You want to change drivers on an interstate, but the car is operating normally. Where should you stop?
Correct answer: At a rest area or after leaving the interstate.
Interstate shoulders are for disabled vehicles, not routine driver changes or map reading. Use an appropriate off-road stopping place.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 59 (physical PDF p 69), Stopping on an Interstate. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Why can the beginning of a light rain be especially slippery?
Correct answer: Water mixes with oil and dirt already on the pavement.
The initial film of water, oil and dirt can reduce traction. Slow down and leave extra room.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 63 (physical PDF p 73), Rain — Wet Pavement. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A seven-year-old who is 4 feet 6 inches tall rides in a private passenger car with available restraints and no exemption. What is required?
Correct answer: A properly secured child passenger safety device meeting federal standards.
Children under 8 need an appropriate child safety system unless the statutory height exception or another applicable exception applies.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-15-46, first paragraph. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A child under eight is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. What does the child-restraint statute allow?
Correct answer: A safety belt can satisfy the statutory requirement.
The statute expressly allows a safety belt for a child under 8 who is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Proper belt use and fit still matter.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-15-46, first-paragraph proviso. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A 15-year-old rides in the rear of a modern passenger car on a public highway, with no exemption. Is a seat belt required?
Correct answer: Yes; the rear-seat requirement covers passengers under 18.
The current belt law covers the driver, front-seat passengers and rear-seat passengers under 18. Everyone should buckle up even beyond the statutory minimum.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-15-49(a)–(b). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
An adult driver holds a phone against the ear for an ordinary social call while driving. Is avoiding typing enough to make this lawful?
Correct answer: No; physically holding the phone for the call is prohibited.
The current law prohibits holding or supporting the device as well as prohibited communications. An ordinary adult hands-free call is a different case; younger GDL drivers have stricter rules.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-14-15(e)(1), (e)(3), and (m). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
An adult pulls fully into a lawful parking space before reading messages. How does the distracted-driving statute treat that situation?
Correct answer: It expressly excludes a person in a lawfully parked vehicle.
The statute has an exception for a person in a lawfully parked motor vehicle. A traffic stop at a signal is not the same as parking.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-14-15(l)(5). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A crash causes apparent total property damage of $1,200 and no visible injury. What notification duty applies?
Correct answer: Immediately notify the appropriate law-enforcement agency by the quickest means.
Current §17C-4-6 requires immediate notice for injury, death or apparent total property damage of $1,000 or more. This controls the handbook's inconsistent five-day statement on printed 16.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-4-6. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
After a collision with an attended vehicle, which information package matches the current driver's disclosure duty?
Correct answer: Name, valid contact phone, vehicle year/make/model and last four VIN digits, plus required financial-responsibility or insurance information.
The current code specifies identity/contact details, vehicle identification details and proof of financial responsibility. Information may be provided through the investigating officer under the stated procedure.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-4-3(a)(1)–(2). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You strike an unattended car and cannot locate its owner. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop and leave a conspicuous written notice identifying the driver and owner of your car, their names and addresses, and the circumstances.
The statute requires locating and notifying the owner/operator or leaving the specified written notice. Separate crash-reporting duties may also apply.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-4-4. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Can an insurer-provided image on a phone qualify as proof of insurance if it contains the required policy information?
Correct answer: Yes; the statute expressly recognizes that form of proof.
The current definition of insurance proof includes an insurer-provided image displayed on a wireless device with the required information. It does not excuse a lapsed policy.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17D-2A-4(b)–(c). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Under the ordinary current state schedule, how often must a West Virginia-registered passenger car receive a safety inspection?
Correct answer: Once every two years.
The current statute specifies a two-year inspection interval. Separate annual federal commercial-vehicle requirements are not the ordinary private-car schedule.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-16-4(a). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Where should an adjustable head restraint be positioned for protection in a rear impact?
Correct answer: Against the back of the head, not the neck.
The handbook explains that head restraints reduce whiplash risk and should fit against the back of the head.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 68 (physical PDF p 78), Head Restraints. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The temperature warning shows an overheating engine. After safely stopping and shutting it off, when should you remove the radiator cap?
Correct answer: Only after the engine has cooled.
The handbook warns not to remove the radiator cap until the engine cools. Hot pressurized coolant can be dangerous.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 71 (physical PDF p 81), Overheating Engine. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The rear of your car begins sliding to the right. What steering response does the handbook describe?
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer right toward the intended path, correcting as grip returns.
The handbook describes steering in the direction of the rear skid, then straightening/correcting as the car responds. Avoid abrupt control inputs.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 71 (physical PDF p 81), Skids — To steer out of a skid. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Floodwater covers the road ahead and you cannot judge the road surface beneath it. What should you do?
Correct answer: Do not attempt to drive across; find a safe alternative.
Floodwater can hide missing pavement and move a vehicle. The handbook says never attempt to cross a flooded roadway.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 63 (physical PDF p 73), Flooding. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A 20-year-old says having an unrestricted license permits drinking before driving as long as BAC stays below 0.08%. What is the correct response?
Correct answer: No; West Virginia's under 21 licensing rule applies to any measurable alcohol, regardless of license class or level.
The GDL statute's under 21 provision applies regardless of class or level. This question does not equate every measurable amount with the separate criminal 0.02% offense or state a penalty.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17B-2-3a(b); distinguish §17C-5-2(j). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
An adult passenger holds an open beer in the passenger area of an ordinary private car stopped on a public highway. Does being stopped make possession lawful?
Correct answer: No; the ordinary prohibition applies while moving or at rest.
The statute prohibits ordinary passenger-area open-container possession on a public highway or its right-of-way, whether moving or stopped. Specialized for-hire and living-quarter exceptions are outside this scenario.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-5D-3(a)–(c). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
How does the handbook direct you to check tire pressure accurately?
Correct answer: Use a pressure gauge when the tires are cold and compare with the vehicle's label.
Cold-tire gauge measurements should be compared with the vehicle's recommended PSI. Tire appearance is not a substitute for a measurement.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 70 (physical PDF p 80), What to Check Before Driving — tires. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You reach the sign shown at a quiet intersection. What does it require even when no traffic is visible?
Correct answer: A complete stop before proceeding when safe.
STOP requires a full stop, not merely a reduction in speed. Use the stop line, or the appropriate crosswalk or intersection stopping position, then yield before proceeding.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_01; sign R1-1: Stop; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
