When buying a used vehicle in West Virginia, or anywhere for the matter, it is important for you to conduct a complete background check and find out the car's history in order to safeguard yourself against potential fraud, which might lead to significant maintenance costs or more severe issues in the future.
According to the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 2020 annual report, there were 34,056 crashes in 2019, resulting in 206 deaths and 906 serious injuries. Although the report doesn’t specify how many were due to vehicle defects, it's wise to be vigilant about potential mechanical problems in your prospective vehicle.
Do a quick license plate search with Vinfreecheck for any vehicle registered in West Virginia. This service provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its specifications, market value, and a comprehensive history report that covers its fuel efficiency.
Remember, this lookup tool is only applicable to vehicles that are titled and registered with the West Virginia DMV.
No Money, No Talk! đź’µ
In West Virginia, it is illegal to drive on the highway if you're not in possession of sufficient cash or a credit card. This law is designed to ensure that all drivers can pay for gasoline or any emergency services they might need while on the road. So if you're low on cash, just stay at home!
Where is the Plate Number for West Virginian Vehicles?
West Virginia requires all cars to have plates attached to the back only. You can also find the license plate number on the top part of your DMV-issued registration card.
How Do I Apply for a West Virginia License Plate?
You can register your vehicle at any West Virginia DMV branch near you. If you're buying from a local dealership, the dealership will complete the registration and titling on your behalf. You'll just need to get copies of the relevant paperwork.
If, however, you purchase from an out-of-state dealer, the application must also include an invoice reflecting the purchase price.
New residents of West Virginia have 30 days to title and register their vehicles after establishing residency in the state. You'll need to present the following documents:
- Out-of-state registration and title
- Proof that you are now a resident of West Virginia
- Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle application form
- Proof of the car's insurance policy
- Payment of all required fees
Once your car is titled and registered, you'll receive a license plate and registration card, where the latter must be kept together with the car's insurance policy in the vehicle at all times.
Renewals may be done either at any DMV branch, by mail, or by using their online services.
If your plate is lost or stolen, you cannot reuse the same license plate number. You also need to lodge a report with the state police immediately.
West Virginia also mandates a vehicle inspection every 12 months. Any time an inspection is passed, a sticker must be displayed on the inside of the windshield until the next inspection. For new residents, you have have 10 days from the date of titling your vehicle to conduct a vehicle inspection.
What Kind of License Plates Can I Get?
Standard: The common standard license plate uses a white background (or an alternate Scenic plate) with navy blue characters. For all plates, an expiration sticker must be displayed to show the plate's validity.
Standard plates have a maximum character limit of 6.
Personalized: These plates are restricted to Class A vehicles, defined as "passenger cars and trucks with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less." Depending on the type of plate, character limits vary. For example, personalized standard plates have a character limit of 8. Personalized motorcycle plates, on the other hand, have a limit of 6.
Obscene or offensive requests are strictly prohibited. It must also not not conflict with a regular series license number. Symbols, punctuation marks, and numbers 1 to 2000 are also not allowed.
Disability: There are disability placards and plates available. You can apply for either if you have a qualifying disability or are providing transportation for someone with a qualifying disability.
Military veterans with a verified service-related disability may also apply for a disabled veteran plate.
Specialty: These are license plates that showcase or show support for various organizations, commemorative events, interests, military service and more.
You can find a list of available specialty plates on the state DMV website.
What to Expect from a License Plate Lookup?
A license plate lookup can provide valuable information about a vehicle you're considering purchasing. Here are the key details you can expect from such a report:
Accident Records: These indicate whether the vehicle has been involved in accidents, helping you to assess potential damage areas and undisclosed mechanical issues.
Previous Owners: Information on the number of previous owners and transaction history helps gauge the vehicle’s usage and maintenance.
Flood Records: Notifies if the vehicle has been affected by floods, a common issue in natural disasters that can cause significant long-term damage.
Junk/Salvage Title Check: Vehicles labeled as salvage or junk typically have sustained major damage. A salvage title indicates insurance deemed the vehicle a total loss, while a junk title suggests it is no longer fit for road use.
Odometer Records: Essential for verifying the actual mileage of the vehicle. Odometer fraud, where readings are tampered with to falsely represent a vehicle's mileage, is a significant issue identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Vehicle Specifications: Includes the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, model, year, and other key details. Ensures the vehicle matches listings and hasn’t been misrepresented.
Market Value: Helps determine if the vehicle’s price is fair based on its current market value, preventing overpayment.
Lien Records: Indicates if the vehicle has financial encumbrances such as loans or leases. Ensuring these liens are cleared before purchase is crucial to avoid inheriting debts.
Purchasing a vehicle is a serious affair, a license plate lookup helps make an informed decision and protect against potential fraud and financial losses. After all, no one likes unpleasant surprises. It thus pays to be well informed at all times, so be sure to keep doing your own research to protect yourself from fraud better.
Is Looking Up a License Plate Legal?
VinFreeCheck gives you comprehensive and up-to-date, and reliable information on any registered vehicle within a matter of seconds. All information is sourced from verifiable sources such as NMVTIS.
We strictly comply with the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) as no personal information of the vehicle's current or previous owners will ever be disclosed. Our license plate lookup only does a reverse lookup to obtain the VIN number and query the vehicle's history reports.
Also, according to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) which gives anyone permission to access information collected by the government, you are completely in your legal rights to use our services. Best of all? It's free!