Drivers Permits in West Virginia

You must obtain your West Virginia instruction permit before applying for your driver's license. Fortunately, DMV.org has outlined the necessary steps for you!

Obtaining Your West Virginia Instruction Permit

Before you apply for an instruction permit, you should study the West Virginia Driver Licensing Handbook.

Taking a practice test is a good idea, too. The WV DMV provides an online version. You may also want to check out DMV.org's practice tests.

There are various kinds of WV instruction permits. The one you'll need to apply for depends on your age.

Under 18

Drivers who are under the age of 18 must follow the rules of the Graduated Driver Licensing program (GDL). This means you'll need to first apply for a Level I instruction permit, and then a Level II instruction permit.

If you're applying for a Level I instruction permit and you're under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign for you. (If you're married, you'll need to show your marriage certificate.)

Take the following to your local DMV Regional Office:

• A completed Level I instruction permit application.

• A Driver's Eligibility Certificate from your school (homeschoolers can get one from the county Board of Education). Out-of-state students can get this form from the DMV.

• Two proofs of WV residency

• Your certified birth certificate

• Your Social Security card

• $5 fee

Once you pass your vision and written exam, your Level I instruction permit will be valid for 14 months, or until you turn 18 years old; and you must keep your Level I instruction permit for six months before applying for your Level II permit. A Level I permit is nonrenewable.

Applying for your Level II instruction permit is similar to the Level I permit application process; however, for a Level II permit you must be 16 years old and able to present a 50-Hour Certification Form or a card certifying you've successfully completed a driver education course.

The fee for a Level II permit is also $5 and expires when you turn 18 years old.

Over 18

If you're 18 years old or older, you must apply for an instruction permit E. Take the following to your local DMV Regional Office:

• Completed instruction permit E application

• Two proofs of WV residency

• Your certified birth certificate

• Your Social Security card

• $4 fee

You'll need to take the same vision and written exams required of applicants under the age of 18. Once you pass those, the DMV will issue you your instruction permit.

The permit is valid for 60 days and you can renew it once―no questions asked. However, if you need to renew it a second time you'll have to take the vision and written exams again.

Note that applicants who have never had a Level II instruction permit must keep their instruction permit E for 30 days before applying for a full driver's license.

Restrictions

There are a few restrictions that come along with a WV instruction permit.

Level I instruction permit holders can only drive between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. with a licensed 21-year-old or older driver alongside.

Level II instruction permit holders can drive alone between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., but must have a licensed 21-year-old in the vehicle if they drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. These drivers can only have three passengers under the age of 19 in the vehicles at one time.

Expired Instruction Permits

Regardless of your age and the kind if instruction permit you have, if your permit expires you'll have to start the entire application process over to get a new one.

If your Level I instruction permit expires, you'll have to keep your new one for 180 infraction-free days before you can apply for a Level II.

Need More Information?

Find more information about instruction permits, restrictions, and what to do once you're ready to apply for your full Class E driver's license in our Applying for a New License section. You can also read our detailed information for WV teen drivers.

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