Commercial Driver's License

Applications and study manuals are available at any DMV Exam Centers, Regional Office, or on the Forms page of this website.

The CDL Manual (State and Federal) is available for download here.

1. Visit the Licensing page to see all required documentation for all first time, duplicate, and renewal license applicants.
   
2. First time applicants will need Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) to obtain a CDL. A first time CDL applicant is a driver who has NEVER held a CDL prior to February 7, 2022. If you are a first time CDL applicant or a first time P (Passenger), S (School Bus) or H (Hazmat) endorsement applicant you will need to complete ELDT. For additional information on the ELDT requirements and the process, click here.​ 
   
3. Complete in full, front and back, of the Application for Commercial Driver's License and/or Endorsements (CDL-1).
4. A Medical Examiner Certificate (MEC) must be submitted electronically by your medical provider, or for city, county, state, or federal government agency employees a verification of employment on agency letterhead.*
   
5. Pay Applicable Fees: CDL testing fee is $25.00 + driver's licensing fees. The CDL testing fee allows testing for general knowledge, air brakes and combination. Commercial Driver's Licenses fees are non-refundable. Endorsement fees are $10.00 each at the time of application.
6. Submit the application, a copy of your current MEC will be submitted electronically by the medical provider or for city, state, or federal government agency employees a verification of employment on agency letterhead, and required fees to DMV, PO Box 17010, Charleston WV 25317.
7. Upon receipt of the application and fees, a test card will be mailed to the applicant which will include the regional CDL testing sites.
8. Once all tests are successfully completed a CDL instruction permit will be issued. The CDL instruction permit may not be issued for a period to exceed one year. A one-year CDL Instruction Permit cannot be renewed.​ When the applicant is ready to take the road skills test, they should contact one of the third party examiners (names and telephone numbers in front of the CDL manual) to schedule an appointment. Most skills tests are given on weekends and evenings. The cost of the skills test is $100.00 (as of January 1, 2017), which should be paid to the Third Party Examiner at the time of the test.
9. The applicant must provide the vehicle in which the test will be given. The vehicle must be representative of the class of license for which the applicant is testing.
   

NOTE: To retain a Hazardous Material Endorsement, you must first complete a fingerprint, and background check from the TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. You should contact the Universal Enrollment Services (UES) Help Desk at 1-855-347-8371, or visit their website at https://universalenroll.dhs.gov to pay the $86.50 fee to start the fingerprint/background check process. All fees are non-refundable. After contacting UES and scheduling an appointment you must visit one of the locations that provide fingerprinting, these locations are listed on their website. When visiting the UES office you must provide proof of identity and citizenship. Visit the UES website for a complete list of acceptable proof documents. Once you have received your approval letter in the mail from TSA stating you have passed the background check then you can return to the DMV office to test for HAZMAT and renew your CDL. Please bring your approval letter from TSA when you renew. If you do not wish to maintain your HAZMAT endorsement you can go directly to a DMV office to renew your license and complete a surrender form, surrendering your HAZMAT endorsement. All WV CDL issuances, renewals and transfers into WV wishing to retain/obtain a HAZMAT endorsement must also successfully pass the HAZMAT knowledge test.​ 

A HAZMAT endorsement holder renewing their CDL will receive 3 attempts to test and pass the HAZMAT endorsement on a valid no expired license. If your CDL license is expired then you must obtain a HAZMAT test card from the CDL office in Charleston before you can test for HAZMAT.

Once you have received your CDL renewal notice form, you should visit the DMV office to start the renewal process. You must bring the required documents to renew your CDL. For information on Documents required to renew, click here.

If you currently are employed by a city, county, state, or federal government, and your job requires a valid CDL, you are exempt from the DOT physical requirements; however, you must provide a letter from your employer stating you are currently employed and exempt from the DOT physical requirements. If you did not receive a renewal notice in the mail, then you must complete a CDL-1 application at the Regional office, plus pay an additional fee of $5.00 for an expired license. If your license has been expired for more than 3 years you must pass the written and road skills tests for both a regular Class E license and all examination requirements for a commercial driver's license.

To retain a Hazardous Material Endorsement, you must first complete a fingerprint, and background check from the TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. You should contact the Universal Enrollment Services (UES) Help Desk at 1-855-347-8371, or visit their website at universalenroll.dhs.gov to pay the $86.50 fee to start the fingerprint/background check process. All fees are non-refundable. After contacting UES and scheduling an appointment you must visit one of the locations that provide fingerprinting, these locations are listed on their website. When visiting the UES office you must provide proof of identity and citizenship. Visit the UES website for a complete list of acceptable proof documents. Once you have received your approval letter in the mail from TSA stating you have passed the background check then you can return to the DMV office to test for HAZMAT and renew your CDL. Please bring your approval letter from TSA when you renew. If you do not wish to maintain your HAZMAT endorsement you can go directly to a DMV office to renew your license and complete a surrender form, surrendering your HAZMAT endorsement.

A HAZMAT endorsement holder renewing their CDL will receive 3 attempts to test and pass the HAZMAT endorsement on a valid no expired license. If your CDL license is expired then you must obtain a HAZMAT test card from the CDL office in Charleston before you can test for HAZMAT.

To drive a commercial vehicle in West Virginia, you must apply to transfer your CDL within 30 days of establishing residence. The DMV will obtain driving information through the Commercial Driver's license System (CDLIS), the National Driver Register (NDR) and from each state in which you have been licensed to drive. You must surrender your out-of-state driver's license in order to be issued a WV CDL.

You must bring the following documents to be issued a WV CDL:

1. Visit the New Licensing Requirements page for details on new required documentation.
2. Valid MEC must have been submitted electronically by the medical provider.* If you work for a city, county, state or federal government and your job requires a CDL, then you are exempt from the DOT physical requirements. You must submit a letter from your employer on agency letterhead indicating your exempt status.
3. Your out-of–state license or a certified driving record.

If you have a HAZMAT endorsement on your out-of-state license then you must pass the TSA background check first before you can transfer. You should contact Universal Enrollment Services (UES) Help Desk at 1-855-347-8371, or visit their website at https://universalenroll.dhs.gov to pay the $86.50 fee to start the fingerprint/background check process. All fees are non-refundable. After contacting UES you must contact one of the locations that provide fingerprinting to schedule an appointment. The locations are listed on the UES website https://universalenroll.dhs.gov. When visiting the UES office you must provide proof of identity and citizenship. Visit the UES website for a complete list of acceptable proof documents. Once you have received your approval letter in the mail from TSA stating you have passed the background check you can then return to the DMV office test for HAZMAT and transfer your out-of-state CDL. Please bring your letter of approval from TSA when you transfer. If you do not wish to maintain your HAZMAT endorsement you can go directly to a DMV office to transfer your license.

 * FMCSA granted a waiver allowing interstate commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders, and motor carriers to continue relying paper copies of medical examiner’s certificates as proof of drivers’ medical certification for up to 15 days after the date the medical examiner’s certificate is issued. The waiver is in effect until October 12, 2025, and a copy of the waiver is available on FMCSA’s website. 

Any person applying to renew a CDL which has been expired for 3 years or more must follow the procedures for an initial issuance of a CDL license, including the knowledge and skills testing.

If not expired over 3 years, the person can renew and pay an additional $5.00.