Traffic Ticket FAQ in West Virginia

I got ticketed. What's my next move?

You need to enter one of three pleas:

• Guilty
• No contest
• Not guilty

If you plead guilty or no contest, you'll pay the fine listed on your citation. Challenging your ticket means appearing in court to enter a not guilty plea.

Regardless of plea, it must be entered before the ticket's posted court date expires.

What happens if I ignore the ticket?

Not a good idea. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend your West Virginia driver's license and the court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest.

Will I receive points on my driving record?

The DMV will assign anywhere from two to eight points to your driving record. The more serious the violation, the higher the point total. You can learn more in our West Virginia DMV Point System page.

Will the DMV suspend my driver's license if I accumulate too many points?

Suspensions start at 12 points. The length of the suspension is contingent on the number of points.

Read more in our Ticket Fines & Penalties page.

Does West Virginia offer point reduction?

Three points will be sponged from your driving record for completing a state-approved Defensive Driving Course (DDC). You may pursue this option once every two years.

Are traffic ticket fines the same throughout West Virginia?

Fines vary by county and municipality. The fine amount will be posted on your citation. Call the presiding court―Municipal or Magistrate―if you have questions about the fine.

What if I can't pay the total fine amount?

Call the presiding court and ask if you can arrange for a payment plan. If offered, the court clerk will explain how to apply, which may require appearing in court.

Read more about this option in our Ticket Fines & Penalties page.

After getting ticketed, should I expect increased car insurance premiums?

This will depend on your auto insurance provider. Each company adheres to different policies regarding traffic tickets.

If you notice a jump in your rates, consider shopping around for a new auto insurance company. You can easily do this by comparing rates online from a variety of different providers.

Will I lose my West Virginia commercial driver's license if ticketed?

It depends on the severity of the violation and your driving record. Check out our Ticket Fines & Penalties page for a detailed list of violations and CDL penalties.

Why should I check my driving record after getting cited?

You always want to check for accuracy. Verify that the point total is correct. Additional points could cause the suspension of your West Virginia's driver's license and a possible increase in car insurance rates.

Why should I hire a traffic ticket attorney?

Legal counsel will vastly improve your chances for a favorable decision. This could mean reduced charges or ticket dismissal, possibly sparing you of points, the possible suspension of your WV driver's license, and increased auto insurance rates.