CDL Requirements in West Virginia (2026): Steps, Cost & Testing

Requirements verified July 20, 2026 against West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV)

West Virginia issues CDLs through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), part of the state DOT. You hold a regular license, pass the knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner's Permit (a $25 CDL testing fee covers general knowledge, air brakes, and combination), hold it 14 days, then take a $100 skills test in a truck you supply — at the DMV or with a county third-party examiner. The CDL fee ranges $26.25–$61.25 on the state's variable expiration cycle.

West Virginia runs its CDL program through the Division of Motor Vehicles, part of the state DOT. The process follows the federal pattern — a regular license first, knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner's Permit, a 14-day hold, ELDT training, then a three-part skills test — but the fee structure is unusual: one $25 CDL testing fee covers general knowledge, air brakes, and combination, and the skills test is a flat $100.

The license fee is a range ($26.25–$61.25) rather than a single price because West Virginia issues licenses on a variable 'Drive for Five' expiration cycle tied to your age, capped at 8 years. Each endorsement adds $10, and hazmat adds an $86.50 TSA fingerprint fee handled through IdentoGO — West Virginia is not a self-managed hazmat state.

You bring your own truck to the skills test, which you can take at the DMV or with a county third-party examiner. Veterans with recent military CMV experience can waive the skills test (but not the knowledge tests) using form CDL-ST-WVR.

Eligibility and documents in West Virginia

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• Completed Application for Commercial Driver's License and/or Endorsements (form DMV-CDL-1)
• Proof of identity and lawful status, Social Security number, and West Virginia residency (REAL ID document set)
• A valid West Virginia driver license
• A DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (for non-excepted drivers) plus self-certification of your driving category
• For the skills test: a valid CLP and the CMV to be tested, with valid registration and insurance

How to get your CDL: step by step

1. Get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Pass the required knowledge tests: General Knowledge (all applicants); Combination Vehicles (Class A); Air Brakes (if your vehicle has them); Any endorsement tests you need (P, S, H, N, T).
2. Complete ELDT training. For a first Class A/B CDL or a first hazmat, passenger, or school-bus endorsement, you must train with a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. West Virginia relies on the federal FMCSA Training Provider Registry. You must complete both theory and behind-the-wheel training with a provider listed on the registry, which transmits your completion electronically; the DMV verifies that federal record rather than accepting a paper certificate. ELDT applies to first-time CDL applicants who never held a CDL before February 7, 2022, and to first-time P, S, or H endorsements. Earlier holders are grandfathered.
3. Hold your permit 14 days. Federal rules require at least 14 days before the skills test.
4. Pass the skills test. It has 3 parts: Pre-trip vehicle inspection, Basic vehicle control, On-road driving test. The WV DMV CDL page lists third-party skills examiners by county with contact phone numbers, in addition to DMV testing. You schedule directly with the examiner or DMV regional office.
5. Get your CDL issued. Pay the license fee, submit your medical self-certification, and receive your license (valid 8 years). West Virginia does not use a single fixed CDL term. Under the 'Drive for Five' scheme, licenses for those 21+ expire on a birthday in a year where the driver's age is divisible by five, with the base license statute (WV Code 17B-2-12) capping a license at 8 years — which is why the CDL fee is a $26.25–$61.25 range rather than one price. Confirm your exact expiration and fee with the DMV. Adding a class or endorsement requires the applicable tests plus the $10-per-endorsement fee.

Medical certification in West Virginia

Self-certify your driving category with the DMV. Non-excepted drivers must keep a valid FMCSA Medical Examiner's Certificate on file, completed by an examiner on the National Registry. Consistent with the June 23, 2025 National Registry II rule, the medical card is transmitted electronically by the medical provider; WV allowed a temporary transition period accepting paper copies within 15 days of issuance (referenced through April 10, 2026 — confirm current handling with the DMV).

If your card lapses: West Virginia downgrades your medical status to NOT-CERTIFIED 10 days after your medical card expires, and downgrades the CDL to a non-CDL Class E license if a valid card is not on file within the federal 30-day window.

Every CDL holder must self-certify one operating category. The categories offered here:

• NI — Non-excepted Interstate (medical card required)
• EI — Excepted Interstate
• NA — Non-excepted Intrastate (medical card required)
• EA — Excepted Intrastate

New to the DOT physical? See our DOT physical guide and CDL medical card explainer.

What a CDL costs in West Virginia

The $25 CDL testing fee covers general knowledge, air brakes, and combination; the skills test is $100. Each endorsement adds $10. Hazmat adds an $86.50 TSA fingerprint/background fee paid to TSA/IdentoGO. On top of state fees, budget for ELDT tuition and a DOT physical.

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in West Virginia Third-party testing allowed

West Virginia allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, which can mean shorter waits than a state office. The DMV publishes no statewide wait-time figure; availability depends on the individual examiner or office.

Your test vehicle: You must provide the vehicle used for the test, and it must be the class and type of CMV you expect to operate.

Endorsements available in West Virginia

West Virginia offers the standard federal endorsements. Adding one usually means an extra knowledge test (and a skills test for passenger and school bus). Tap an endorsement for the full federal process and cost:

• HHazmat — West Virginia is NOT a TSA self-managed state. You complete the TSA hazmat threat assessment — fingerprinting and background check — through TSA/Universal Enrollment Services (IdentoGO), not the DMV; the DMV lists the UES help desk at 1-855-347-8371 and an $86.50 fingerprint/background fee paid to TSA. The H endorsement requires a knowledge test and is subject to retesting at every renewal and on transfer into WV.
• NTanker — Tank vehicles.
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined hazmat + tank.
• PPassenger — Passenger; requires an additional road skills test, plus ELDT for first-timers.
• SSchool Bus — School bus; requires an additional road skills test, plus ELDT for first-timers. Cannot be transferred via the military waiver.
• TDoubles/Triples — Double/triple trailers.

CDL disqualifications

Disqualifying offenses are set by federal law (49 CFR 383.51) and apply in every state — including offenses in your personal vehicle. West Virginia adopts the federal 49 CFR 383.51 disqualification framework through WV Code Chapter 17E and the state CDL Manual (major offenses, serious traffic violations, out-of-service and railroad-crossing violations). No distinctive state-only disqualifying offense was confirmed beyond the federal baseline.

Full federal detail: CDL disqualifications explained.

Military skills-test waiver

West Virginia waives the CDL skills test for qualifying service members using form CDL-ST-WVR. You must currently hold a license and have operated a representative military CMV within the past 12 months (with at least 2 years of recent experience). Knowledge tests are not waived, and school bus (S) and passenger (P) endorsements cannot be transferred through the waiver. WV also participates in FMCSA's Even Exchange program for certain military occupational specialties.

West Virginia CDL FAQ