SOUTH CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA

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

The process of applying for your South Charleston West Virginia learner's permit or first South 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. South Charleston West Virginia has a a Graduated Driver License Program for South Charleston West Virginia teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your first South Charleston West Virginia driver’s license goes as smoothly as possible. So here's what you need to know.

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

When you turn 15, you can apply for a South 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 South 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 South 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 South Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit, which is valid until your 18^th birthday.

South Charleston West Virginia Learner’s Permit or South 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 South 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 South 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 South 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 South Charleston West Virginia Graduated License Program, the South Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver’s License.

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

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

• Hold a South Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit for 6 months
• No South 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 South Charleston West Virginia DMV Office again. Remember to bring your parent/guardian, the $5 fee, your identification documents, and your South Charleston West Virginia Instruction Permit. Next is the dreaded South 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 South Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver’s License! Now you're just a few more months of good behavior away from getting your full license.

South 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 South 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 South Charleston West Virginia moving violations, your South 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 South Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver License for 1 year, you can apply for your South Charleston West Virginia Full Class E License, and these restrictions will be removed. Freedom!

South Charleston West Virginia Auto Insurance Financial Responsibility Laws

Once you receive your South Charleston West Virginia Provisional Driver license, you’re ready to drive--or so you may think. But hold your horses, because South Charleston West Virginia drivers are required by law to be covered by liability insurance. In fact, you risk the suspension of your South Charleston West Virginia Learner Permit or South Charleston West Virginia Intermediate Driver’s License if you are in an accident and found to be driving without South 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

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

As a South Charleston West Virginia teen driver, it’s important for you to learn the South 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, South Charleston West Virginia has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a South Charleston West Virginia DUI or South Charleston West Virginia DWI, your South Charleston West Virginia Learner Permit or South Charleston West Virginia Driver’s License will be suspended.

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

• Jail up to 6 months
• South 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
• South 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 South Charleston West Virginia DWI and DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and South Charleston West Virginia license suspension or even South Charleston West Virginia license revocation.

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

South Charleston West Virginia Online Driver Education

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