Motorcycle Registration in West Virginia

All residents of West Virginia are required to register their motorcycles with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Use this guide to learn more about West Virginia motorcycle registration as a new WV resident AND as a current resident who recently purchased a bike.

Need to renew your motorcycle registration? Jump over to our West Virginia registration renewals guide for more.

New West Virginia Residents

Once you establish WV residency, you have 30 days to register your motorcycle with DMV. Provide the following to your local WV DMV office:

  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title (Form DMV-1-TR).
  • An odometer disclosure.
  • Your motorcycle's current out-of-state title AND registration.
    • If there is a lien on your motorcycle, you will need to provide a copy of the title OR a letter from the lienholder that includes:
      • A statement that they are in possession of the title.
      • Their name and address.
  • Proof of West Virginia motorcycle insurance, which can be obtained from your insurance company.
  • Payment for the base motorcycle registration fee of $16 PLUS other applicable fees and taxes.

Remember, titling is usually done at the same time as registration. You should have all the necessary documents and fees for a West Virginia title transfer in addition to those above when you visit the DMV.

NOTE: After your motorcycle is titled and registered, you will have 10 days to complete a safety inspection. For more information, please visit our guide on inspections in West Virginia.

Register Your WV Motorcycle

The process for motorcycle registration with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles can vary depending on whether it was purchased at a dealership OR from a private seller.

Dealership Purchases

When you purchase a motorcycle from a dealership in West Virginia, the dealership is required to submit all the necessary registration paperwork to the DMV.

The fees and taxes will usually be included in the purchase price; for a breakdown of these costs, see our section below. The dealer may give you a temporary registration while you wait to receive your license plates and official motorcycle registration in the mail.

Private Purchases

When you buy a motorcycle from a private party, you'll need to register the bike yourself by presenting the following at your local WV DMV:

  • The current title for the motorcycle signed by the buyer AND seller.
    • If the seller is out of state, his or her address must be listed on the title.
  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title (Form DMV-1-TR).
  • Proof of WV motorcycle insurance from your auto insurance provider.
  • An odometer disclosure, if the motorcycle is under 20 years old.
  • The motorcycle's purchase price.
    • This can either be listed on the title OR on a Bill of Sale (Form DMV-7-TR).
  • The $16 registration fee plus any other applicable fees and taxes.

If the motorcycle does not have a current inspection sticker, you will have 10 days from the date it is registered to get a safety inspection. If the motorcycle's inspection sticker is valid, you'll need to have it inspected once the current sticker expires. For more information, please visit our West Virginia safety inspections page.

Still need to title your new motorcycle? Head over to our West Virginia title transfers page for more.

WV Motorcycle Registration Fees & Taxes

You may be required to pay the following fees and taxes when registering your motorcycle with the WV Division of Motor Vehicles. You will pay additional fees when registering and titling your motorcycle at the same time.

  • Initial motorcycle registration: $16.
    • New plate price: $16.
      • When registering for the first time, you can register your motorcycle for 2 years by paying the new plate fee AND the initial registration fee.
  • Personalized plates: $31.
  • Veterans plates: $26.
  • Vertical motorcycle plates: $41.
  • Title:$15.
  • Lien recordation: $10.
  • Sales tax: 6% of the purchase price.
    • If the purchase price is under $500, a $30 fee will be assessed instead.
  • County taxes: Varies—contact your local DMV office branch for specifics.

Forms

DMV-7-TR
Bill of Sale
Form used as a proof of sale when transferring ownership of a vehicle in WV.
DMV-1-TR
Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle
Apply for a West Virginia vehicle title through the Division of Motor Vehicles.
DMV-TM-1
Odometer Certification
Use this form to disclose the number of miles on a vehicle you're selling in West Virginia. Must be notarized.
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