Homeschooled high schoolers follow the same requirements as other high school students.

WV Code § 18-8-11 (a), which is not homeschool-specific, provides that a prospective driver under age 18 must either provide documentation of school enrollment and proof of satisfactory progress or provide a high school diploma.

A homeschool graduate under age 18 must provide proof of graduation (diploma) to the DMV office when taking the written or driving test.  The homeschool diploma is accepted the same as a public school diploma; this memorandum  was sent to all DMV Regional offices in August 2015 informing them to accept homeschool diplomas.

Homeschooled students who have not yet graduated, on the other hand, must provide proof of enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.  As of May 31, 2018, parents or legal guardians of students homeschooled under§ 18-8-1(c) may provide a signed statement in lieu of a driver eligibility certificate from the attendance director.  The parent/guardian must affirm that the child is being educated in accordance with the law, is making satisfactory progress, and meets the conditions to be eligible to obtain a permit or license under WV code § 18-8-11.

According to § 18-8-11, “satisfactory academic progress” related to driver’s licensing means “the attaining and maintaining of grades sufficient to allow for graduation and course-work in an amount sufficient to allow graduation in five years or by age nineteen, whichever is earlier.”

CHEWV provides an optional Driver’s Eligibility Statement to make the process of giving proof of enrollment and satisfactory progress simpler. The DMV also requires several additional documents for prospective drivers, so please check their requirements to assure everything is in hand.


§18-8-11. School attendance and satisfactory academic progress as conditions of licensing for privilege of operation of motor vehicle.

(a) In accordance with the provisions of sections three-a and five, article two, chapter seventeen-b of this code, the Division of Motor Vehicles shall deny a license or instruction permit for the operation of a motor vehicle to any person under the age of eighteen who does not at the time of application present a diploma or other certificate of graduation issued to the person from a secondary high school of this state or any other state or documentation that the person: (1) Is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a course leading to a general educational development certificate (GED) from a state-approved institution or organization or has obtained the certificate; (2) is enrolled and is making satisfactory academic progress in a secondary school of this state or any other state; (3) is excused from the requirement due to circumstances beyond his or her control; or (4) is enrolled in an institution of higher education as a full-time student in this state or any other state.
The entire text of the pertinent code can be read here.