west virginia drivers license renewal - WV

Renew your West Virginia drivers license. Prepare all your DMV info. Get all the forms, rules and steps required for your WV drivers license renewal. The easiest way to renew an expiring driver's license in West Virginia is by showing up in person to a regional west virginia dmv office. By signing up to our site, we'll prepare and let you download a checklist with every form, requirement, and step that you'll need. That way you won't miss any rules or document and have to reschedule your DMV visit. Please continue reading below to get started with your West Virginia license renewal.

West Virginia Drivers License Renewal Information

Expiration Date

Driver licenses in the Mountain State expire depending on your age (of the time that you last renewed). You will be given a license that transitions you into what is called the new Drive for Five program. The goal of this program is to have everyone's driver licenses in West Virginia expire after five (5) years. If your license was issued after the year 2001, your expiration date will always fall on your birthday. Licenses that were issued before 2001 always expired the last day of the month. Additionally, if your license expires on your eighteenth (18th) or twenty first (21st) birthday, you will have a an additional thirty (30) days to renew (because you will need to upgrade to a color license). For now, if you are unsure of your expiration date, just take a look at your license and look for the row titled Exp: Please take a look at the sample license below. 

Please remember that it is a violation (misdemeanor) to not present your license upon the demand of a police officer. Always carry it with you. 

Renewal Notice

You will be reminded of your upcoming renewal date because the WV DMV will mail you a renewal notice weeks before your expiration date. That's why its very important to keep your address updated. If you recently moved you must update your address change with the DMV no more than twenty (20) days later. If you do not make the change, you could be fined, be sent to jail or worse case scenario, your license could be suspended. Regardless if you receive a notice or not, if you go over your expiration date, your license will become expired.  

When To Renew

Always plan on visiting your local DMV office before the expiration date of your license. Waiting until the last day can complicate matters if there are any delays. The busiest times at the DMV are usually at the end of the month and the beginning and ending of each week. Plan accordingly and don't allow your driving license to expire.

Expired West Virginia License

Renewing on time is crucial to maintain yourself from breaking the law and possibly being ticketed by law enforcement. On top of that, your renewal will require more conditions if you allow your license to expire after a certain period. Any driver in West Virginia that tries to renew their license after its been expired for more than six (6) months, will not be allowed to renew. You will automatically be placed into the process for new drivers and you must retake the eye test, written knowledge test, and driving skills test. 

Suspensions must be dealt with accordingly or you will not be allowed to renew your driver's license in West Virginia. Even suspensions or revocations from other states will cause your West Virginia renewal to be denied, because the WV DMV will check your driving record against the PDPS global database. Please remember that giving false information on your license renewal application is grounds for suspension (as it is a crime). 

If your license is suspended you must serve the time period (without a license). After paying a reinstatement fee you will be able to drive again. Insurance rates for drivers who've been involved in suspension or revocations are likely to see a significant increase in their insurance premiums. Always shop around and compare rates. Our free insurance quote service will help you find an affordable rate.

Renew West Virginia Drivers License Online

West Virginia does not have a website for renewing online.

West Virginia Drivers License Renew by Mail

The renew by mail option is not currently allowed in the state of West Virginia. You must go in person and be prepared to hand in your documents. If you are currently on active duty and your license is expiring, please take a look at out military drivers section below. 

West Virginia Drivers License Renewal for Military Drivers

Renewal by mail is not allowed in West Virginia. However, if you are currently away from the state on active duty with the U.S. military, you will automatically be granted an extension of your renewal date. You will be given an additional six (6) months from the time that you return to West Virginia from your active duty service. 

The WV DMV will not mail you a new renewed driver's license. Instead you must contact them and ask for the extension. Upon approval they will send you a certified driving record which will state that your license has been extended and will also give you a new extended expiration date.   

Renewal Steps for U.S. Military Drivers

• If you are serving away from the state of West Virginia you must contact the DMV at the following number: (800) 642-9066.
• Upon approval they will send you a certified driving record that will allow you to drive legally. 
• When returning to West Virginia you must visit a west virginia dmv office in order to renew your license properly . 

Renew West Virginia Drivers License In Person

Everyone is required to head to a DMV office and renew in person. 

Requirements to Renew In Person

1. West Virginia is now issuing the governmental ordered secured driver licenses. This will present identity theft and make it harder for terrorists. As such, there are more documents that will you will need to show upon renewal (read more below).
2. You must have a social security number. 
3. You must live in the state of West Virginia and therefore must show proof of an address here.
4. Your license cannot be suspended and you must not owe any money (for violations) in any state of the U.S. 

STEPS

1. Bring your social security, identification and proof of residency documents (read more below).
2. Fill in and print your West Virginia driver's license renewal application. You will be required to enter your name, past names, address, mailing address, email, current drivers license number, date of birth, sex, weight, height, eye color, phone number, cell phone number, social security number, and answer a series of questions. 
3. Find a west virginia dmv office next to you. Please note the hours of operation.
4. You must pass an Eye Test.
5. You do not need to take any other tests if your current license has not been expired for over six (6) months. If so, you will need to retake the eye test, written knowledge test, and driving skills test
6. Bring money to pay the renewal cost. Please study the chart carefully. If you are not certain of the amount to pay, the DMV staff will tell you exactly how much to pay.
7. Your picture and signature will be taken and recorded.

As explained earlier, the WV DMV is now issuing licenses that meet the federal Real ID program. Because of this, your final license will be mailed to you and will arrive in two (2) weeks. You will be given a temporary license to use in the meantime.

West Virginia Drivers License Renewal Documents

In order to get your new federal compliant driver's license, you will be required to show these documents. There are no exceptions

• Bring one (1) document which shows your Proof of Social Security Number.
  • Examples are your social security card, W-2 (not older than 18 months), form 1099, Medicare card that shows your SSN, military ID with SSN.  
• Bring one (1) document which shows your Proof of Identification.
  • Examples are your US birth certificate or active passport. 
• Bring two (2) documents that show that you live in West Virginia (proof of residence).
  • For examples please read this page carefully.
• If you are not a U.S. Citizens please bring your Proof of Legal Presence documents.
• If you changed your name you must bring proof of that.
• See the complete list of required documents from the DMV website. If you have any questions about these documents please call the DMV at (800) 642-9066.

Auto Insurance

By law, in West Virginia you must carry a minimum of car insurance (liability insurance). Every time that you renew or apply for your car's registration, or perform your yearly car inspection, you will be asked to acknowledge that you currently have car insurance. Your driving privileges will be suspended for receiving a ticket violation or if you are ever involved in a car accident, and you are found to not have insurance.

The renewal of your license is a great time to find out if you are still paying the best rates for your current insurance policy. We'll help you compare rates from many different insurance companies. You can get a free insurance quote here at our site.