West Virginia House Bill 4958: Eliminating driver’s license suspension for failure to pay court fines and costs

This bill ends the suspension of driver’s licenses for nonpayment of court fines and costs. The bill also allows courts to accept electronic payments, credit cards, cash, money orders and certified checks as payment and requires clerks to set up payment plans for individuals who are unable to pay. 

You can read the full text of the bill here. 

Key Provisions

• Requires the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to develop a uniform payment plan form and financial affidavit for payment plan requests.  
• In response to the nonpayment of a fine or cost, courts may assess late fees, issue judgement liens, or send debts to collections.
• Requires the reinstatement of driver’s licenses suspended solely due to nonpayment of fines and costs prior to July 1, 2020, after payment of all outstanding costs or entering into a payment plan.