Driving Without Insurance in West Virginia
Fines, license and registration suspension, and SR-22 requirements for driving uninsured in West Virginia.
Short answer: Owners must keep security in effect continuously and surrender the plate if coverage is dropped. An owner without required security has the driver's license suspended for 30 days (and until proof of insurance on all registered vehicles is shown) and the registration revoked for a first… W. Va. Code §§ 17D-2A-3, 17D-2A-4(b), 17D-2A-7
| Driving without insurance | Owners must keep security in effect continuously and surrender the plate if coverage is dropped. An owner without required security has the driver's license suspended for 30 days (and until proof of insurance on all registered vehicles is shown) and the registration revoked for a first offense, unless the owner shows proof and pays a $200 penalty fee before the effective date; for a second offense within five years, the license is suspended 90 days and registration revoked until proof is shown. Failing to carry proof of insurance is a misdemeanor with a $200 to $5,000 fine; a second or later conviction can add 15 days to one year in jail. |
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| Proof of insurance | Insurers must issue a certificate of insurance, which (or other proof of insurance) must be carried in the vehicle and presented at vehicle inspection. Proof may be a certificate, the policy or a copy, a self-insurance certificate, or an image displayed on a wireless communication device. A driver cited for not carrying proof is not guilty if he or she shows within seven days that insurance was in effect. Source: W. Va. Code § 17D-2A-4 |
More West Virginia car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in West Virginia
- SR-22 Insurance in West Virginia
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in West Virginia
- Transferring a Car Title in West Virginia
- All West Virginia car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in West Virginia?
Owners must keep security in effect continuously and surrender the plate if coverage is dropped. An owner without required security has the driver's license suspended for 30 days (and until proof of insurance on all registered vehicles is shown) and the registration revoked for a first offense, unless the owner shows proof and pays a $200 penalty fee before the effective date; for a second offense within five years, the license is suspended 90 days and registration revoked until proof is shown. Failing to carry proof of insurance is a misdemeanor with a $200 to $5,000 fine; a second or later conviction can add 15 days to one year in jail.
Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in West Virginia?
Insurers must issue a certificate of insurance, which (or other proof of insurance) must be carried in the vehicle and presented at vehicle inspection. Proof may be a certificate, the policy or a copy, a self-insurance certificate, or an image displayed on a wireless communication device. A driver cited for not carrying proof is not guilty if he or she shows within seven days that insurance was in effect.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.