West Virginia · Handbook chapter 2 · 3 min read

West Virginia school attendance rules, crash reporting, compulsory insurance, the hands-free phone law, the point system, out-of-state violations and mandatory revocations.

Why this chapter matters

Keeping your license means following rules beyond the road itself: insurance, phones, court tickets and points.

School attendance

Drivers under 18 who stop attending school or have too many unexcused absences have their license restricted to work, medical, educational or religious driving until 18 or until the school authorizes reinstatement.

Crashes and insurance

• Report any crash with injury, death or more than $1,000 in damage by the quickest means, within five days, to city police, the county sheriff or the State Police.
• Minimum liability coverage: $25,000 for one death or injury, $50,000 for two, and $25,000 for property damage.
• Keep proof of insurance and your registration card in the vehicle; an image on your phone also counts.
• If your insurance is canceled, surrender your plate.
• Driving uninsured brings suspension of your license and registration. False insurance information adds a 90-day suspension, up to a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail.

Phones

Using a handheld device while driving is illegal; only hands-free use is allowed. Reporting a fire, crash, hazard or emergency is permitted. Concentration drops 20 to 33 percent on the phone.

Drivers under 18 may not use any device except to call 911.

The point system

• Points stay on your record for two years.
• At 6 points you get a warning letter; at 12 points your license can be suspended.
• An approved eight-hour defensive driving class removes 3 points, once every 12 months.

Other states and courts

West Virginia belongs to the Driver License Compact and Non-Resident Violator Compact, so out-of-state tickets count here. Failing to answer any court summons, or to pay child support, leads to suspension.

Revocations

Mandatory revocation follows manslaughter with a vehicle, two or more moving violations as a graduated driver, leaving an injury crash, three reckless driving convictions in 24 months, drag racing, driving while suspended, DUI and any felony using a vehicle. Lending or misusing a license brings a 90-day suspension. Driving while revoked for DUI means 30 days to six months in jail and another six months of revocation.