West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook Review

This set covers key terminology and licensing requirements defined in the State of West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook.

Acceleration Lane

Extra lane on the side of a high-speed highway that permits you to enter the highway to pick up speed before merging with traffic in through lanes.

Antique Vehicle

Motor vehicle that is over 25 years old and is owned solely as a collector’s item for participation in club activities, tours, parades, and similar use, but not to be used for general transportation.

Authorized Emergency Vehicle

Fire, police, chartered rescue squad, ambulance, and other emergency vehicles.

Blind Spots

Areas on both sides of vehicles where you cannot see without turning your head.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream. For drivers over the age of 21, it is against the law to drive if the BAC is $0.08\%$ or higher. For drivers under the age of 21, it is against the law to drive if the BAC is $0.02\%$ or higher.

Bus

Motor vehicle designed for carrying more than seven (7) passengers and used primarily in the transportation of persons for compensation.

Commercial Driver

Any person who drives a commercial motor vehicle for any purpose on public streets or highways.

Commercial Motor Vehicle

Any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of $26,001\,pounds$ or more or designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or to transport hazardous materials.

Deceleration Lane

Traffic lane adjacent to regular traffic lanes that permits vehicles leaving the highway to reduce speed without obstructing through traffic.

Divided Highway

Highway with separate roadways for traffic proceeding in opposite directions, separated by an unpaved strip of land, a raised median, or other physical barrier.

Driver

Any person who drives, operates, or is in physical control of a motor vehicle, in any place open to the general public for purposes of vehicular traffic, or is required to hold a driver’s license.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances.

Graduated Driver’s License (GDL)

A 3-phase graduated licensing program, for ages 15 to 18, that allows young drivers to develop their driving skills and self-confidence in a series of safe, measured steps.

Highway

Entire width between boundary lines maintained and open to the use of the public for the purpose of vehicular travel.

Implied Consent Law

West Virginia state law providing that each licensed driver agrees to take a chemical test if charged with driving under the influence. Failure to submit results in suspension for at least one (1) year.

Interchange

System of interconnecting roadways in conjunction with one (1) or more grade separations, providing for the exchange of traffic between two (2) or more roadways on different levels.

Intersection

Area common to two (2) or more highways that meet at or near right angles, whether or not one highway crosses another.

Low-Speed Vehicle

A four-wheeled motor vehicle specifically manufactured as such; may only be operated where the speed limit is not more than $25\,mph$.

Moped

Cycle equipped with 2 or 3 wheels, foot pedals, and an independent power source of maximum 2 horsepower, $50\,cc$ engine displacement, and maximum speed of $30\,mph$.

Motorcycle

Motor vehicle, excluding a tractor, with a seat for the use of the rider, and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground.

Revocation

When a driver’s license and all privileges to drive a motor vehicle on public highways are terminated and shall not be renewed.

Suspension

When a driver’s license and all privileges to drive a motor vehicle on public highways are temporarily withdrawn.

REAL ID Act of 2005

Federal standards adopted by West Virginia in 2011 to improve the integrity and security of all driver’s licenses and identification (ID) cards.

Problem Driver Point System (PDPS)

A national driver registry designed to track violations and suspensions from state to state.

School Driver Eligibility Certificate

A document required for applicants under age 18 to perform any driver's license transaction; it also fulfills the West Virginia residency requirement if a physical address is listed.