West Virginia License Plate Lookup

West Virginia license plate lookup can help individuals and certain entities uncover vital details about any vehicle registered in the state. For instance, a plate search can return information such as a vehicle's make, year or manufacture, body type, model, accident history, and odometer reading. You can look up a West Virginia license plate by contacting the state's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, per the West Virginia Uniform Motor Vehicle Records Disclosure Act, there are certain restrictions on who can access vehicle records from the DMV and for what intent. Generally, authorized entities include employers, insurance companies, towing companies, and law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, interested individuals can look up West Virginia license plates on approved third-party websites with access to public data sources. For instance, with the GoodCar license plate lookup service, you can obtain information on a vehicle's specifications and some history reports like the accident history, recall history, and sale history. West Virginia online vehicle searches can be conducted using a car's license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN).

Running a license plate in West Virginia is usually the most feasible, particularly when the VIN is not immediately available or hard to access. The primary reason for performing a license plate lookup is to obtain the details and records associated with a vehicle registered to that plate. Generally, people in West Virginia can fetch vehicle records or details for varying purposes. For instance, a law enforcement officer in the state may run a vehicle's license plate to check its insurance status, check if the car is stolen, detect traffic violations, or determine whether the vehicle has been involved in any criminal activity.

Furthermore, a West Virginia license plate search is crucial if buying a used motor vehicle registered in the state from a private seller or a dealership. The result of any thorough license plate lookup will include its accident history and state whether it has been reported stolen. The consequences of purchasing a stolen car can be dire. Similarly, buying an accident vehicle with severe internal damage and hidden problems can be a financial liability. At least 1,797 vehicle theft incidents were reported in West Virginia in 2021, some of which would have found their way into the car market. Similarly, not less than 257 motor vehicle crashes were reported in the same year. However, looking up a used vehicle before buying it can help avoid purchasing a liability for a car or getting into legal trouble.

A West Virginia license plate is unique to the vehicle to which it is assigned. As a result, a license plate search on a car will only reveal information or records associated with that vehicle. In West Virginia, records and details associated with a vehicle are created by the state's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and other relevant local agencies.

Although various details and records on West Virginia-registered vehicles are publicly available, the Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act restricts the kind of information that can be disclosed in vehicle records. Running a West Virginia license plate with GoodCar can help you unlock a detailed report on any vehicle registered in the state.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation, through its Division of Motor Vehicles, issues license plates. The state is one of the few in the United States that does not require a front license plate. Consequently, vehicle owners only need to display one license plate at the back of their vehicles, per Section 17A-3-15 of the West Virginia Code. However, the state made some exemptions to the rear license plate rule. Vehicles like road tractors and trucks designed to pull semi-trailers and trailers can attach their license plates to the front because any plate fastened to the rear may be covered by whatever they are towing. The state's DMV issues several types of license plates with varying designs, as discussed below.

WV License Plate Renewal

West Virginia license plate renewals come with vehicle registration renewals. Generally, the state's DMV mails vehicle registration renewal reminders (DMV-44) to vehicle owners approximately 30 days before the expiration of their current registrations. You can renew your West Virginia license plate by visiting your local DMV office with your personal property tax receipt, insurance information, and the applicable renewal fee.

If you wish to renew your West Virginia license plate by mail, send your current registration card or the DMV-44 Form, personal property tax receipt, insurance information, and the correct fee to the DMV at:

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

A West Virginia license plate can also be renewed by renewing the vehicle registration through the DMV Online Services. Make sure to have a valid credit card for payment if you want to use the online service.

1. Can I Look Up WV License Plates for Free?

   Yes, it is possible to look up West Virginia license plates for free. Several online resources with access to public databases now offer free license plate checks. However, information obtained from such checks is often limited. With a nominal fee of $2.95, GoodCar will give you access to a detailed and comprehensive record of any vehicle registered in West Virginia. Beyond a vehicle's basic details, you will obtain information on a vehicle's rebuild records, recall history, sale history, flood damage, total loss, title records, and lien records.

2. Can I Use West Virginia License Plate Lookup Services To Find Out About a Vehicle's Accident History?

   Yes. A West Virginia license plate search can reveal if a vehicle has been involved in an accident. Reports generated by any reliable vehicle lookup service should include a vehicle's accident history.

3. How Can I Register a Vanity License Plate in West Virginia?

   You can register for a West Virginia vanity license plate by applying online using the DMV Personalized Plate Request Portal. Alternatively, you can submit a completed Application for a Personalized License Plate Form and the required fees to the DMV at:

   West Virginia Department of Transportation
   Division of Motor Vehicles
   P.O. Box 17120
   Charleston, WV 25317