Source: http://wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=SB545%20ORG.htm&yr=2018&sesstype=RS&i=545
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 13:31:32+00:00

Document:
A BILL to amend and reenact §17B-2-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to driving privileges and requirements for persons under the age of 18; prohibiting use of wireless communication device while operating motor vehicle and specifying exception; and making violation of level-three license terms and conditions subject to penalty provision.
ARTICLE 2. ISSUANCE OF LICENSE, EXPIRATION, AND RENEWAL.
(a) Any person under the age of 18 may not operate a motor vehicle unless he or she has obtained a graduated driver’s license in accordance with the three-level graduated driver’s license system described in the following provisions.
(b) Any person under the age of 21, regardless of class or level of licensure, who operates a motor vehicle with any measurable alcohol in his or her system is subject to the provisions of §17C-5-2 and §17C-5A-2 of this code. Any person under the age of 18, regardless of class or licensure level, is subject to the mandatory school attendance and satisfactory academic progress provisions of §18-8-11 of this code.
(c) Level one instruction permit. — An applicant who is 15 years or older meeting all other requirements prescribed in this code may be issued a level one instruction permit.
(E) Pays a fee of $7.50, which shall permit the applicant one attempt at the written knowledge test. The Division of Motor Vehicles may adjust this fee every five years on September 1, based on the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics most current Consumer Price Index: Provided, That an increase in such fee may not exceed 10 percent of the total fee amount in a single year.
(E) Maintains current school enrollment and is making satisfactory academic progress or otherwise shows compliance with the provisions of §18-8-11 of this code.
(F) A holder of a level one instruction permit who is under the age of 18 years shall be is prohibited from using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, unless the use of the wireless communication device is for contacting a 9-1-1 system. A person violating the provisions of this paragraph is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall for the first offense be fined $25; for a second offense be fined $50; and for a third or subsequent offense be fined $75.
(d) Level two intermediate driver’s license. — An applicant 16 years of age or older, meeting all other requirements of the code, may be issued a level two intermediate driver’s license.
(F) Pays a fee of $7.50 for one attempt. The Division of Motor Vehicles may adjust this fee every five years on September 1, based on the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics most current Consumer Price Index: Provided, That an increase in such fee may not exceed 10 percent of the total fee amount in a single year.
(G) A holder of a level two intermediate driver’s license who is under the age of 18 years shall be is prohibited from using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, unless the use of the wireless communication device is for contacting a 9-1-1 system; A person violating the provisions of this paragraph is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall for the first offense be fined $25; for a second offense be fined $50; and for a third or subsequent offense be fined $75.
(I) Upon the second conviction for a moving traffic violation or a violation of the terms and conditions of the level two intermediate driver’s license, the licensee’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle shall be revoked or suspended for the applicable statutory period or until the licensee’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is longer unless a greater penalty is required by this section or any other provision of this code. Any person whose driver’s license has been revoked as a level two intermediate driver, upon reaching the age of 18 years and if otherwise eligible may reapply for an instruction permit, then a driver’s license in accordance with the provisions of §17B-2-5, §17B-2-6, and §17B-2-7 of this code.
(e) Level three, full Class E license. — The level three license is valid until 30 days after the date the licensee attains his or her twenty-first birthday. A holder of a level three driver’s license who is under the age of 18 years is prohibited from using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, unless the use of the wireless communication device is for contacting a 9-1-1 system. Unless otherwise provided in this section or any other section of this code, the holder of a level three full Class E license is subject to the same terms and conditions as the holder of a regular Class E driver’s license.
(B) Pays a fee of $5 for each year the license is valid. The Division of Motor Vehicles may adjust this fee every five years on September 1, based on the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics most current Consumer Price Index: Provided, That an increase in such fee may not exceed 10 percent of the total fee amount in a single year. An additional fee of 50 cents shall be collected to be deposited in the Combined Voter Registration and Driver’s Licensing Fund established in §3-2-12 of this code.
(f) A person violating the provisions of the terms and conditions of a level one instruction permit, or level two intermediate driver’s license, or level three license is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall for the first offense be fined $25; for a second offense be fined $50; and for a third or subsequent offense be fined $75.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit all cell phone use for drivers under the age of 18 except for certain emergency situations and to make stylistic changes and corrections.
On page six, section three-a, line one hundred thirty-seven, after the word “device” by inserting the words “for the purpose of communicating with another”.

References: §17
 §17
 §17
 §18
 §18
 §17
 §17
 §17
 §3