West Virginia License Plate Lookup
Many think buying a used vehicle brings misery, but that’s untrue. We understand that buying a used vehicle should be a safe and seamless journey, and we are here to help with our West Virginia license plate lookup Simply enter the WV license plate number to get a comprehensive vehicle history report, including ownership history, titles, maintenance records, accidents, recalls and more.
Table of Contents
Why Conduct a West Virginia License Plate Lookup?
For buyers, it ensures the car has a clean history by revealing any past accidents, title problems, or odometer tampering. This protects buyers from scams and misleading sales tactics. A quick search provides confidence that the vehicle is worth the investment.
For sellers, a transparent history report builds credibility and makes the car more appealing. It reassures buyers that the vehicle is in good condition and priced fairly. Providing accurate records can also prevent post-sale disputes, making the process smoother.
Before finalizing a deal, a license plate lookup is a quick and easy way to verify a car’s history and ensure everything checks out.
Is There Any Free License Plate Lookup?
We offer two vehicle report options by license plate: free and paid. The free version has limited information.
Here’s the information you can get on our free vehicle report.
The free version is a good starting point for information about your vehicle’s past. It covers important information like sales history, odometer checks, title checks, auction records, damage records, and theft records.

How Does the License Plate Lookup Work?
Video: How to Lookup a West Virginia License Plate
Step 1: Enter the License Plate Number
You can find the license plate number on the front and back of the vehicle. Fill out the form on this page and submit it.
Step 2: Review and Purchase
Check vehicle specifications and features and complete your purchase.
Step 3: Access Your Report
Access your vehicle history report instantly. Download and print it easily.
- VIN
- Engine Value
- MSRP
- Manufacturer
- Fuel Type
- Body Type
- Year & Model
- Transmission
- Vehicle Type
- Sales Record
- Drive Type
- Mileage
- Market Value
- Doors
- Country of Origin
What Information Can I Get From Paid License Plate Lookup
While the free vehicle history lookup gives you limited access to information, our paid report has all the information you need to make a good decision about purchasing a used car. These include:
Vehicle Specification:
Provides comprehensive details about the vehicle, including its year, make, model, trim level, and engine specifications, enabling you to confirm its authenticity and suitability.
Accident History:
Reveals detailed records of any accidents the vehicle has been involved in, including the severity of damage and repair details, ensuring transparency about its condition.
Ownership History:
Offers a detailed timeline of the vehicle’s ownership, including the number of previous owners, the duration of each ownership, and the level of care it received.
Sales Records:
Provides a chronological summary of the vehicle’s sales history, including transactions, ownership changes, and the sale dates.
Auction History:
Identifies if the vehicle was sold through an auction, which may indicate its market demand or potential quality concerns, influencing its resale value.
Title Status:
Confirms whether the vehicle holds a clean, salvage, rebuilt, or branded title, helping you assess its legal standing and overall condition.
Lien Records:
Highlights any active loans or liens associated with the vehicle, which could complicate ownership transfer and future legal proceedings.
Open Recalls:
Lists any unresolved recall notices or safety-related defects for the vehicle, ensuring you are aware of potential risks or necessary repairs.
Theft Records:
Verifies if the vehicle has been reported as stolen, providing assurance about its legality and protecting you from potential legal complications.
Odometer Reading:
Confirms the accuracy of the vehicle’s mileage, helping assess its wear and usage to make an informed purchasing decision.
Service and Maintenance History:
Details the vehicle’s servicing and repair history, showcasing how well it has been maintained and its potential reliability.
License Plate Law and Regulation in West Virginia
West Virginia has laws and regulations regarding license plates that every vehicle owner has to follow. These rules and regulations are made to ensure proper vehicle identification and compliance with the state’s laws.
Front License Plate: Are They Required?
Front license plates are not required in West Virginia. Only a rear license plate placement is mandatory for all types of vehicles to simplify things for the residents.
Which Vehicle Needs a License Plate?
Passenger cars and SUVs should have the standard plate on the rear side, while motorcycles only require a single-plate usage.
Commercial vehicles like trucks and vans must have a license plate according to their weight classification. Similarly to motorcycles, trailers also need only a single rear plate. Farm-use vehicles can obtain special plates, which are subject to specific restrictions.
Government Bodies Responsible for License Plate
The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the primary governing body responsible for license plate issuance and regulations. The DMV handles vehicle registration, license plate renewals, specialty plate requests, and related services.
License Plate Type in Virginia
The West Virginia standard plate comes in white, blue, and yellow-stripped backgrounds with yellow and navy blue lettering. It has the state’s slogan, “Wild Wonderful,” on the bottom side of the plate. Other than the standard version of the license plate, you can also apply on specialty, disability, and personalized. The license plate came in a few different formats: 0BC 1234, 01B 1234, ABC 1234, A1B 1234
Specialty License Plate
Specialty license plates allow vehicle owners to customize them while supporting specific causes, organizations, or affiliations.
Personalized License Plate
If you want to customize your license plate, you can opt for the personalized license plate. You can customize the number and letter for a maximum of 8 characters.
Disability License Plate
A disability license plate is exclusively reserved for disability residents of West Virginia so they can have accessible parking privileges that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To apply, applicants must provide a valid certification from a licensed physician to verify their disability and fill the DMV-41-TR form.
Other Vehicle Check Tools
Before purchasing, verify a car’s history, factory details, and ownership records with these essential tools.
VIN Decoder
Our VIN decoder does the trick if the license plate number is unavailable. Quickly decode your VIN to access detailed information from factory details to original specifications and all vehicle history records.
Window Stickers
Get a copy of the original window sticker of any vehicle, showing all the options, packages, standard features and equipment, safety ratings, fuel economy, and factory-installed parts your vehicle came with.
Build Sheets for Classic Vehicles
Like window stickers, you can get build sheets for classic or vintage vehicles with our build sheet lookup tool for classic vehicles with the VIN only. View specifications, features, color, pricing, and more.
Classic Car History Report
You won’t find this anywhere else! Our classic car VIN check provides exclusive records for all old vehicles, giving you a full classic car vehicle history report that Carfax and AutoCheck can’t. Check a vintage car’s authenticity today!
License Plate Lookup By States
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular vehicles put their license plates on the back. Big trucks for pulling trailers are the exception; they have their plates on the front.
Clear license plate covers are permitted. However, tinted license plate covers are strictly prohibited.
You can turn in your old license plates and your registration card to the commissioner if you want different ones. It will cost $10 for the exchange, plus you might have to pay more if the new plates are worth more than the old ones.