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West Virginia driver's license

Get your first license in West Virginia after moving to the US.

The short answer

West Virginia issues a driver's license after you hold an instruction permit for at least 30 days and pass the road skills test.1 A Class E license costs $5 for each year it is valid.2 The license runs for as long as you are legally authorized to be in the United States, up to eight years.3 If you fail the knowledge test, you wait seven days before taking it again.4 During the road test the only people in the vehicle are you, the examiner and an interpreter if you need one.5

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to West Virginia and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

What it costs

Class E driver's license2$5 per year for each year the license is valid

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

As a non-citizen you receive the standard Class E license, valid only for your period of authorized stay in the United States, up to a maximum of eight years.3

If your license from another state has expired

You are required to retest.6

Documents you need

  • Documents that are still validIf you are not a US citizen, your identity document must be a valid USCIS document with a photo that can be verified with USCIS.7
    • A valid United States passport or passport card is accepted. For a driver's license or identification card marked not for federal use only, a photo credential expired 36 months or less, or a US passport expired less than 2 years, is accepted.8

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

The Division must collect every applicant's Social Security number under federal law; the number stays in your customer record and does not appear on the face of the card.9

  • Every Social Security number is checked directly with the Social Security Administration.10

Tests you take

Eye test

You pass with uncorrected vision of 20/40 or better in at least one eye. If you need glasses or contact lenses to reach 20/40, you pass with a corrective lenses restriction on your license. Below 20/40 you fail, and you may request a Driver License Advisory Board Form 2. Bioptic or telescopic lenses cannot be used to meet the standard.11

Drive test

No — if you have a valid, non-expired out-of-state license, you are eligible to transfer it.12

  • Yes. You must hold your instruction permit for at least 30 days before you are eligible to take the road skills test.1

Tries you get on the written test

A retake of the knowledge test requires a wait of seven days from the failed attempt.4

  • If you fail the knowledge or road skills test, you may not be tested twice within one week, under section 17B-2-6 of the West Virginia Code.13

Practice questions for the written test

Study the West Virginia Driver Licensing Handbook; it covers the state's motor vehicle laws and prepares you for the driver examination.14

  • For a motorcycle instruction permit, Class F endorsement, or Class F license, study the West Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual, available at any DMV Regional Office or online at dmv.wv.gov.15

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

An instruction permit lets you drive when a licensed driver who is 21 or older occupies the front seat with you.16

What to bring to the drive test

Who comes with you

The Class E road skills test score form records the name and driver license number of the driver who accompanies you.17

  • You must arrive at the examination site in a lawful manner. During the road test itself, only you, the examiner or examiners, and an interpreter can be in the vehicle.18

  • Only you, the examiner or examiners, and an interpreter may be in the vehicle during the road test.5

  • The road test is not given until you have passed all other parts of the knowledge examination, and you must arrive at the testing center in a lawful manner.19

The car and its insurance

Red or blue flashing lights, Sirens, bells or whistles, A cutout or loud-sounding muffler, Signs, posters or stickers on the windshield or windows, unless required or permitted by law, More than one spotlight, More than two side cowl or fender lights, More than two backup lights, A load extending beyond the fenders on the left side, or six inches beyond them on the right, No safety glass, Windows tinted to less than 35 percent light transmission, A broken or cracked windshield, Holes in the body of the vehicle, Broken lenses, Doors or windows that do not work20

  • Bring current proof of insurance, a valid registration card, and a valid inspection sticker for the test vehicle, which must be in safe condition and meet registration, inspection, and equipment laws. A defect can fail the examination; the examiner may let you fix a minor defect and continue, but you cannot continue in another vehicle on the same test date.21

Where to go

Who gives the tests

A DMV examiner watches your driving, decides whether you have the skills to operate a motor vehicle, and records the results of the equipment check and road skills examination along with any restrictions.22

  • The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.23

Booking an appointment

West Virginia's DMV Appointments Online service at https://telegov.egov.com/wvdmv lets you make an appointment from your phone or computer instead of standing in line.24

Office locations

You can find DMV regional offices at transportation.wv.gov/DMV/Locations/Pages/default.aspx.25

Other states

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Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “you must maintain the instruction permit for at least 30 days before you are eligible to take the road skills test”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked July 27, 2026

  2. 2

    “The fee for the issuance of a Class E driver's license is $5 per year for each year the license is valid.”

    code.wvlegislature.gov/17B-2-8

    Checked July 28, 2026

  3. 3

    “A license issued to a person who is not a citizen of the United States may only be issued for the time the person is legally authorized to be in the United States, not to exceed eight years.”

    code.wvlegislature.gov/email/17B

    Checked July 28, 2026

  4. 4

    “Applicants who fail testing due to knowledge must wait seven (7) days before attempting to retake the test.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/What-You-Should-Know.aspx

    Checked August 3, 2026

  5. 5

    “Only the applicant and the examiner or examiners and an interpreter may occupy the vehicle during the test.”

    apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx

    Checked August 1, 2026

  6. 6

    “more is required to retest. If your out-of-state driver's license has expired, you are also required to retest.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked August 3, 2026

  7. 7

    “Acceptable forms of identity documents for persons who are not citizens of the United States are valid USCIS documents with a photo that can be verified with the United State Citizen and Immigration Service.”

    apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx

    Checked August 1, 2026

  8. 8

    “A valid United States passport or passport card;”

    apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx

    Checked August 1, 2026

  9. 9

    “The Division requires the social security number of every applicant for a driver’s license or identification card or holder of a driver’s license or identification card as required by the provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996”

    apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx

    Checked August 1, 2026

  10. 10

    “The DMV checks every social security number with the SSA.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked August 3, 2026

  11. 11

    “The preliminary examination shall consist of five components. 4.2.a. The Division shall administer a visual acuity test with a standard eye testing chart or mechanical device. 1. An applicant with uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better in at least one eye will pass the visual acuity test. 2. An applicant with visual acuity of 20/40 or better in at least one eye with the use of contact lenses or glasses will pass the visual acuity test with the appropriate restriction placed on his or her driver' s license. 3. An applicant whose visual acuity is less than 20/40 will fail the visual acuity test. An applicant who fails the visual acuity test may request a Driver License Advisory Board Form 2. 4. An applicant who presents a properly completed Driver License Advisory Board Form 2 which indicates that the applicant is within the parameters set forth in West Virginia Legislative Rules, Division of Motor Vehicles, Denial, Suspension, Revocation or Nonrenewal of Driving Privileges, 91 CSR 5 will pass the visual acuity test with the appropriate restrictions placed on his or her driver's license. 5. An applicant may not use special lens arrangements, including but not limited to biopticor telescopic lenses, to satisfy the visual acuity standard.”

    apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx

    Checked August 1, 2026

  12. 12

    “If you have a valid non-expired out-of-state license, you are eligible to transfer the license.”

    transportation.wv.gov/DMV/Pages/movingtowv.aspx

    Checked July 28, 2026

  13. 13

    “Applicants who fail either the knowledge or road skills test may not be tested twice within a period of one (1) week, in accordance with §17B-2-6, West Virginia State Code.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked July 27, 2026

  14. 14

    “This manual is only a partial digest of West Virginia motor vehicle laws. As a prospective driver, you should become familiar with all of the information in this manual. It will enable you to pass the driver examination and help you become a good driver.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked July 27, 2026

  15. 15

    “you may consult the West Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual available at your local DMV Regional Office or on our website at dmv.wv.gov.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked July 27, 2026

  16. 16

    “The instruction permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver who is 21 or older occupies the front seat with you.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  17. 17

    “Accompanying Driver Info. Name: Last First”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked July 27, 2026

  18. 18

    “5.1.a. The applicant arrives at the examination site in a lawful manner;”

    apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx

    Checked August 1, 2026

  19. 19

    “The road test, or driving examination, will not be given until you have passed all other parts of the knowledge examination. The driver applicant must arrive at the testing center in a lawful manner.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked July 27, 2026

  20. 20

    “Illegal Equipment • Red and/or blue flashing lights (Only authorized emergency vehicles may have these warning lights) • Sirens, bells, or whistles • Cutout or loud‑sounding muffler • Signs, posters, or stickers on the windshield or vehicle windows, unless required or permitted by law • More than one spotlight • More than two (2) side cowl or fender lights • More than two (2) backup lights, which do not show light when the vehicle is going forward”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked July 27, 2026

  21. 21

    “A valid inspection sticker and proof of insurance on the vehicle is required before the vehicle can be used for the road skills test. Vehicle defects may constitute failure of examination. The examiner may permit you to have a minor defect corrected and continue the examination. However, you will not be permitted to continue the examination in another vehicle on the same test date.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  22. 22

    “The examiner shall evaluate the applicant's performance and determine whether the applicant possesses the skills necessary to operate a motor vehicle. He or she shall record the results of the equipment check and road skills examination and record any restrictions.”

    apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx

    Checked August 14, 2026

  23. 23

    “The road test, or driving examination, will not be given until you have passed all other parts of the knowledge examination.”

    transportation.wv.gov/…/Drivers_Licensing_Handbook_web.pdf

    Checked July 27, 2026

  24. 24

    “The DMV Appointments Online service offers the opportunity to make appointments online or from your mobile device or computer, allowing you to avoid the inconvenience of standing in line.”

    telegov.egov.com/wvdmv

    Checked August 1, 2026

  25. 25

    “Regional Offices”

    transportation.wv.gov/DMV/Locations/Pages/default.aspx

    Checked July 23, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in West Virginia?

Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.

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