Alcohol, Drugs & Graduated Licensing
Impaired driving is a serious crime in West Virginia, and new teen drivers earn full privileges in stages. Knowing these limits protects your license and everyone on the road.
Adult and under-21 limits
A driver 21 or older is legally impaired at 0.08 percent BAC, and drivers under 21 face a 0.02 percent zero-tolerance limit. Any amount of a controlled substance can also lead to an impaired-driving charge.
Graduated licensing
West Virginia's system begins with the Level 1 instruction permit at age 15, followed by the Level 2 intermediate license at 16 and a full Level 3 license later. Each step requires supervised experience and a clean record.
Level 2 restrictions
The Level 2 intermediate license limits late-night driving and the number of young, non-family passengers during the first months. These limits ease as the driver gains experience and reaches the next level.