SB396Introduced in the Senate
Driver's licenses; requirements for initial licensure, persons age 18 to 21.
Introduced by Danny Diggs, District 24
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official 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.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0755)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
6 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: House substitute agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A) · March 5, 2026
25
Yes
14
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Yes |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Head | 3 | Yes |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | No |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | No |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104758D
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Reported from Transportation with amendment (9-Y 6-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Passed by for the day
Read second time
Transportation Amendment agreed to
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
Read third time and defeated by Senate (19-Y 21-N 0-A)
Reconsideration of defeated action agreed to by Senate
Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
Reported from Transportation with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26108548D-H1
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)
Read second time
Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
Read third time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Passed House with substitute (91-Y 7-N 0-A)
House substitute agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB396ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB396)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 755 (Effective 1/1/2027)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0755)
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