Who needs a license, new residents and address changes

Key points

1. If you live in West Virginia and drive on public roads, you must have a West Virginia license unless you are exempt.

   Source: PDF page 11

   “If you live in West Virginia and want to drive a motor vehicle on public roads, you must have a West Virginia driver's license, unless you are expressly exempt.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 11

2. A resident can apply for a permit, license or ID card at any DMV regional office.

   Source: PDF page 3

   “A WV resident can apply for a WV instruction permit, driver's license, or identification card at any DMV regional office.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 3

3. New residents who want to drive must apply for a West Virginia license within 30 days of establishing residency.

   Source: PDF page 16

   “After establishing WV residency, new residents who want to drive in WV must apply for a WV driver's license within 30 days.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 16

4. To transfer an out of state license you must pass a vision screening, complete a brief alcohol awareness course and surrender the old license.

   Source: PDF page 16

   “You are required to pass a vision screening, complete a brief alcohol awareness course, and surrender your out-of-state driver's license before a WV driver's license will be issued.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 16

5. A new resident who cannot provide the out of state license must get a certified driving record from the previous state to waive testing.

   Source: PDF page 16

   “A new resident who cannot provide their out-of-state driver's license must obtain a certified driving record from the state or jurisdiction in which they were previously licensed in order to waive the testing requirement.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 16

6. It is illegal to drive in West Virginia with a license that is suspended or revoked in any other state.

   Source: PDF page 16

   “It is illegal to drive in WV with a suspended or revoked driver's license from any other state or jurisdiction.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 16

7. Report an address change to the DMV in writing within 20 days.

   Source: PDF page 16

   “If you change your address you are required to notify, in writing, the DMV within 20 days of the change.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 16

8. You must show your license or permit on demand to any law enforcement officer, magistrate or DMV official.

   Source: PDF page 23

   “You are required to provide your driver's license or instruction permit upon demand to any law enforcement officer, magistrate, or official of the DMV.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 23

Numbers to know

3 questions from the West Virginia practice test

1. 1. How soon must a new West Virginia resident apply for a West Virginia driver's license after establishing residency?

   1. Only when the out-of-state license expires
   2. Within 10 days
   3. Within 60 days
   4. Within 30 days
   Show answer

   Within 30 days. A new resident who wants to drive in West Virginia must apply within 30 days after establishing residency. Waiting until an out-of-state license expires can miss the state's deadline, and the 10-day and 60-day choices substitute numbers not stated in this rule. The handbook separately explains that a valid, nonexpired out-of-state license may be transferred after the applicant completes the required steps. Mark the residency date, gather the documents, and begin the transfer process before the 30-day window closes.

2. 2. Where may a West Virginia resident apply for an instruction permit, driver's license, or identification card?

   1. At any DMV regional office
   2. Only at the Charleston headquarters
   3. Only through the county school board
   4. Only at a county courthouse
   Show answer

   At any DMV regional office. A West Virginia resident can apply at any DMV regional office, so the applicant is not limited to Charleston or to a courthouse. The county school board is not the general licensing location, and an online-only option is not stated in this passage. Before traveling, check the DMV website or call for testing times and additional information because office schedules can differ. The practical cue is the word any: choose the regional office that serves your needs, then confirm its hours before arriving.

3. 3. What must a new resident obtain if the resident cannot provide the out-of-state driver's license?

   1. A letter from the nearest police department
   2. A vehicle title from the previous state
   3. A certified driving record from the previous state or jurisdiction
   4. A new vehicle inspection sticker only
   Show answer

   A certified driving record from the previous state or jurisdiction. When a new resident cannot hand over the out-of-state license, the handbook requires a certified driving record from the state or jurisdiction where that person was previously licensed. A vehicle title, police letter, or inspection sticker does not establish the prior licensing record and cannot replace it. The record allows the applicant to waive the testing requirement described in this passage. Request it early because certification and delivery can take time before the West Virginia application is completed.

Source: the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Chapter I: Driver's License Information. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.