Is a Tennessee Non-Resident Permit Valid in Virginia?

Why

• Virginia recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.

Va. Code § 18.2-308.014: the holder of a valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by ANY other state may carry in Virginia provided the holder is at least 21, carries government-issued photo ID, displays the permit and ID upon demand by law enforcement, and has not previously had a Virginia permit revoked. No requirement that the permit be a resident permit of the issuing state.

Carry rules in Virginia

Virginia's rules control while you're there. These are the ones travelers trip over most.

• Virginia law does not require volunteering that you are armed; Va. Code § 18.2-308.01 requires having the permit in possession when carrying and displaying it with photo ID upon demand by a law-enforcement officer (VSP FAQ).
• Virginia sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Virginia is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Virginia recognizes.
• No permit is needed to carry a handgun (loaded or unloaded) in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel if it is secured in a container or compartment — the compartment need not be locked (Va. Code § 18.2-308(C)(8); VSP FAQ, citing OAG opinion 11-111). Permit holders may carry loaded and concealed on their person.

Off-limits places in Virginia

Virginia bans carry in 5 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Public, private or religious K-12 school property (Va. Code § 18.2-308.1; permit holders may keep the handgun in a vehicle in the school parking lot)
• Courthouses (Va. Code § 18.2-283.1)

See all 5 places you can't carry in Virginia →

Tennessee vs Virginia: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Tennessee into Virginia changes one rule: permitless carry (Yes (21+) → No).

Going the other way, a Virginia non-resident permit in Tennessee: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from Virginia

How a Tennessee non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Virginia:

• Kentucky — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Maryland — Not recognized
• North Carolina — Recognized — carry with your permit
• West Virginia — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• District of Columbia — Not recognized

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Virginia honor a Tennessee resident permit?

Recognized — carry with your permit. The answer is the same as for the non-resident permit on this page.

Can a Virginia non-resident permit holder carry in Tennessee?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Tennessee's law, not Virginia's.

Where does Virginia publish its official reciprocity list?

Virginia publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.