Visiting the West Virginia DMV: appointments, what to bring and what to expect

Which West Virginia DMV tasks you can finish online, at a DMV Now kiosk or by mail, how to book a regional office appointment or test, and which documents to bring for a license, ID card or test.

Guide · West Virginia · Appointments · updated October 29, 2026

In West Virginia, one agency handles both driver licensing and vehicles: the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), whose main office address is in Charleston. It issues driver's licenses, instruction permits and ID cards, and it titles and registers vehicles. This guide covers what you can do without going in, how to book a visit, and what to bring so one trip is enough.

Where you can go

The DMV serves customers through regional offices. Its locations page lists 26, including Beckley, Charleston (Kanawha City), Huntington, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg and Weirton. Licenses and permits can also be handled at DMV exam centers, which work on a rotating schedule. Regional offices close on state holidays, and the published list includes election days in even-numbered years.

Some vehicle tasks can be done elsewhere:

• County sheriff's offices: depending on where you live, you may be able to renew a vehicle registration at your county sheriff's office.
• Authorized private license services: the DMV says vehicles without active liens can be titled and registered through these services, as well as by mail or at a regional office.

For offices near you, see the West Virginia DMV office list on this site.

Check whether you need to visit at all

The DMV says to save time on transactions that do not require a trip by doing them online, at a self-service station or by mail. Its options include:

• Online self-service portal: renewing your driver's license or vehicle registration, ordering a duplicate registration card, plate or decal, and changing your address. The DMV also encourages people who want a new license to apply online first.
• REAL ID HeadStart: upload your documents online to upgrade a "Not for Federal Identification" card to a REAL ID, then book your appointment. The DMV says this can cut your office time by up to half.
• Know To Drive online testing: take the written knowledge test online. The certificate you receive is not permission to drive. You still go to a DMV location for processing. The online test uses facial recognition, and cheating carries suspension penalties.
• WV DMV Now kiosks: 12 self-service kiosks, mostly in Kroger and Sheetz stores and one at the Martinsburg regional office. They handle vehicle registration renewals, driver's license renewals, driving records and duplicate registration cards.

Appointments

You can book online through the DMV Appointments Online service, at most regional offices. The appointment types are:

• Driver skills testing
• Motorcycle skills testing
• Knowledge testing
• Driver's license or ID transactions
• Vehicle transactions
• CDL test cards

The DMV notes that appointments are available only for certain types of transactions. Arrive 10 minutes early, and a service agent will call you to the counter. The DMV's pages do not say whether walk-ins are accepted for other services, so call ahead if you plan to come without an appointment.

Skills and motorcycle tests may be postponed in bad weather at some locations. The DMV asks you to call 1-800-642-9066 to check whether tests are being given at your nearest office.

What to bring

For a new license, a transfer or a new ID card, the DMV asks for:

1. One proof of identity: for example, a certified U.S. birth certificate (hospital certificates are not accepted), a valid U.S. passport or passport card, or a permanent resident card
2. Your Social Security number: know your number or bring proof, such as your Social Security card, an original W-2 or pay stub, or a 1099
3. Two proofs of West Virginia residency with your name and physical address
4. Proof of legal name change, if your name has ever changed, such as a certified marriage certificate, a court order or a divorce decree

The residency rules are strict:

• Documents showing a PO box are not accepted.
• A recurring document, such as a utility bill, cannot be more than 60 days old.
• You may not use more than one document from the same company.

Accepted examples include a WV utility bill, a lease, a WV bank statement and a valid WV vehicle registration card. If you transfer a license from another state, also bring that license or a driving record from your previous state. If you are unsure which name-change documents you need, the DMV asks you to call 1-800-642-9066.

For a skills (road) test, bring:

• Your valid instruction permit
• If you are under 18, your 50-hour log or driver education certificate
• A licensed driver to come with you
• A vehicle that passes inspection, with its valid insurance and registration cards

The DMV will not test you in a vehicle under an open safety recall unless you show it was repaired. For REAL ID background, see REAL ID explained.

Paying

The DMV's pages list fees but say little about how to pay at a regional office, so confirm with your office. To renew a registration online, you need a valid credit card.

At the counter

When you apply for or renew a license or ID card at a regional office, you receive a temporary card valid for 60 days. Your permanent card is mailed from a central facility. The DMV gives different estimates: about 15 business days in its Secure Licensing FAQ, and 30–45 days on its REAL ID requirements page.

Accessibility

The DMV says it will provide aids and services for people with disabilities, such as help finding sign language interpreters and documents in Braille. Service animals are welcome in its offices. If you need an interpreter, hearing equipment, visual aids or another accommodation, contact the DMV as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours before your visit. The DMV's hearing-impaired line is 1-800-742-6991.

For more detail, see the West Virginia driver's license and ID card guide and the West Virginia vehicle registration and title guide.