In Virginia you must be at least 15 years and 6 months of age to obtain a learner's permit. You must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia and at least 16 years and 3 months of age and held your permit for 9 months to obtain a full Virginia driver's license.

According to the VA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) a permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated beside you. The driver accompanying you may be 18 years of age if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother or step-sister. The driver accompanying you must hold a valid driver's license, be alert and able to assist you and be legally permitted to drive.

Plus, your parent, guardian or foster parent must provide his or her driver's license or state-issued identification card number and sign the certificate to certify that you received at least 45 hours of driver practice, 15 of which must have been competed after sunset. You will receive a certificate when you complete the driver education program.

If you are between age 16 years, 3 months and age 18, your driver education certificate and a valid learner's permit allow you to drive without a licensed driver beside you provided you have held your learner's permit for nine months and the certificate is signed by a parent or legal guardian.

If you are under age 19, you must provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver education program and you must hold a learner's permit at least nine months before you can receive a driver's license.

If you are under age 18, you must provide written consent from one of your parents or your legal guardian unless you are married or emancipated. If you are under age 19, you must complete a state-approved driver education program.

So in Lynchburg, VA after you have held your permit nine months, turned age 16 and 3 months and completed driver education, you will receive a notice that tells you when to appear in court for a licensing ceremony where you will receive your permanent driver's license.

Whether you have a permit or full license you will need to make sure that you have insurance to cover you when you drive. If you live with your parents they should inform their insurance company of your licensing status when you get a permit and then again when you get your full license. If you are on your own you will need to get your own auto insurance in place.

To find out more about Virginia's licensing process and what you need to do as a young driver in order to move up from a permit to a full license contact the VA DMV directly.