• You may obtain a Level I instruction permit after you turn 15.The new powerful car in modern city image by terex from Fotolia.com
  
  Many teenagers dream of hitting the open road with their brand new driver's licenses. Young drivers in West Virginia must obtain an instruction permit (learner's permit) in order to get behind the wheel. West Virginia learner's permits are known as Level I instruction permits and you must have one before applying for a driver's license. With a bit of studying and the proper identification, you will be cruising your city's streets in no time.
  
  

Age

• Any West Virginia resident may apply for an instruction permit after turning 15. This permit will be valid until your eighteenth birthday. A parent or legal guardian must sign the application form. Married teenagers do not need parental consent, but the state may ask you to submit a copy of your marriage license. West Virginia instruction permits cannot be renewed.
  
  

Exams

• A young driver needs to take and pass a written test and an eye exam before the state will issue an instruction permit. The fee for an instruction permit is $5. West Virginia does not require teenagers to take driver education classes. The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suggests reading the "Driver Licensing Handbook" a few times before the exam. If you fail the exam, you can retake it the next day.
  
  

Required Documents

• West Virginia has a zero tolerance policy for driving while intoxicated.report drunk drivers sign (closeup) image by Paul Marcus from Fotolia.com
  
  Bring several forms of ID when you sit for the written test. The state requires a social security card and birth certificate. The application form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. West Virginia teenagers have to obtain a School Driver Eligibility Certificate (SDE) from their high school before applying. This certificate is used to verify that your attendance, grades and behavior are at a satisfactory level. You also need two separate documents that prove your residency. The DMV usually accepts utility bills in the parent's name if no other documents are available. The SDE certificate may be used as proof of residency as well.
  
  

Rules and Regulations

• A licensed adult over the age of 21 must be seated in the front seat during driving practice. You may drive on the road between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. Teens can transport up to two non-family passengers. Talking on a cell phone and texting while driving are punishable offenses. West Virginia requires everyone in the vehicle to wear a seat belt. Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs is strictly forbidden. Consequences include fines, jail time and the loss of your permit or license.
  
  

Intermediate and Full Driver's Licenses

• After you have had your permit for at least six months and reached your sixteenth birthday, you may apply for a Level II (intermediate) Driver's License. You must then complete 50 hours of practice driving. Ten of those hours must be completed at night. Supervised driving must be confirmed by your parent or legal guardian. A Driver Education Card can be substituted for a parent's signature. You are not allowed to apply for a full driver's license if you have been involved in an accident or been cited for violation of driving laws. Level III (full) Driver's Licenses can be obtained at 17 years of age if you have held a Level II License and been free of traffic convictions for at least 1 year.