You just arrived in the Richmond area, or you're about to. This checklist for people new to Richmond, VA, covers the first 30 days of tasks for households moving to Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, or the City of Richmond: Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) tasks, vehicle title and registration, car tax, utilities, voter registration, and school enrollment.
Rules change. Confirm current requirements with the DMV, your locality, and the school division before a deadline passes. Deadlines below are current as of November 10, 2026. For the pre-move housing decision, use the Moving to Richmond relocation guide.
First 30 days at a glance
| Task | Deadline or timing | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Title your vehicle in Virginia | Within 30 days of moving, before registration | Virginia DMV, New to Virginia |
| Register the vehicle and get plates | Within 30 days of moving, after titling and meeting insurance requirements | Virginia DMV |
| Get a Virginia driver's license | Within 60 days of moving (30 days if you hold a CDL) | Virginia DMV |
| Annual safety inspection | Required before you operate the vehicle on Virginia roads | Virginia DMV / state police inspection program |
| Notify the locality about car tax | After you move, with the Commissioner of the Revenue or Finance Department | Your new locality |
| Register to vote or update your address | You may register through Election Day and vote on a provisional ballot if you meet the rules | Virginia Department of Elections |
| Start utilities | Schedule 2 to 3 weeks before closing or move-in when you can | Locality utility office and Dominion Energy |
| Enroll students | As soon as you have an address and the required records | The school division for that address |
Some localities also require a local vehicle sticker or decal. That's issued by the locality, not by DMV. Ask the Treasurer or Commissioner of the Revenue.
Week 1: Legal and administrative
Driver's license. New residents have 60 days to get a Virginia driver's license. If you hold a commercial driver's license, you must get a Virginia CDL within 30 days. Bring the documents DMV lists for your situation, which often include your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security card or number. Book an appointment at dmv.virginia.gov.
Title, then register. Title the vehicle in Virginia within 30 days of moving, before you register it. After titling, and after you meet insurance requirements, register and get Virginia plates within 30 days of moving. Don't treat “registration in 30 days” as a substitute for the title step.
Safety inspection and emissions. Virginia requires an annual safety inspection sticker. Confirm the current inspection fee with the inspection station or the state inspection program. Emissions testing applies to certain Northern Virginia localities (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park). Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and the City of Richmond aren't on that DMV new-resident emissions list.
Car tax. Virginia localities tax vehicles kept or garaged in their jurisdiction. After you move, notify the Commissioner of the Revenue or Finance Department in your new locality, and cancel or update the prior locality. Confirm the current rate and filing deadline with the locality. The Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA) can provide partial relief on the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying personal-use vehicles. The relief varies by locality, and it's not a full exemption. See property tax rates by county and the county comparison resource.
Voter registration. Register online or in person through the Virginia Department of Elections, or at DMV when you get your license. Virginia allows same-day registration, and you may vote using a provisional ballot if you meet eligibility rules. Confirm current deadlines at elections.virginia.gov before each election. If you were already registered in another Virginia locality, update your address.
Address updates. File a USPS mail-forwarding request, and update your bank, insurer, employer, and any professional licenses.
Week 2: Home and utilities
Schedule transfers 2 to 3 weeks before closing or move-in when you can.
- Henrico: Start water, wastewater, and solid waste with Henrico Public Utilities. Electric service is typically Dominion Energy. Use the utilities start-service process on the county site. Don't treat an emergency contact number as the signup line.
- Chesterfield: Water and sewer through Chesterfield Utilities, trash often through a private hauler, and electric typically through Dominion Energy.
- Hanover: Water and sewer through Hanover Public Utilities where available. Many rural homes use well and septic. Electric may be Dominion Energy or Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. Trash may run through convenience centers or a private hauler.
- City of Richmond: Water, sewer, and gas through City Department of Public Utilities / Richmond Gas Works, electric through Dominion Energy, and trash through City Public Works.
If you bought with an association, introduce yourself to the management company and confirm trash, parking, and exterior rules. Review your homeowner's insurance so the policy matches the Virginia property.
Drive your commute at the hours you'll actually travel, not only at midday.
Week 3: Schools and records
Contact the school division for the address you occupy. You'll typically need proof of residency, the student's birth certificate, immunization records, and prior school records. Confirm the exact list with the division, and confirm school assignment by address with the division's locator. A neighborhood name doesn't guarantee a school.
- Henrico County Public Schools
- Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Hanover County Public Schools
- Richmond Public Schools
Military households with a pending permanent change of station (PCS) should see the military relocation and PCS guide.
Transfer medical records if you need a local doctor. VCU Health, Bon Secours, and HCA Virginia have metro locations. Confirm which one takes your insurance.
Week 4: Settling in
Keep this week practical. Grocery options in the metro include Wegmans, Publix, Trader Joe's, Aldi, and Lidl, along with other stores. ACAC, Gold's Gym, and local YMCAs are among the gym options. None of those names is a recommendation. If you have a house, schedule ordinary first-season maintenance, such as an HVAC check, and find a mechanic when you need one.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to do first after moving to Richmond, VA?
Start with the deadline items: title your vehicle within 30 days, then register it and get plates, and get a Virginia driver's license within 60 days (30 days for a CDL). Notify your new locality about car tax, start utilities, update your mailing address, and, if you have students, contact the school division for your address.
How long do I have to get a Virginia driver's license after moving?
New residents have 60 days to get a Virginia driver's license, and 30 days if they hold a commercial driver's license. Bring the documents DMV lists for your case, and book an appointment. Confirm the current list on the DMV's New to Virginia page before you go.
When do I have to title and register my car in Virginia?
Title the vehicle in Virginia within 30 days of moving, before registration. After titling, and after you meet insurance requirements, register and get Virginia plates within 30 days of moving. Virginia also requires an annual safety inspection. Emissions testing applies to listed Northern Virginia localities, not to Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, or Richmond City.
How does car tax work in Henrico, Chesterfield, and Richmond, VA?
Each locality taxes vehicles kept or garaged there. Notify the Commissioner of the Revenue or Finance Department in your new locality and update the prior one. Confirm the current rate with the locality. The Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA) can provide partial relief on the first $20,000 of value for qualifying personal-use vehicles, not a full exemption.
How do I enroll my kids in school after moving to Richmond, VA?
Contact the school division for the address you'll occupy. You'll typically need proof of residency, a birth certificate, immunization records, and prior school records. Confirm the exact list with the division. Use the division's address locator for school assignment, and confirm the result with the division. A neighborhood name doesn't guarantee a school.
If you're still settling in after the first month, book a consultation with Daniel Yoon, REALTOR®, eXp Realty.
Sources
- Virginia DMV, New to Virginia
- Virginia Department of Elections, voter registration
- Locality Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue, utility, and school-division pages, which you should confirm before a deadline
Educational information only, not legal, tax, or DMV advice. Confirm deadlines, fees, car-tax rates, and enrollment rules with the official office that administers them. Personal-property tax relief is partial and varies by locality.