DMV West Virginia · Facts and practice test
West Virginia DMV: age, fees, test facts
Sourced procedural facts for West Virginia DMV, plus a free 70-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
At least 15 and under 18 for the Level 1 instruction permit
Knowledge test fee
$7.50 per attempt
Supervised driving before road test
50 hours certified by parent/guardian (including 10 night hours) before advancing from Level 1 to Level 2
Documents to bring
Signed application (DMV-DS-23P), proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, two proofs of WV residency, parent/guardian consent if a minor
Find an office / appointment
All 26 regional DMV offices offer appointments (including same-day) via the online scheduler; can also call 1-800-642-9066. Appointments encouraged/strongly recommended, not strictly mandatory.
REAL ID status
West Virginia DMV issues REAL ID (gold-star) compliant licenses/ID cards. Requires proof of identity, legal presence (if non-citizen), two proofs of WV residency, SSN card if issued. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025.
Motorcycle license
Minimum age 16 (18+ skips Level II GDL requirement). Requires knowledge test for permit, then 7-day hold and on-cycle skills test, unless a Motorcycle Safety Course is completed to waive the skills test.
Commercial license (CDL)
Minimum age 18 (with 1 year driving experience); interstate/hazmat/passenger transport requires age 21. Requires DOT medical cert, knowledge and skills tests, and 14-day permit hold before road test.
Official source: WV Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver's Licenses and ID Cards
Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles site.
Getting a license in West Virginia
Getting your first permit
In West Virginia, the minimum permit age is at least 15 and under 18 for the Level 1 instruction permit. When you apply for a permit or license, bring: signed application (DMV-DS-23P), proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, two proofs of WV residency, parent/guardian consent if a minor. All 26 regional DMV offices offer appointments (including same-day) via the online scheduler; can also call 1-800-642-9066. Appointments encouraged/strongly recommended, not strictly mandatory.
Fees, retakes, and practice hours
$7.50 per attempt. Before the road test, the state requires 50 hours certified by parent/guardian (including 10 night hours) before advancing from Level 1 to Level 2.
REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL
West Virginia DMV issues REAL ID (gold-star) compliant licenses/ID cards. Requires proof of identity, legal presence (if non-citizen), two proofs of WV residency, SSN card if issued. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025. For a motorcycle license: minimum age 16 (18+ skips Level II GDL requirement). Requires knowledge test for permit, then 7-day hold and on-cycle skills test, unless a Motorcycle Safety Course is completed to waive the skills test. For a commercial license (CDL): minimum age 18 (with 1 year driving experience); interstate/hazmat/passenger transport requires age 21. Requires DOT medical cert, knowledge and skills tests, and 14-day permit hold before road test.
The West Virginia bank has 70 questions across 6 topics
Passed? Don't forget insurance
New drivers in the household need to be added to the policy, and shopping several carriers is the best way to keep the cost down, wherever you live.