How to Renew a Commercial Driver’s License in West Virginia
It is important to perform a CDL renewal in West Virginia prior to the expiration of your current CDL license. By doing so, you will be able to retain your driving and commercial vehicle privileges and avoid the hassle of having to apply for a commercial learners permit prior to acquiring a new CDL. A CDL expiration grace period is available in West Virginia, however, you will not be permitted to drive or operate a commercial vehicle until your license has been renewed.
It is important to ask, “What do you need to renew your CDL license in West Virginia?” as CDL requirements and documentation is very different from the requirements and documentation needed for a standard driver’s license renewal. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to review the renewal process in order to be better prepared for your visit to the DMV.
When to Renew Your CDL License in West Virginia
By performing a CDL renewal in West Virginia prior to the expiration date displayed on your WV CDL, you can avoid a loss of driving privileges as well as ensure that you can still legally operate a commercial vehicle.
In West Virginia, the length of a CDL license can vary, so it is important to review your own license in order to determine when your CDL is set to expire. Prior to that expiration date, you will receive a renewal notice from the West Virginia DMV reminding you to renew. However, you will only receive a renewal notice if the DMV has your correct mailing address on file.
In West Virginia, there is a CDL expiration grace period of six months. While you will not be able to operate any type of vehicle on an expired license, the grace period allows you to renew within that six month period in order to avoid having to retest for your CDL.
If you do not renew within the six month grace period or before your license expires, you will be required to take all knowledge and skills testing related to your CDL class and any endorsements that you wish to renew.
CDL Renewal Testing Requirements in West Virginia
By reviewing CDL renewal requirements in West Virginia, you can better prepare for your renewal and any testing that you may need to complete before a new CDL can be issued to you.
In general, you will not be asked to complete additional knowledge or skills test when applying for the renewal of your commercial license. However, if you have a hazardous material endorsement, you must complete a knowledge test with every renewal you apply for.
If you do not qualify for the CDL expiration grace period and your license has been expired for more than six months, you must complete all procedures for an initial issuance of a CDL as well as all knowledge and skills tests related to the CDL and endorsements.
What do you need to renew your CDL license in West Virginia?
When you renew a commercial drivers license in West Virginia, there are a number of documents that you will need to provide to the WV DMV in order to complete your renewal and obtain a new CDL. These documents include:
- Your current West Virginia CDL
- Proof of address
- A completed Medical Examination Report
- The CDL renewal cost
- A completed commercial drivers license renewal application (optional)
CDL Renewal Process in West Virginia
In West Virginia, a CDL renewal can only be completed in person at a participating DMV location. At this time, online and by mail renewal applications are not available for holders of CDL licenses. Before your visit to the DMV, you are strongly encouraged to review the list of documents that you will need to bring with you in order to avoid a second visit to the DMV.
When you go to renew a commercial drivers license, you will be required to successfully pass a vision exam and have your photo take for your new CDL. Once your renewal is complete, you will receive a temporary CDL that can be used until you receive your new one by mail.
If you have a hazardous material endorsement, it is important to review the additional steps that you must take prior to visiting your local DMV.
West Virginia CDL Permit Renewal Requirements
It is important to ask, “How long is a CDL permit good for in West Virginia?” in order to better prepare yourself for practicing with a commercial license permit (CLP) and ensure that you renew your CLP if you are not yet ready to obtain a CDL.
In West Virginia, a CLP will only remain valid for a 180 day period that begins the day that the permit is issued. A CDL permit renewal can only be performed once within a two year period. Should you wish to renew your permit, you must do so within 30 days from your current permit’s expiration date.
If your permit has already expired or if you have already previously renewed, you will be ineligible for a renewal and will instead be required to apply for a learner’s permit again, pay appropriate fees and complete the appropriate CDL testing.
Hazardous Material Endorsement CDL Renewal Requirements in West Virginia
To renew a commercial drivers license hazardous material endorsement in West Virginia, you must first complete a fingerprint and federal background check from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
You are strongly encouraged to begin this process at least three months prior to the expiration of your CDL as the background check can take several weeks to complete. You can begin this process by applying on the TSA website or by calling 855-347-8371. You will receive a letter in the mail from the TSA stating your approval or denial after your federal background check has been completed.
In order to complete a CDL renewal with a hazardous material endorsement, you must bring the approval letter with you to the DMV in order to renew. At the DMV, you will also be required to successfully pass the hazardous materials background check again with each renewal. However, you will only receive three attempts to test and pass for the endorsement each time that you renew your CDL with this endorsement.
CDL Renewal Fees in West Virginia
The WV CDL renewal price is between $26.25 and $61.25, depending on the number of years that your new CDL will be valid for. This amount includes any endorsements that you already have on your CDL. However, should you choose to upgrade your CDL by adding new endorsements, there is a $10 charge for each endorsement that you add to your license.
That being said, you can save money on your upgrade by choosing to add endorsements during a renewal. If you were ineligible to renew and you needed to obtain a duplicate license instead after adding endorsements, you would face an additional $5 fee.
If your CDL renewal includes the renewal of a hazardous material endorsement, it is worth knowing that the application with the TSA for the federal background check and fingerprinting will include an additional fee. The amount that you can expect to pay for a hazardous material endorsement renewal is $86.50.
When performing a CDL license renewal, it is also worth knowing that your employer may be willing to cover the cost of your renewal if your CDL is required to perform your job duties.
West Virginia CDL Renewal Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- Commercial Drivers License from transportation.WV.gov