How licensing works in West Virginia
West Virginia's graduated driver licensing (GDL) system has three levels. You move up only by staying conviction-free.
| Level | Minimum age | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1: Instruction permit | 15 | Licensed driver 21+ in the right front seat. Drive 5 a.m.–10 p.m. only. Up to two non-family passengers |
| Level 2: Intermediate license | 16 | 180 conviction-free days at Level 1. 50 logged hours (10 at night) or driver education. Alone 5 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Level 3: Full license | 17 | 12 months conviction-free at Level 2 |
Staying conviction-free
- A conviction at Level 1 restarts your six-month conviction-free period.
- Two convictions revoke a Level 1 permit for 90 days.
- A cell phone ticket also restarts the conviction-free period.
Level 2 limits
From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., a licensed adult 21 or older must be with you, except for work, school, religious activities or emergencies. For the first six months, you may carry no non-family passengers under 20. For the next six months, one.
The West Virginia knowledge test
To get your Level 1 permit, you pass a knowledge test on West Virginia traffic laws, safe driving and road signs, plus a vision test. You need at least 20/40 vision in one eye.
If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must give consent on form DMV-DS-23P. Married minors can show a certified marriage certificate instead. A fee is charged for each knowledge test attempt.
When you get your license, its color shows your age group: red for ages 15–17 and blue for ages 18–20. At 21 and older, the card is horizontal.
Rules specific to West Virginia
Phones
All drivers may use phones and other electronic devices only hands-free. Drivers under 18 may not use a wireless device at all, except to call 911. First and second offenses bring fines with no points. A third offense also adds three points.
Alcohol
- Level 1 and Level 2 drivers: zero tolerance, with no measurable alcohol at all.
- All drivers under 21: illegal at 0.02% or more.
- Drivers 21 and over: illegal at 0.08% or more.
- Refusing a chemical test after a DUI charge: suspension of at least one year.
Points
At 6 points, the DMV sends a letter of caution. At 12 points, your license can be suspended. Points stay on your record for two years. An approved 8-hour defensive driving class removes 3 points, once every 12 months.
Paperwork
- Under Drive for Five, your license expires in years when your age is divisible by five.
- Report an address change in writing within 20 days.
- Report a crash with injury, death or more than $1,000 in damage within 5 days.
- Show your license to police, a magistrate or DMV officials when asked.
Making the most of your practice
Your supervised hours are where you really learn to drive. Plan them instead of leaving them to chance, and ask your supervisor to give you calm, clear feedback after each trip.
- Start in an empty parking lot to learn steering, braking, turning and backing.
- Move on to quiet streets, then busier roads, multi-lane roads and highways.
- Practice at night and in rain, so your first night drive alone is not your first night drive ever.
- Work on the skills a road test checks: full stops, lane changes, turns, parking and backing.
- Say out loud what you see: signs, hazards, and what other road users might do next.
In West Virginia, you need 50 hours, including 10 at night, unless you take approved driver education. Write down each drive right after it ends, with the date, the time and the conditions, so your log is complete when you apply.
On test day
- Check the official website the day before for documents, hours and any appointment rules.
- Bring every document on the official list, in the form the office asks for.
- Get a good night's sleep and arrive early, so you are not rushed.
- Read each question twice. Watch for words like always, never, only and except.
- If you are not sure, rule out the answers you know are wrong, then choose the safest one.
Test tips
- Learn the key numbers: 15, 16, 17, 21, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., 180 days, 50 hours, 10 at night, 20, 90 days, 12 points.
- Know which rules apply at Level 1 and which at Level 2.
- Study road signs by shape and color.
- Read every option before choosing.
Next: the general rules of the road
This guide covers West Virginia's own rules. The knowledge test also covers right-of-way, turns, passing, parking and road signs. Study those in our national US driving study guide, then take the full practice tests.