Defensive Driving in West Virginia

SUMMARY: West Virginia Defensive Driving Courses

Taking a defensive driving course has many benefits. You may want to take a course voluntarily to learn how to be a safer driver, or it may be a requirement of a traffic court or the WV Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can also earn a point reduction from any violation points you may have on your driving record, and possibly earn an insurance discount if your car insurance provider offers one.

This page gives you information about defensive driving courses (also known as traffic school) in the state, and why you should complete one.

Taking Defensive Driving in West Virginia

Defensive driving courses in West Virginia may help you:

  • Remove points from your driving record.
  • Lower your car insurance rates.
  • Dismiss a traffic ticket.

Remove Driving Record Points

In West Virginia, you can complete traffic school to have points removed from your driving record.

You can have up to 3 points reduced from your existing record each time you complete a course. However, you can take a course only once every 12 months for point reduction purposes. To determine your eligibility, contact the WV DMV.

If you're a problem driver and have accumulated 14 points or more on your driving record, you will not be eligible to use the defensive driving course to remove a driver's license suspension.

To check your driving record and keep track of your points, see our Driving Records in West Virginia page.

Auto Insurance Discounts

Many states offer insurance rate reductions if you successfully complete a traffic school course. To find out if you're eligible for a rate reduction, please contact your insurance policy provider directly. For more information, you can also visit our page on Defensive Driving and Driver Training Discounts.

Dismiss a Traffic Ticket

In some cases, if you receive a traffic ticket, the court may allow you to dismiss it by attending traffic school. This will usually depend on your violation and your driving history.

In order to be eligible to attend traffic school to dismiss a ticket, you usually have to meet the following requirements:

  • You hold a valid West Virginia driver's license.
  • Your ticket was given for committing no more than one violation.
  • You must not have been driving a commercial vehicle when cited.

In some circumstances, the court may require you to complete a defensive driving course as part of your punishment.

For more information, check your traffic ticket or contact the court handling your case.

Traffic School Providers in West Virginia

You must register for a defensive driving course in advance by calling one of the following approved West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles providers:

  • West Virginia Driver Training: (304) 641-9045.
  • B-Safe, Inc.: (304) 641-9045

You may not take an online course to reduce points on your driving record.

WV Defensive Driving Course Details

Defensive driving courses in West Virginia vary on course length time.

You will likely need to pass a final exam in order to successfully complete the course. Depending on your reason for taking the course and your chosen provider, you may be given more than one attempt to pass the test.


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