West Virginia DMV road test: what to expect

What the examiner checks

• Demonstrate headlights/high-low beams, wipers, hazard lights, defroster/heater, parking brake, horn, turn signals, tilt steering, seat belt
• Parallel parking
• Two-point and three-point turnabouts
• Turns and intersections
• Lane changes with head checks
• Curves
• Identify traffic signs
• Stopping where you can see the rear tires of the vehicle ahead

How it's scored

Basic control skills: pass with 4 points or less (all attempts combined; outside 18-inch curb line after 3 attempts = fail). Road test: 10 points or less = passing.

Mistakes that end the test

• Excessive points
• Not using a seat belt
• Using a wireless device at any time
• Moving violation, disobeying signs or signals
• Not yielding to pedestrians or other road users
• Avoidable crash or contact
• Unsafe act forcing evasive action
• Driving over sidewalks or curbs
• Examiner takes control
• Not wearing required glasses
• Refusing a maneuver
• Dangerously inexperienced
• Hitting/moving a cone, barrel or flag; jumping a curb (skills test)
• Unable to locate and demonstrate vehicle safety equipment

Your car

• Valid inspection sticker
• Proof of insurance
• No illegal equipment (red/blue flashing lights, sirens, windshield stickers, tint below 35%, cracked windshield)

After you pass

Drivers under 17 (Level 3, after 12 conviction-free months at Level 2) or 18 get a provisional or junior license first. Its restrictions:

• 10:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m. only with a supervising licensed driver 21+, except for work, school-sanctioned activities, religious activities or emergencies
• First 6 months: no non-family passengers under 20; second 6 months: no more than one non-family passenger under 20
• Zero tolerance; all occupants belted; no wireless device under 18 except 9-1-1
• First conviction: must enroll in a driver improvement program (or stay Level 2 until 18); second moving violation: revoked until 18 and retest as a first-time applicant

How to prepare

• Practise in the car you'll take the test in, including parking and backing up.
• Drive the kinds of roads near the test site with your supervising driver: intersections, lane changes, school zones.
• Check the car the day before: lights, signals, horn, brakes, mirrors, tires, seat belts, and current registration and insurance documents.
• On the day, signal every turn and lane change, check mirrors and blind spots visibly, and come to full stops behind the line.