West Virginia Traffic Ticket Fines and Costs

Fines vary by court. This means a traffic ticket fine for running a stop sign in Beckley may not be the same in Morgantown.

Your total fine amount will be listed on the citation. If you have any questions, contact the presiding court.

Auto Insurance Rate Increase

Depending on your provider, you may also experience a jump in your car insurance rate. Keep in mind that you can always counter a rate increase by comparing auto insurance quotes online.

West Virginia Traffic Ticket Penalties

In addition to fines, you'll also face penalties. This includes points and the possible suspension or revocation of your WV driver's license.

West Virginia Point System

Traffic ticket convictions comes with points. Depending on the nature of the violation, you may see between two and eight points assigned to your driving record. The more severe the violation, the higher the point total. Even if you're ticketed outside of West Virginia, you'll still incur points.

After reaching five points, the DMV will mail you a warning letter, suggesting better driving habits.

Your WV driver's license will be suspended if you accumulate a certain number of points. The length of the suspension depends on the point total:

• 12-13 points: 30 days
• 14-15 points: 45 days
• 16-17 points: 60 days
• 18-19 points: 90 days

WV Driver's License Suspension and Revocation

Suspension and revocation are the two most common terms associated with loss of driving privileges.

License Suspension: The temporary loss of your driving privileges. You may resume driving again once all reinstatement requirements are met.

License Revocation: The termination of your West Virginia driver's license. After the revocation period has ended, you must reapply for a new driver's license, requiring passing the knowledge and skill tests again.

Your WV driver's license will be revoked if convicted of any of the following infractions

• Three reckless driving convictions in 24 months.
• Drag racing.
• Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death.
• Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
• Driving while your license is revoked or suspended.
• A second conviction for failing to pay for gas.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI).

The length of the suspension or revocation depends on the nature of the infraction and driving record. Repeat offenses, for instance, come with lengthier penalties.

Penalties for Drivers Younger Than 21

In addition to the violations described above, you will lose your WV driving privileges if caught driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system.

Penalties for WV Commercial Drivers

Remember, you must:

• Notify your employer within 30 days of the traffic ticket conviction date.
• Notify your employer within one day if your CDL is suspended, revoked, cancelled, or disqualified.
• Notify the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of being convicted of an out-of-state traffic violation.

Major Offenses

You will lose your West Virginia CDL for one year if convicted of any of the following offenses:

• Driving any vehicle with a blood alcohol count (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a BAC of 0.04%.
• Refusing to submit to a sobriety test.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Using the vehicle to commit a felony.
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a suspended, revoked or canceled CDL.
• Causing a fatality through negligent driving.

Serious Offenses

These violations include:

• Speeding 15 mph over the posted speed limit.
• Reckless driving.
• Improper lane changes.
• Following a vehicle too closely.
• Driving a CMV without holding a CDL.
• Driving a CMV without having your CDL in your possession.
• Driving a CMV without the proper CDL endorsement.
• Violating a state law of texting while driving.

A second conviction of any combination of these violations will lead to the loss of your driving privileges for 60 days, or 120 days for a third or subsequent conviction of any combination of these offenses.

CDL Disqualifications

Your CDL will be disqualified from anywhere from 180 days to one year for the following convictions:

• Violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting nonhazardous materials.
• Violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded, or while driving a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers.

For more on traffic violations and penalties, consult the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.