West Virginia No Chase Law
Agency discretion
Does West Virginia have a no-chase law? No — West Virginia has no statewide law restricting police pursuits. Each department sets its own chase policy.
What governs pursuits in West Virginia
W. Va. Code § 17C-2-5
West Virginia has no statewide statute restricting the offenses or circumstances under which police may initiate a pursuit. W. Va. Code §17C-2-5 governs authorized emergency vehicles generally (exemptions from speed limits, signals, etc., while responding/pursuing) but requires due regard for safety of others and does not set pursuit-initiation criteria; each agency sets its own pursuit protocol.
Will police chase a motorcycle in West Virginia?
No statewide or documented departmental no-chase-motorcycle rule was found in West Virginia; pursuit decisions, including for motorcycles, are left to each agency's discretion under the general due-care standard of §17C-2-5.
No US state has a literal law forbidding officers from chasing motorcycles. What riders call a "no-chase law" is nearly always a department policy that tells officers to break off a pursuit when the danger to the public outweighs the arrest — and fleeing remains a crime in West Virginia regardless. See the state-by-state motorcycle guide for how this works everywhere.
Sources
- code.wvlegislature.gov/17c-2-5/
- jenkinsfenstermaker.com/blog/when-does-lawful-pursuit-turn-reckless-disregard
Verified as of August 2026. Department policies can change without notice — check the agency's published policy for current break-off criteria.