Top Your Driving Privilege

Driving isn't a right―it's a privilege. If you fail to treat it as such you risk having your driver's license suspended or revoked. West Virginia doesn't play around. Check out these license suspension and revocation statistics for 2005, as reported by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

• 67,842 licenses were suspended and/or revoked due to unpaid tickets.

• 10,630 licenses were suspended and/or revoked due to no insurance.

• 9,666 licenses were suspended and/or revoked due to DUI.

• 6,183 licenses were suspended and/or revoked due to mandatory revocations, point system violations, truants/dropouts under age 18, failed re-examinations, medical reasons, fraudulent applications, unpaid child support, GDL having two tickets, any measurable amount of alcohol in drivers under age 21, and driving while license was already suspended and/or revoked.

Top Check Your Driver's License Status

Whenever you need or want to check the status of your driver’s license, you can order a driving record report. This record will spell out if your driver’s license is currently valid. Should your license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what’s on record at the DMV. This report will also show points against your license and, in some cases, information on any accidents you have had.

Top Causes of Suspension and Revocation

The following are some violations that could cause suspension or revocation of your driver's license:

• Point Accumulation According to the DMV Point System

• Points Accumulated and the Suspension Time They Carry

• Five Points―Warning Letter

• 12-13 Points―30 Days

• 14-15 Points―45 Days

• 16-17 Points―60 Days

• 18-19 Points―90 Days

• 20+ Points―Your license will be suspended until you reduce your accumulated points to 11 or fewer.

• Providing incorrect information when you apply for your license

• Altering your license in any way

• Allowing someone else to use your license

• Driving without insurance

• Failing to provide correct insurance information

• Failing to pay any type of court fees or payment ordered by the court (such as child support)

• Writing "bad" checks

Top Mandatory License Revocation

Some violations involving motor vehicles are so serious they require immediate and mandatory revocation of your license once the DMV receives a final conviction notice. These violations include:

• Driving while license is suspended or already revoked

• Second conviction of failing to pay for fuel

• Three reckless driving convictions within two years (24 months)

• Two or more moving violations for (a graduated licensee)

• Conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance or drug in any state

• Drag racing, i.e, racing on any streets or highways

• Leaving an accident scene which resulted in personal injury or death

• Perjury and/or false affidavits to the DMV

• Failing to satisfy any civil judgement made against you due to your involvement in an accident

• Negligent homicide or manslaughter involving a motor vehicle

Note that if you drive during the time that your license is suspended or revoked your license may be revoked for an additional year. If you drive while your license is revoked due to a DUI offense, you'll be required to spend a minimum of six months in jail, and your driving privileges could be revoked for another year.

Top Hardship Licenses

West Virginia doesn't offer a formal hardship license to allow suspended drivers to drive to and from work or school. For more information, contact the DMV at (304) 558-3900.

Top License Reinstatement

The reinstatement process can vary depending on the reason for license suspension or revocation. You may handle suspension and/or revocation reinstatements and transactions through the mail or in person at the Capitol Complex office in Charleston, WV.

Contact the DMV at (304) 558-3900 for specific information.

You can also learn more by visiting some of our other pages:

• DUI: Driving under the influence (including those under the ages of 18 or 21)

• Car Registration

• Paying Your Traffic Ticket

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