West Virginia Driver's Handbook

Browse the full West Virginia Driver's Handbook. Find the rules and regulations tested by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.

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LICENSING HANDBOOKLICENSING HANDBOOKPDF page 1
Other Important Telephone Numbers (Area Code 304)PDF page 2
WHERE TO TEST OR APPLY FOR A DRIVER’S LICENSEPDF page 2
Regional Office LocationsPDF page 3
FOREWORDPDF page 4
Driver ResponsibilitiesPDF page 6
Driver’s License InformationPDF page 5
Driving Under The InfluencePDF page 6
Examination Procedures And RequirementsPDF page 6
Driving On InterstatesPDF page 8
Traffic Control DevicesPDF page 7
Traffic Laws And Rules Of The RoadPDF page 7
Defensive DrivingPDF page 8
Emergency SituationsPDF page 8
DEFINITIONSPDF page 10
Licensing RequirementsPDF page 11
Who Can Be Denied a Driver’s License?PDF page 11
Who is Exempt?PDF page 11
CHAPTER IPDF page 13
Original Wage and Tax Statement (W-2)PDF page 13
Proof Documents Required to Obtain a Driver’s LicensePDF page 13
Valid U.S. Passport or Passport CardPDF page 13
ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF LEGAL NAME CHANGE DOCUMENTSPDF page 14
ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF WEST VIRGINIA RESIDENCYPDF page 14
Eligibility Certificate. See the section on School DriverPDF page 15
WV School Driver Eligibility Certificate (School En‑PDF page 14
WV Weapons PermitWV Professional LicensePDF page 14
Home Schooled Eligibility StatementPDF page 16
National Driver Registry: Problem Driver Point System (PDPS)PDF page 15
School Driver Eligibility CertificatePDF page 15
First-Time ApplicantPDF page 16
In-State Change of AddressPDF page 16
New ResidentPDF page 16
Driver’s License Color-CodingPDF page 17
Duplicate Driver’s LicensePDF page 17
Expired Driver’s LicensePDF page 17
Identification Use”PDF page 17
ImmigrantsPDF page 17
Non-ImmigrantsPDF page 18
RefugeesPDF page 19
Level 1 GDL Instruction PermitPDF page 21
Department of EducationPDF page 21
Level 2 GDL Intermediate Driver’s LicensePDF page 22
Drive for FivePDF page 23
Driver’s License RestrictionsPDF page 22
DRIVER’S LICENSE RESTRICTIONSPDF page 22
Out-of-state Transfers for Applicants Under 18 Years of AgePDF page 22
Carry Your Driver’s LicensePDF page 23
Diabetic, Deaf, or Hard of Hearing DesignationsPDF page 23
Motorcycle Instruction PermitPDF page 23
Organ Donor DesignationPDF page 23
U.S. Selective ServicePDF page 23
Veterans DesignationPDF page 23
Motorcycle Endorsement (F Endorsement)PDF page 24
Motorcycle Rider Training CoursesPDF page 24
Motorcycle-Only Driver’s License (Class F License)PDF page 24
DOCUMENTS TO KEEP IN YOUR VEHICLEPDF page 25
DRIVER’S LICENSE FEESPDF page 25
INSTRUCTION PERMITPDF page 25
Minimum AgeType of LicenseFeeExpired FeeTest FeePDF page 25
Compulsory InsurancePDF page 26
CrashesPDF page 26
Division of Motor Vehicles, Medical SectionPDF page 26
How to Refer an Unsafe DriverPDF page 26
Re-examination of DriversPDF page 26
School Attendance for MinorsPDF page 26
CHAPTER IIPDF page 28
Driving in Other StatesPDF page 28
Failure to Comply with In-State CitationsPDF page 28
Fraudulent Use of Driver’s LicensesPDF page 28
Point SystemPDF page 28
DMV Online ServicesPDF page 29
Driving While a Driver’s License Is Revoked or SuspendedPDF page 29
Mandatory Driver’s License RevocationPDF page 29
DRIVING IMPAIRED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCEPDF page 30
Failure to Maintain Control of Vehicle3PDF page 30
Improper Backing2PDF page 30
Speeding 20mph or More Over the Speed Limit6PDF page 30
Designated DriverPDF page 31
DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!PDF page 31
Knowing Your LimitsPDF page 31
Other DrugsPDF page 31
Under Age Drinking and DrivingPDF page 31
Implied Consent and the Chemical TestPDF page 32
Penalties for Driving Under the InfluencePDF page 32
REVOCATION PERIODPDF page 32
DROWSY DRIVING IS IMPAIRED DRIVINGPDF page 33
How Does a DUI Affect Your Driving Privileges?PDF page 33
How to Prevent Drowsy DrivingPDF page 33
Signs That Another Driver May Be DrowsyPDF page 33
Signs That You are Drowsy While DrivingPDF page 33
A Message From Your ExaminersPDF page 34
DUI Awareness CardsPDF page 34
Knowledge ExaminationPDF page 34
Vision ScreeningPDF page 34
Illegal EquipmentPDF page 35
Vehicle CheckPDF page 35
Basic Vehicle Control Skills TestPDF page 36
Tail LightsPDF page 36
Valid Vehicle State Inspection StickerPDF page 36
Your Driving ExaminationPDF page 36
Left Side or Right Side Parallel ParkingPDF page 37
ScoringPDF page 37
Forward Two-Point and Reverse Two-Point TurnaboutPDF page 38
Road TestPDF page 38
Three-Point TurnaboutPDF page 38
IntersectionsPDF page 39
TurnsPDF page 39
CurvesPDF page 40
General DrivingPDF page 41
Lane ChangesPDF page 40
Urban Area DrivingPDF page 40
Road Skills Test Automatic FailuresPDF page 41
All Items Must Function Proper lyPDF page 42
Attempt SCOREPDF page 42
DMV-DT-1PDF page 42
ADDITIONAL SCORING (Document): AUTOMATIC FAILURESPDF page 43
Approach Approach Stop ThroughPDF page 43
PARKING (Non-Parallel) Traffic Check Traffic CheckPDF page 43
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICESPDF page 43
OctagonPDF page 44
PentagonPDF page 44
CHAPTER VPDF page 46
Channeling DevicesPDF page 47
Construction and Maintenance Signs and DevicesPDF page 47
Flashing Arrow PanelsPDF page 47
Guide SignsPDF page 48
Railroad Crossing Signs and SignalsPDF page 48
Traffic LightsPDF page 49
Intersection FlashersPDF page 50
Red X: The lane isPDF page 50
Pavement MarkingsPDF page 51
Basic Speed LawPDF page 52
Speed LimitsPDF page 52
Driving SignalsPDF page 53
Driving SlowlyPDF page 53
SLOW or STOPRIGHT TURNLEFT TURNPDF page 53
Turning ManeuversPDF page 53
Changing DirectionPDF page 54
Backing UpPDF page 55
Parking ManeuversPDF page 55
Prohibited Parking (§17C-13-3, W. Va. State Code)PDF page 55
Angle Parking (§17C-13-4, W. Va. State Code)PDF page 56
Metered ParkingPDF page 56
Parking on HillsPDF page 56
Following DistancePDF page 57
Parallel Parking (§17C-13-4, W. Va. State Code)PDF page 57
Changing LanesPDF page 58
PassingPDF page 59
Right-of-WayPDF page 59
School Bus RulesPDF page 60
Sharing the Road with PedestriansPDF page 60
Headlights and Their UsePDF page 61
Sharing the Road with MotorcyclesPDF page 62
TailgatingPDF page 61
Sharing the Road with Heavy TrucksPDF page 62
Sharing the Road with Slow VehiclesPDF page 62
Safety DOsPDF page 63
Sharing the Road with Animal RidersPDF page 63
Sharing the Road with BicyclesPDF page 63
TRUCK SAFETYPDF page 63
Children at PlayPDF page 64
Sharing the Road with Public BusesPDF page 64
Notice on ADA Compliance and GrievancesPDF page 65
Parking for the Mobility ImpairedPDF page 65
WV DMV ADA CoordinatorPDF page 66
DRIVING ON INTERSTATESPDF page 67
Entering an InterstatePDF page 68
Planning AheadPDF page 67
Route Numbering and NavigationPDF page 67
Adverse ConditionsPDF page 69
Exit LanesPDF page 69
Speeds on InterstatesPDF page 69
Stopping on an InterstatePDF page 69
Construction ZonesPDF page 70
SIMPLE SAFETY RULEPDF page 70
Arrogance and AggressivenessPDF page 71
DEFENSIVE DRIVINGPDF page 71
ImpatiencePDF page 71
InattentionPDF page 71
LazinessPDF page 71
ConcentrationPDF page 72
Light ConditionsPDF page 72
FloodingPDF page 73
RainPDF page 73
Snow and SleetPDF page 74
Fog and SmokePDF page 74
Vehicle Conditions (State Inspection Law)PDF page 74
FatiguePDF page 75
Traffic ConditionsPDF page 75
Traffic SituationsPDF page 77
Safety EquipmentPDF page 78
Risk Reduction for Infants and ToddlersPDF page 78
EIGHT SIMPLE STEPS TO SAFE AND HAPPY DRIVINGPDF page 79
BlowoutsPDF page 80
What to Check Before DrivingPDF page 80
Brake FailurePDF page 81
Overheating EnginePDF page 81
SkidsPDF page 81
Wheels Off the RoadPDF page 81
Dead BatteryPDF page 82
Fire in VehiclePDF page 82
Headlights FailPDF page 82
Stalling on Railroad TracksPDF page 82
Steering FailsPDF page 82
Automobile Emergency Kit & First Aid KitPDF page 83
Critical Prescription MedicationsHand SanitizerPDF page 83
First AidPDF page 83
If You are Involved In A CrashPDF page 84
IMPORTANT CRASH RULEPDF page 85
OUT OF WORK ZONESPDF page 85
Change Lanes SafelyPDF page 86
Stay Alert and Minimize DistractionPDF page 86
JustDriveWV.comPDF page 87
YOUR VEHICLE WASTE!PDF page 88