Out-of-State Transfers / New Residents

If you have a valid non-expired out-of-state license, you are eligible to transfer the license. If the out-of-state license is expired, you are required to take all examination tests — vision, written, and road skills examination(s) — before making application for a driver's license. You are required to pass a vision screening, complete a brief alcohol awareness course, and surrender your out-of-state license before a WV license will be issued. A transfer applicant must present all documents that are required. If you have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, the Division will transfer the endorsement for an additional fee of $1.00 per year, for the length of time the driver's license is valid.

A new resident who does not have possession of the out-of-state license, or if it has expired, must obtain a certified driving record — dated no more than 30 days from the date of the application — from the state in which they were previously licensed.

If your out-of-state license is suspended or revoked, you will not be licensed in WV until you receive a "clearance" in the PDPS. It is illegal to drive in WV with a suspended or revoked license. All applicants for a WV driver's license must be verified with the PDPS. It is important to confirm that you are not under suspension in any other jurisdiction before attempting to obtain a license in WV.

Out-of-State Transfers for Applicants Under 18 Years of Age

Any applicant under 18 years of age who does not possess a graduated driver's license that either equals or exceeds WV's Level 2 GDL intermediate driver's license, or who was previously licensed in a state or jurisdiction which does not have a graduated driver's license program, must complete the road skills test and written examination as if they've never held a driver's license. However, if the applicant provides a current driving record from their previous state or jurisdiction when they come in to apply for their WV driver's license, they will be credited with the length of time they held their previous driver's license to be put towards the required time period for a Level 1 GDL instruction permit.

Upon obtaining a WV graduated driver's license, the driving record from the applicant's previous state or jurisdiction becomes part of their WV driving record.