How to Renew Your West Virginia Driver's License

What You Need to Renew in West Virginia

West Virginia renews driver's licenses by mail or in person at a DMV office. The mail route is faster if you're may be able to access — you send in your current license, a completed form, and a check, and the DMV mails back your new license in about two weeks. The in-person route takes a few hours at the office but handles complications on the spot.

You can renew by mail only if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and your name and address haven't changed since your last renewal. If any of those don't explore to you, you must go to a DMV office in person.

Key Takeaways

Mail renewal takes about two weeks and costs $20 for a five-year license or $35 for an eight-year license, but only works if your current license is valid and your information hasn't changed.
In-person renewal at a DMV office requires your current license, proof of residency, and a completed process form, and takes a few hours.
West Virginia DMV offices are located in each county; you can find your nearest office and check current wait times on the state DMV website.
Your new license will arrive by mail within two weeks of approval, whether you renewed by mail or in person.
If your license is already expired, you cannot renew by mail and must appear in person with proof of residency.

Renewing by Mail: What to Send

To renew by mail, start with form DL-44, the West Virginia driver's license process. You can read it from the DMV website or request it by phone. Fill in all sections completely — the DMV will reject incomplete forms and send them back, which adds weeks to the process.

Include your current, valid driver's license with the form. Write a check for $20 (five-year license) or $35 (eight-year license) made out to the West Virginia DMV. Mail everything to the address listed on the form — this is the DMV's mail processing center, not your local county office.

Keep a copy of the form and a record of what you mailed. The DMV processes mail renewals in the order received, and processing takes about two weeks. You'll receive your new license by mail at the address on your process.

Renewing in Person: Documents and Steps

If you're renewing in person, bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address, and a completed DL-44 form. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A government-issued ID other than your driver's license also works.

Go to your county DMV office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though hours vary by location. Check the DMV website for your specific office's hours and current wait times before you go — some offices post real-time wait estimates.

At the office, you'll complete the DL-44 form if you haven't already, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee. The DMV will process your process on the spot and mail your new license within two weeks. You'll leave with a temporary paper license valid until your new one arrives.

When You Must Renew in Person

You cannot use mail renewal if your current license is expired. An expired license means you must appear in person with proof of residency and your expired license. The DMV treats this as a standard in-person renewal, not a special case.

You also must renew in person if your name has changed since your last renewal — you'll need to bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change. If your address has changed, you can still renew by mail as long as you update your address on the form, but some people prefer to do this in person to avoid mail delays.

Medical restrictions or vision corrections also require in-person renewal. If your license has restrictions (such as corrective lenses required), the DMV must verify these in person before issuing a new license.

Fees and License Duration

West Virginia driver's licenses cost $20 for a five-year license or $35 for an eight-year license. You choose which term when you renew. The eight-year license costs more but means you won't renew again for eight years instead of five.

Payment by check or money order is required for mail renewal. At a DMV office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card — accepted cards vary by office, so call ahead if you plan to use a card.

Finding Your Local DMV Office

West Virginia has a DMV office in each of its 55 counties. The DMV website lists all office locations, phone numbers, and hours. You can renew at any county office, not just the one in your home county, though most people go to the nearest location.

Call your local office before you go to confirm hours and current wait times. Some offices get busy in the afternoon or on specific days of the week. Going early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter waits.

What Happens After You Renew

Once your process is approved, your new license is printed and mailed to the address on your process. This takes about two weeks from the date the DMV processes your renewal. If you renewed in person, you received a temporary paper license at the office that's valid until your new license arrives.

If your new license doesn't arrive within three weeks, contact your local DMV office with your process number. Keep the temporary paper license in case you're stopped while waiting for the new one to arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it's been expired for more than a year?

Yes, but you must renew in person. An expired license is treated the same as any other in-person renewal — bring your expired license, proof of current address, and the DL-44 form. The DMV does not penalize you for the length of time your license has been expired.

What if I moved and my address on my license is wrong?

If you're renewing by mail, write your new address on the DL-44 form and the DMV will update it. If you're renewing in person, bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days) and the DMV will update it during the renewal process.

Can someone else mail in my renewal for me?

No. You must sign the DL-44 form yourself, and the DMV requires your original, valid license with the process. A family member or friend can mail the envelope for you, but you must prepare and sign the form.

How long is my temporary paper license valid?

Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date it was issued at the DMV office. Your new plastic license should arrive within two weeks, so the temporary is a backup in case of mail delays. If your new license hasn't arrived after 30 days, contact the DMV office that issued the temporary.

What if I want to change my address but not renew my license yet?

You can update your address without renewing your license by visiting a DMV office in person with proof of your new address. This is a separate transaction from renewal and costs nothing. However, if your license is expiring soon, it's more efficient to renew and update your address at the same time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.