West Virginia DMV Practice Tests

Learning to drive is exciting, but it’s also a huge responsibility. The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires potential drivers to complete training and demonstrate knowledge and skills behind the wheel before allowing them the privilege of driving with no restrictions. This is required for all new drivers, as well as those moving to West Virginia whose licenses have expired before arrival.

The requirements to obtain a WV driver’s license will vary slightly based on whether you are a minor or adult, as well as whether you’re applying for a standard license or a REAL ID-compliant license.

WV Level 1 GDL Instruction Permit Requirements

If you’re under 18 years old, you must first obtain a Level 1 GDL instruction permit before graduating to a driver’s license. You must be at least 15 years old to apply and be enrolled in school.

Make an appointment at a designated DMV exam center. Your parent or guardian must accompany you to your appointment, unless you’re married, in which case you must bring a copy of your marriage certificate instead. At your appointment, be ready to:

• Submit your:
  • Certified birth certificate as proof of your identity.
  • Social Security card.
  • School Driver Eligibility Certificate, obtained from your county school board.
  • Completed Application for a Driver’s License or Identification Card (form DMV-DS-23P), signed by your parent/guardian to give their consent (unless you are married).
• Pass a vision screening.
• Pay the $7.50 testing fee.

Your WV Level 1 permit will be valid up until your 18th birthday. With your permit, you may only drive under the following conditions:

• You must have a supervising driver at least 21 years old in the front seat at all times.
• You may only practice driving between 5 AM and 10 PM.
• You may only carry 2 additional passengers who are NOT family members.
• You may not use any kind of wireless communications device (like a cell phone) unless it’s to call emergency services.

West Virginia Level 2 GDL Intermediate Driver’s License Requirements

You can take your road test and apply for a Level 2 intermediate driver’s license in West Virginia once you’ve turned 16 years old. Before you can take your road test, you’ll also need to have:

• Held your permit for 6 months.
• Completed your required practice hours.
• Had no traffic violations for the 6 months prior to taking your road test.

Level 2 GDL Training & Practice Hours

To be able to get a Level 2 GDL driver’s license in West Virginia, the WV DMV requires that you either:

• Complete a state-approved driver education course; or
• Complete at least 50 hours of driving practice with your parent/guardian, with at least 10 hours being driven at night.

If you opt for a Driver’s Ed course, your driving practice hours will be rolled into your course curriculum and you’ll receive a Driver Education Card to submit to the DMV.

If you choose not to take driver education, your parent/guardian must log your 50 hours of practice on the 50-Hour Certification Log for Driver’s License Applicants Under Age 18 (form DMV-10-GDL).

Road Testing and License Application

When you’re ready, schedule your skills test at your regional DMV office. Bring with you:

• Your Level 1 instruction permit.
• Your parent/guardian (unless you are married).
• Proof of your:
  • Identity and legal presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • West Virginia residency.
    • The DMV offers a guide to acceptable documents for both federally compliant REAL IDs and non-compliant standard licenses.
• A completed Application for a Driver’s License or Identification Card (form DMV-DS-23P), signed by your parent/guardian to give their consent (unless you are married, in which case, bring a copy of your marriage certificate).
• Your School Driver Eligibility Certificate, obtained from your county school board.
• Your completed 50-Hour Certification Log (form DMV-10-GDL) signed by your parent/guardian, or your Driver Education Card if you opted to take a course instead.
• Payment for the $7.50 testing fee.
  • If you’d like to get a REAL ID-compliant license, you’ll pay an additional $10.

You’ll also need a reliable vehicle to take your test in, along with the registration and insurance for your testing vehicle. Once you pass your road test, you’ll have your photo taken and receive a temporary Level 2 intermediate license until your photo license arrives in the mail. If you fail your first attempt, you’ll need to wait at least 1 week before you can retest.

With your WV intermediate driver’s license, you can only drive under the following provisions:

• You may not drive between 10 PM and 5 AM unless you’re accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
  • Exceptions are only made if you’re driving to/from school, work, or church, or because of an emergency situation.
• You may not use a cell phone or hands-free device while driving, unless it is to contact emergency services.
• For the first 6 months, you may not have any passengers under 20 years old unless they are immediate members of your family.
• For the next 6 months, you may not have more than 1 non-family passenger under 20 years old with you.
• You must remain violation-free for a full 12 months in order to be eligible for a Level 3 license.

Level 3 GDL License in West Virginia

You’re eligible to apply for your Level 3 unrestricted driver’s license once you’re at least 17 years old and you’ve maintained a clean driving record for at least 12 months. Alternatively, you can wait until you’re 18 years old, at which time your Level 2 license restrictions will fall off and you’ll automatically advance to a full, unrestricted Level 3 license

Whenever you decide to apply for your Level 3 GDL license,  you’ll need to make an appointment at your regional DMV office. Bring with you:

• Your Level 2 GDL license.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity and legal presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • West Virginia residency.
    • The DMV offers a guide to acceptable documents for both federally compliant REAL IDs and non-compliant standard licenses.
• A completed Application for a Driver’s License or Identification Card (form DMV-DS-23P).
• Payment for the applicable licensing fee, based on your age when you apply:
  • 17 years old: $2.50 per year of issuance (until you’re 21) + $0.50 motor voter fee
  • 18 years old: $5 per year of issuance (until you’re 21) + $0.50 motor voter fee
    • If you didn’t already get a REAL ID-compliant license and you’d like to do so now, you’ll pay an additional $10.

Driver’s License Requirements for New Adult Drivers in WV

If you are 18 years old or older but have never held a driver’s license before in any state, you must first apply for an instruction permit to practice driving before you can take the road test for your full, unrestricted WV driver’s license.

Regular West Virginia Instruction Permit Requirements

To apply for your WV instruction permit:

1. Make an appointment at your regional DMV office.
2. Provide a completed Application for a Driver’s License or Identification Card (form DMV-DS-23P).
3. Submit proof of your:
   1. Identity and legal presence.
   2. Social Security number.
   3. Name change, if your legal name has ever changed.
   4. West Virginia residency.
      1. The DMV offers a guide to acceptable documents for both federally compliant REAL IDs and non-compliant standard licenses.
4. Pass a vision screening.
5. Pass the written knowledge test.
6. Pay the $7.50 permit and testing fee.

With your permit, you can practice driving as long as you’re supervised by a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat. You must hold your permit for at least 30 days before you can take your road test to earn your unrestricted driver’s license.

Road Testing & Getting Your WV Unrestricted License

Once you’re ready and at least 30 days have passed, schedule your skills test at your regional DMV office. You’ll need:

• Your instruction permit.
• A testing vehicle.
• Proof of registration and insurance for your testing vehicle.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity and legal presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • Name change, if applicable.
  • West Virginia residency.
    • The DMV offers a guide to acceptable documents for both federally compliant REAL IDs and non-compliant standard licenses.
• Payment for the applicable licensing fee ($5 per year of issuance + $0.50 motor voter fee).
  • If you’re getting a REAL ID-compliant license, there’s an additional $10 fee.

You’ll also need to pass another vision exam and have your photo taken. Once you pass your road test, you’ll receive your full, unrestricted WV driver’s license. If you fail your first attempt, you’ll need to wait at least 1 week before you can retest.

Driver’s License Requirements for New West Virginia Residents

If you hold an out-of-state license and move to West Virginia, you must apply for your WV driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.

While you can’t transfer an out-of-state permit to West Virginia, the DMV does allow you to transfer an intermediate or provisional license.

Transferring an Out-of-State Intermediate/Graduated License to West Virginia

In order to convert your provisional or junior license from your previous state to a West Virginia intermediate license, there are a few prerequisites you’ll have to meet.

• You must have completed the required driving hours or an equivalent driver education course that equals or exceeds the requirements for a Level 2 WV driver’s license.
• You must have held your out-of-state permit or license for at least 6 months.
• You must submit either a School Driver Eligibility Certificate from your new school, or an Out-of-State School Driver Eligibility Certificate signed by your previous school’s principal and includes a letter on your old school’s letterhead.

If you can’t provide the above, or your previous GDL process doesn’t meet West Virginia’s GDL requirements, you can instead bring a driving record from your previous state and the DMV will credit the length of time you’ve held your license toward the required months for a WV Level 1 permit.

If you’re able to meet the GDL requirements, you will not be required to retake the driving skills exam. When you’re ready to apply, make an appointment at an DMV service center and follow the steps outlined above for applying for your intermediate license.

Transferring an Out-of-State Unrestricted License to West Virginia

If you have a full, unrestricted out-of-state driver’s license, the process of converting it to a WV driver’s license is relatively simple. As long as it is unexpired, you can bypass any examinations. If it is expired, be prepared to take all tests, including the written knowledge test and the on-road skills exam.

To apply, make an appointment with your local DMV office and:

• Submit your out-of-state driver’s license.
• Provide proof of your:
  • Identity and legal presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • Name change, if you’ve ever legally changed your name.
  • West Virginia residency.
    • The DMV offers a guide to acceptable documents for both federally compliant REAL IDs and non-compliant standard licenses.
• Submit a completed Application for a Driver’s License or Identification Card (form DMV-DS-23P).
• Undergo a vision screening.
• Have your photo taken.
• Pay the applicable licensing fee ($5 per year of issuance + $0.50 motor voter fee).
  • If you’re getting a REAL ID-compliant license, there’s an additional $10 fee.

WV Motorcycle Permit Requirements

All new motorcycle riders in West Virginia must obtain a Class F motorcycle permit before getting your WV motorcycle license/endorsement. You must be at least 16 years old to apply; if you’re under 18 years old, you must already have at least a Level 2 GDL driver’s license. You must also first pass a basic knowledge test.

To apply, make an appointment with your regional DMV office and:

• Provide proof of your:
  • Identity and legal presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • Name change, if you’ve ever legally changed your name.
  • West Virginia residency.
    • The DMV offers a guide to acceptable documents for both federally compliant REAL IDs and non-compliant standard licenses.
• Submit a completed Application for a Driver’s License or Identification Card (form DMV-DS-23P), with the “Instruction Permit ‘F’” box checked to indicate a motorcycle instruction permit.
• Pass a motorcycle knowledge test.
• Pay the $5 motorcycle permit fee.

You must hold your motorcycle instruction permit for at least 7 days before you can test for your motorcycle endorsement or license.  While riding with your permit, you may not carry any passengers or ride anytime after nightfall.

WV Motorcycle Endorsement and License Requirements

Once you’ve practiced with your permit and held it for at least 7 days, you can apply for either your motorcycle endorsement (if you already have a WV driver’s license) or your motorcycle-only license.

You have two options for earning your endorsement or license:

• Take a state-approved Basic Rider Course; or
• Take the on-cycle skills exam with the DMV.

Though you are NOT required to take a motorcycle training course to get your motorcycle license, it’s highly recommended. If you do, you can bypass the DMV skills exam, as it will be included as part of your course. Otherwise, you’ll need to schedule your on-cycle skills exam with your regional DMV office. Bring with you:

• Your Class F motorcycle instruction permit.
• A testing motorcycle, along with its registration and insurance.
• Proper safety gear, including helmet and eyewear.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity and legal presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • Name change, if you’ve ever legally changed your name.
  • West Virginia residency.
    • The DMV offers a guide to acceptable documents for both federally compliant REAL IDs and non-compliant standard licenses.
• A completed Application for a Driver’s License or Identification Card (form DMV-DS-23P).
• Payment for the Class F license fee ($2.50 per year of issuance + $0.50 motor voter fee).
  • If you’re getting a REAL ID-compliant license, there’s an additional $10 fee.

If you applied for a motorcycle endorsement, you’ll instead receive a duplicate driver’s license with the endorsement noted. If you applied for a motorcycle-only license, you may ONLY ride a motorcycle—you are prohibited from driving any other type of vehicle.

West Virginia CDL Requirements

To drive a commercial vehicle in West Virginia, you must be at least 18 years old. To drive across state lines or to carry hazardous materials you must be at least 21 years old.

Regardless of age, to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must first:

1. Have a valid West Virginia driver’s license.
2. Obtain and hold a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) for at least 2 weeks.

Getting Your WV Commercial Learner’s Permit

To get your CLP, gather the following documents:

• A completed:
  • Application for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and/or Endorsements (form DMV-CDL-1).
  • Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MCSA-5876) filled out by a medical professional.
  • Medical Examination Report Form (MCSA-5875).
• Proof of your:
  • Identity and legal presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • Name change, if you’ve ever legally changed your name.
    • The DMV offers a guide to acceptable documents.
    • At this stage you do NOT have to provide proof of residency—you will submit that document after your skills test when you apply for your full CDL.
• Payment for the applicable fees as outlined in the WV CDL Manual.

Bring the above to any DMV regional office, or mail them to the address listed on your application form. You’ll then receive a CDL testing card, either from the DMV agent or by mail, which will offer a list of testing sites. Make an appointment at a testing site to take your CDL knowledge exam and earn your CLP.

Your CLP will be valid for 180 days, during which time you can practice for your commercial driver’s license road test. You can only drive with your West Virginia commercial learner’s permit when accompanied by another CDL holder in the front seat next to you. Their CDL must be of the appropriate class and have the proper endorsements for the vehicle you’re practicing in.

Applying for a WV Commercial Driver’s License

After practicing with your CLP and holding it for at least 2 weeks, you are eligible to apply for your full WV commercial driver’s license. First, you’ll need to take and pass a skills test for the vehicle class you’ll be driving.

1. Find a third-party examiner using the WV CDL Manual and make an appointment for your CDL skills test.
2. At your test, bring:
   1. Your valid WV driver’s license and CLP.
   2. A valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate, if applicable.
   3. A vehicle representative of the class and type you’ll be driving, which meets all safety standards.
   4. Proof of insurance for your testing vehicle, or a letter from the titled owner authorizing you to use it for testing.
   5. Payment for the $100 testing fee.

Once you pass your test, make another appointment with your local driver licensing regional office. If you’ll be adding a HAZMAT endorsement to your license, you’ll need to complete a background check and fingerprint before applying.

At your appointment, submit your:

• West Virginia driver’s license.
• Commercial learner’s permit.
• CDL skills test results sheet.
• DOT Medical Card.
• UES approval letter, if applying for a HAZMAT endorsement.
• Proof of WV residency.

The fees for adding a CDL endorsement to your license are outlined in the WV CDL Manual. A REAL ID-compliant credential also carries an additional $10 fee.