Car Registration

Registering for the First Time

If you're registering your vehicle in West Virginia for the first time, your registration process will depend on whether you purchased your vehicle from a dealership or an individual. If you purchased your vehicle from a dealership, the dealer will handle all paperwork for you and you'll be charged the applicable fees right there. If you purchased your vehicle from an individual, you'll need to take care of the registration at your local Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.

Whether you purchased your vehicle from a dealership or individual, the fees will be the same:

• Privilege tax of 5% of the purchase price if you paid at least half of the vehicle's book value; if not, you will pay 5% of the low book value.

• If you purchased the vehicle for less than 50% of the loan value as reported by "The Automobile Red Book," the tax will be based on the loan value unless you present a notarized bill of sale.

• If you are moving to West Virginia from out of state, the tax will be based on the loan value of the vehicle as reported by "The Automobile Red Book."

• $5 to record any lien information.

• $30 for your license plate.

• $10 for your title (which can be handled at the same time you handle your registration).

New residents must title and register their vehicles within 30 days of establishing West Virginia residency.

Renewing Your Registration

Renewing your registration is a simple process that must be done every year. You'll receive your registration renewal notification in the mail about 30 days before your registration expires. Return the accompanying form, along with proof of insurance, a personal property tax receipt, and applicable fees to your local DMV office in person or in the mail. (Personal property taxes are handled by the County Assessor and collected by the County Sheriff―if you need more information, contact your local county courthouse.)

Motorcycle endorsement (Class G) and passenger vehicle (Class A) renewals are handled at your County Sheriff's office.

If you don't receive a renewal notice you may renew your registration by mailing or presenting in person to your local DMV office a copy of your old registration card, proof of insurance, a personal property tax receipt, and all applicable fees.

You may also want to visit our registration pages for boats, RVs and motor homes, custom-built cars, and salvaged vehicles.

Non-Operational Vehicles

If your vehicle is non-operable, you must either continue its insurance, or remove the plates and take them to a DMV office, along with a completed insurance cancellation form.

The Compulsory Insurance Law

All vehicles in West Virginia must be insured. Your vehicle registration will be suspended if you fail to show proof of insurance when requested by officials. The reinstatement fee is $100, plus proof of insurance, and an additional fee of $50 will be charged if the division sends a state police secure order on the plate. Make sure to keep your proof of insurance and your registration information in your vehicle at all times.

For more information regarding vehicle registration or forms available for download, visit our Registration and Titling section or our FAQs section.

Vehicle Safety Inspections

Within 10 days of registering your vehicle (if you are a new resident or the vehicle was purchased out of state), or three days of purchasing or acquiring a vehicle in West Virginia, you must have your vehicle inspected for safety. You can do this at any official inspection station licensed by the West Virginia State Police.

Inspection stickers are valid for 12 months and you must have your vehicle inspected annually. Have your current registration card and proof of insurance with you when you have your vehicle inspected. Certain states have reciprocity with West Virginia, making their inspection stickers valid here. For more information, visit the official West Virginia DMV Web site.

FORMS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

• Renewal Notice Form
• Application for Duplicate Registration Card, Decal or Plate and Change of Address
• Application to Record Voluntary Lien After Issuance of Original Title
• Odometer Disclosure Statement
• Request for Vehicle Information