Does West Virginia require an SR-22?
Checked against official West Virginia sources · Last reviewed October 6, 2026
West Virginia doesn't require an SR-22. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) doesn't list one among its reinstatement requirements, and state law doesn't require your insurer to file a certificate for you. After a no-insurance suspension, you show current proof of insurance and pay a fee. After a DUI revocation, the DMV requires its Safety and Treatment Program and, for certain offenses, the ignition interlock program.
Most of the state law on "proof of financial responsibility for the future" has been repealed. [1][2][5][6]
Does West Virginia require an SR-22?
No. The West Virginia DMV does not list an SR-22 among its reinstatement requirements. After a no-insurance suspension, it asks you to serve the suspension, submit proof of valid insurance, and pay a reinstatement fee. [1]
What does reinstatement cost?
$50 license reinstatement fee, in addition to all other fees and charges [3]
What coverage do you need?
$25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per crash, $25,000 property damage [4]
Who handles it
West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which handles insurance and judgment suspensions [1]
Common questions
What happens if I'm caught driving without insurance?
For a first offense, your license is suspended for 30 days. You can avoid that by paying a $200 penalty before it starts and showing current proof of insurance on all your registered vehicles. A second offense within 5 years brings a 90-day suspension, and your registration is revoked until you show proof of insurance. [2]
What do I need to get my license back after a no-insurance suspension?
The DMV says you must serve the suspension, submit proof of valid insurance, and pay the reinstatement fee. You can pay the fee early, but the suspension still lasts its full length. The law asks for current proof of insurance on all your registered vehicles. It doesn't require your insurer to file anything or require you to keep proof on file for a set time. [1][2]
How much does it cost to reinstate?
The license reinstatement fee is $50, on top of any other fees. After an insurance revocation, reinstating your vehicle registration costs $100, plus a $50 penalty if State Police issued a secure order on your plate. [1][3]
What do I need to get my license back after a DUI?
You must complete the DMV's Safety and Treatment Program, which the DMV says can't be waived. Certain DUI offenses also require the Alcohol & Drug Test and Lock (ignition interlock) Program before your full driving privileges come back. The DMV's interlock form doesn't list proof of insurance or an SR-22 among the requirements. [5][7]
What if I can't pay a judgment from a crash?
When the DMV gets a certified copy of an unpaid crash judgment, it suspends your license and registration. The suspension lasts until the judgment is stayed or paid, and bankruptcy doesn't end it. If the court lets you pay in installments, the DMV restores your license while you stay current on the payments. The law doesn't require proof of future insurance in either case. [8][9][10]
What insurance proof do I have to carry?
Your insurer gives you a certificate of insurance for each vehicle. You must keep it in the vehicle and show it at inspection, and not carrying it is a misdemeanor with a fine of $200 to $5,000. [11]
What are the minimum insurance limits?
West Virginia requires at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. [4]
Sources
- WV DMV - Consumer Insurance Information (official agency page, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 17D-2A-7 - Suspension or revocation of license, registration; reinstatement (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 17B-3-9 - Surrender of license; reinstatement fee (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 17D-4-2 - "Proof of financial responsibility" defined (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- WV DMV form DMV-308-SE (Rev. 07/2023) - Alcohol & Drug Test and Lock Program: Revocation Interlock Information (official agency page, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- W. Va. Code Chapter 17D, Article 4 - Proof of Financial Responsibility for the Future (section list) (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 17C-5A-3 - Safety and treatment program; reissuance of license (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 17D-4-5 - Suspension for nonpayment of judgments; exceptions (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 17D-4-6 - Suspension to continue until judgments paid and proof given (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 17D-4-8 - Installment payment of judgments; default (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 17D-2A-4 - Certificate of insurance (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)