The process for getting your West Virginia driver’s license reinstated can be as simple as paying overdue fees. In more serious cases, you must wait for your period of suspension to expire and then reapply for your license. Suspensions involving a DUI will require the completion of a DUI education and treatment program.
Having your driver’s license suspended or revoked is awful, and most people want to get it reinstated as quickly as possible. In some scenarios, all it will take is taking care of past due fines and paying a reinstatement fee. In more serious cases, your license could be suspended for up to a year, and you may be required to complete a driver education course.
The licensing reinstatement requirements are a bit muddy in West Virginia, so car insurance
super app Jerry
is here to help clear things up a bit! We're covering everything you need to know about getting your license reinstated in the Mountaineer state, plus some ways to lower your West Virginia car insurance costs
! 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Why you might need a license reinstatement in West Virginia
The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles most of the driver’s license suspensions in West Virginia, and there is a wide range of reasons as to why your license could get suspended
. It could be anything from a brief suspension for unpaid fines to a full revocation for committing vehicular homicide. In most situations, your driver’s license won’t be automatically reinstated after the set suspension period is up. West Virginia requires drivers to pay all fees and submit any required paperwork first.
Drivers in West Virginia are notified via certified mail if their license is or will be suspended. If you’re not sure if your license has been or is in danger of being suspended, you can check the status of your driving record online
through the West Virginia DMV. How to get a license reinstatement in West Virginia
The precise steps to getting your license reinstated
will depend on the reason for the suspension. Generally speaking, you will need to pay a fee of at least $50 for reinstatement. The quickest way to pay your reinstatement fees is online through the DMV’s self-service portal
. Have your driver’s license number or Social Security number ready, and make sure you know the amount that you will need to pay. If you need assistance figuring out the exact amount owed, you can call 1-800-642-9066. You can also take care of the process through the mail at:
P.O. Box 17030Charleston, West Virginia 25317
Make sure you include your original suspension notice and your driver’s license number.
If you have additional questions about your license suspension, contact the West Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) at 1-304-558-3900.
Traffic citations and court suspensions
In 2020, West Virginia passed House Bill 4958, which ended driver’s license suspensions for unpaid fines and court fees. You’ll still have to pay them, but the program establishes a payment plan and will allow you to keep your license.
This bill only applies to potential suspensions due to unpaid court fees or fines, though. Suspensions due to DUIs, points accumulation, or other hazardous driving behaviors do not qualify.
Point suspensions
Getting 12 or more points on your driver’s license will result in a suspension of anywhere from 30 to 90 days, but taking an approved defensive driving course in West Virginia will remove three points off of your license.
If you have 12 or 13 points (a 30-day suspension), paying your fees, taking the course, and submitting proof of completion before the scheduled date of suspension can get the suspension rescinded. If you have 14 or more points, you may still be required to take the course, but the suspension will stand.
Once the period of suspension is up, you can submit your fees and paperwork online or through the mail.
DUI
West Virginia is a zero-tolerance state when it comes to DUI laws
—your first offense will result in a suspension of your license. In addition to serving the suspension and paying any fines, you will also be required to complete a Safety and Treatment Program before your license can be reinstated. In some cases, getting an alcohol interlock device on your vehicle can also reduce the length of your suspension.
Key Takeaway In most cases, you can get your license reinstated after the period of suspension is up by paying your fees (or making payment arrangements) and taking any required education courses.
How to get a hardship license in West Virginia
Driving with a suspended license
is a serious offense in West Virginia. But not being able to drive can place severe limitations on your ability to get to work, which will mean you can’t pay your fines! It was for this reason that West Virginia passed House Bill 4958, which replaced the Second Chance Driver’s Act. As mentioned above, this bill means that your license will not be suspended just for non-payment of fines or court fees.
In some cases, a DUI suspension can be rescinded with an alcohol interlock device, and a suspension due to non-payment of child support can be reversed if extenuating circumstances are demonstrated. Contact the West Virginia DMV for more information, and it may be helpful to seek professional legal assistance.
MORE: High-risk car insurance: Everything you need to know
What is an SR-22 certificate?
An SR-22 certificate
is an extra vehicle liability endorsement that many states require high-risk drivers to get through their insurance companies. West Virginia is one of a few states that doesn’t require SR-22s, but you will still be required to have (and supply proof of) car insurance that meets West Virginia's minimum requirements.
You can definitely expect to see an increase in your insurance premiums due to a license suspension, though.
MORE: How to fill out and file an SR-22
How to save money on car insurance in West Virginia
No matter what your license has been suspended for, it makes finding a good deal on car insurance a little more difficult—and a lot more important. Insurance companies vary widely in how they assess higher-risk drivers, and it can be absolutely exhausting to compare rates among them all.
Jerry
to the rescue! If your driving record is less than perfect, Jerry still has your back. Enter a little bit of information into the trustworthy insurance shopping super app
, and within minutes, Jerry will bring you competitive quotes from over 50 top insurance companies. All you need to do is pick the one that suits your needs and your budget best, and Jerry takes care of the sign-up process. No paperwork or phone calls needed! Even with an increase due to a license suspension, you’ll still see savings. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year!
“I have a really bad record, so all of my previous insurance quotes were pretty high. I started using Jerry
and the fantastic app saved me $130 a month on my insurance.” —Jett A.
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