Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerWest Virginia CDL Prep
West Virginia CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your West Virginia commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the West Virginia CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in West Virginia
In West Virginia, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet West Virginia age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official West Virginia CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in West Virginia. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerWest Virginia CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every West Virginia CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in West Virginia.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in West Virginia?
Yes if you never held a CDL before February 7, 2022, or you are adding passenger, school bus, or hazmat for the first time. Finish ELDT after you get your CLP and before skills testing (hazmat ELDT before the hazmat knowledge test). Third-party examiners verify training in CSTIMS. Military skills-waiver applicants still take knowledge tests.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in West Virginia?
Yes for non-excepted (NI or NA) drivers. Your medical provider must submit the Medical Examiner's Certificate electronically — it must be valid at least 30 days and no more than two years old. Government CDL employees may use employer letterhead instead. Letting medical certification lapse triggers a NOT-CERTIFIED status after 10 days and a possible Class E downgrade after 30 days. Verify status with the CDL Unit at 304-926-3801.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in West Virginia?
Complete Application CDL-1 (front and back) and mail it with fees to DMV in Charleston. Prove citizenship (birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Permanent Resident Card) for knowledge testing. Have your medical examiner submit the MEC electronically (or bring government employer letterhead if exempt). Check DMV's licensing page for identity and residency documents required for first-time applicants.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in West Virginia?
Yes. Complete TSA fingerprinting and a background check through Universal Enrollment Services ($86.50, non-refundable; 1-855-347-8371), finish hazmat ELDT before getting a hazmat test card, and pass the hazmat knowledge test. Bring your TSA approval letter to DMV. Retesting is required at renewal and transfer; renewing holders on a valid CDL get three attempts.
How much do West Virginia CDL tests and permits cost?
The CDL testing fee is $25 (covers general knowledge, air brakes, and combination) plus licensing fees. Endorsements are $10 each. A CDL instruction permit cannot exceed one year and cannot be renewed. Third-party skills tests cost about $100 paid to the examiner. Class A/B/C license fees typically range from about $26.25 to $61.25 depending on years remaining to your birthday.
Can West Virginia CDL instruction permits be renewed?
No. A one-year CDL instruction permit cannot be renewed. You must hold it for at least 14 days before skills testing and finish ELDT (when required) before a third-party examiner will schedule your road test.
Can military members waive the West Virginia CDL skills test?
Possibly. Service members employed within the past year in a military CMV-equivalent role may apply for a Military Skills Test Waiver — knowledge tests cannot be waived, and School Bus or Passenger endorsements cannot transfer under the waiver. Certain MOS codes may also qualify for Even Exchange (contact [email protected]).
What happens if my West Virginia CDL medical certificate expires?
Non-excepted drivers who do not keep a valid MEC on file are marked NOT-CERTIFIED 10 days after expiration. If a valid MEC is not provided within 30 days, federal rules require downgrade to a Class E (non-CDL) license. Verify status with the CDL Unit at 304-926-3801 or through DMV online services.
Does PrepCDL cover West Virginia?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the West Virginia CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.