SR-22 in West Virginia: What You Need to Know

An SR-22 form is not required in West Virginia to reinstate your driver’s license after a driving offense, but you must prove you have liability insurance.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In West Virginia, after being convicted of a serious driving violation, you do not need your insurer to file an SR-22 form for you to prove financial responsibility when getting your license reinstated. However, you will still be required to meet the state’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
If your driver’s license was suspended after a major driving violation, your
West Virginia car insurance costs
will go up—but that doesn’t mean your insurance costs need to be untenable.
Here's what you need to know about SR-22 forms in Virginia, from
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West Virginia doesn’t require SR-22 coverage

Indeed, West Virginia is one of a handful of states that does not require an
SR-22
certificate to reinstate your driver’s license after it’s been
revoked or suspended
due to a serious traffic violation. You’ll still need to provide proof to West Virginia’s DMV that you meet the state’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
All drivers in West Virginia are required to carry
liability insurance
. The state’s mandated minimum insurance requirements are as follows:
  • $25,000 for bodily injury per person
  • $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage coverage per accident
In West Virginia, drivers also must carry
uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
that meets the following minimum requirements:
  • $25,000 for bodily injury per person
  • $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage per accident
Key Takeaway Drivers do not need an SR-22 to reinstate their driver’s license after it’s been revoked or suspended, but they will need to provide proof of liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
MORE:

Who needs SR-22 in West Virginia?

Drivers do not need an SR-22 form in West Virginia if their license is revoked or suspended. License suspensions are likely to occur if you’ve been convicted of the following severe driving violations:
  • Driving without insurance
  • Reckless driving
  • Failure to pay multiple traffic tickets or citations
  • A series of minor traffic violations within a short time frame
  • Numerous at-fault accidents
  • Refusing a breathalyzer test
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Moving to a state requiring an SR-22

If you’ve been convicted of a major driving offense in West Virginia, but subsequently had your license reinstated, you may need your insurer to
file an SR-22 form
on your behalf if you move to a state that requires it.
In such a scenario, you’ll need to find an insurer in your new state that will file an SR-22 certificate for you, as your West Virginia insurer won’t do this.
Key Takeaway: If you’ve been convicted of a serious driving violation in West Virginia and you’re moving to a new state, make sure you secure an insurer in your new state to file an SR-22 form on your behalf.

How a license suspension impacts your insurance in West Virginia

If your license is suspended in West Virginia, your
insurance premiums will likely increase steeply
when buying coverage upon reinstatement.
Rates for a driver with a suspension on their record may rise anywhere from 78%-104% in-state, compared to what a driver with a clean record pays for standard auto insurance. Your premiums will remain high for a while, but practicing good driving habits and keeping a clean driving record will go a long way in decreasing your insurance rate over time.
Even though you’ll be faced with higher premiums upon reinstatement, it's always a good idea to shop around for insurance to find the best rate you can.
Key Takeaway After your license is reinstated following a serious driving violation, be prepared to pay higher rates than you would with standard car insurance.

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