2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17B. Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses › Article 1. Words and Phrases Defined › §17B-1-1. Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this article:
Autocycle
. Every fully or partially enclosed motorcycle that is equipped with safety belts, rollover protection, a rearview mirror, automotive seating, a steering wheel, and equipment otherwise required on a motorcycle and which has no more than three wheels in contact with the roadway at any one time.
Cancellation
. Means that a drivers license is annulled and terminated because of some error or defect or because the licensee is no longer entitled to that license, but the cancelation of a license is without prejudice and application for a new license may be made at any time after the cancelation.
Chauffeur.
Every person who is employed by another for the principal purpose of driving a motor vehicle and every person who drives a school bus transporting school children or any motor vehicle when in use for the transportation of persons or property for compensation.
Commissioner.
The Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles of this state.
Division.
The Division of Motor Vehicles of this state acting directly or through its duly authorized officers or agents.
Driver
. Means any person who drives, operates, or is in physical control of a motor vehicle, in any place open to the general public for purposes of vehicular traffic, or who is required to hold a drivers license.
Drivers license.
Means any permit or license issued by this state to a person which authorizes the person to drive a motor vehicle of a specific class or classes subject to any restriction or endorsement contained thereon.
Farm tractor
. Every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, mowing machines, and other implements of husbandry.
Motorcycle
. Every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a farm tractor as defined in this section, a moped as defined in 17C-1-5a of this code, a snowmobile as defined in 17A-1-1(mm) of this code, an all-terrain vehicle as defined in 17A-1-1(ii) of this code, and an electric bicycle as defined in 17C-1-70 of this code.
Motor vehicle
. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
9-1-1 system
. Means an emergency telephone system or enhanced emergency telephone system as defined in 24-6-2 of this code.
Nonresident
. Every person who is not a resident of this state.
Operator.
Every person, other than a chauffeur, who drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway or who is exercising control over or steering a vehicle being towed by a motor vehicle.
Owner
. A person who holds the legal title of a vehicle or in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or if a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then the conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor is the owner for the purpose of this chapter.
Person
. Every natural person, firm, copartnership, association, or corporation.
Revocation
. Means that the drivers license and privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways are terminated and shall not be renewed or restored, except that an application for a new license may be presented and acted upon by the division after the expiration of at least one year after the date of revocation, except as otherwise provided in 17C-5A-2 of this code.
School bus
. Every motor vehicle owned by a public governmental agency and operated for the transportation of children to or from school or privately owned and operated for compensation for the transportation of children to or from school.
Street or highway.
The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
Suspension.
Suspension means that the drivers license and privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways are temporarily withdrawn but only during the period of the suspension.
Vehicle
. Every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
Wireless communication device
. Means a handheld device used to access a wireless telephone service or a text messaging device.