WV DMV Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield WV DMV facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What happens to your WV vehicle registration if your insurance lapses? → Registration may be suspended
2. A West Virginia driver with a medical condition that may affect safe driving must notify the DMV within how many days of being diagnosed? → 30 days
3. To obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in West Virginia, the applicant must be at least: → 21 years old for interstate and 18 for intrastate
4. West Virginia requires a vehicle safety inspection how often? → Annually (every 12 months)
5. What is the recommended following distance under normal conditions in West Virginia? → At least 3 seconds
6. In West Virginia, a 'rebuilt' title is issued when a salvage vehicle has been repaired and passes which requirement? → A DMV salvage inspection
7. What is required to register a vehicle in West Virginia? → Proof of ownership, proof of insurance, and payment of applicable fees
8. What does a flashing yellow signal indicate at an intersection in West Virginia? → Proceed with caution
9. In West Virginia, what is the minimum age to apply for a Class E (standard) driver's license? → 16
10. At what age can a teenager first obtain a learner's permit in West Virginia? → 15
11. In West Virginia, when must you turn on your headlights? → From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is reduced
12. What is the minimum age requirement to take the driving skills test for a standard driver’s license in West Virginia? → 16 years old
13. What must you do when changing your address in West Virginia? → Notify the DMV within the required timeframe, typically 10-30 days
14. When merging onto a West Virginia highway, what is the correct technique? → Use the acceleration lane to match highway speed, then merge smoothly
15. A West Virginia resident who becomes a U.S. citizen and holds a valid foreign driver's license must: → Take both knowledge and skills tests
16. How often are vehicles required to pass a safety inspection in West Virginia? → Annually (once per year)
17. A WV driver's license is considered expired and requires a new knowledge test if it has been expired for more than: → 2 years
18. What does a red octagonal sign require drivers to do in West Virginia? → Come to a complete stop
19. If you sell your WV-registered vehicle and do NOT purchase a replacement, what should you do with your license plates? → Return them to the DMV for a credit
20. What should you do if your brakes fail while driving in West Virginia? → Shift to a lower gear, pump the brakes, use the parking brake, and look for a safe area
21. What should you do if your vehicle begins to hydroplane on a wet West Virginia road? → Ease off the gas and steer straight without braking hard
22. What happens to a West Virginia driver's license points if the driver completes an approved defensive driving course? → Up to 3 points are removed
23. How can you check the status of your driver’s license application or renewal online? → By visiting the West Virginia DMV website
24. In West Virginia, how long do you have to register a newly purchased vehicle? → 30 days
25. A WV resident purchases a used vehicle from a private seller. What must the seller provide to transfer the title? → A signed and notarized title assignment
26. Where can you find information about the nearest DMV office in West Virginia? → West Virginia DMV website
27. In West Virginia's graduated driver licensing (GDL) program, what restriction applies to a Level 2 (Intermediate) license holder during the first 6 months? → Only one non-family passenger under 18
28. In West Virginia, what documents are needed to transfer a vehicle title? → Properly signed title, odometer disclosure, and payment of applicable fees and taxes
29. How many supervised driving hours are required before a West Virginia teen can advance from a Level 1 (Learner's Permit) to a Level 2 license? → 50 hours
30. In WV, what is a 'bonded title' used for? → To register a vehicle when the original title is missing or in dispute