West Virginia Second Chance Driver's License Program: Current Status
The program appears to have ended
West Virginia Code §17B-7-11 says the Second Chance Driver's License Program ceased to have effect on June 30, 2022, unless the Legislature reauthorized it. The current Code page still shows that sunset and lists only the 2020 law that added it in the section's bill history. The West Virginia Secretary of State lists the program's implementing rule, 149 CSR 9, as historical. No later law reauthorizing the program appears in the Code.
The FY2027 state budget still has a line for the program's account, but the state publishes no current application instructions. Treat the program as closed unless the DMV or a court clerk tells you otherwise. Do not follow old enrollment directions or send payments to the former program.
What to do about court debt and a suspended license
Ask the clerk for the court that imposed the debt about that court's payment-plan process. West Virginia has separate procedures for magistrate court under §50-3-2a, municipal court under §8-10-2b, and circuit court under §62-4-17. Each section provides for a payment plan based on a financial affidavit stating that you cannot pay. The plan is handled by the court that imposed the debt; ask that clerk which form and terms apply to your case.
A court payment plan does not automatically resolve every driver's-license suspension. Current law provides a specific reinstatement route for a license suspended solely for nonpayment on or after July 1, 2016, but before July 1, 2020, if the driver is otherwise eligible. Under that route, a driver can qualify after paying the debt and DMV reinstatement fee, or after establishing a payment plan under the applicable section and paying its administrative fee. The clerk then notifies DMV that the plan is in effect, and DMV waives the reinstatement fee. The statutes also say that a DMV suspension entered before July 1, 2016, for failure to appear or nonpayment is null and void. If your suspension falls outside those dates, or your record has another hold, ask the court clerk and DMV what must be resolved.
The DMV's Driver Licensing Handbook says that, when DMV has notified you about an unpaid citation, you must provide proof that you paid it or satisfied the court's order before DMV can reinstate your license. Confirm your license status with DMV before driving.
For broader help identifying holds and handling reinstatement, see the West Virginia Driver's License Reinstatement Guide.
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