W. Va. Code § 17C-6-8 — WV Code / Chapter 17C / Article 6 / Section 8
§17C-6-8. Racing on streets and highways prohibited; legislative findings; penalties; mandatory revocation of licenses.
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby determines and finds that the racing of motor vehicles on the public streets and highways of this state, whether within or in excess of the lawful speed limit (much of which racing is commonly referred to as "illegal street racing"), is extremely dangerous to life, limb, and property, and that such racing is an ever increasing problem. It is, therefore, hereby declared to be the public policy of this state to prohibit all forms of such racing on the public streets and highways, and to provide criminal penalties for, and require the revocation of, the operator’s or chauffeur’s license or nonresident privilege to drive, of those persons who are convicted of engaging in or aiding or abetting such racing.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to engage in, or aid or abet by serving as lookout or timer or in any other capacity whatever, any speed race, as defined herein, on any public street or highway in this state. For the purposes of this subdivision, "speed race" means:

(1) The operation of a motor vehicle in speed acceleration competition with another motor vehicle or motor vehicles; or

(2) The operation of a motor vehicle in speed acceleration competition against time; or

(3) The operation of a motor vehicle in speed competition with another motor vehicle, or motor vehicles where speed exceeds the lawful speed limit.

(b) Any person who violates the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished for a first offense by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $100; and for a second offense by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500, or by imprisonment for not less than six days nor more than 60 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and for a third and each subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1000, or by imprisonment for not less than 60 days nor more than four months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. For the purposes of this section, a forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure such person’s appearance in court, which forfeiture has not been vacated, shall be equivalent to a final conviction. If at the time of any violation of the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section by any person as an operator of a motor vehicle, such person was not entitled to operate a motor vehicle in this state because his or her operator’s or chauffeur’s license, or privilege to drive in this state if such person be a nonresident, had earlier been suspended or revoked, then in addition to the offense, penalties, and mandatory revocation provided for in this section, the provisions of §17B-4-3 of this code shall be applicable.

(c) Whenever a person is convicted for a violation of the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section, which conviction has become final, the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall in addition to the penalties hereinbefore provided, forthwith:

(1) For a first offense, revoke the operator’s or chauffeur’s license of such person, or such person’s privilege to drive in this state if he or she be a nonresident, for a period of six months;

(2) For a second offense occurring within a two-year period, revoke the operator’s or chauffeur’s license of such person, or such person’s privilege to drive in this state if he or she be a nonresident, for a period of two years; or

(3) For a third or any subsequent offense occurring within a five-year period, revoke the operator’s or chauffeur’s license of such person, or such person’s privilege to drive in this state if he or she be a nonresident, for a period of five years.

Whenever a person is convicted as aforesaid for a second, third, or subsequent offense which occurred while such person’s operator’s or chauffeur’s license, or privilege to drive in this state if he or she be a nonresident, was revoked pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision, the period or periods of mandatory revocation for such second, third, or subsequent offense shall be cumulative and shall run consecutively. If a person’s junior or probationary operator’s license is revoked in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision, such person may not apply for a regular operator’s or chauffeur’s license until he or she reaches 18 years of age or until the period of revocation has elapsed, whichever event shall last occur. Notwithstanding the provisions of §17B-3-8 of this code, any person whose operator’s or chauffeur’s license, or privilege to drive in this state if he or she be a nonresident, is revoked, under the provisions of this subdivision, may, following the period or periods of revocation, immediately apply for and obtain a new operator’s or chauffeur’s license or nonresident privilege to drive, as the case may be, if and only if the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles is satisfied, after investigation of the character, habits, and driving ability of such person, that it will be safe to permit such person to drive a motor vehicle on the public streets and highways. Any period of revocation imposed under the provisions of this subdivision shall be computed from the date of such revocation.