WV Practice Permit Test

The West Virginia Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program (GDL) requires teens to go through the stages to earn their full, unrestricted license. The program is designed to reduce the risk that is associated with first-time teen drivers. Here are the stages and age requirements:

• Learner’s Permit – 15 years old
• Provisional License – 16 years old
• Unrestricted Driver’s License – 17 years old

• Proof of school enrollment
• Proof of identity and legal presence – here are acceptable documents
• Form DMV-DS-23P – Application for Driver’s License
• $5 for permit fee

You can apply in person at a West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regional office.

Visit https://transportation.wv.gov/dmv/pages/dmv-now.aspx for office locations, hours and contact information.

No, West Virginia does not require drivers to take a driver’s ed course.

You have 30 days to transfer your out-of-state license to West Virginia. To do that, visit a local DMV office with proper identification.

The written test has at least 25 questions based on the basic information, traffic rules, regulations, signs and markings found in the West Virginia Driver’s Licensing Handbook. Here are two examples of content from the manual that you could be asked questions about on the written test:

• A right side up triangular sign with a reflective red border and fluorescent orange center identifies a slow moving vehicle or a vehicle which has made an emergency stop.
• Broken yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. If this marking is on your side of the road, you may pass when it is safe.

The test is multiple choice.

No, questions are not designed to trick you but rather verify that you possess the knowledge necessary to drive safely. All questions are taken from the content found in the West Virginia Driver’s Licensing Handbook.

There are 25 questions on the test and you must answer at least 19 of them correctly to pass.

Studying the Driver’s Manual and then testing your knowledge using online practice tests has proven to be a very effective method. If you choose this approach, carefully look at your practice test results so that you can identify weak areas and adjust your manual study efforts to strengthen those weak areas.

We offer free manuals here on this website.

Carefully study the West Virginia Driver’s Licensing Handbook. Be sure to pay close attention to measurements, lengths and distances. Also, be sure to memorize road signs and to study the Driving Under the Influence section.

Assuming you have been studying regularly for quite some time, it is a good idea on the night before the test to do a review of the handbook and to take a practice test to confirm your knowledge. Then be sure to get plenty of rest so that you are ready for the test.

Contact your local DMV office to see if they accept appointments. If they do, it is usually a good idea to schedule one.

You will take the test at a local DMV office.

• Proof of school enrollment
• Proof of identity and legal presence – here are acceptable documents
• Form DMV-DS-23P – Application for Driver’s License
• $5 for permit fee

You should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Yes, you will need to pay a $5 fee.

The written test contains 25 questions and you will need to answer at least 19 correctly to pass. The test is automated and timed so it might be a good idea to skip over hard questions and come back to them at the end. When taking the test you cannot use your cellphone or get help from anyone.

You will receive your Learner’s Permit and can begin supervised driving practice. You need to complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice, with at least 10 of those hours coming at night.

You will be allowed to retake the test.

You will have to wait at least one week to retake the test.

You can now begin supervised driving practice with a licensed driver age 21 or over. You need to complete 50 total hours of driving practice with at least 10 of those hours coming at night.

In order to apply for a license, you must hold your Learner’s Permit for six months, you must be 16 years old and you must complete the 50 hours of driving practice.

Yes, as long as you are accompanied by a supervising driver age 21 or over, you can drive on any West Virginia public road or street.

No, you are required to complete at least 10 of your 50 supervised driving practice hours at night.

Yes, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or over.

Visit your local DMV regional office with proper identification.

Be sure to log quality driving practice, which means paying attention to safe driving practices and following the suggestions of your supervising driver. You should practice both various maneuvers as well as driving safely in traffic.

Yes, you should practice backing up; turns, including three-point turns; quick stops; accelerating smoothly; parking, including parallel parking and parking on a hill; and more.

In addition to practicing maneuvers, such as parking, stopping and turning, be sure to practice driving safely in traffic. That means using safe driving principles such as following at a safe distance, signaling for turns and lane changes and coming to a full stop when stopping.

Contact your local DMV regional office.

You will take the test at a local DMV regional office.

• Learner’s Permit
• 50-Hour Driving Practice Certification Log
• Proof of school enrollment
• $5 for Intermediate Driver’s License Fee

A licensed parent or legal guardian should bring you.

The test will include a course of reasonable length that includes, if possible, a moderate grade, a right and left turn and a stop sign or traffic light. During the test you may be asked to parallel park and to complete a two-point turnabout and a three-point turnabout, among other things.

Any of the following are grounds for automatic failure: scoring excessive points during the public road test; not using your safety belt; receiving a traffic citation; disobeying signs or signals; speeding; failing to yield to pedestrians or other roadway users; and causing an avoidable crash.

• Not listening to the examiner
• Exceeding the posted speed limit
• Failing to signal when turning
• Following too closely
• Failing to yield the right of way when appropriate

You must wait one week to retake it.

After two failed attempts, you may be charged a testing fee for your third attempt.

You will receive your West Virginia Provisional License.

• You cannot drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a supervising driver
• For first 6 months – no passengers under 20 except immediate family members
• For second 6 months – no more than one passenger under 20 who is not an immediate family member

You are eligible for an unrestricted license when you turn 17, have held your provisional license for one year and have had no traffic violations for one year.

West Virginia requires all registered vehicles to be insured. Minimum coverage requirements are:

• Bodily injury liability – $20,000/$40,000
• Property damage liability – $10,000
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury – $20,000/$40,000
• Uninsured motorist property damage – $10,000

Failure to comply with the state’s mandatory insurance law can result in stiff fines.

You should receive a renewal notice from the WV DMV approximately 90 days before the expiration date. You must renew your license in person at a DMV regional office. You can renew it up to six months after its expiration date without having to retake the written or road tests.

You can replace a lost or stolen license online or in person at a DMV regional office.

You can renew your license online or in person at a DMV regional office.

Yes, you must pass a vision test when renewing your license. To pass the test, you need to see 20/40 or better using both eyes, either with or without conventional corrective lenses. If you are able to do that, and you show no serious visual defect, you will pass the vision screening. Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision may also be checked.