West Virginia · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
West Virginia CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, West Virginia issues CDLs through the WV Division of Motor Vehicles (Department of Transportation). Applicants must be at least 18 (under-21 drivers get a 'K' intrastate-only restriction; 21 for interstate), have at least one year of driving experience on a valid operator's license, pay $25 for CDL knowledge testing plus $7.50 for the instruction permit, hold the permit at least 14 days, then pass the $100 road skills test. The Class A/B/C license itself costs $26.25-$61.25 depending on how many years it is issued for, since all WV licenses expire on the holder's date of birth.
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in West Virginia?
West Virginia licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Federal layer: ELDT since Feb 2022 for new Class A/B and H/P/S endorsement applicants; DOT medical certificate; endorsements H/N/T/P/S. West Virginia specifics: endorsements are $10 each plus a $7.50 duplicate-license fee when added to an existing CDL; license update (class change) $7.50; WV also issues a state-specific non-CDL 'Class D' license for hire ($19.25-$44.25) that is not a federal CDL class; a Medical Examiner's Certificate valid at least 30 more days must be presented with EVERY CDL transaction; CDLs downgraded 2+ years for medical non-compliance or suspended/revoked 3+ years require full knowledge and skills retesting. CDLs transfer among states under the federal single-license rule rather than formal reciprocity agreements.
What licenses does West Virginia issue?
The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV Department of Transportation) issues the credentials below for this trade. Boards often list further classes for specialties and business licenses; these are the ones this page covers.
Hours are what each class asks for on its own terms. Where a senior class shows fewer than a journeyman, the board is counting time served after the earlier license rather than from the start; the prerequisite column says which.
| License | On-the-job hours | Classroom hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL Instruction Permit | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class A CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class B CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class C CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
Source: West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV Department of Transportation) (transportation.wv.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does West Virginia require?
CDL knowledge testing. Administered by West Virginia DMV (application and fees submitted by mail). Exam fee $25.
CDL road skills test (applicant supplies representative vehicle). Administered by West Virginia DMV. Exam fee $100.
How much does a West Virginia CDL truck driver license cost?
West Virginia sets its fees per license class rather than as one figure for the trade, so no single total would be true of every applicant. The published items are below exactly as the board sets them.
- Application fee$7.5
- Exam fee$125
- Initial license feeset per license class
- Renewal fee (recurring)set per license class
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: Multi-year, issued to expire on the licensee's date of birth (fee prorated $26.25-$61.25 by number of years issued)
Continuing education: None required by the state. MEC (max 2-year validity) must be kept current and filed electronically; hazmat endorsement requires TSA fingerprint/background check ($86.50) started 30+ days before CDL expiration, with 3 attempts to pass the hazmat test.
How does the apprenticeship route work?
No apprenticeship is required or credited toward licensure. First-time CDL applicants (never held a CDL before Feb 7, 2022) must complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider.
How does West Virginia compare to neighboring states?
Requirements stop at the state line, which matters if you live near one or expect to move. Here is what the neighboring states ask of the same trade.
| State | Journeyman hours | Licensing model |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | not published | Statewide |
| Kentucky | not published | Statewide |
| Maryland | not published | Statewide |
| Ohio | not published | Statewide |
| Pennsylvania | not published | Statewide |
| Virginia | not published | Statewide |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- WV Division of Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver's License
- Form DMV-CDL-1 - Application for Commercial Driver's License and/or Endorsements (rev. 05/2022)
Last verified July 2026. Found an error? Report it and it will be corrected and logged on the corrections page.
Other states with published requirements for this trade: Wisconsin, Wyoming, Alabama.
Price the whole path with the license cost estimator, or weigh earning against paying for school with the apprenticeship comparison. Back to CDL truck drivers overview.
Licensing requirements change between our verification sweeps. This page is informational only, so confirm current requirements with West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV Department of Transportation) before making decisions. Not legal advice.