Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there times I won’t be allowed to renew registration?
- Drivers who cannot provide valid proof of car insurance or whose car insurance coverage has lapsed, will not be able to apply for acar registration renewal with the West Virginia DMV. All automobiles registered in the state must meet minimum vehicle coverage standards.
For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Can somebody else renew my registration for me?
- Yes, you may designate another party to renew car registrations in your place. Be sure that the designee has the appropriate documentation with them weather applying online, in-person, or by mail.
For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Do boats need to be registered?
- Yes, boats are required to be registered with the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The boat registration cycle begins on the first of April, each year. Boat registrations are valid for three years. Any motor boat with a thrust of at least 3hp/70lb are subject to a registration fee.
For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
- Do I need to file a police report if my registration was lost or stolen?
- Any incidence of a lost or stolen car registration license plates need to immediately be reported at a West Virginia State Police station. To complete a police report, you may be asked to provide proof of vehicle ownership.
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Do I need to return my license plate if I move out of the state?
- The West Virginia DMV does not require that residents relinquish their license plates before they relocate to another state. However, drivers can either properly discard their West Virginia license plates that are no longer valid by recycling them or they can return their license platesto the WV DMV.
- Do I need to turn in my damaged registration?
- No, you do not need to turn over your damaged car registration to apply for a car registration replacement. All applicants certify the reason they are replacing car registrationsby providing their signature when on their application to replace car registrations.
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Does a motorized scooter need to be registered?
- Yes, any motor driven cycle with three wheels or less is classified as a motorcycle and therefore must be registered as such. Initial motorcycle registrations are valid for two years.
For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
- Does my vehicle qualify for a smog inspection?
- Vehicle emissions testing is not required whengetting car registrations in West Virginia. However, state law does necessitate that all registered vehicles undergo a vehicle inspection at a licensed inspection station every 12 months. Drivers must show proof of car registration and car insurance to receive and inspection sticker.
For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
- How can I renew my vehicle registration?
- Drivers can renew their West Virginia car registration using one of the following methods:
- Online
- By mail
- In person at a WV DMV office
- At a participating local County Sheriff s office
To apply for a car registration renewal, you must present your personal property tax receipt, your car insurance information, and pay the appropriate fee.
For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- How can I transfer my registration to another state?
- Car registrations cannot be transferred from state to state. Each state has its own car registration system and requirements. Therefore, when moving, drivers must register their vehicle in their new state of residence by visiting a local DMV office. Make sure to research the state registration requirements before your visit.
For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
- How do I apply for a disabled person parking placard or plates?
- A mobility impaired parking placard can be obtained by any person with a temporary or permanent disability which impairs movement. To apply, have your licensed physician fill out and sign an application and submit it to the WV DMV. Applicants may request a handicap placard, license plate or both.
For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
- How do I file a police report if my car registration was stolen?
- To file a police report for a lost or stolen car registration license plate, visit a West Virginia State Police station. You may be asked to provide proof of ownership of the vehicle. Be prepared to do so by presenting your drivers license, car registration card and proof of car insurance.
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- How do I obtain a duplicate car registration?
- West Virginia residents can apply for acar registration replacementwith the WV DMV through a number of different channels:
- Online
- By mail
- In person at a DMV office
If your license plate has been lost or stolen, you must immediately notify the West Virginia State Police before you apply for a duplicate car registration.
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- How do I obtain car registration?
- All cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and motor homes must be registered with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. To carry out a new or used car registration in West Virginia, drivers must present the Certificate of Title along with proof of car insurance and property tax receipt to their local WV DMV.
For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
- If I do not renew on time, will there be an additional fee?
- There is no late car registration fee listed with the West Virginia DMV. Drivers are encouraged to look out for the car registration renewal notices to be reminded of their upcoming renewal date.
For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Is there a different process I must follow if I lost personalized plates?
- To replace personalized license plates, applicants must fill out the Application for Issuance of a REPLICA License Plate and submit at a WV DMV office site. A copy of the same license plate will be issued to the applicant when the application is approved.
It is important to note that if the license plate has been reported as lost or stolen that it may continue to show up as such in the police database. The West Virginia DMV will provide the vehicle owner with a letter explaining the license plate is indeed lawful. For your protection, this letter should be kept inside the vehicle at all times.
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Should I carry the registration on me or in the car?
- Yes, you must keep the West Virginia car registration card in your vehicle at all times. You must be able to produce it along with your car insurance certificate,at vehicle safety inspection time and also whenever prompted by a law enforcement official.
For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
- What are the most common reasons why I would need to replace my registration?
- The three most common reasons why drivers need to apply for a duplicate car registration are if any part of the car registration such as the registration card, license plate decal, or license plate has been:
- Lost.
- Stolen.
- Destroyed/mutilated.
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- What are the required fees for my vehicle registration?
- Vehicle registration fees vary depending on the type of vehicle in question.For a typical Class A vehicle —a car or truck under 10,000 pounds—the plate fee is $30. Car registration plate fees begin at $45 a year for trucks exceeding 10,000 pounds.See the Motor Vehicle Registrations fees brochure for a full schedule of fees.
For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
- What are the required fees to get replacement registration?
- The following schedule of fees associated with a stolen, destroyed, or lost car registration:
- Duplicate license plate: $5.50
- Duplicate decal: $5
- Duplicate registration card:$5
A car registration card will be sent along with eachlicense plate or decal request.
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- What are the required fees to renew my registration?
- Car registration renewal fees are indicated by the class of vehicle. Fees for a two-year vehicle registrationstart at $60 for a standard car or truck 10,000 pounds or less.
For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- What documents do I need to present to get a replacement car registration?
- The vehicle owner must furnish one of following when applying for a duplicate car registration with the West Virginia DMV:
- Car insurance certificate
- Owner s statement of insurance
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- What documents do I need to present to get new registration?
- To get car registrations, drivers must provide the following documentation at a West Virginia DMV location:
- Certificate of Title
- Completed odometer disclosure, if the vehicle is less than 10 years old
- Statement of car insurance
- Personal property tax receipt
For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
- What documents do I need to present to renew my car registration?
- The required documentation you must present in order to renew car registrationsinclude:
- Personal property tax receipt.
- Auto insurance information (company name, policy number, etc.).
Additionally, applicants who renew car registrations at the County Sherriff s office must provide the vehicle registration renewal notice that was sent to the mailing address on record.
For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- What should I do if I have not received my registration tags or stickers?
- When does my car registration expire?
- Drivers mustrenew expired car registrations after a period of one or two years from the date of issuance.
For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Where can I find a local tax county collector office?
- West Virginia drivers are responsible for paying the personal property tax due on their vehicle each time they apply for a car registration or car registration renewal. To find out where to pay taxes in their county, drivers can visit the West Virginia Department of Transportation Personal Property Tax Links webpage.
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Will I need to fill out an application to replace my car registration?
- Car registration replacement applicants must fill out a form to replace car registrations whether it be online or in-person. To apply in-person, submit a completed and signed Request for a Replacement Registration Car, License Plate Decal, or License Plate to your local West Virginia DMV office site. This request can also be carried out online via the WV DMV online services website.
For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Will I receive a renewal registration notice in the mail?
- Yes, drivers will receive a car registration renewal notice at their mailing address on file with the WV DMV. The notices are mailed out approximately 30 days prior to the vehicle registration expiration date.
For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in West Virginia
- Will my registration expire on my birthday or birth month?
- No, car registration renewal dates do not necessarily fall on the driver s month of birth. West Virginia car registrations are cycled by the date of issuance.
For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in West Virginia