§17D-2A-6 Investigation by duly authorized law-enforcement officer to include inquiry regarding required security; notice by officer or court to Division of Motor Vehicles. - West Virginia Statutes

§17D-2A-6. Investigation by duly authorized law-enforcement officer to include inquiry regarding required security; notice by officer or court to Division of Motor Vehicles.
(a) At the time of investigation of a motor vehicle offense or accident in this state by the State Police or other law-enforcement agency or when a vehicle is stopped by a law-enforcement officer for reasonable cause, the officer of the agency making the investigation shall inquire of the operator of any motor vehicle involved as to the existence upon the vehicle or vehicles of the proof of insurance or other security required by the provisions of this code and upon a finding by the law-enforcement agency, officer or agent thereof that the security required by the provisions of this article is not in effect, as to any vehicle, he or she shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of the finding within five days if no citation requiring a court appearance is issued: Provided, That the law-enforcement officer or agent may not stop vehicles solely to inquire as to the certificate of insurance.

(b) A defendant who is charged with a traffic offense that requires an appearance in court shall present the court at the time of his or her appearance or subsequent appearance with proof that the defendant had security at the time of the traffic offenses as required by this article.

(c) If, as a result of the defendant's failure to show proof, the court determines that the defendant has violated this article, the court shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles within five days. For purposes of this section, presentation of a certificate of insurance reflecting insurance to be in effect on the date in question shall constitute proof of surety.