IN
Getting a West Virginia instruction permit starts the supervised-driving stage. The next steps depend on age: an applicant under 18 works toward a Level 2 Intermediate License, while a first-time adult applicant works toward the regular Class E road skills test and license.
After receiving your WV instruction permit, focus on the requirements that apply to your age and licensing path.
The teen GDL path and the first-time adult Class E path are different.
| Requirement | Teen Drivers (Under 18) | First-Time Adults (18+) |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Hold Period | Level 1 held at least 180 days, with no convictions during the immediately preceding 180 days | Instruction permit held at least 30 days before the road skills test |
| Practice / Driver Education | 50 supervised hours including at least 10 nighttime hours, or an approved Driver Education Certificate | No state 50-hour practice requirement |
| Road Skills Test | Required for progression to Level 2 Intermediate | Required for the regular Class E license path |
For the detailed holding-period rules, use the Waiting Period page. For the practice-hour rules, use the Required Practice Hours page.
An applicant under 18 who meets the Level 2 requirements and passes the road skills test progresses to the Level 2 Intermediate Driver's License. Passing the road test does not move a teen directly to the unrestricted Level 3 license.
No. The 50-hour supervised-driving requirement is part of the under-18 Level 2 GDL path when an approved driver-education course is not used. A first-time applicant age 18 or older does not have that 50-hour requirement, but must generally hold the instruction permit for at least 30 days before the road skills test.
Use the current WV DMV location and scheduling information once you are eligible. Skills-test availability and booking rules can vary by office, so confirm the location before traveling.
Keep the detailed office-selection rules on the Road Test Location Choice page and the document checklist on the Road Test Documents page.
Common delays come from testing before the required holding period is complete, missing the applicable practice or driver-education requirement, an expired permit, or incomplete road-test paperwork.
For applicants under 18, Level 2 eligibility requires the Level 1 permit to be conviction-free for the immediately preceding 180 days. A qualifying out-of-state notarization can be recognized in West Virginia; it is not automatically rejected simply because the notary is commissioned in another state.
Check the Waiting Period, Required Practice Hours, and Road Test Documents pages before booking so each requirement is handled by its dedicated guide.
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