West Virginia Makes CDL Instruction Permit Valid for a Year
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As of June, holders in West Virginia of a commercial driver license instruction permit will have a yearlong validity date instead of the initial, current six months.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed legislation, effective June 6, extending the length of the state’s commercial instruction driving permits for a year by amending and re-enacting a state code.
Senate Bill 463 (increasing validity of CDL instruction permit) was introduced Jan. 24 during the 2023 regular session of the state’s 86th Legislature. It was sponsored by Charles Clements (R) and cosponsored by Robert Plymale (D).
The state division of motor vehicles is the responsible agency. It may issue a commercial driver instruction permit to an applicant who holds a valid operator’s or Class D license who has passed the vision and/or physical standards plus knowledge tests required for issuing a CDL.
Under state law, a holder of a CDL instruction permit may drive a commercial motor vehicle on a highway only when with a person who has a CDL valid for the type of vehicle and who is giving instruction or testing while seated beside the driver with the instruction permit. Those holding a CDL instruction permit must carry it with them along with their regular operator’s license when driving a commercial vehicle.
According to the West Virginia DMV, applicants must hold a CDL instruction permit for at least 14 days before being eligible to take a road skills test.
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Traci Nelson, president of the West Virginia Trucking Association, favored the new law.
“We feel like this gives the permit holder more instruction time behind the wheel with a licensed driver without the issue of having to get the permit renewed. In the past it was valid for six months with the option for one renewal in a two-year period,” Nelson said.
WVTA was formed in 1932 with a mission emphasizing increasing highway safety as well as public education about the importance of commercial vehicle transportation.
