West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV/RMV) Customer Service

The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers an extensive list of possible selections on its automated menu, making it easy to find the specific area where you might need help with your call. When I asked for questions about driver's licenses, it directed me to a menu that covered all forms of driver's licenses, as well as information about the state's DUI and interlock programs.

I thought that the extensive list did a nice job of giving all of the information and breaking down where you might turn for help with your issue. One problem is that it does not offer a way to repeat the information, which can be an issue if you're unsure if one of the earliest choices genuinely fits your needs or not. The automated system does allow you to return to the previous menu, but this seems an unnecessary step.

My wait time was virtually non-existent. The state's automated system wasn't even able to get through one message before I was connected with a customer service representative, who pleasantly asked how he could assist me. I told him I had recently moved to West Virginia from another state and wanted to know how long I had before I would need to get a West Virginia license.

He told me that per West Virginia law, I had 30 days to get a new license. I asked him what I would need to get a new license, and he said I would need to bring my out-of-state driver's license, a copy of my birth certificate, my Social Security card and two documents proving my status as a genuine resident of West Virginia. When I asked what kind of documents counted for this requirement, he told me I could use a utility bill, a copy of my rental agreement or other forms of official mail establishing my residence in West Virginia.

I asked what the cost would be for a new license, and he said that would depend on my age. I told him I was 35, and he said that for a 35-year-old, my cost would be $25, or I could pay $35 and get a Real ID federally compliant license. I told him that covered all of my questions, and he asked if there was anything else he could assist with and wished me a pleasant day.

Overall, I thought the system was mostly easy to navigate and the help I received was prompt, professional and friendly. Every answer I got was both detailed and easy to understand, and I had no problems getting the answer to every question I had. The only thing I would change is adding an option to repeat the menu options without having to change menus. Otherwise, I received first-rate customer service and would feel very comfortable relying on the West Virginia DMV helpline should I need their assistance with a concern.