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If you’ve recently moved to West Virginia, you have 30 days to register your vehicle at the DMV regional office with proper paperwork and payment. After the initial registration, you can handle all renewals quickly online.
Although, it’s important to note that a car inspection is also required after registration. So if you need a hand in getting the process started, you’ve come to the right place! Follow along with this comprehensive guide to registering a car in West Virginia.
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Every motor vehicle in West Virginia must be titled and registered to be legally operated on public roads. Upon successful registration, you will receive West Virginia license plates and a registration card.
Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to complete the vehicle registration process in West Virginia.
If you just moved to West Virginia
If you’ve recently moved to West Virginia, you must title and register your vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency in the Mountain State.
To begin the registration process, you’ll need to collect the following items:
- Current out-of-state title
- A completedApplication for Certificate of Title (DMV-1-TR)
- Active car insurance policy (needed in application)
- A completedOdometer Disclosure Statement (DMV-TM-1)
- Payment method
Once you’ve gathered all the required materials, you’ll need to visit a
DMV regional office
to submit your vehicle’s registration. There’s an office in about 50% of West Virginia counties, so it may be a good idea to make an appointment
to guarantee service and make the drive worth it.Next, you must pay the associated fees to complete your vehicle’s registration: a $51.50 regular registration fee plus a $15 title fee. The 6% sales tax for the title is waived for new residents—a lovely welcome to West Virginia gift!
Suppose you can’t physically submit your registration documents and payment in person at a regional DMV office. In that case, you can also complete the process by mail using the checklist instructions at the bottom of the DMV-1-TR application and sending it to the following address: Division of Motor Vehicles, 5707 MacCorkle Avenue, SE, PO Box 17710, Charleston, WV 25317.
Upon completing your vehicle’s registration, you still have one more task to finish for your car to officially become a Mountaineer. A
West Virginia car inspection
is required as part of the registration process—and every 12 months after that.New residents have 10 days from the titling date to complete the assessment at an officially licensed inspection station. This should cost you no more than $14.25 to complete, and you will receive a sticker if your car passes the safety inspection. This sticker must be displayed year-round on the inside of your windshield.
If you just bought a car
Buying a car follows a very similar process considering
West Virginia title transfers
and new resident registrations both use the same Application for Certificate of Title (DMV-1-TR)
. However, there are a couple of minor differences that are outlined below:- First, in this transaction, both the buyer and seller must sign the title and complete the appropriate sections of the DMV-1-TR application.
- Then, the buyer will be responsible for covering the 6% titling sales tax (or $30 if the vehicle’s net purchase price is under $500).
- And finally, you must complete a vehicle inspection within three days of the title transfer (as opposed to 10 days for new residents).
How much insurance coverage do you need in West Virginia?
As previously mentioned, all West Virginia drivers must provide proof of insurance to register a vehicle. Here is the minimum amount of coverage you need to fulfill your legal obligation for registration:
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
If your policy meets those minimum coverage limits, you’ll be all set to complete your DMV-1-TR application. But it’s usually a good idea to purchase additional coverage for broader financial protection, including extra liability,
collision insurance
, and comprehensive coverage
. How to renew your West Virginia vehicle registration
Vehicle registration in West Virginia is valid for one year, and you will receive a renewal notification from the DMV by mail approximately 30 days before expiration.
Another way to know when it’s time to renew is by looking at the registration sticker on your license plate. For example, if the sticker says “9/23,” your registration will expire on September 30, 2023.
Now that you know when to renew, let’s talk about how—here are your options:
- Online usingDMV Online Services
- By mail usingRegistration Renewal Notice (DMV-44)
- Visit aDMV regional office
- Depending on where you live, you may also be able to visit acounty sheriff's office
Whichever method you use to renew your vehicle registration, you’ll need to make sure you have a valid insurance policy, payment method, and
personal property tax receipt
.How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate
Registration stickers or license plates can be replaced by
ordering online
and paying $11 (cost plus service fee). Your receipt serves as a temporary registration for up to 60 days while your duplicate sticker/plate is delivered.You can also apply for duplicates by mail using this form:
Duplicate Registration/Decal/Plate/Change of Address (DMV-32-TR)
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What are the requirements to register a vehicle in West Virginia?
The requirements to register a vehicle in West Virginia are a completed Application for Certificate of Title (DMV-1-TR), a completed Odometer Disclosure Statement (DMV-TM-1), proof of insurance, a car inspection, and a method of payment.
How much does it take to register a car in West Virginia?
The fee to register a vehicle in West Virginia is $51.50, but there are more items to pay for on the final bill. You’ll also be liable for personal property taxes (varies by county), a $14.25 fee for inspection costs, and a $15 title fee (when applicable).
What is the cost to register a truck in West Virginia?
A standard Class A truck will cost the same to register as any other passenger vehicle. But any truck over 10,000 pounds will vary from $34.50 to $1,132.75 to register, depending on class weight. You can access a
full pricing chart here
.
By Drew Waterstreet
Expert Insurance Writer
Reviewed by Jessa Claeys.
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