In West Virginia, you must be at least 15 years of age to obtain an Instruction Permit

• If you are 18 or older and have never obtained a driver's license (Level 2 or comparable), you must obtain a regular Class E Instruction Permit
• When you have completed the application and presented the appropriate documents as a first-time applicant, you will be allowed to take the vision screening and knowledge test
• When you pass the vision and knowledge tests, you will be issued a regular Class E Instruction Permit
• The instruction Permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver 21 or older occupies the front seat with you. The Instruction Permit will be valid for a period of 90 days
• It can be renewed one time within the valid period of 90 days. After an Instruction Permit is renewed one time, you must retake both the vision screening and written tests to obtain another Instruction Permit
• If you have never been licensed at a Level 2 or comparable, you must maintain the Instruction Permit for at least 30 days before you are eligible for the road skill test

Level 1 – Knowledge Test to Obtain an instruction permit

• Allows you to operate a motor vehicle in order to learn to drive
• Take a knowledge test
• Be at least 15 years old and less than 18 years old
• If you are under the age of 18, a parent, single parent having custody, or legal guardian must sign your application, before you can be tested. You must also have a current school eligibility form

Restrictions for Level 1:

• Must have a licensed driver 21 or over in front seat
• May only drive between the hours of 5:00 am and 10:00 pm
• All occupants must use safety belts in accordance with state law
• Zero alcohol tolerance
• May only have two additional non-family member passengers in addition to supervising adult
• No cell phone usage/texting while operating a vehicle. You may be stopped by law enforcement as a primary offense

Level 2 – Intermediate Driver's License

Requirements:

• Take a road skills test
• Be at least 16 years of age
• Held a Level I permit for 6 months
• Must be infraction free for 6 months immediately preceding date of application for Level II
• Must have 50 hours of driving practice, including 10 hours at night, with certification form completed, and certified by parent or legal guardian or Driver Education Card

Restrictions for Level 2:

• May not operate a motor vehicle during first six months of Level II status with any non-family member passengers under the age of 20. May not operate a motor vehicle with more than one (1) non-family member under the age of 20 as a passenger during the second six months of Level II
• May drive without supervising adult between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm
• Must be accompanied by a supervising adult driver between the hours of 10:00 pm and 5:00 am EXCEPT when the licensee is participating in or returning from certain events
• All occupants must use safety belts in accordance with state law
• Zero alcohol tolerance
• No cell phone usage/texting while operating a vehicle

Level 3 – Full Class E License Fee

Requirements:

• Must have at least 1 year with Level II
• Must be infraction free for 1 year (excludes headlamp violation and improper backing violation)
• Must be at least 17 years of age
• Expiration date: 21st birthday with 30 day grace period

Restrictions for Level 3:

• Points will now be applied for any tickets received
• Zero alcohol tolerance
• All occupants must use safety belts in accordance with state law

The required documents can be found here:

https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV/Drivers/Pages/Drivers-Licenses.aspx

You must pass a knowledge test consisting of 25 multiple-choice questions based on the West Virginia Drivers Manual. A score of 76% is required to pass. To pass you must get 19 out of 25 questions correct

Schedule your road test appointment here: https://apps.wv.gov/Appt/DMV

• The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) main phone number is 1-304-558-3900
• Toll-Free: 1-800-642-9066 (West Virginia Residents Only)

The email address for the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is Dot.DMVCommissioner@wv.gov

• The Website for the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is: https://transportation.wv.gov/dmv/Pages/default.aspx
• The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Driver’s License services page is: https://apps.wv.gov/dmv/selfservice
• The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) online services page is: https://apps.wv.gov/dmv/selfservice
• West Virginia DMV Driver’s License appointments can be made online here: https://apps.wv.gov/Appt/DMV

West Virginia DMV hours and locations and branch phone numbers can be found here: https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV/locations/Pages/default.aspx

If you are under the age of 18, a parent, single parent having custody or legal guardian must sign your application before you can be tested. You must also have a current school eligibility form

A vision test is required to obtain a West Virginia Instruction Permit and Driver’s License

A physical exam is not required to obtain a West Virginia Instruction Permit or Driver’s License

A photograph will be taken at the West Virginia DMV office

• Hold your permit for at least 6 months
• Get 50 hours of driving practice, including 10 hours at night or Driver Education Card