Photo: JaGa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The West Virginia road test has two parts: a basic control skills test (parallel parking and turnabouts) and an on-road test with a DMV examiner. Both are scored in points against you. You pass with 4 points or less on parallel parking and 10 points or less on the road. This guide is built from the WV Driver’s Licensing Handbook and the DMV score forms, so you know exactly what is marked.
Key facts (West Virginia DMV, as of November 2026)
- Level 2 road skills exam fee: $7.50.
- Basic control skills: a subset of left or right parallel park, forward two-point, reverse two-point and three-point turnabouts.
- Parallel parking pass: 4 points or less, all attempts combined.
- Road test pass: 10 points or less.
- Automatic fails include hitting a cone, jumping a curb and using your phone.
- No retest within one week.
Before the test: vehicle check
The examiner checks the car before you drive. You need a valid license plate and registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid WV inspection sticker. The car must be legally equipped. You must show you can use:
- headlights (high and low beam), wipers, hazard lights, defroster or heater;
- parking brake, horn, turn signals, steering tilt and seat belt.
Not being able to locate and demonstrate any safety equipment is an automatic failure. Backup lights, brake lights, tail lights, plate light, exhaust, tires and windows must all work, and the driver’s window must open. Defects can fail the exam. The handbook says you cannot switch to another vehicle on the same test date after a defect. Separately, the DMV will not test a car with an open safety recall until it is fixed. The DMV page on this says you may bring a different car without a recall on the same day.
Illegal equipment includes red or blue flashing lights, window tint under 35% light transmission, a cracked windshield and broken lenses.
Basic control skills test
You may be tested on a subset of:
| Exercise | What you do |
|---|---|
| Left side parallel park | Park parallel on the left |
| Right side parallel park | Park parallel on the right |
| Forward two-point turnabout | Turn around using a side space, driving in forward |
| Reverse two-point turnabout | Turn around by backing into a side space |
| Three-point turnabout | Turn around in the roadway area in three moves |
The examiner explains each exercise first, and you can ask questions.
How parallel parking is scored
- Points for missing turn signals, missing head or traffic checks, tapping the curb, climbing the curb, hitting a standard, and relying solely on the camera.
- Up to three attempts. Being outside 18 inches from the curb line after 3 attempts is a fail.
- Pass: 4 points or less across all attempts combined.
- If your car has a hands-free parking feature, it must be switched off.
Automatic failures in the skills test
- Accumulating excessive points.
- Hitting, tapping or moving a cone, barrel or flag.
- Jumping the curb at any point.
The on-road test
You drive a route that may include a moderate grade, right and left turns, and a traffic light or stop sign. The examiner gives directions and scores:
- Turns: check traffic, signal, brake smoothly, stop behind the line, keep wheels straight while waiting, both hands on the wheel, finish in the correct lane, cancel the signal.
- Intersections: check all directions, keep your lane, stop where you can see the rear tires of the car ahead, do not change lanes in the intersection.
- Urban driving: regular traffic checks, right-most lane, safe following distance, keep up with traffic without exceeding the limit.
- Lane changes: mirrors, over-the-shoulder head check, signal, smooth move, cancel signal.
- Curves: slow before the curve so you do not brake in it.
- Signs: the examiner may ask you to name signs you just passed (the form scores 2 picked at random).
- Steering: both hands on the outside of the wheel; hand-over-hand or hand-to-hand is fine; no palming.
How the road test is scored
Each item is marked 1, 3, 5 or 10 points depending on how serious the error is. Points are not cumulative within a row: only the highest mark in each row counts. A total of 10 or less is a pass. The examiner waits until you are back at the test center to discuss results.
Road test automatic failures
- Excessive points.
- Not wearing your seat belt.
- Using your wireless device at any time.
- A moving violation, disobeying signs or signals, speeding or rolling stops.
- Not yielding to pedestrians or other road users.
- An avoidable crash or contact with any vehicle, object or person.
- Any unsafe act, or another driver having to take evasive action.
- Putting the vehicle on a sidewalk or curb unnecessarily.
- The examiner having to take control.
- Not wearing required glasses.
- Refusing a maneuver.
- Being dangerously inexperienced.
- Not following a traffic control device or the examiner’s lawful direction.
Who can take the road test?
- Level 2 (under 18): at least 16, 180 days conviction-free on Level 1, and your completed 50-hour log or driver education card.
- Regular permit (18+): after holding the permit at least 30 days.
First-time applicants also complete a short DUI awareness course after passing the road skills test.
Common questions
Does hitting a cone fail the WV road test?
Yes. Hitting, tapping or moving a cone, barrel or flag is an automatic failure.
Can I use my backup camera for parallel parking?
Relying solely on the camera costs points, and any hands-free parking feature must be off. Use mirrors and look over your shoulder.
How close to the curb do I need to be?
Within 18 inches of the curb line. Being outside it after three attempts is a fail.
What score passes the West Virginia road test?
10 points or less on the road test, and 4 points or less on parallel parking.
Can I retake the road test the next day?
No. You cannot be tested twice within one week.
Can I drive myself to the road test?
You must arrive at the testing center lawfully. On a permit, that means a licensed driver 21+ in the front passenger seat.
Back to the West Virginia learning to drive guide. See also GDL levels, the 50-hour log, why people fail, road tests by state.
Sources
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s Licensing Handbook” (revised 07/2026), Chapter IV and Driver Skills Test and Road Test Score Forms (DMV-DT-1) (webapps.transportation.wv.gov)
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL)” (dmv.wv.gov)
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, “Procedures on Driver’s Licenses” (dmv.wv.gov)
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, “Regular (non-GDL) Instruction Permit” (dmv.wv.gov)