West Virginia Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Registration of New West Virginia Residents

New West Virginia residents must register their vehicles within 30 days of relocating to the state.

Vehicles with an out-of-state title in the new resident's name and no lien holder need to provide the out-of-state title and proof of address and fill out an Application for Certificate of Title (Form DMV-1-TR).

Additionally, they must complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form DMV-TM-1) and provide insurance policy details, which can be included on the title application.

Suppose a lien holder holds the vehicle title. In that case, the new resident must include a letter from their lien holder stating they are holding the title. This letter should include vehicle information and the lien holder's correct mailing address.

Vehicle registration can be done in person by visiting any DMV regional office or by mailing the application and required documents to the following address:

Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements

The active insurance policy of new residents should meet the state's minimum coverage liability requirements, which are:

• Per person bodily injury liability: $25,000
• Per accident bodily injury liability: $50,000
• Per accident property damage liability: $25,000

Vehicle Inspection Report

A vehicle inspection report is also necessary, and new residents have ten days from titling to get their vehicle inspected. West Virginia requires a safety inspection every 24 months at a licensed station. Passing the inspection results in a sticker valid for 24 months, and driving without it is illegal.

Additionally, out-of-state inspection stickers from New York, Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and New Hampshire are valid in West Virginia until they expire.

Registration of Recently Purchased Vehicles

West Virginia residents who have recently purchased a car must register it with the WV DMV. The registration process varies depending on whether the vehicle was bought from a private seller or a dealership.

Private Party Purchases

Residents must handle the registration and paperwork themselves by visiting their local DMV. Required documents include:

• A completed Application for a Certificate of Title
• The vehicle title, signed by both the buyer and seller
• An odometer reading (if the vehicle is less than ten years old)
• Payment for all required fees and taxes

If the vehicle lacks a safety inspection sticker, it must be inspected within three days of registration.

Dealership Purchases

The dealership typically handles the registration and paperwork, including collecting necessary fees and taxes.

Out-of-State Dealership Purchases

If the out-of-state dealership does not offer WV registration services, residents must visit a WV DMV office with:

• The vehicle statement of origin
• Payment for registration fees, titling fees, and taxes
• A completed Application for a Certificate of Title
• An invoice showing the purchase price

West Virginia residents trading in a WV-titled vehicle may qualify for a tax credit on the new vehicle purchase. Presenting the trade-in details will determine eligibility for this credit.

Registration for Military Members

West Virginia resident military members can follow the standard vehicle registration processes to register their vehicles.

For West Virginia military residents stationed out of state, federal law permits keeping vehicles registered in West Virginia while stationed out of state or overseas. Recently purchased vehicles on active duty can be registered in West Virginia by contacting the state DMV.

Non-resident military members stationed in West Virginia are not required to register their vehicles. However, those registering their vehicles with the WV DMV must follow the same procedures as any new state resident.

Military members stationed in West Virginia can enjoy several exemptions and advantages regarding vehicle registration. First, they are exempt from paying personal property tax on vehicles registered in their home state.

Additionally, active-duty military personnel may qualify for registration fee waivers under specific conditions. Deployed members outside of West Virginia may also be eligible for an extension of the vehicle registration expiration date.

West Virginia License Plates

West Virginia license plates are crucial for vehicle identification and registration. License plates provide a unique identifier for each vehicle, assisting in law enforcement, accident investigations, and the recovery of stolen vehicles. They confirm that vehicles are correctly registered and allow authorities to trace vehicle owners when necessary.

State law requires all vehicles to display a license plate on the rear, while certain vehicles, like truck tractors, must have the plate on the front. The license plates must be securely fastened, clearly visible, and well-maintained.

West Virginia offers various types of license plates, including standard, personalized, and specialty plates.

Specialty plates cater to specific interests and groups, such as military personnel, educational institutions, and causes like wildlife preservation and breast cancer awareness. Depending on DMV approval, personalized plates allow custom letter and number combinations.

How To Obtain Vanity License Plates in West Virginia?

Clients can request personalized or vanity license plates through the DMV. Applications and payments can be conveniently processed using the WV DMV's Personalized Plate Request service or via traditional mail. For ease of transaction, payment options include credit card or electronic check.

To qualify for personalized plates, applicants must own a titled vehicle with a current Class A or Class G registration and license plate. Class A applies to vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less, while Class G covers motorcycles.

Requested personalized plates must be available, non-offensive, and not conflict with regular series license numbers.

There are specific character limits for different plate types:

• Up to eight characters for patriotic plates
• Six characters for wildlife, motorcycle, or 9-11 plates
• Eight characters for standard or scenic plates

The minimum character requirement is 2, and symbols, punctuation marks, and numbers 1 to 2000 are prohibited.

The maximum delivery time for personalized plates is 60 days. Upon receiving their personalized plates, applicants must return their currently assigned plates and registration cards to the DMV within ten days.

Annual and Multi-Year Registration Options

Class A vehicles, which include passenger cars and trucks up to 10,000 lbs, have an annual registration fee of $51.50. The yearly cost for Class G vehicles, such as motorcycles, is $16.

Residents registering for the first time can opt for a two-year registration by paying both the new plate fee and the renewal fee upfront.

For example, registering a standard passenger vehicle for two years costs $103, which includes the $51.50 new plate fee and the $51.50 renewal fee.

Prorated Registration Fees

Registration fees for vehicles like Class J (taxi Cabs) and Class M (mobile equipment) are prorated based on shorter registration periods.

Taxi cabs have an annual fee of $86.50, but owners can opt for flexible registration periods of three months (quarter year), six months (half year), or 9 months (three-quarter year), with fees ranging from $ 22.75 to $62.25.

Similarly, mobile equipment vehicles have an annual fee of $18.50, with prorated options available from $5.38 for three months to $14.13 for nine months.

Weight-Based Registration Fees

Vehicles with weight-based registration fees, including Class B (trucks) and Class X (farm trucks), have fees that vary based on their declared gross weight. Below is an overview of the annual fees for heavy trucks categorized under Class B:

• 10,001 - 16,000 lbs.: starts at $34.50
• 16,001 - 50,000 lbs.: starts at $90
• 50,000 lbs. and more: starts at $739

For each additional 1,000 lbs. (or fraction thereof) over the specified weight thresholds, extra fees are added:

• Over 10,000 lbs.: $5 per 1,000 lbs.
• Over 16,000 lbs.: $10 per 1,000 lbs.
• Over 55,000 lbs.: $15.75 per 1,000 lbs.

For example, a truck weighing 12,000 lbs. would incur the base fee of $34.50 plus additional fees for the extra 2,000 lbs. Since this weight is over 10,000 lbs., the additional cost is calculated as follows:

• Base fee: $34.50
• Additional fee: $10 ($5 per 1,000 lbs. over 10,000 lbs.)
• Total fee: $34.50 + $10 = $44.50

Permanent Registration Fee

For Class C Vehicles (Trailers and Semi-Trailers), registration is permanent with a one-time fee of $51. Once registered, these vehicles have permanent and non-transferable registration status.

Registration Cycles for Specific Vehicle Types

Understanding the registration cycles and fees for different vehicle types is important. Antique motor vehicles have a ten-year registration cycle. Trailers, light trailers, and motorboats each have a three-year registration cycle.

Antique Motor Vehicles

Antique motor vehicles manufactured at least 25 years ago and used for parades, club events, tours, and exhibits have a 10-year registration cycle from July 2, 2015, to July 1, 2025.

The fee for this period is $35.

If an owner registers an antique vehicle partway through the cycle, they only pay for the remaining years. For example, registering in 2024 would incur a fee of $3.50 for the one remaining year.

Motorboats

Motorboats in West Virginia must be registered if they have at least three horsepower (hp) or 70-pound (lb) thrust motors. Registrations run on a three-year cycle from April 1 through March 31. The fees are based on the size of the boat:

• Class A (less than 16 feet): $30 for three years
• Class I (16 to less than 26 feet): $45 for three years
• Class II (26 to less than 40 feet): $60 for three years
• Class III (40 feet and over): $75 for three years

Trailers

Light trailers and travel trailers are classified as Class R and T and must also be registered. They follow a three-year registration cycle from April 1 through March 31. The fees are based on the trailer's weight:

• Light Trailers (less than 2,000 lbs.): $27 for three years ($9 per year)
• Travel Trailers: $39 for three years ($13 per year)

For instance, in 2021, the second year of the three-year cycle, the fee reflected a two-year price. Conversely, in 2023, marking the start of a new cycle, the fee corresponded to the full three-year price.

Additional Fees

In addition to the base registration fees, several additional fees can increase the overall cost. These include inspection fees, title fees, sales tax, lien recordation fees, a litter fee, and an insurance enforcement fee.

Inspection Fee

West Virginia requires vehicle inspections every two years. The inspection fee is $19 and is paid to the inspection station.

Title Fee, Sales Tax, and Lien Recordation Fees

When titling a new or used vehicle in West Virginia, several fees are added to the registration fees:

• $15 title fee
• For vehicles over $500 in purchase price, a 6% titling sales tax is added.
• Vehicles under $500 incur a $30 tax.
• A $10 lien fee applies if a lien is involved.

Litter Fee

An annual $1 litter fee is included in the registration costs to support the state's environmental initiatives.

Insurance Enforcement Fee

An insurance enforcement fee of $0.50 is added to the registration fees to reinforce compliance with state insurance laws.

In-Person Renewal

West Virginia residents can renew their vehicle registration in person at regional DMV offices or County Sheriff's Departments. Here are the details for each method:

Regional DMV Offices

West Virginia residents can renew their vehicle registration by visiting one of the 26 regional WV DMV offices. When doing so, they need to bring the following documents:

• Completed DMV-44-TR Form or current registration card
• Proof of vehicle insurance
• Proof of personal property tax payment

In addition to these documents, residents must be prepared to pay the necessary renewal fees. To avoid surprises, it is advisable to check with the DMV office beforehand for the exact fee amount.

County Sheriff's Department

Another option for those owning Class A (passenger vehicles) or Class G (motorcycles) vehicles is to renew their registration at the County Sheriff's Department. The required documents and fees are the same as those needed at the DMV office.

Before renewing a vehicle registration, residents must provide proof of paid personal property taxes, assessed by the County Assessor and collected by the County Sheriff. The DMV can complete the renewal with this proof or an affidavit from the Assessor.

Residents should contact their local county courthouse or check online resources for any questions about this tax.

Mail Renewal

Residents who opt for mail renewal should carefully gather all necessary documents. Once they compile them, they can send them to the address specified on the DMV-44-TR form. It is recommended that they use a trackable mailing service so that the documents arrive safely.

Online Renewal

The WV DMV provides a free and secure online service for vehicle registration renewal. Residents can renew their vehicle registration through the Vehicle Registration Renewal service available on the WV DMV website.

To renew registration online, users must select their county from a dropdown menu and provide specific information, such as license plate and title numbers. The service allows secure payment processing with a credit card and offers convenient verification of renewal status.

Another innovative way to renew is using the QR code found on the reminder postcard. This QR code, which consists of black or colored pixels on a white background, can be scanned using any smartphone. Once scanned, it directs the user to the online renewal portal, where they can complete the process swiftly.

Upon completing the online renewal, residents will receive a secure digital registration card that can be stored in their smartphone wallet. A PDF version of the registration card will also be emailed to them. Meanwhile, a paper copy of the registration card and the registration decal will be sent via mail.

Self-Service Kiosks

Throughout West Virginia, various self-service kiosks are available for vehicle registration renewal. These kiosks make the process efficient and convenient. To use a kiosk, residents should bring:

• Current or expiring driver's license
• Renewal form with PIN Number: This PIN is provided in the renewal notice.
• Credit card

The kiosks allow residents to print their decals and registration cards immediately on-site.

Renewal Periods

In West Virginia, registration renewal periods differ depending on their classification and specific factors. Class A and Class B motor vehicles, such as light passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles, typically require renewal every one or two years.

Meanwhile, travel trailers (Class R), light trailers (Class T), and boats (Class Y) have a maximum renewal period of three years, with shorter durations possible based on registration timing within the designated three-year cycle.

Moreover, specific commercial vehicles, such as heavy trucks (Class B), taxi cabs (Class J), mobile equipment (Class M), and farm trucks (Class X), are granted shorter renewal periods to accommodate their distinct usage patterns and operational requirements.