License Renewal in West Virginia

Driver's License Renewal in West Virginia

You must renew your driver's license in West Virginia before it expires in order to continue driving legally in the state.

When to Renew Your WV Driver License

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allows you to renew your valid WV driver's license up to 6 months after its expiration date without having to retake any tests.

The WV state DMV now has a program for driver license renewal called “Drive for Five". All WV driver licenses will be valid for 5 years. In order to phase you into the program, your renewed WV driver's license will be valid for 3 to 7 years before you begin the new cycle of 5 years.

NOTE: Fees are calculated based on the number of years for which your WV driver license will be valid. For more information on what you will pay for your next license renewal, please read the section below titled “Fees to Renew Your WV Driver's License."

If you've already renewed your license, you can check the status of your order by contacting the WV DMV.

Valid Driver's License

You will receive a renewal notice for your WV driver's license approximately 90 days before it expires. You will need to renew in person, at a kiosk, or online.

In order to renew online you must:

  • Have a non-commercial driver's license.
  • Be 21 years old or older.
  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Have license in good standing.
  • Have no change to the information on your license (no name or address change).

You will need to have your current license, your renewal notice, and a credit card to complete your online renewal. After you complete your renewal you will be given a receipt that will serve as your driver's license until your new license arrives in the mail.

NOTE: To check the status of your WV driver's license, visit the West Virginia DMV website. To obtain a copy of your WV driving record, read our Driving Records in West Virginia page.

Check Your WV Driver's License Status

Is your driver's license valid or suspended in West Virginia? Get your driving record HERE.

Expired Driver's License

If your WV driver's license has expired, you can still renew it up to 6 months after its expiration date. Beyond that time frame, the WV DMV will require you to pass all examinations (e.g., vision, written and road skills) again when you renew.

Suspended & Revoked Driver's License

You CANNOT drive in West Virginia with a suspended or revoked driver's license.

In West Virginia, you could have your WV driver's license suspended if you fail to notify the WV DMV of your new address. The WV DMV requires you to submit your change of address within 20 days of moving. For more information, visit our guide to Changing Your Address in West Virginia.

If your WV driver license is suspended or revoked in West Virginia or any other state, you cannot renew until it is reinstated. Visit our Suspended License in West Virginia page for more information.

To check the status of your West Virginia driver's license, visit our page about WV Driving Records.

Lost Driver's License

You'll need to bring your WV driver's license with you when you renew in person. If you misplaced your driver's license, you may apply for a replacement license online or in person at your local WV DMV office. If you need to replace a  REAL ID/For Federal Use card you will need to replace your license in person and there will be an additional $10 fee.

Read our guide to Replacing a Lost License in West Virginia to learn how to obtain a duplicate copy of your WV driver's license before your renewal.

Renewing a West Virginia Driver's License

Military personnel: Please refer to the “Military Out-of-State Renewals in West Virginia" section below.

Renew your WV driver's license online.

You can also renew your WV driver's license in person at your local West Virginia DMV office. The WV DMV does NOT accept appointments for driver's license renewals.

NOTE: If you're temporarily outside of West Virginia and need to renew your WV driver's license, you should contact the WV DMV at (800) 642-9066 to find out if you're eligible to renew while out of state.

To renew, you will need:

  • A completed Application for a Driver's License or Photo ID Card (Form DMV-DS-23P).
  • 1 document proving your identity, such as your:
    • U.S. birth certificate (original or certified copy).
    • Valid U.S. passport.
    • Certificate of Naturalization issued by the DHS.
  • 1 document to prove your Social Security number (SSN), such as your:
    • Social Security card.
    • Original W-2 form.
      • You may use the same W-2 form to prove your residency if no more than 18 months old.
    • 1099 form with your SSN and name.
  • 2 documents to prove your residency (must not be more than 60 days old), such as your:
  • Utility bill.
  • Valid WV voter registration.
  • Lease agreement.
  • WV vehicle registration card.
  • WV bank statement.
  • W2 form.
  • Payment for the renewal fee (see “Fees to Renew Your WV Driver's License" below).

The WV DMV provides a complete list of identification documents.

NOTE: If the WV DMV already has your scanned documents on file (and you have not changed your address or name), you must only bring 2 documents to prove your residency in West Virginia.

REAL ID-Compliant Driver's License

The WV DMV complies with the REAL ID act in order to meet federal requirements. To become Real ID compliant, you must bring a series of identification documents to your local WV DMV driver license office when you go to renew your WV driver's license.

When you visit the WV DMV in person to renew your WV driver's license, you will have the option to obtain a card for “Federal Identification Use" or “Not for Federal Identification Use."

If you choose to receive a driver's license for “ Federal Identification Use," you will receive a temporary card valid for 60 days to use until your federal-use WV driver's license arrives within 15 business days. Your card will show a gold star on the face of the card.

NOTE: All proof of identification documents you submit will be scanned and returned before you leave your local WV DMV office.

Non-U.S. Citizens

If you're a non-U.S. citizen and would like to renew your WV driver's license, you must visit your local WV DMV office and provide the following acceptable documents in addition to the above:

  • 1 document to prove your legal U.S. presence, such as your:
    • INS form I-551 Alien Registration receipt card.
    • I-551 stamp on your foreign passport or I-94 card/number.
    • Re-entries permit I-327.
  • 2 documents to prove your WV residency, such as your:
    • Utility bill.
    • Valid WV registration card.
    • Lease agreement.

Organ Donation

When you renew your WV driver's license, you have the option to check “ Yes" and register to be an organ donor in the West Virginia Donor Registry.

This simple designation on your WV driver's license can help save lives in the future.

DMV.ORG Tip: Save a Life - Become an Organ Donor Today

Did you know a single organ donor could save up to 8 lives? CLICK HERE to become an organ donor TODAY!

Out-of-State Military Member Renewals

Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany

If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.

If you're in the Armed Forces and stationed outside of West Virginia, you can renew your WV driver's license up to 6 months after you're honorably discharged.

On occasion, the West Virginia DMV may renew your driver's license if you're temporarily located outside of West Virginia. You will only receive a certified driving record (in lieu of a new WV driver's license) showing the renewal date, and you will need to apply for an updated card when you return to the state.

For more information about renewing your WV driver's license while out of state, call (800) 642-9066.

Fees to Renew Your WV Driver's License

If you haven't been phased into the WV DMV's “Drive for Five" program already, you will be once you renew your WV driver's license.

If you're 21 years old or older, your WV driver's license renewal fee will differ depending on the second digit of your age when your driver's license expires. If you aren't part of the "Drive for Five" program yet your fees will be calculated by the base of $5.00 per year. This is the same formula for those in the "Drive for Five" program.

Accepted Payment Methods

Contact your local WV DMV driver license office for more information about accepted payment methods.

Forms

DMV-DS-23P
Application for a Drivers License or Photo ID Card
West Virginia DMV application for an original, duplicate, OR renewed learner's permit, driver's license, motorcycle license, OR state identification card.
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