CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA

Charleston West Virginia Online Driver Education and Charleston West Virginia Licensing Procedures

The process of applying for your Charleston West Virginia learner's permit or first Charleston West Virginia driver's license can be nerve-racking, but it doesn't have to be if you have the right information. We want you to get as much out of this experience as possible, and have designed this guide to help guide you through the process. Charleston West Virginia has a a Graduated Driver License Program for Charleston West Virginia teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your first Charleston West Virginia driver’s license goes as smoothly as possible. So here's what you need to know.

The Charleston West Virginia Learner’s Permit or Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit

When you turn 15, you can apply for a Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit. In order to apply, you’ll need:

• A certified birth certificate or valid U.S. Passport
• Social Security Card
• Proof of Charleston West Virginia physical address
• Your parent/guardian must sign your application

Once you’re ready, make an appointment, then head on down to your local Charleston West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle Office (DMV) with your parent or guardian and submit your application. Then, you’ll have to take a written knowledge test. If you survive, then congratulations! You’ve just earned your Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit, which is valid until your 18^th birthday.

Charleston West Virginia Learner’s Permit or Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit Restrictions

Remember, the Graduated License Program is designed to allow you to gain skills and maturity before graduating to a less restrictive license. In other words, there are a few restrictions on driving with a Charleston West Virginia Learner's Permt that are fairly easy to follow. They are:

• You must practice driving with your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or a licensed driver who is over 21
• You can only drive between the hours of 5AM and 10PM, and with 2 non-family member passengers (in addition to the supervising adult)
• All passengers must wear seatbelts
• Be sure to carry your Charleston West Virginia Learner’s Permit with you at all times
• Finally, no cell phones while driving--talking or text!

If you can responsibly use your Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit for 6 months and meet a few more requirements, you’ll be more than ready for the next step in the Charleston West Virginia Graduated License Program, the Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver’s License.

The Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver License or Charleston West Virginia Provisional License

You can apply for your Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver’s License once you’ve held your Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit for 6 months in good standing. However, you’ll need to make sure you meet these requirements:

• Hold a Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit for 6 months
• No Charleston West Virginia traffic violations for 6 months preceding application
• Be at least 16 years old
• Complete 50 hours of driving practice -10 of these hours must be at night
• Your parent/guardian must certify your completed hours

Then, make an appointment and head on down to your local Charleston West Virginia DMV Office again. Remember to bring your parent/guardian, the $5 fee, your identification documents, and your Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit. Next is the dreaded Charleston West Virginia road test, but it shouldn't pose a huge obstacle if you've studied and practiced consistently. If you pass, then congratulations: you’ve just earned your Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver’s License! Now you're just a few more months of good behavior away from getting your full license.

Charleston West Virginia Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

There are still a few restrictions you’ll have to keep in mind now that you have your Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver’s License:

• All passengers and the driver must wear seat belts
• For the first 6 months, no passengers under 20 (unless family)
• For the second 6 months, no more than 1 passenger under 20 (unless family)
• No driving between the hours of 10PM and 5AM unless:
  • you are going to/from employment
  • you are going to a school or religious activity
  • it's for an emergency situation
• No cell phone/texting while driving

If you receive two Charleston West Virginia moving violations, your Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver License will be suspended until you turn 18. On the bright side, once you turn 18 and have had your Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver License for 1 year, you can apply for your Charleston West Virginia Full Class E License, and these restrictions will be removed. Freedom!

Charleston West Virginia Auto Insurance Financial Responsibility Laws

Once you receive your Charleston West Virginia Provisional Driver license, you’re ready to drive--or so you may think. But hold your horses, because Charleston West Virginia drivers are required by law to be covered by liability insurance. In fact, you risk the suspension of your Charleston West Virginia Learner Permit or Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver’s License if you are in an accident and found to be driving without Charleston West Virginia mandatory liability insurance. If you don't have insurance already, getting it should be a top priority.

The minimum liability insurance coverage is:

• $10,000 for property damage per accident
• $20,000 bodily injury for one person
• $40,000 bodily injury two or more people

Charleston West Virginia Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws

As a Charleston West Virginia teen driver, it’s important for you to learn the Charleston West Virginia drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws and follow them to the letter. After all, younger drivers tend to be killed drinking, speeding, and not paying attention.

Drunk Driving. Like most states, Charleston West Virginia has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Charleston West Virginia DUI or Charleston West Virginia DWI, your Charleston West Virginia Learner Permit or Charleston West Virginia Driver’s License will be suspended.

In general, upon your first conviction of a Charleston West Virginia DUI of .08, you’ll face the following penalties:

• Jail up to 6 months
• Charleston West Virginia License Suspension 15 days
• Fine $100 to $500

For a DUI with a blood alcohol content of .15 or above

• Jail from 2 days to 6 months
• Charleston West Virginia License Suspension 45 days
• Fine $100 to $1,000

And, if you’re carrying a minor under 16 in your vehicle:

• Ignition Interlock installation possible
• Jail from 2 days to 12 months
• Fine $200 to $1,000

And of course, further Charleston West Virginia DWI and DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Charleston West Virginia license suspension or even Charleston West Virginia license revocation.

Cell Phones. Currently, Charleston West Virginia teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving, even with hands-free devices!

Charleston West Virginia Online Driver Education

You will need to enroll in a Charleston West Virginia approved driver education course fairly early in the process. Charleston West Virginia teen drivers can find more information about approved Charleston West Virginia online driver education on the Charleston West Virginia Transportation website.