West Virginia Drivers License Replacement
West Virginia drivers who have lost drivers license credentials will need to obtain a duplicate copy. Even WV motorists who are out-of-state will need to replace lost drivers license cards if theirs become missing or is stolen. Especially in cases of burglary, drivers will need to notify the DMV in order to deter the consequences of identity theft. A drivers license is not only permission to operate a vehicle, it is also most residents’ primary form of identification.
Continue reading the sections below to learn how to replace drivers license documents in West Virginia including the methods and documents needed to complete the process. You will discover WV replacement drivers license tips and learn insider information that can make your trip to the WV DMV less stressful or even obsolete.
When is a replacement drivers license required in West Virginia?
You are required to obtain a duplicate drivers license in West Virginia any time your original license is lost, stolen or damaged to the point of illegibility. If the photo on your original copy of drivers license is mutilated enough that a law enforcement officer would have trouble using it to identify you, then it is time to order a replacement license.
It is illegal to operate a vehicle without carrying a valid copy of credentials, so if your license is missing, then you can be ticketed for illegal driving. Most people find daily life harder to navigate when their primary form of photo identification is missing, so it is important to apply for a DMV duplicate license soon after incurring any kind of loss or damage.
If you need any of the information on your copy of drivers license changed such as name or address, then you will need to submit further documentation in-person at the DMV. Motorists are required to correct their name if it legally changes. An address change on driver license records is also important, as the address on file is where the DMV will send your drivers license renewal notification.
How to Replace Your Drivers License Online in West Virginia
A West Virginia drivers license replacement may be available to you via the easy online system offered by the WV DMV. To get drivers license copy online, you should visit the online portal linked to the WV DMV website and fill in the personal information in the fields on the “Get Duplicate Drivers License Card” page. You will need to provide the following:
- Driver’s license number
- Last name
- Date of birth
- Last four digits of your Social Security Number (or Alien Registration Number)
- Current Zip Code
The last item on this initial page of the WV duplicate drivers license online application will prompt you to select a box indicating that you are a U.S. citizen. After checking the box, click “Continue” and proceed through the following four pages of prompts.
After completing the online questionnaire, the system will notify you if meet eligibility or if you need to obtain your credentials by another method of replacement. If you are in fact authorized to obtain your West Virginia drivers license copy online, a replacement license order confirmation will be sent to you and your replacement card will arrive in the mail in close to two weeks.
If the system rejects your request to replace drivers license credentials online, you will need to go in person to replace your identification card. The following section provides information on how to complete the process in person at one of the DMV offices in the state.
How to Replace Your West Virginia Drivers License in Person
If you are wondering, “Where can I get a copy of my drivers license in West Virginia?” then visit any of the DMV offices in the state. Depending on when you last renewed your drivers license in West Virginia, replacing drivers license credentials may be as easy as providing proof of residency.
If you last renewed your license after January 3, 2012 and at that time the DMV scanned your required documents, then you can simply provide one proof of residency document that displays your name and address. Other applicants who have not renewed under the conditions listed above will need to bring one proof of identity in addition to one proof of residency.
All applicants seeking to get copy of drivers license in WV with amended information, such as drivers who need to update the name or address on their copy of drivers license replacement, may be asked to provide additional documentation. To complete an address change, be prepared to provide an additional proof of West Virginia residency.
A name change will require proof of legal name change document(s) such as marriage license or divorce decree. Furthermore, to apply for a Federal Identification, aka REAL ID, be prepared by bringing the following documentation:
- One proof of identity
- One proof of Social Security Number
- Two proofs of WV residency with name and physical address
- Proof of legal name change if your name has ever changed
West Virginia Drivers License Replacement Fees
Whether you have a lost drivers license or damaged drivers license, there is a fee for a replacement copy.
This fee is $7.50 for most types of licenses.
Sources
- Drivers Licenses and ID Cards from transportation.WV.gov
- State of West Virginia Drivers Licensing Handbook from transportation.WV.gov