The other day I went to apply for a new drivers license because I wanted the proper address. Why would they punch a hole in your driver license to begin with? I have an expired license with a hole punched in it by the DMV to make it obvious that it is expired. No valuable information is affected by the hole punch. Still has my picture, date of birth, drivers ID, and everything else thats important on a drivers license.
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The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses a point system to monitor the traffic tickets you receive, even after you've paid the required fines.
Below, you'll find information on how the WV DMV point system works and how points can affect your license.
Points & Your WV Driver's License
With a large enough accumulation of points, you could lose your driving privileges—making getting to work, school, and even just the supermarket a full-on mission.
The West Virginia DMV will suspend your license if you have at least 12 points on your recordat any given time.
The length of your suspension will depend on how many points you've accrued:
- 12 to 13 points: 30 days.
- 14 to 15 points: 45 days.
- 16 to 17 points: 60 days.
- 18 to 19 points: 90 days.
If you have 20 points or more on your WV driving record, your license will be suspended until you can reduce the total to 11 points or fewer.
If you're convicted of DUI, your driver's license will be automatically suspended (among other possible penalties) until you complete the necessary steps for reinstatement. Check out our guide to suspended WV licenses for more.
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Knowing what's on your driver record is very important. If you aren't sure how many points you've accrued, especially after receiving a traffic citation, check your WV driving record!
West Virginia Point Schedule
The amount of points added to your WV record depends on the seriousness of the traffic ticket you receive.
In West Virginia you'll also receive points on your driving record for offenses you commit out-of-state. So, when you cross state lines make sure to bring your good driving habits with you!
Below, you'll find some common traffic offenses and their corresponding point values. If you'd like to see the full point schedule, check out the WV DMV's brochure on the point system.
NOTE:Commercial drivers in West Virginia may face higher point assessments AND license suspension for certain traffic violations. Take a look at our guide to CDL suspension for more information.
Violations with Fewer Points
Below are some traffic violations that could relatively fewer points to your driving record:
- Failing to use turn signals: 2 points.
- Following too closely behind another vehicle: 2 points.
- Driving on the wrong side of the road on one-way street: 3 points.
- Littering: 3 points.
- Failing to obey a stop sign: 3 points.
- Failing to obey a traffic light: 3 points.
- 3rd offense for using your cell phone (calling or texting) while driving: 3 points.
- Speeding 11 to 14 MPH over the speed limit: 3 points.
Violations with Higher Point Values
Here are a few examples of traffic offenses that add the most points to your driving record:
- Going 15 to 19 MPH over the limit: 5 points.
- Driving 20 MPH or more over the limit: 6 points.
- Leaving the scene of an accident: 6 points.
- Reckless or Careless driving: 6 points.
- Fleeing from law enforcement: 8 points.
For committing offenses that carry higher point values, you might have to go to traffic court to plead your case. For advice on how to prepare for court, take a look at our page on fighting WV traffic tickets.
Violations Point = Higher Insurance RatesDID YOU KNOW: If you've accrued a lot of points on your record, you could end up paying more for auto insurance. If you just received a citation, make sure you know exactly how traffic violations can affect your car insurance rates.
Clearing Your WV Driving Record
Reducing the amount of points on your West Virginia driving record is crucial to maintaining your driving privileges.
Fortunately, the WV Division of Motor Vehicles will removepoints for a traffic violation 2 years after the conviction date.
You also have the option of taking a defensive driving course, which:
- Removes3 points from your record.
- Keeps your license from being suspendedONLY if you:
- Are facing 30 days of license suspension.
- Can submit proof that you completed the defensive driving course PRIOR to your suspension start date.
The West Virginia DMV allows you to take a defensive driving course for point reduction once every 12 months.
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My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Virginia
I discovered DMV had inaccurate information concerning past license renewals and therefore they were requiring me to physically come to their customer service center to renew my license. They refused to straighten this issue out which would have meant that I could simply renew online without issue.
When I came to renew my license, the clerk asked for my current license which is still valid for almost another month and punched VOID in the top right corner of it. Again, this was a perfectly valid license that she damaged. Additionally, the way she punched the hole, it damaged the bar code on the back side so that it no longer scans. I was informed at this time that the license was no longer valid, I would be issued a temporary license and that my new license would come in the mail in a few weeks. I was also told that the voided license would now only serve as an ID.
The clerk was unable to explain to me why she had damaged my license. When I researched the protocol, I found out that there are only two instances in which they are supposed to invalidate a valid license--if it's a CDL or if you have an out of state license. I took this information and returned to DMV to request the information from a manager. It was confirmed that as of July 2014, the policy had changed and they weren't supposed to be voiding things.
Furthermore, I am finding out that since the bar code on the back of the license has been damaged because there's a hole through it, it cannot be used even as an ID because this allows verification of the information printed on the card. Additionally, the temporary license states that a valid photo ID must be carried WITH said temporary license and that the temporary license does not serve as ID.
My question here is whether or not it's even legal for me to drive and what potential recourse might I have against DMV for wrongfully invalidating my license. (such as a refund, expediting my license, or something to make it right) On a side point, I found out that the clerk who had done my transaction had done 17 renewals before noon the day she done mine and had apparently voided ALL of them against policy.