SB720 • 2026

Driver training schools; instructor identification license.

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-1702.1, relating to driver training schools; instructor identification license.

Education

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Marsden
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Driver Training Schools; Instructor Identification License

This act requires driving instructors at driver training schools to display their instructor identification licenses during student training sessions.

What This Bill Does

Adds a new section in the Virginia Code that applies to driver training schools.
Requires driving instructors to show their license when teaching students how to drive or operate vehicles.
Specifies that the license must be visible and placed in an approved holder inside the vehicle during training sessions.

Who It Names or Affects

Driving instructors at driver training schools
Students learning to drive at these schools

Terms To Know

Instructor identification license: A special license given to driving instructors that proves they are qualified to teach people how to drive.
Behind-the-wheel training: Training where students practice driving a car under the guidance of an instructor.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if an instructor fails to display their license during training sessions.
It is unclear how this new requirement will be enforced or monitored by authorities.

Bill History

2026-04-08 Governor
Approved by Governor-Chapter 521 (effective 7/1/2026)
2026-04-08 Governor
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0521)
2026-04-01 Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB720)
2026-03-31 Senate
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
2026-03-31 Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-31 House
Signed by Speaker
2026-03-31 Senate
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
2026-03-31 Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-30 Senate
Signed by President
2026-03-30 Senate
Enrolled
2026-03-30 Senate
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB720ER)
2026-03-10 House
Read third time
2026-03-10 House
Passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-09 House
Read second time
2026-03-05 Transportation
Reported from Transportation (21-Y 0-N)
2026-03-03 Department of Motor Vehicles
Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
2026-02-20 Department of Motor Vehicles
Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles
2026-02-12 House
Placed on Calendar
2026-02-12 House
Read first time
2026-02-12 Transportation
Referred to Committee on Transportation
2026-02-12 Finance and Appropriations
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB720)
2026-02-09 Senate
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-02-06 Senate
Read second time
2026-02-06 Senate
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-02-06 Finance and Appropriations
Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to
2026-02-06 Senate
Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-02-05 Senate
Rules suspended
2026-02-05 Senate
Passed by for the day
2026-02-05 Finance and Appropriations
Committee substitute printed 26107231D-S1
2026-02-05 Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-02-05 Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-02-04 Finance and Appropriations
Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
2026-02-04 Senate
Senate committee offered
2026-01-29 Transportation
Reported from Transportation and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
2026-01-14 Senate
Presented and ordered printed 26102754D
2026-01-14 Transportation
Referred to Committee on Transportation

Official Summary Text

Driver training schools; instructor identification license.
Requires any instructor employed by a driver training school, when conducting behind-the-wheel training or any other training in which a student of a driver training school is driving or operating a motor vehicle, to display, or cause to be displayed, in the motor vehicle in a location that is clearly visible to the student his license authorizing him to act as a driving instructor.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
46.2-1702.1
, relating to driver training schools; instructor identification license.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
46.2-1702.1
as follows:
§
46.2-1702.1
. Instructor identification; training involving the operation of a motor vehicle.
When conducting behind-the-wheel training or any other training in which a student of a driver training school is driving or operating a motor vehicle, the instructor conducting such training shall display, or cause to be displayed, the license authorizing him to act as a driving instructor issued pursuant to §
46.2-1701
in such motor vehicle in a location that is clearly visible to the student and in a holder approved by the Commissioner that may be removable. Such license shall be displayed for the duration of any such training.