DMV HOME
  1. Home
  2. Online Services

Renew Vehicle Registration

Renewing at the Last Minute?

Less than 15 Days Until Expiration?

If there are fewer than 15 days remaining on your current registration be sure to print an Official Internet Receipt. When carried with your registration card this receipt will extend your current registration for up to 15 days from the date you renewed. Most customers receive their registration card and decals via the U.S. mail within five days, but U.S. mail delivery times vary. Please allow 15 days to receive your decals before contacting DMV.

Already Expired for Less than 90 Days?

If your current registration has already expired and is less than 90 days since expiration be sure to print the Official Internet Receipt. A $10.00 late fee will be applied. When carried with your registration card this receipt will extend your current registration for up to 15 days from the date you renewed. Most customers receive their registration card and decals via the U.S. mail within five days, but U.S. mail delivery times vary. Please allow 15 days to receive your decals before contacting DMV.

Renew for Multiple Years and Save

You’re saving $1 by using the internet to renew your registration. If eligible, save another $2 when you renew for two years or $3 when you renew for three years.

NOTE: Vehicles garaged in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas or Manassas Park, which require an every-other-year emissions inspection, are not eligible for the three-year renewal option.

Mileage Choice Program

The Mileage Choice Program is a voluntary option for drivers of electric, hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles who pay a highway use fee. Instead of paying the highway use fee all at once, you pay the fee on a per-mile basis. You only pay for the miles you drive, so if you drive less, you pay less.

If you end up driving a little more, you’ll never pay more than your annual highway use fee.

You may enroll in the Mileage Choice Program when it is time to renew your vehicle registration. You must enroll prior to renewing.

Sign up or learn more at dmvNOW.com/VAMileageChoice.

Virginia law adds a $10 late fee to renew expired decals. Don't be late!

Effective July 1, 2020, all electric, hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles are assessed a highway use fee in addition to the annual registration fee.

The highway use fee is imposed at the time of registration renewal to recoup the fuels taxes not paid by owners of fuel efficient vehicles having a combined mile per gallon (MPG) rating of 25 MPG or greater. Customers who have already renewed their electric, hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicle for multiple years will not be assessed the highway use fee until the next renewal period.

Don’t want to pay the highway use fee?

Virginia’s Mileage Choice Program is a voluntary option for drivers who pay a highway use fee. Instead of paying the highway use fee all at once, you pay the fee on a per-mile basis. You only pay for the miles you drive, so if you drive less, you pay less. And, if you end up driving a little more, you never pay more than your annual highway use fee. You must enroll in the Mileage Choice Program before renewing your vehicle registration.

Owners of electric, hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles have a choice.

The Mileage Choice Program is a voluntary option for drivers who pay a highway use fee. Instead of paying the highway use fee all at once, you pay the fee on a per-mile basis. You only pay for the miles you drive, so if you drive less, you pay less. If you end up driving a little more, you’ll never pay more than your annual highway use fee.

You may enroll in the Mileage Choice Program when it is time to renew your vehicle registration. You must enroll prior to renewing.

Sign up or learn more at dmvNOW.com/VAMileageChoice.

In the Northern Virginia area, when you have your vehicle's emissions system inspected, the emissions inspection station electronically updates your DMV vehicle record with the test results immediately. When renewing your vehicle, DMV will not ask you for emissions information unless your vehicle failed the test or this information has not been received from the inspection station.

The address printed on your renewal notice must be correct. If the address is incorrect please change your address online before renewing your registration.

  • Vehicle registration renewal notice or vehicle registration card and one of the following payment options.

Payment options include:

  • Credit card displaying the Discover, MasterCard, VISA or American Express logo
  • Debit card displaying the MasterCard or VISA logo
  • Bank and check account information to allow DMV to electronically withdraw funds from your checking account.

To renew your vehicle registration and purchase a new license plate go to our Purchase a Plate page to select a personalized message or special plate design. You can renew your registration and purchase new plates all in the same transaction.

Most customers receive their vehicle registration materials within five days, but U.S. mail delivery times vary. Please allow at least 15 days to receive your vehicle registration before contacting DMV.