Driving Tests

WV DMV First Permit or License: What to Bring (REAL ID or Not)

informational·how to guide·Published September 28, 2026

What documents do you bring to the West Virginia DMV for a first permit or license?

Bring one proof of identity, such as a certified U.S. birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport, one proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of West Virginia residency that show your name and physical address. Add name change papers if your name ever changed. You then choose a Not for Federal Use card or a REAL ID card, which costs $10.00 more.

Where this document list comes from

The lists come from the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV) pages on acceptable proof documents and REAL ID requirements, and from W. Va. Code 17B-2-7. Other DMV pages, a 2026 DMV news release and the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook (revised 07/2026) add card, fee and teen details. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.wv.gov) before you drive.

Not for Federal Use card or REAL ID: which one to choose

Not for Federal Use card or REAL ID: which one to choose
Question	Not for Federal Use	REAL ID (For Federal Use)
What the card shows	No gold star	A gold star. The card meets federal rules for airports and other designated federal facilities.
Extra fee	None	$10.00 more
Air travel	Since May 7, 2025, it is not enough ID for air travel or select federal buildings. Since Feb. 1, 2026, a flyer with no REAL ID or other acceptable ID, such as a passport, gets an extra TSA identity check with a $45 fee.	Accepted as ID to fly and to visit federal offices, such as the Social Security Administration.

Who counts as a first-time applicant?

The DMV counts as a first-time applicant anyone who has never held a driver's license or ID card, anyone who transfers a license from another state, and anyone whose West Virginia license has been expired for more than three years. For a first card, both card types need the same documents: the DMV has always asked for them when you first get a license or photo ID card. The shorter Not for Federal Use list is for renewals. An adult 18 or older who never held a license starts with a regular Class E instruction permit, explained in the guide to the West Virginia instruction permit for adults.

The four kinds of proof at the DMV counter

Proof of identity (one): An original or certified copy of a U.S.-issued birth certificate, or a valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card. U.S. State Department and U.S. military birth certificates are accepted. Hospital birth certificates and Bureau of Census records are not.
Proof of Social Security number (one): A Social Security card, an original W-2 or payroll stub, or a 1099 form with your full number and name. A photocopy of a W-2 is not accepted. The DMV checks every number with the Social Security Administration (SSA), and your full legal name must match your SSA record.
Proof of West Virginia residency (two): Two documents that show your name and physical address. Documents with a PO Box are not accepted, and you may not use two documents from the same company. The DMV list says a recurring document, such as a utility bill, cannot be more than 60 days old; the Handbook says 90 days, so a bill of 60 days or less meets both. Examples are a West Virginia utility bill, a residential lease, a valid West Virginia vehicle registration card and a West Virginia auto insurance card.
Proof of name change (only if it applies): A certified marriage certificate for each marriage (souvenir copies and minister's copies are not accepted), an amended birth certificate, a court order or a certified divorce decree. If you are not sure which paper you need, call 1-800-642-9066.

If your situation is different, then bring this

You were born outside the United States

Use valid, unexpired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents. One example is a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551). A foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa and the approved Form I-94 is also on the identity list.

You are not eligible for a Social Security number

Bring a denial letter from the Social Security Administration.

Your name changed, and your passport, Social Security card and residency papers all show the new name

You do not need name change papers when you show a valid passport or passport card and all your other papers match. If you use a birth certificate that shows your old name, you do need them.

You are married and the utility bills are in your spouse's name

The Handbook says married applicants may give West Virginia residency documents in their spouse's name with a marriage certificate.

You are a non-immigrant, for example on an F-1 or F-2 student status

The DMV list includes a Social Security card, two proofs of West Virginia residency, a valid foreign passport with an English translation, a Form I-94 and, if your country needs one, a U.S. visa. An F-1 or F-2 student also needs a Form I-20 and school attendance proof that is not more than 20 days old.

You moved here from another state

Apply within 30 days if you want to drive in West Virginia; the practice question on the new resident deadline tests this. Without your old license, bring a certified driving record dated within 30 days of your application. With an expired license, bring that record or take all the tests: vision, written and road skills.

How the DMV visit works

1
Pick your card
Choose Not for Federal Use or REAL ID. Use the table above to decide.
2
Gather your proofs
Collect the four kinds of proof in the list above. Check the date on each recurring residency document.
3
Complete the application
The Handbook names the form as the Application for a Driver's License or Photo ID card (DMV-DS-23P). A teen needs a parent's signature on it, as the next section explains.
4
Go to any DMV regional office
A West Virginia resident can apply at any DMV regional office.
5
Take the tests
Once the DMV accepts your documents, you take the vision screening and the knowledge test. The Level 1 knowledge test fee is $7.50 per attempt.
6
Attend the alcohol education class
By law, you attend a class on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol after you pass the exam and before the license is issued.

What a parent or guardian must do for a teen

Under 18, a parent, a single parent with custody or a legal guardian must sign your application before you can be tested. A married applicant under 18 needs no parental consent but must show a certified marriage certificate. The practice question on the minimum age for a Level 1 permit covers the consent rule. For the Level 2 license later, the DMV asks for a 50-hour certification form, with 10 of the hours at night, signed by a parent or guardian, or for a Driver Education Card. The West Virginia Level 1 instruction permit guide has the driving rules.

After you apply: the temporary card and REAL ID Headstart

At a regional office you get a temporary card, valid for 60 days, and the permanent card comes by mail. If you chose a Not for Federal Use card and later want to upgrade, REAL ID Headstart lets you enter your information, upload your documents and book an appointment once approved.

Key Takeaways

A first-time applicant brings one proof of identity, one proof of Social Security number and two proofs of West Virginia residency.
A REAL ID card costs $10.00 more and has a gold star. A Not for Federal Use card is not enough ID to fly.
Under 18, a parent or legal guardian signs the application before you test.
Next step: practice on the free West Virginia Class E practice test before you go to the DMV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a hospital birth certificate at the West Virginia DMV?

No. The DMV accepts an original or certified copy of a U.S.-issued birth certificate, including U.S. State Department and U.S. military ones. Hospital birth certificates and Bureau of Census records are not accepted. A valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card works as proof of identity instead.

Do I need my Social Security card for the DMV?

You need proof of your Social Security number. A Social Security card, an original W-2 or payroll stub, or a 1099 form with your full number and name all count. A photocopy of a W-2 does not.

Does a PO Box count as proof of West Virginia residency?

No. The DMV needs two proofs of West Virginia residency, and documents with a PO Box are not accepted. Each must show your name and physical address, and you cannot use two documents from the same company.

How much does a REAL ID cost in West Virginia?

A REAL ID card costs $10.00 more than a Not for Federal Use card, an extra fee that the DMV charges for processing and shipping costs. Since Feb. 1, 2026, a flyer with no REAL ID or other acceptable ID, such as a passport, faces an extra TSA identity check with a $45 fee.

What if my name does not match on my documents?

Bring name change papers: a certified marriage certificate, an amended birth certificate, a court order or a certified divorce decree. A souvenir marriage certificate does not count. If you are not sure which paper to bring, call 1-800-642-9066.