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Driver's License

DMV Locations Near Blacksburg:

Christiansburg Customer Service Center
385 Arbor Drive
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Driver’s License for J Status

International Support Services recommends that you obtain a Virginia driver’s license as soon as possible if you will drive in the U.S. Even if you do not plan to drive in the U.S., ISS recommends you obtain a driver’s license or state ID card for identification purposes. If you have a driver’s license from your home country, you may drive with it for a short period of time initially, but ISS still strongly recommends that you obtain a Virginia driver’s license as soon as possible. Furthermore, if you are employed by Virginia Tech or become employed by Virginia Tech, you must obtain a Virginia driver’s license within 60 days of beginning employment.

You must wait until 10 days after you arrive and 2 days after you receive a check-in confirmation email from ISS to apply for a DL/ID card. After this time, you can apply for the DL/ID card in person at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You will be required to establish your identity, legal presence, two proofs of Virginia residency, and proof of a social security number (if you have one). If successful, you will be given a temporary driving permit and your driver’s license will be mailed to you. There is a fee of $4 per year of validity. Your DL/ID card will expire on the end date of your DS-2019.

Required Documents

  • Unexpired foreign passport
  • DS-2019
  • J visa
  • I-94 card or print out of I-94 record from:   https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
  • Two Proofs of Virginia Residency (see below):
    • Apartment/House rental contract
    • Utility bill
    • Monthly bank statement
    • Car insurance bill
    • For VT employees: payroll check stub issued by VT
  • Proof of social security number (only if you have an SSN)
  • Current international or home country driver’s license if you have one

You may also be required to take the knowledge and/or road skills test at the DMV if you have never had a driver’s license or if you have a license from another country. You can read the Virginia Driver’s Manual and see a sample driver’s license knowledge exam before testing at the DMV.

Please use this DMV Resource Page:

  • to help you prepare for the driver knowledge test
  • to become a safer driver
  • free online permit practice tests
  • driver's training
  • frequently asked questions
  • latest official Driver's Manuals