DMV appointment scheduling now available click here.
The DMV had to make many changes in 2020 and 2021 due to the nationwide pandemic of COVID-19. Not only did DMV continue to make progress in improving customer service, but implemented many out-of-the-box solutions that were copied nationwide. This page will serve as a record of those solutions and efforts.
Key programs and highlights from the response to the pandemic include:
- The institution and continuation of appointments in the regional offices, to help with social distancing and safety measures, in addition to office upgrades with plexiglass, personal protection equipment, and extra cleaning measures. DMV did begin taking walk-ins again, in addition to appointments, in an effort to balance the needs of the public with keeping everyone safe.
- Online services and kiosk locations were encouraged, and those transactions increased exponentially, as well as mail-in transactions, the use of license services, and over-the-phone transactions.
- Drop boxes, installed in 2020 outside of each regional office for customers to leave their title or dealer work, as well as registration renewal work in a secure location, continued to be utilized. CSR’s complete the work and mail it back to the customer.
- Contactless driver’s license skills testing was utilized until mid-June 2021 when the mask mandate expired and DMV returned to in-car driver skills testing. However, DMV continues to keep that option in mind if needed down the road.
Closure and Extension Information
The West Virginia DMV is encouraging customers to use online services and mail-in services as much as possible. Examples of these services include driver’s license renewal with no changes (every other cycle), vehicle registration renewals, obtain duplicate driver’s licenses, registration cards, decals, and plates, obtain driving records, personalized plate searches, request a personalized plate, and more. Online services may be found HERE
Additionally, DMV is extending the expiration date of any Driver’s License including Graduated Driver's License (levels 1, 2, and 3, and includes February expiration dates), Driver's License knowledge permits, and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (as allowed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA))with an expiration date beginning March 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
For CDL applicants and drivers:
Any CDL holder whose medical certification expires on or after September 1, 2020, will have until May 31, 2021 to provide a new medical certification to avoid the downgrading of the CDL.CDL holders may now renew their Commercial Driver's License online as long as:
- The renewal is without Hazardous Materials endorsements**
- The medical examiners certificate is current.
- **CDL license renewals with hazardous material endorsements are still required to have a TSA background check and take the endorsement test with each renewal.
Applicants wanting to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License may apply HERE.
For CDL/CLP Drivers:
- Waive until Feb. 28, 2021, the maximum period of CDL validity for CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020;
- Waive until Feb. 28, 2021, the maximum period of CLP validity for CLPs that are due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020, without requiring the CLP holders to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests;
- Waive until Feb. 28, 2021, the requirement that CLP holders wait 14 days to take the CDL skills test;
Medical Requirements for CDL/CLP and non-CDL drivers:
- This notice will waive, until Feb. 28, 2021, the requirement that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance issued for 90 days or longer that expired on or after Sept. 1, 2020.
- This notice will also waive the requirement that, to maintain the medical certification status of “certified,” CDL or CLP holders provide the SDLA with an original or copy of a subsequently issued medical examiner’s certificate and any required medical variance, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after Sept. 1, 2020.
For State Driver License Agencies (SDLA):
- This notice waives, until Feb. 28, 2021, the requirement that the SDLA change the CDL or CLP holder’s medical certification status to “not certified” upon the expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after Sept. 1, 2020. Additionally, the notice waives certain requirements regarding SDLAs downgrading a driver’s CDL or CLP upon expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance, provided the SDLAs have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after Sept. 1, 2020.
For more information, visit the FMCSA website.
Per the West Virginia State Police: As a result of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic and gubernatorial executive stay-at-home mandates, a three month grace period will be given to WV citizens for motor vehicle inspection renewal. Beginning April 1, 2020 through July 1, 2020 the motor vehicle inspection program will be suspended during this period. This is subject to change based on the termination or extension of the executive orders.