Hi,

I am moving from Florida to Virginia for about 9 months and I have the
following question:

1) Can I keep my Florida license and vehicle registration while living
in Virginia if I still have an address at my father's in Florida or do
I have to switch everything to VA then switch back?

Thanks a lot!

Hi Jkrech17 ~

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I'm not licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and
this is not to be taken as legal advice. However, in answer to your
question, it appears so long as you retain your Florida residency, you
do not have to obtain a Virginia driver's license if you are 16 years
and 3 months old and have a valid driver's license issued by another
state.


§46.2-323.1 of the Virginia Code actually requires residency to obtain
a Virginia Driver's License,

      "No driver's license, commercial driver's license,
       temporary driver's permit, learner's permit,
       motorcycle learner's permit, or special identification
       card shall be issued to any person who is not a
       Virginia resident ..." (See the entire section)
   - http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-323.1

So, unless you're changing residency, you can't apply for a driver's
license in Virginia.

and

§46.2-307(A) covers a nonresident driver,

      "A nonresident over the age of sixteen years and three
       months who has been duly licensed as a driver under a
       law requiring the licensing of drivers in his home
       state or country and who has in his immediate possession
       a driver's license issued to him in his home state or
       country shall be permitted, without a Virginia license,
       to drive a motor vehicle on the highways of the Common-
       wealth."
   - http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-307


As stated, it appears that you can drive on your Florida Driver's
License so long as you maintain your residency in the State of
Florida.


Search Terms Used
=================

   - Virginia motor vehicle law
   - Virginia residency requirements

Code of Virginia Search
   - non-resident drivers


Regards,
Serenata

---

Request for Answer Clarification by jkrech17-ga on 21 Aug 2003 11:06 PDT

Hi,

Thanks for the information and I just have a quick clarifying
question.  As far as it appears, Virginia has no law saying I am
required to switch over my license if working in their state for a set
period of time, right?  Thanks again!

---

Clarification of Answer by serenata-ga on 21 Aug 2003 12:55 PDT

Hi Jkreach !

Sorry, I posted the clarification as a comment below, instead of here
as a clarification.

Hi again, 
 
There was no mention of employment at all, except the typical Armed
Forces exemption (they can retain their home state license so long as
they are in the Armed Forces.)
 
There was no mention of employment for a set period of time as
requirement for a driver's lince.
 
Serenata

Hi again,

There was no mention of employment at all, except the typical Armed
Forces exemption (they can retain their home state license so long as
they are in the Armed Forces.)

There was no mention of employment for a set period of time as
requirement for a driver's lince.

Serenata