SB 396 about?
Driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure; persons age 18 to 21. Expands from 60 days to 90 days the length of time an applicant for a first-time noncommercial driver's license who is at least 18 years old and not more than 21 years old is required to hold a learner's permit and requires such an applicant to complete a course of driver instruction prior to being issued a driver's license. The bill provides that learner's permits other than motorcycle learner's permits, accompanied by other documentation verifying that the driver is at least 18 years old and less than 21 years old and has successfully completed an approved driver's education course, constitute a temporary driver's license for the purpose of driving unaccompanied by a licensed driver 18 years old or older, provided that certain other requirements are met. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 1224.
Who sponsors VA SB 396?
J.D. "Danny" Diggs is the primary sponsor of VA SB 396.
Description
Driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure; persons age 18 to 21. Expands from 60 days to 90 days the length of time an applicant for a first-time noncommercial driver's license who is at least 18 years old and not more than 21 years old is required to hold a learner's permit and requires such an applicant to complete a course of driver instruction prior to being issued a driver's license. The bill provides that learner's permits other than motorcycle learner's permits, accompanied by other documentation verifying that the driver is at least 18 years old and less than 21 years old and has successfully completed an approved driver's education course, constitute a temporary driver's license for the purpose of driving unaccompanied by a licensed driver 18 years old or older, provided that certain other requirements are met. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 1224.
- Introduced
- 2026-01-13
- Latest action
- 2026-04-13 — Approved by Governor-Chapter 755 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Bill type
- bill
- Last updated
- —
Sponsors
- J.D. "Danny" Diggsprimary
Committees
Not provided by source.
Action timeline
2026-01-13
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104758D
filing,introduction
2026-01-13
Referred to Committee on Transportation
referral-committee
2026-01-29
Reported from Transportation with amendment (9-Y 6-N)
committee-passage
2026-02-02
Rules suspended
2026-02-02
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-02-02
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-02-02
Passed by for the day
2026-02-03
Read second time
reading-2
2026-02-03
Transportation Amendment agreed to
amendment-passage
2026-02-03
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
2026-02-04
Read third time and defeated by Senate (19-Y 21-N 0-A)
failure,reading-3
2026-02-04
Reconsideration of defeated action agreed to by Senate
2026-02-04
Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
passage,reading-3
2026-02-09
Placed on Calendar
2026-02-09
Read first time
reading-1
2026-02-09
Referred to Committee on Transportation
referral-committee
2026-02-20
Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles
referral-committee
2026-02-24
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
substitution
2026-02-26
Reported from Transportation with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
committee-passage
2026-02-26
Committee substitute printed 26108548D-H1
substitution
2026-02-27
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)
2026-03-02
Read second time
reading-2
2026-03-03
Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
2026-03-03
Read third time
reading-3
2026-03-03
committee substitute agreed to
substitution
2026-03-03
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
substitution
2026-03-03
Passed House with substitute (91-Y 7-N 0-A)
passage
2026-03-05
House substitute agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A)
substitution
2026-03-11
Enrolled
enrolled
2026-03-11
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB396ER)
passage
2026-03-11
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)
2026-03-11
Signed by President
passage
2026-03-12
Signed by Speaker
passage
2026-03-14
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
enrolled,executive-receipt
2026-03-14
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
executive-receipt
2026-04-13
Approved by Governor-Chapter 755 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive-signature
Versions
Documents
Votes
Reported from Transportation with amendment
2026-01-29 · pass · 9-6
Member-level votes (15)
- Lamont Bagby: no
- David W. Marsden: yes
- Bill DeSteph: yes
- David R. Suetterlein: no
- Jennifer B. Boysko: no
- T. Travis Hackworth: no
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
- Lashrecse D. Aird: no
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
- Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
- Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- Luther Cifers, III: no
- Michael J. Jones: yes
Constitutional reading dispensed R
2026-02-02 · pass · 40-0
Member-level votes (40)
- Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
- Lamont Bagby: yes
- Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
- Luther Cifers, III: yes
- Christie New Craig: yes
- R. Creigh Deeds: yes
- Bill DeSteph: yes
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
- Tara A. Durant: yes
- Adam P. Ebbin: yes
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- Timmy French: yes
- T. Travis Hackworth: yes
- Christopher T. Head: yes
- Michael J. Jones: yes
- Emily M. Jordan: yes
- Mamie E. Locke: yes
- L. Louise Lucas: yes
- David W. Marsden: yes
- Ryan T. McDougle: yes
- Jeremy S. McPike: yes
- Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
- Mark D. Obenshain: yes
- Mark J. Peake: yes
- Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
- Russet Perry: yes
- Todd E. Pillion: yes
- Bryce E. Reeves: yes
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- Aaron R. Rouse: yes
- Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
- Richard H. Stuart: yes
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
- David R. Suetterlein: yes
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
- Angelia Williams Graves: yes
Passage R
2026-02-04 · fail · 19-21
Member-level votes (40)
- Lashrecse D. Aird: no
- Lamont Bagby: no
- Jennifer B. Boysko: no
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: no
- Luther Cifers, III: no
- Christie New Craig: yes
- R. Creigh Deeds: no
- Bill DeSteph: yes
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
- Tara A. Durant: yes
- Adam P. Ebbin: yes
- Barbara A. Favola: no
- Timmy French: yes
- T. Travis Hackworth: no
- Christopher T. Head: yes
- Michael J. Jones: no
- Emily M. Jordan: no
- Mamie E. Locke: no
- L. Louise Lucas: no
- David W. Marsden: yes
- Ryan T. McDougle: yes
- Jeremy S. McPike: no
- Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
- Mark D. Obenshain: yes
- Mark J. Peake: no
- Stella G. Pekarsky: no
- Russet Perry: no
- Todd E. Pillion: yes
- Bryce E. Reeves: no
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- Aaron R. Rouse: no
- Saddam Azlan Salim: no
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
- Richard H. Stuart: yes
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
- David R. Suetterlein: no
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: no
- Angelia Williams Graves: yes
Reconsider R
2026-02-04 · pass · 40-0
Member-level votes (40)
- Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
- Lamont Bagby: yes
- Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
- Luther Cifers, III: yes
- Christie New Craig: yes
- R. Creigh Deeds: yes
- Bill DeSteph: yes
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
- Tara A. Durant: yes
- Adam P. Ebbin: yes
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- Timmy French: yes
- T. Travis Hackworth: yes
- Christopher T. Head: yes
- Michael J. Jones: yes
- Emily M. Jordan: yes
- Mamie E. Locke: yes
- L. Louise Lucas: yes
- David W. Marsden: yes
- Ryan T. McDougle: yes
- Jeremy S. McPike: yes
- Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
- Mark D. Obenshain: yes
- Mark J. Peake: yes
- Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
- Russet Perry: yes
- Todd E. Pillion: yes
- Bryce E. Reeves: yes
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- Aaron R. Rouse: yes
- Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
- Richard H. Stuart: yes
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
- David R. Suetterlein: yes
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
- Angelia Williams Graves: yes
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute
2026-02-24 · pass · 10-0
Member-level votes (10)
- Briana D. Sewell: yes
- Delores L. McQuinn: yes
- Adele Y. McClure: yes
- Bonita G. Anthony: yes
- Michael B. Feggans: yes
- Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
- Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
- Terry L. Austin: yes
- Bill Wiley: yes
- Israel D. O'Quinn: yes
Reported from Transportation with substitute
2026-02-26 · pass · 21-0
Member-level votes (21)
- Karrie K. Delaney: yes
- David A. Reid: yes
- Jeion A. Ward: yes
- Delores L. McQuinn: yes
- Betsy B. Carr: yes
- Vivian E. Watts: yes
- Briana D. Sewell: yes
- Jackie H. Glass: yes
- Adele Y. McClure: yes
- Bonita G. Anthony: yes
- Michael B. Feggans: yes
- Joshua E. Thomas: yes
- Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
- Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
- Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
- Terry L. Austin: yes
- Scott A. Wyatt: yes
- Bill Wiley: yes
- Israel D. O'Quinn: yes
- Jason S. Ballard: yes
- Eric Phillips: yes
H VOTE:
2026-03-03 · pass · 91-7
Member-level votes (99)
- Jessica L. Anderson: yes
- Bonita G. Anthony: yes
- Alex Q. Askew: yes
- Terry L. Austin: yes
- Jason S. Ballard: yes
- Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
- Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
- Katrina Callsen: not voting
- Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
- Betsy B. Carr: yes
- Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
- Mike A. Cherry: yes
- Nadarius E. Clark: yes
- Laura Jane Cohen: yes
- Joshua G. Cole: yes
- Nicole Cole: yes
- Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
- Mitchell Cornett: no
- Rae Cousins: yes
- Will Davis: yes
- Karrie K. Delaney: yes
- Lindsey Dougherty: yes
- Mark C. Downey: yes
- Michael B. Feggans: yes
- Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: yes
- Lily V. Franklin: yes
- Margaret A. Franklin: yes
- Debra D. Gardner: yes
- Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
- Jackie H. Glass: yes
- Timothy P. Griffin: no
- Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
- Karen Hamilton: no
- C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
- Dan I. Helmer: yes
- Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
- Phil M. Hernandez: yes
- Charniele L. Herring: yes
- M. Keith Hodges: yes
- Patrick A. Hope: yes
- Hillary Pugh Kent: yes
- Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
- Terry G. Kilgore: yes
- Paul E. Krizek: yes
- Amy J. Laufer: yes
- James A. "Jay" Leftwich: yes
- Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
- Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
- Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
- Marty Martinez: yes
- John Chilton McAuliff: yes
- Adele Y. McClure: yes
- Garrett McGuire: yes
- Ellen H. McLaughlin: yes
- Joseph P. McNamara: no
- Kirk McPike: yes
- Delores L. McQuinn: yes
- Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
- James W. Morefield: yes
- May Nivar: yes
- Delores Oates: yes
- Israel D. O'Quinn: yes
- Justin Pence: yes
- Eric Phillips: yes
- Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
- Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
- Sam Rasoul: yes
- Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
- David A. Reid: yes
- Chris S. Runion: yes
- Charlie Schmidt: yes
- Don Scott: yes
- Phillip A. Scott: no
- Holly M. Seibold: yes
- Briana D. Sewell: yes
- Irene Shin: yes
- Marcus B. Simon: yes
- Shelly A. Simonds: yes
- JJ Singh: yes
- Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
- Anne Ferrell Tata: yes
- Joshua E. Thomas: yes
- Virgil Thornton: yes
- Luke E. Torian: yes
- Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
- H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: yes
- Wendell S. Walker: yes
- Jeion A. Ward: yes
- R. Lee Ware: yes
- Vivian E. Watts: yes
- Michael J. Webert: yes
- Madison Whittle: yes
- Bill Wiley: yes
- Rodney T. Willett: yes
- Wren M. Williams: yes
- Tony O. Wilt: yes
- Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: yes
- Scott A. Wyatt: yes
- Eric R. Zehr: no
Concur House Substitute R
2026-03-05 · pass · 25-14
Member-level votes (40)
- David R. Suetterlein: no
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: no
- Angelia Williams Graves: no
- Lashrecse D. Aird: no
- Lamont Bagby: no
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
- Jennifer B. Boysko: no
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: no
- Luther Cifers, III: no
- Christie New Craig: no
- R. Creigh Deeds: yes
- Bill DeSteph: yes
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
- Tara A. Durant: yes
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- Timmy French: yes
- T. Travis Hackworth: no
- Christopher T. Head: yes
- Michael J. Jones: yes
- Emily M. Jordan: no
- Mamie E. Locke: yes
- L. Louise Lucas: yes
- David W. Marsden: not voting
- Ryan T. McDougle: yes
- Jeremy S. McPike: yes
- Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
- Mark D. Obenshain: yes
- Mark J. Peake: no
- Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
- Russet Perry: no
- Todd E. Pillion: yes
- Bryce E. Reeves: yes
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- Aaron R. Rouse: yes
- Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
- Richard H. Stuart: yes
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
Related bills
No related bills recorded for this bill.
Official source
Attribution
Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z
Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:
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