DMV West Virginia · Fees, age, and practice test
West Virginia Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts
Sourced procedural facts for West Virginia DMV, plus a free 180-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
How much does the West Virginia permit test cost?
$7.50 per attempt
- Learner permit / application fee: $7.50 (Level 1 GDL instruction permit; adult instruction permit, minimum age 18, also $7.50)
- Knowledge (written) test fee: $7.50 per attempt
- Initial driver license fee: Class E driver's license: $5.00 per year (fee based on the number of years until your age is divisible by five)
Source: WV Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver's Licenses and ID Cards · Last verified 2026-07-06. Our 180-question West Virginia practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
At least 15 and under 18 for the Level 1 instruction permit
Knowledge test fee
$7.50 per attempt
Permit fee
$7.50 (Level 1 GDL instruction permit; adult instruction permit, minimum age 18, also $7.50)
Initial license fee
Class E driver's license: $5.00 per year (fee based on the number of years until your age is divisible by five)
Questions on the knowledge test
At least 25 questions based on basic knowledge and traffic rules
Passing score
19 out of the 25 questions correctly to pass (76%)
Retake fee
$7.50 for each 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
Proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, two proofs of WV residency, and parent or guardian consent if a minor
Find an office / appointment
Regional DMV offices offer appointments via the online scheduler; general info line 1-800-642-9066.
REAL ID status
West Virginia DMV issues REAL ID (gold star) compliant licenses and ID cards. Requires proof of identity, proof of SSN, and two proofs of WV residency. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025.
Motorcycle license
Applicants 18 and older skip the Level II GDL requirement. Requires a knowledge test for the permit, then a 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 of driving experience. Requires DOT medical cert, knowledge and skills tests, and a 14-day permit hold before the 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.
How much is the West Virginia permit test?
West Virginia knowledge test fee: $7.50 per attempt (official source). Permit fee: $7.50 (Level 1 GDL instruction permit; adult instruction permit, minimum age 18, also $7.50) (official source).
How many questions are on the West Virginia permit test?
The official West Virginia knowledge test: At least 25 questions based on basic knowledge and traffic rules (official source). Passing score: 19 out of the 25 questions correctly to pass (76%) (official source).
West Virginia DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test fee | $7.50 per attempt | source |
| Permit fee | $7.50 (Level 1 GDL instruction permit; adult instruction permit, minimum age 18, also $7.50) | source |
| Initial license fee | Class E driver's license: $5.00 per year (fee based on the number of years until your age is divisible by five) | source |
| Retake fee | $7.50 for each attempt | source |
Studying for it? Take the free West Virginia DMV practice test (180 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a West Virginia driver license covers
Initial license fee: Class E driver's license: $5.00 per year (fee based on the number of years until your age is divisible by five) (official source)
REAL ID status: West Virginia DMV issues REAL ID (gold star) compliant licenses and ID cards. Requires proof of identity, proof of SSN, and two proofs of WV residency. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025. (official source)
The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official West Virginia DMV site for exact card timelines.
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: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, two proofs of WV residency, and parent or guardian consent if a minor. Regional DMV offices offer appointments via the online scheduler; general info line 1-800-642-9066.
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 and ID cards. Requires proof of identity, proof of SSN, and two proofs of WV residency. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025. For a motorcycle license: applicants 18 and older skip the Level II GDL requirement. Requires a knowledge test for the permit, then a 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 of driving experience. Requires DOT medical cert, knowledge and skills tests, and a 14-day permit hold before the road test.
The West Virginia bank has 180 questions across 8 topics
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