Suspended license in West Virginia: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In West Virginia, the first points threshold is 6 points: Warning letter. A Defensive Driving Course (DDC) removes 3 points, once every 12 months. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $50.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
The West Virginia DMV's Point System assesses points for traffic violations based on the severity of the offense. A driver who accumulates at least six points receives a warning letter, and twelve or more points brings a suspension that runs from 30 days at 12-13 points to 120 days at 20 or more points.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 points | — | Warning letter | dmv.wv.gov |
| 12 points | — | 30-day suspension (12-13 points) | dmv.wv.gov |
| 14 points | — | 45-day suspension (14-15 points) | apps.sos.wv.gov |
| 16 points | — | 60-day suspension (16-17 points) | apps.sos.wv.gov |
| 18 points | — | 90-day suspension (18-19 points) | apps.sos.wv.gov |
| 20 points | — | 120-day suspension (20 or more points), running concurrently with other point suspensions | dmv.wv.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Points for a conviction remain on the record for two years from the conviction date; the conviction itself remains for five years. There is no separate counting window: the thresholds apply to the points currently on the record.
“Motorists who accumulate at least six (6) points against their license will receive a warning letter urging them to exercise more caution and obey all traffic laws.”
“Points for a given infraction remain on a driver's record for two (2) years from the conviction date; the infraction itself remains on the record for five years.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Reckless Driving | 6 |
| Passing stopped school bus | 6 |
| Speeding in violation of specified or established limits where the speed was fifteen (15) m.p.h. or more over the posted speed limit | 5 |
| Speeding in violation of specified or established limits where the speed was ten (10) m.p.h. or more over the posted speed limit but less than fifteen (15) m.p. | 3 |
| Speeding in violation of specified or established limits where the speed was five (5) mph or more over the posted speed limit but less than ten (10) m.p.h. over | 2 |
| Failure to obey stop signs and other traffic signs and control devices, except failure to obey traffic control signals | 3 |
Check points or the driving record: dmv.wv.gov
The statute: W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6
“Has been convicted with such frequency of serious offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Defensive Driving Course (DDC) |
|---|---|
| Effect | Removes or prevents points |
| Points removed | 3 |
| How often | once every 12 months |
Completing an approved classroom Defensive Driving Course removes three points from the driver's total; the course may be used for point reduction once every 12 months and only after the points appear on the record. Online courses are not accepted. Under W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6(e), a driver notified of a pending 30-day suspension at 12 or 13 points may submit proof of completion and the reinstatement fee before the suspension's effective date to rescind it; a suspension already established at 14 or more points is not affected and must be served.
“Any driver who completes an approved Defensive Driving Course (DDC) will have three (3) points removed from their overall total, regardless of the amount of points currently on their record.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point System suspension | Suspension on accumulating twelve or more points: 30 days at 12-13, 45 days at 14-15, 60 days at 16-17, 90 days at 18-19 and 120 days at 20 or more. Suspensions generally run consecutively; a 20+ point suspension runs concurrently. | Complete the mandatory suspension period and apply for reinstatement by mail with the $50 fee, a copy of the original suspension notice and the driver's license number; regional offices do not process reinstatements. | $50 |
| Failure to pay court costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties | Under W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6(a)(7), the division may suspend a driver who has failed to pay, or defaulted on a payment plan for, costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties imposed by a magistrate or municipal court within 90 days. | Payment of the costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties imposed by the court, and the $50 reinstatement fee under § 17B-3-9; proof of payment must reach the DMV. | $50 |
| Failure to appear before a magistrate or municipal court | Under W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6(a)(8), the division may suspend a driver who has failed to appear or otherwise respond before a magistrate or municipal court when charged with a motor vehicle violation. | Reinstatement when the person has appeared in court and prevailed against the charge, or otherwise resolved it, plus the reinstatement fee. | $50 |
| Overdue child support | Under W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6(a)(10), the division suspends a driver who has failed to pay overdue child support or comply with paternity or child-support subpoenas or warrants when a circuit court has ordered the suspension and the Child Support Enforcement Division forwards the order or its certification of noncompliance. | A court order restoring the license or a certification from the Child Support Enforcement Division that the licensee is complying with the support order, plus the reinstatement fee. | $50 |
| Reckless or unlawful operation causing an accident; habitually reckless driver | Under W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6(a)(2) and (4), the division may suspend a driver who by reckless or unlawful operation caused or contributed to an accident resulting in death, injury or property damage, or who is an habitually reckless or negligent driver. Under § 17B-3-5(5), three reckless-driving convictions within 24 months bring mandatory revocation. | Notice by certified mail with the right to a hearing within 20 days of request; reinstatement fee. | $50 |
| Incompetent to drive a motor vehicle | Under W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6(a)(5), the division may suspend, restrict or revoke the license of a person who is incompetent to drive; 91 CSR 5 § 3 sets the medical-review procedures and allows restrictions matched to a physical or mental condition. | Medical review; the division may impose restrictions or require a reexamination before reinstating. | — |
| Withdrawal from secondary school or unsatisfactory academic progress (under 17) | Under W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6(a)(9), the division may suspend a driver under 17 who has withdrawn from secondary school due to misconduct or failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress, as provided in § 18-8-11. | Compliance with § 18-8-11 (school attendance or progress) and the reinstatement fee. | — |
Source quotes for each cause
Point System suspension
“Licensees who complete their mandatory suspension period may apply for reinstatement of their driving privileges.”
Failure to pay court costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties
“Has failed to pay or has defaulted on a plan for the payment of all costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties imposed by a magistrate court or municipal court within 90 days”
Failure to appear before a magistrate or municipal court
“Has failed to appear or otherwise respond before a magistrate court or municipal court when charged with a motor vehicle violation as defined in section three-a of this article;”
Overdue child support
“Has failed to pay overdue child support or comply with subpoenas or warrants relating to paternity or child support proceedings, if a circuit court has ordered the suspension of the license”
Reckless or unlawful operation causing an accident; habitually reckless driver
“Has by reckless or unlawful operation of a motor vehicle, caused or contributed to an accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another or property damage;”
Incompetent to drive a motor vehicle
“(5) Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle;”
Withdrawal from secondary school or unsatisfactory academic progress (under 17)
“Is under the age of 17 and has withdrawn either voluntarily or involuntarily due to misconduct from a secondary school or has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress, as provided in §18-8-11 of this code”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $50. Before a suspended or revoked license may be reinstated the licensee pays a $50 fee in addition to all other fees and charges; § 17B-3-6(c) applies the same fee to reinstatement after fine, failure-to-appear and child-support suspensions.
“before the license may be reinstated, the licensee shall pay a fee of $50, in addition to all other fees and charges, which shall be collected by the Division”
Complete the mandatory suspension period
A licensee who completes the mandatory suspension period may apply for reinstatement; additional violations during a suspension bring further action.
“Licensees who complete their mandatory suspension period may apply for reinstatement of their driving privileges.”
Provide verification that the underlying matter is satisfied
For a court-related suspension the DMV must receive proof of payment (verification of satisfaction); it is the driver's responsibility to provide it, and a paid ticket alone does not reinstate the license.
“DMV may not have received proof of payment (verification of satisfaction), or, you might owe a reinstatement fee. Basically, there is some administrative need that still has to be satisfied.”
Mail the reinstatement fee and documentation
Reinstatement fees and documents are mailed to the Division of Motor Vehicles, PO Box 17030, Charleston, WV 25317, with a copy of the original suspension notice and the driver's license number; regional offices do not process reinstatement transactions or accept reinstatement fees.
“A copy of your original suspension notice and your driver's license number must be included with your reinstatement application.”
Pay the $50 reinstatement fee
W. Va. Code § 17B-3-9 requires a $50 fee, in addition to all other fees and charges, before the license may be reinstated.
“before the license may be reinstated, the licensee shall pay a fee of $50, in addition to all other fees and charges”
Official page: dmv.wv.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in West Virginia.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Pending verification. No DMV page or statute located describes a restricted or hardship license during a points or other non-DUI suspension. The DMV's Point System page states that a driver whose points suspension is already established must serve the suspension and pay the reinstatement fee, and 91 CSR 5 provides for restrictions only in connection with medical review.
“If a points suspension for 14 or more points has already been established on your record, the suspension will not be rescinded or affected by the DDC; the driver must serve the suspension and pay the reinstatement fee.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in West Virginia.
Questions about a suspended license in West Virginia
- How many points suspend a West Virginia license?
- The West Virginia DMV's Point System page states that a driver with at least six points receives a warning letter and that twelve or more points brings a suspension: 30 days at 12-13 points, 45 days at 14-15, 60 days at 16-17, 90 days at 18-19 and 120 days at 20 or more. Point suspensions generally run consecutively; a 20+ point suspension runs concurrently.
- How long do points stay on a West Virginia record?
- According to the DMV, points for an infraction remain on the driving record for two years from the conviction date, while the infraction itself remains for five years. 91 CSR 5 § 7.11 states the same two-year removal and that the conviction remains part of the record.
- Can a defensive driving course remove West Virginia points?
- Yes. The DMV states that an approved classroom Defensive Driving Course removes three points, may be used once every 12 months, and online courses are not accepted. Under W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6(e), a driver facing a pending 30-day suspension at 12 or 13 points can rescind it by submitting proof of completion and the reinstatement fee before the effective date; a suspension at 14 or more points is unaffected.
- What is the West Virginia reinstatement fee?
- W. Va. Code § 17B-3-9 requires a $50 fee, in addition to all other fees and charges, before a suspended or revoked license may be reinstated. The DMV's Point System page says fees and documentation are mailed to PO Box 17030, Charleston, WV 25317 with a copy of the suspension notice, and that regional offices do not process reinstatements.
- What else can suspend a West Virginia license besides points?
- W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6(a) authorizes suspension for failure to pay court fines or costs within 90 days, failure to appear in magistrate or municipal court on a motor vehicle charge, overdue child support on a circuit court order, reckless operation causing an accident, being an habitually reckless driver, and incompetence to drive. Reinstatement after fine, failure-to-appear and child-support suspensions requires the § 17B-3-9 fee.
Sources
- West Virginia DMV - Point System (thresholds, defensive driving course, reinstatement)
- West Virginia DMV - FAQ (suspension and reinstatement questions)
- West Virginia DMV - Obtain My Driving Record
- W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6 - Authority of division to suspend, restrict, or revoke license; hearing
- W. Va. Code § 17B-3-9 - Surrender and return of license not required (reinstatement fee)
- W. Va. Code § 17B-3-5 - Grounds for mandatory revocation of license
- 91 CSR 5 - Denial, Suspension, Revocation, Restriction, Cancellation or Nonrenewal of Driving Privileges (point schedule, § 7; driver improvement course, § 8) -
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "West Virginia license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/west-virginia/suspended-license/