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West Virginia License Plate Lookup

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License Plate Lookup in West Virginia

A license plate lookup in West Virginia is the retrieval of the information associated with a license plate number registered to a vehicle in the state. A license plate lookup in West Virginia will provide any official reports and selected West Virginia traffic records associated with the vehicle registered with the license plate, including:

  • Ownership history
  • Verification of the mileage
  • Any outstanding issues with the vehicle title or registration
  • Accident history
  • Fire, flood, and hail damage reports (if applicable)
  • Lien and repossession records
  • Vehicle maintenance history
  • Robbery reports

A license plate lookup will conduct a "background check" on a license plate to retrieve any available information about the license plate and registered vehicle. The information obtainable from a West Virginia license plate lookup can assist residents in several instances, including tracking down a driver or purchasing a second-hand vehicle. There are numerous third-party applications available online that can conduct license plate lookups in West Virginia; these applications are available in both paid and free versions. Information obtainable from paid license plate lookup services is typically better updated and more complete than information secured from free license plate lookups.

Information about license plates, and the vehicles registered to them, in West Virginia can also be obtained from the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. The information available from this agency may be restricted because of privacy concerns.

What is a West Virginia License Plate?

A West Virginia license plate is an identification tag issued to a duly registered motor vehicle in the state by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). According to Chapter 17 of the West Virginia Code, it is unlawful for anyone to operate a motor vehicle in the state without valid registration and license plates. This includes every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, and recreational vehicle driven or moved upon a road or highway in the state. A valid West Virginian license plate establishes that the motor vehicle has been duly registered in the state.

A typical West Virginian license plate will display the state name and plate serial number. There will also be other inscriptions detailed on the plate if it is a special license plate. West Virginian DMV issues specialized license plates vehicles to residents for Class A vehicles. Residents that wish to obtain specialized license plates must have been titled and obtained regular license plates before applying for specialized plates.

How Do I Get a License Plate in West Virginia?

West Virginia Code Statutes dictate that every vehicle driven or moved on a road or highway in the state be registered in the state. Vehicles duly registered in the state will receive a registration card and license plate, issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle registration in West Virginia must be carried out in person at the local DMV branch. The procedures for vehicle registration in West Virginia vary slightly, based on certain criteria.

New residents to West Virginia must title and register their vehicles within 30 days of assuming residency in the state. To register their vehicles, these applicants are required to submit the following documents at their local DMV branch:

  • Current out-of-state title and registration of the vehicle.
  • Completed odometer disclosure statement.
  • Proof of West Virginia residency (WV driver's license).
  • Completed Application for Certificate of Title form.
  • Proof of motor liability insurance. Can be listed on the title application but must be covered by a company licensed in West Virginia.
  • Payment for fees and taxes.

For a vehicle under lien, the applicant must also provide a copy of the title and a letter from the lienholder establishing possession of the title. Also, the vehicle owner must complete a vehicle inspection within 10 days of registering the vehicle.

Vehicles purchased from licensed dealers will be registered by the dealers. In West Virginia, dealers are required to submit the paperwork for the titling and registration of vehicles they sell. The dealers will also collect all fees and taxes due for the titling and registration of the vehicles. For vehicles purchased from out-of-state dealers, who are unable to submit the vehicles paperwork, the vehicle owner is required to submit the following documents:

  • Vehicle statement of origin.
  • Proof of West Virginia residency (WV driver's license).
  • Invoice indicating the vehicle purchase price.
  • Completed Application for Certificate of Title form.
  • Proof of motor liability insurance. Can be listed on the title application but must be covered by a company licensed in West Virginia.
  • Completed odometer disclosure statement.
  • Payment for fees and taxes.

Vehicles purchased directly from dealers are required to complete vehicle inspections within 10 days of registration.

If the vehicle is purchased from a private party, the new owner must submit the following documents at their local DMV branch to register it:

  • Current vehicle title, signed over by the previous owner. The back of the title must be signed by both the buyer and seller and the seller's address must be listed on the title.
  • Odometer readings. If the car is older than 10 years, the seller is required to complete the odometer disclosure statement
  • Completed Application for Certificate of Title form
  • Payment for fees and taxes

New owners are required to complete their vehicle inspections within 3 days of completing their registrations. The fee for a standard registration card and license plate from the West Virginia DMV is $51.50 and that of a vehicle title is $15. There is a $10 fee for duplicate registration cards and decals and a $10.50 fee for duplicate license plates. For a complete schedule of fees and taxes, consult the DMV Motor Vehicle Registration Fees brochure.

Passenger License Plates vs Commercial License Plates

A passenger license plate is the identification tag issued to duly registered passenger vehicles in a state. Commercial license plates are identification tags issued to registered commercial vehicles in a state. The West Virginia Code statutes establish different classifications for all types of motor vehicles in the state. These classifications differentiate vehicles intended for commercial purposes from vehicles intended for private purposes.

The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues similar license plates to both passenger and commercial vehicles but indicates the class of the motor vehicle on the registration card.

How Can I Find the Owner of a License Plate in West Virginia?

It is possible to find the owner of a license plate in West Virginia using a license plate lookup application. License plate lookups are online applications that utilize license plate numbers to retrieve information about the vehicle registered with the license plate. These applications are available in free and paid versions, though the information available might be restricted for privacy reasons. Typically, paid license plate lookup applications will retrieve more concise and updated information about vehicle license plates than free license plate lookup applications. It is also possible to obtain to identify the owner of a license plate by requesting the records from the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, portions of these records may have restricted access and requestors may need to provide pertinent reasons to receive this information.

Third-party aggregate sites are a reliable alternative for obtaining license plate information. These sites are maintained by independent establishments which collate the information from government-run repositories. Obtaining records from these sites often proves substantially easier than government alternatives. However, requestors may be required to provide any information required to facilitate the record search and pay any required fees to access the record of interest.

West Virginia License Plate Renewal

Vehicle owners in West Virginia are required to renew their vehicle registrations before the expiration dates have elapsed. Vehicle registration renewals applications in West Virginia can be submitted online, in person, or by mail to the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV will mail renewal notifications to vehicle owners up to 30 days before the expiration date of their registrations that will contain information about procedures, dates, and fees. Renewal applications for vehicle registrations in West Virginia can be submitted online, in person, or by mail. Applications can be completed online using the DMV online services.

To submit a renewal application by mail, compile the following documents:

  • Completed Registration Renewal Notice or expiring registration card
  • Evidence of motor insurance
  • Copy of personal property tax receipt
  • Check or money order for the fees

And mail to:

West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 17110
Charleston, WV 25317

In-person renewals applications can be submitted at the regional DMV office or the County Sheriff Offices in the state. In-person submissions should include:

  • Completed Registration Renewal Notice or expiring registration card
  • Copy of vehicle insurance information
  • Copy of personal property tax receipt
  • Payment (cash and credit cards are also accepted)

Vehicle registrations in West Virginia are renewable for one year ($51.50) or two years ($103).

Can You Look Up License Plates with VIN?

A vehicle identification number (VIN) can be used to retrieve information attached to a vehicle to obtain information about its registration and license plates. It is required, in West Virginia, that vehicle owners provide their vehicle identification numbers (VINs) when registering their vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles. Consequently, it is possible to use the VIN to obtain information related to a vehicle's license tag and registration.

VIN Number Lookup

A vehicle identification number colloquially referred to as a VIN, is the unique identification number that is assigned to each vehicle during its manufacture and assembly. Functioning like a human fingerprint, a VIN identifies a particular vehicle and can be used to retrieve information about this vehicle. Typically a VIN will be inscribed on the driver's side of the dashboard, facing the windshield and on the driver's side doorjamb. A VIN consists of 17 alphanumeric characters that contain details that identify the particular vehicle unit:

  • Character 1-3 - World manufacturer identifier: These characters identify where the car was manufactured, the manufacturer, and the vehicle type.
  • Character 4-8 - Vehicle descriptor section: These characters provide information about the vehicle's safety features, body style, engine size and type, and transmission.
  • Character 9 - Check digit: This character verifies the validity of the VIN.
  • Character 10-17 - Vehicle identifier section: Character 10 identifies the vehicle model year, character 11 identifies the plant of assembly, and characters 12-17 are the vehicle production number.

A VIN lookup is an online third-party application that uses a vehicle identification number to look up any available reports on the vehicle. A VIN lookup can retrieve information on a vehicle such as odometer readings, ownership information, past owners, registration information, and accident reports. VIN lookup applications are available online as free and paid user applications.

Can Civilians Lookup License Plates in West Virginia?

Yes, civilians can look up license plates in West Virginia by submitting a request for vehicle information to the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles and through online license plate lookup services. However, there are certain federal and state restrictions on the type of information that can be disclosed to civilians.

The Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) (18 USC, Section 2721) and West Virginia Uniform Motor Vehicle Records Disclosure Act prohibit the disclosure of personal information contained in motor vehicle records. Both state and federal regulations provide that an individual's personal information may only be disclosed with that person's consent per WVC §17A-2A-6 or for other permissible reasons under both laws.

Therefore, when civilians conduct non-DPPA-compliant license plate lookup requests, technical and non-sensitive information associated with the vehicle registered to the license plate is easily accessible. These include the vehicle make, model, year of registration, service history, accident history, title registration, odometer readings, and specifications. However, the license plate registrant’s personal information, such as their name, address, and photograph, are typically omitted from the search results.

What Do Police See When They Run Your Plates in West Virginia?

Unlike civilians, law enforcement agencies, including police officers, in carrying out their functions, can access all information contained in the state Motor Vehicle Records. As a result, when a police officer runs a driver's license plate in West Virginia, they can see information about the vehicle and the owner of the license plate. This includes vehicle information such as its registered owner, the owner’s address, year, model, make, VIN, and insurance information.

The police officer may also check the database or other relevant databases to see If the vehicle or license plate has been reported stolen or used in a crime. Additionally, using the license plate registrant's information, a police officer can also check their driver's license details and look for any active warrants for the license registrant's arrest.

Free License Plate Lookup in West Virginia

Interested persons can conduct a free license plate lookup in West Virginia through various third-party websites online. However, only basic details about the vehicle linked to the license plate are accessible through most free license plate lookup services. These details include the vehicle’s make, year, model, trim level, transmission, steering and braking systems, and manufacturer details. For additional in-depth details and reports regarding a license plate and the vehicle it is associated with, such as accident history, service history, and title registration, inquirers are typically required to pay a fee.

How to Search for Ticket by License Plate in West Virginia

There is no centralized database interested persons can use to search for tickets by license plate in West Virginia. Inquirers must contact individual county magistrate courts to find county-level issued traffic tickets and municipal courts or city halls to find city-level tickets.

Some cities in West Virginia also provide online portals on their official websites inquirers can use to search for parking tickets issued in the city by license plate. For instance, interested persons can check if their license plate is linked to any unpaid traffic tickets issued in the city of Charleston by entering their license plate number on the Charleston payments/ticket portal.