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West Virginia driving lesson · Driver Responsibilities

Suspension, revocation and out-of-state tickets

A 3-minute lesson from the West Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Driver Responsibilities
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
10, 28, 29

Some offenses take your license away no matter how few points you have. Tickets from other states and unanswered court orders follow you home too. Know which convictions force the DMV to revoke.

Suspension

Your license and all driving privileges are temporarily withdrawn.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Revocation

Your license and privileges are terminated and won't be renewed; under certain circumstances you may apply for a new license.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

Under the Driver License Compact, violations in other states go on your WV record, with points if warranted, and can lead to WV suspension or revocation.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

Under the Non-Resident Violator Compact, you can accept a ticket in another member state and keep going; your home state suspends your license if you don't comply.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

Courts must tell the DMV when you fail to appear or comply with any ticket or court order, even a non-traffic one. The DMV suspends your license until you prove compliance and pay fees. Unpaid child support also brings suspension.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
90 days

Suspension for fraudulent license use: false information, using or lending a license, or a fictitious license

Handbook p. 28 ↗

The DMV must revoke your license after a final conviction for:

  • Manslaughter or negligent homicide while driving
  • Two (2) or more moving violations as a graduated driver
  • Providing false information to the DMV
  • Leaving the scene of a crash with death or personal injury
  • Three (3) reckless driving convictions in 24 months
  • Racing on streets or highways (drag racing)
  • Driving while suspended or revoked
  • Failing to satisfy a civil judgment from a crash you were involved in
  • DUI of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs, in WV or any other state
  • Failing to pay for gasoline (second conviction), or any felony using a vehicle
Handbook p. 29 ↗
90 days

Possible suspension for driving while suspended or revoked (non-DUI)

Handbook p. 29 ↗

Know the rule

Driving while revoked for DUI carries a mandatory jail sentence of 30 days to six (6) months, and another six (6) month revocation.

Handbook p. 29 ↗

Know the rule

Suspension, revocation and reinstatement matters are handled in person at the DMV in Charleston, by mail, or online at go.wv.gov/selfservice.

Handbook p. 29 ↗

Know the rule

DMV Online Services lets you check license status and points, pay reinstatement fees, and buy your driving record for $12.50.

Handbook p. 29 ↗

Put it into practice

You got a speeding ticket in Virginia and never paid it. Virginia tells WV, the DMV sends you a certified letter, and if you don't show proof you paid, your WV license is suspended even though it was valid.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the penalty for driving while your license is suspended or revoked for a non-DUI reason?
  1. A 30-day suspension
  2. A 6-month suspension
  3. A permanent revocation
  4. A 90-day suspension

Answer: A 90-day suspension

Driving on a non-DUI suspended or revoked license may cause a 90-day suspension.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
What is the mandatory minimum jail sentence for driving while your license is revoked due to a DUI?
  1. 10 days to 30 days
  2. 30 days to six months
  3. One day to 90 days
  4. There is no mandatory jail time

Answer: 30 days to six months

Driving on a DUI-related revoked license carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 30 days to six months.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
What is the penalty for fraudulent use of a driver's license, such as using someone else's license as your own?
  1. A written warning
  2. A 90-day suspension
  3. Automatic revocation for one year
  4. Six points on your record

Answer: A 90-day suspension

Fraudulent use of a driver's license carries a 90-day suspension.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
Which of these convictions requires the DMV to mandatorily revoke your driver's license?
  1. Leaving the scene of an injury crash
  2. One conviction for following too closely
  3. One improper passing violation
  4. A single failure to yield violation

Answer: Leaving the scene of an injury crash

Leaving the scene of a crash that results in death or personal injury is on the mandatory revocation list; the others are ordinary point violations.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
How many reckless driving convictions within 24 months trigger mandatory license revocation?
  1. Three convictions
  2. Two convictions
  3. Four convictions
  4. One conviction

Answer: Three convictions

Three reckless driving convictions within 24 months require mandatory revocation.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
West Virginia is a member of the Driver License Compact, so out-of-state violations can affect your WV record.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

As a Driver License Compact member, WV adds out-of-state violations to your WV driving record.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
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