A Parent's Guide to West Virginia Teen Driving Laws

For parents, a teenager getting their driver's license is a time of both pride and anxiety. It represents a major step toward independence, but it also brings a new set of worries about safety. Fortunately, West Virginia has a Graduated Driver's License (GDL) program designed to ease teens into the complex world of driving.

This guide is for both parents and new teen drivers. It will clearly explain the specific driving laws, restrictions, and requirements for minors in West Virginia. Understanding these rules is crucial for promoting safety, ensuring compliance with the law, and fostering a lifetime of responsible driving habits.

The Purpose of the Graduated Driver's License (GDL) Program

The GDL program is a three-tiered approach that has been proven to reduce teen-related car accidents. The goal is to allow young drivers to gain experience and skills under lower-risk conditions before they are granted full driving privileges. The program consists of three levels: the instructional permit, the intermediate license, and finally, the full, unrestricted license.

Level 1: The Instructional Permit

This is the very first step in a teen's driving journey.

Eligibility: A teen can apply for a Level 1 Instructional Permit at age 15. They must be enrolled in school and have parental consent.
Supervision is Key: A teen with an instructional permit must always be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and is seated in the front passenger seat.

Key Restrictions for Permit Holders:

Driving Curfew: Driving is only permitted between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. This restriction is in place to limit driving during the more dangerous nighttime hours.
Passenger Limitations: In addition to the supervising adult, a permit holder can have no more than two additional non-family passengers in the vehicle. This rule is designed to minimize distractions.
Zero Tolerance for Alcohol: There is a strict zero-tolerance policy for alcohol for anyone under 21. This applies to the driver and all occupants of the vehicle.
No Cell Phones: Using a cell phone or any other electronic device while driving is strictly prohibited for permit holders.

To move to the next level, a teen must hold this permit for at least six months without any violations and complete 50 hours of practice driving (10 at night), certified by a parent.

Level 2: The Intermediate License

At age 16, after successfully completing the Level 1 requirements and passing a road test, a teen can obtain a Level 2 Intermediate License. This level allows for more independence, but some crucial restrictions still apply.

Key Restrictions for Intermediate License Holders:

Driving Curfew: Unsupervised driving is permitted between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. Driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. is only allowed with a licensed adult (21 or older) in the front seat, or if the teen is driving to or from work, a school activity, or a religious event.
Passenger Limitations (The "First Six, Second Six" Rule): This is one of the most important rules for parents to enforce.
- For the first six months of holding the intermediate license, the teen driver is not allowed to have any non-family passengers under the age of 20.
- For the second six months, the teen driver may have no more than one non-family passenger under the age of 20.
Continued Zero Tolerance: The zero-tolerance alcohol policy and the ban on cell phone use remain in effect.

Level 3: The Full, Unrestricted License

The final step in the GDL program is earning a full license.

Eligibility: A teen can apply for a full license at age 17, provided they have held their intermediate license for at least one year without any violations.

Once a teen has a full license, the GDL curfews and passenger restrictions are lifted. However, the zero-tolerance alcohol law still applies until they turn 21, and the statewide ban on texting while driving applies to all drivers.

The Parent's Role: More Than Just a Chauffeur

As a parent, your role in this process is critical.

Be a Good Example: Your teen learns by watching you. Always model safe driving behaviors, such as wearing your seatbelt, obeying speed limits, and not using your phone while driving.
Supervise Practice Driving: The 50 hours of required practice is a minimum. Use this time to expose your teen to a variety of driving situations, including different weather conditions, night driving, and highway driving.
Set House Rules: Even after your teen has their intermediate license, you can set your own rules that may be stricter than the state's. This could include stricter curfews, limits on passengers, or rules about who can be in the car.
Keep the Conversation Going: Talk to your teen regularly about the responsibilities of driving. Discuss the dangers of distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding.

By working together and understanding the laws, parents and teens can navigate this exciting time safely and responsibly, laying the foundation for a lifetime of safe driving.