roadwise.Open study app

West Virginia driving lesson · Driver Responsibilities

The point system

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.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Driver Responsibilities
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
28, 30

Every moving violation you're convicted of goes on your WV driving record with points based on how serious it is. Build up enough points and the DMV warns you, then suspends you.

Know the rule

Your record shows the date and nature of each violation and the court that convicted you. Points apply to in-state and out-of-state moving violations.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
2 years

How long points stay on your record from the conviction date

Handbook p. 28 ↗
6 points

The DMV sends you a letter of caution

Handbook p. 28 ↗
12 points

Your license is subject to suspension

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

An approved eight (8) hour defensive driving class deducts three (3) points, but only once every 12 months.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

The class must be DMV-approved and taken after the points appear on your record, or you get no deduction.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Highest-point offenses

Highest-point offenses
OffensePoints
Fleeing from an officer8
Speeding in a school zone6
Reckless driving6
Hit and run (leaving scene / not revealing ID)6
Speeding 20 mph or more over the limit6
Speeding 15–19 mph over5
Speeding 11–14 mph over3
Handbook p. 30 ↗

3-point offenses include:

  • 3 or more wireless device violations (any mix of talking/texting)
  • Passing violation or failure to yield
  • Failure to obey a traffic light or stop sign
  • Hazardous or careless driving
  • Driving left of center or on the wrong side of the road
  • Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
  • Driving too fast for conditions or failure to maintain control
  • Improper lane violation or failure to observe a safety zone
  • Failure to follow a police officer's instructions
  • Littering
Handbook p. 30 ↗

2-point offenses:

  • Following too closely
  • More than 3 passengers in the front seat
  • Improper turning or improper backing
  • Improper signal or no signal
  • All other moving violations not listed
Handbook p. 30 ↗

Put it into practice

In one year you're convicted of going 12 mph over (3 points), failing to stop at a stop sign (3), and following too closely (2). That's 8 points: you'll get a caution letter. Four more and you face suspension.

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.

How many points on your record will trigger a caution letter from the DMV?
  1. Three points
  2. Twelve points
  3. Nine points
  4. Six points

Answer: Six points

Accumulating six or more points triggers a caution letter urging careful, obedient driving.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
How many points on your record make your driver's license subject to suspension?
  1. Twelve points
  2. Six points
  3. Eight points
  4. Twenty points

Answer: Twelve points

Accumulating 12 points on your record subjects your license to suspension.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
How long do points remain on your WV driving record from the conviction date?
  1. One year
  2. Two years
  3. Five years
  4. Three years

Answer: Two years

Points remain on your driving record for two years from the date of conviction.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
How many points can be removed from your record by completing an approved eight-hour defensive driving class?
  1. Two points
  2. Six points
  3. Three points
  4. One point

Answer: Three points

Completing an approved eight-hour defensive driving class can remove three points, once every 12 months.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
How many points are assessed for speeding 20 mph or more over the posted limit?
  1. Six points
  2. Three points
  3. Five points
  4. Eight points

Answer: Six points

Speeding 20 mph or more over the limit carries 6 points, the same as reckless driving.

Handbook p. 30 ↗
You may use the point-reduction defensive driving class once every six months.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Motorists are only eligible for the three-point deduction once every 12 months.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Driver Responsibilities

All West Virginia lessons