Code of Virginia § 46.2-1701. Licenses required for school and instructor; fees.

366 words·~2 min read·/va/title-46-2/chapter-17/46-2-1701

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No driver training school shall be established or continue operation unless the school obtains from the Commissioner a license authorizing the school to operate within the Commonwealth. The application for such license shall identify all driver training school owners and separately identify each manager and instructor employed by the driver training school. If such driver training school is an entity required to register with the Commission under Title 13.1, such application shall include evidence of such registration.

No instructor shall perform the actions enumerated in the definition of "instructor" in § 46.2-1700 unless he obtains from the Commissioner a license authorizing him to act as driving instructor. Such license shall be valid for a period of two years. A nonrefundable license fee of $75 shall be paid to the Department by a person applying for an instructor license. The first license issued to an instructor shall expire on the same date the driver training school's license expires, and the first license fee may be prorated on a monthly basis.

Thereafter, the renewal period for the instructor shall match that of the school. The Commissioner may require instructor applicants to complete training on the administration of any behind-the-wheel examination and may require such applicants to exhibit proficiency in the administration of such examinations.

The Commissioner shall have authority to set and collect school and instructor licensing fees. All licensing fees collected by the Commissioner under this chapter shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to meet the expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Upon application of a driver training school licensed in accordance with this chapter, the Commissioner may license such driver training school using criteria established by the Commissioner pursuant to § 46.2-1702 to provide computer-based driver education courses using curricula approved by the Commissioner.

The Commissioner may issue a two-year license to driver training schools, including computer-based driver education providers. A nonrefundable license fee of $150 shall be required with each such application. Such licensing fee shall be in addition to fees permitted under this chapter.

1990, c. 466; 2004, c. 587 ; 2016, c. 437 ; 2023, cc. 308 , 309 ; 2025, c. 79 .