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West Virginia Commercial Driver's Instruction Permit

A West Virginia commercial driver's instruction permit (CDL instruction permit) may be issued to an applicant who holds a valid West Virginia operator's or class D license who has passed the vision and/or physical standards, and knowledge tests required for issuance of a West Virginia CDL.

The West Virginia CDL instruction permit may not be issued for a period to exceed 180 days. Only 1 renewal on re-issuance may be granted within a 2 year period from issue date. In the event the applicant has been issued 2 West Virginia CDL instruction permits, before the applicant may obtain an additional West Virginia CDL instruction permit he/she must reapply and re-test on all parts of the knowledge exam.

The holder of a West Virginia CDL instruction permit may drive a commercial motor vehicle on the highway only when accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license valid for the type of vehicle who occupies a seat beside the individual for the purpose of giving instruction or testing. The permit must be valid for the type of vehicle being driven also.

A West Virginia CDL instruction permit may only be issued to an applicant who is at least 18 years of age and has held an operator or junior operator license for at least 2 years.

Upon completion of all tests, the person will receive a West Virginia CDL instruction permit. When operating a commercial vehicle you must have your West Virginia CDL instruction permit and regular operator's license.

Applicants must hold a West Virginia CDL instruction permit for a minimum of 14 days before they are eligible to take the road skills test. Applicants whom are ready to take the road skills test must contact a Third-Party Examiner to schedule an appointment.

West Virginia CDL Age & Fitness Requirements

You must be at least 18 years of age and have at least 2 years driving experience to qualify for a West Virginia CDL or West Virginia CDL instruction permit. Federal Motor Carrier Rules requires that drivers subject to those rules meet specific physical qualification standards and carry evidence of such qualification in the form of a medical certificate.

All drivers who operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in NON-EXCEPTED INTERSTATE (NI) commerce are subject to having a DOT physical completed by a certified medical examiner listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's National Registry web site, located at: https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov.

School bus drivers or applicants who work for a city, state, or federal government agency, in which a CDL is required for their employment, are considered operating in EXCEPTED INTRASTATE or EXCEPTED INTERSTATE and are exempt from meeting the FMCSA requirements. School bus drivers will be required to present their current School Bus Certification card. Applicants who work for a city, county, state, or federal government agency must provide written verification, on agency letterhead, verifying employment with their city, state, or federal government agency.

If you cannot be medically certified, you may be eligible for a medical waiver.

If you wish to be able to operate a commercial motor vehicle interstate (all 50 states) you must apply and be granted a waiver from the Federal Highway Administration. Contact (304) 347-5935 for further information.

If you wish to operate a commercial motor vehicle in WV only, please call (304) 926-3801 for information on obtaining a medical waiver.

How To Apply for a West Virginia CDL (commercial driver's license)

• Visit your West Virginia DMV office to see all required documentation for all first time, duplicate, and renewal license applicants.
• Complete in full, front and back, of the Application for West Virginia Commercial Driver's License and/or Endorsements (CDL-1).
• Submit a copy of your current DOT Medical/physical certification (Long Form Physical) and DOT Medical card (valid for 30 days or more), or for city, county, state, or federal government agency employees a verification of employment on agency letterhead.
• Pay Applicable Fees: CDL testing fee is $25.00 + driver's licensing fees. The West Virginia CDL testing fee allows testing for general knowledge, air brakes and combination. West Virginia Commercial Driver's Licenses fees are non-refundable. Endorsement fees are $10.00 each at the time of application.
• Submit the application, a copy of your current DOT Medical/physical certification (Long Form Physical), DOT Medical card or for city, state, or federal government agency employees a verification of employment on agency letterhead, and required fees to DMV, PO Box 17010, Charleston WV 25317 or deliver in person at the West Virginia DMV Driver Services window, adjacent to the Kanawha City Regional Office, at 5707 MacCorkle Ave, SE in Kanawha City (Charleston) WV.
• Upon receipt of the application and fees, a test card will be mailed to the applicant which will include the regional CDL testing sites.
• Once all tests are successfully completed a West Virginia CDL instruction permit will be issued. The permit will be for a period of 180 days and can only be renewed one time. When the applicant is ready to take the road skills test, they should contact one of the third party examiners (names and telephone numbers in front of the CDL manual) to schedule an appointment. Most skills tests are given on weekends and evenings. The cost of the skills test is $90.00 which should be paid to the Third Party Examiner at the time of the test. The applicant must provide the vehicle in which the test will be given. The vehicle must be representative of the class of license for which the applicant is testing.
• Upon completion of the skills test, the applicant should submit the passed form to one of the West Virginia DMV offices or the Driver Exam Center for processing. The applicant will receive a West Virginia CDL license at this time.

West Virginia CDL Skills Test

Applicants must hold a West Virginia CDL instruction permit for a minimum of 14 days before they are eligible to take the West Virginia CDL Road Skills Test. The skills tests are administered by certified third party examiners trained. The road skills test will not be given until you have passed all other parts of the examination and have in your possession a commercial driver's license instruction permit for the type of vehicle for which you are testing. Each section of the skills test (pre-trip, basic control and road test) must be passed.

The examiner cannot give the skills test unless your vehicle is in safe condition and legally equipped. Your vehicle must first be checked to make sure it complies with registration, vehicle inspection and equipment laws.

West Virginia CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the West Virginia Knowledge Tests that are required for the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained in the FREE West Virginia CDL Handbook. Please read and study this manual carefully.

• Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
• Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
• Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air brakes vehicles..
• Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
• School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
• Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.

• FREE WEST VIRGINIA CDL HANDBOOK - WV CDL MANUAL

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