(a) The commissioner shall notify each person who holds a valid driver's license of the expiration date of the license by first class mail or by electronic means to the last address known to the division. The notice shall be mailed at least ninety days prior to the expiration date of the license and shall include a renewal application form and instructions for renewal.
(b) The commissioner, at his or her discretion, may provide a program of electronic renewal notices to licensees and an electronic web-based renewal process. This process may include an electronic vision screening verification or waiver subject to processes and restrictions the commissioner considers necessary for highway safety, secure processing and identity verification. The online program shall require the applicant to have his or her digital photo updated at least once every sixteen years.
(c) The holder of a valid driver's license may apply to the division for renewal of the license on the form provided by the division. To be eligible for license renewal the applicant must:
(1) Pay the fee required by section eight of this article;
(2) Obtain a new color photograph from the division, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section; and
(3) Pass a vision screening conducted in the manner prescribed by the division.
(d) The commissioner shall assess an additional fee of $5 for every application for renewal submitted after the expiration of the applicant's license.
(e) The commissioner shall determine whether an applicant qualifies for a renewed license.
(f) The commissioner shall provide by rule a procedure by which an applicant who does not meet the minimum vision standards for licensure may present evidence to show that his or her vision has been corrected to meet the minimum visual standards and that he or she is capable of safely operating a motor vehicle.
(g) The commissioner may not renew the driver's license of an applicant whose eyesight cannot be corrected to conform to the minimum vision standards established by this code and by the rules of the commissioner.
(h) Vision screening conducted pursuant to this section may not be used to collect any type of personal biometric identifying information including, but not limited to, a retinal scan.
(i) The commissioner shall propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this section.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 17B. Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses
Article 2. Issuance of License, Expiration and Renewal
§17B-2-1b. Transfer of Driver's Licensing Examination Function
§17B-2-1c. Temporary Identification Card for Released Inmates
§17B-2-2. Persons Exempt From License
§17B-2-3. What Persons May Not Be Licensed; Exceptions
§17B-2-3a. Graduated Driver S License
§17B-2-5. Qualifications, Issuance and Fee for Instruction Permits
§17B-2-5a. Training, Certification and Monitoring of License Examiners
§17B-2-6. Application for License or Instruction Permit; Fee to Accompany Application
§17B-2-6a. Voluntary Contribution to State Police Forensic Laboratory Fund
§17B-2-7. Examination of Applicants
§17B-2-7a. Driver’s Licensing Advisory Board
§17B-2-7b. Separate Examination and Endorsement for a License Valid for Operation of Motorcycle
§17B-2-7c. Motorcycle License Examination Fund
§17B-2-8. Issuance and Contents of Licenses; Fees
§17B-2-9. License to Be Carried and Exhibited on Demand; Penalty
§17B-2-9a. Exemptions of Certain Railroad Workers
§17B-2-10. Restricted Licenses
§17B-2-11. Duplicate Permits and Licenses
§17B-2-12. Expiration of Licenses
§17B-2-12a. Renewal of Driver's License Upon Expiration; Vision Screening; Renewal Fees
§17B-2-13. Notice of Change of Address or Name