West Virginia License Plate Lookup
Many think buying a used vehicle brings misery, but that’s untrue. Simply enter the WV license plate number to get a comprehensive vehicle history report, including ownership history, titles, maintenance records, accidents, recalls, etc.
Table of Contents
What is a West Virginia License Plate Lookup?
The West Virginia license plate lookup is a service that buyers and sellers can use to look up the license plate and get the vehicle history report. If you want to sell or buy any kind of used vehicles in West Virginia, don’t forget to use the WV license plate lookup, as it can help you uncover any hidden information that wasn’t shown by the seller.
On the report, you’ll find the vehicle’s complete specifications, accident records, auction history, warranty coverage, past owners’ history, damage verifications, recalls check, lien/loan information, damage verifications, and more.
Is There Any Free West Virginia License Plate Lookup?
We offer two vehicle report options by license plate: free and paid license plate lookup. The free version has limited information, but you can see the detailed specifications of the vehicle to help you examine if the vehicle matches your needs and budget.
Here’s the information you can get on our free license plate lookup
- Associated VIN number
- Year, Make, and Model
- Country of Origin
- Market Value
- Transmission Type
- Fuel Type
- Drive Type
- Body Type
- Trim Information
- MSRP
- Engine Specifications
- Dimensions
- 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
Why Conduct a West Virginia Plate Search?
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.
What Information Can I Get From a 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, engine specifications, fuel economy, MSRP, country of origin, standard seating, drive type, and more.
Accident History
Reveals detailed records of any accidents the vehicle has been involved in, including the date and the location where the accident took place.
Ownership History
Offers a detailed timeline of the vehicle’s ownership, including the number of previous owners, the duration of each ownership, the year of purchase, and the location of the past owners.
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. See the date, auction location, price, and get up to ten pictures that show the vehicle’s condition during the auction.
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. Make sure that the lien/loan records are finished before you buy the vehicle/
Open Recalls
List any unresolved recall notices or safety-related defects for the vehicle, ensuring you are aware of potential risks or necessary repairs. In this section, you’ll see the date of recalls, what caused the recalls, and the resolution taken by the manufacturer to fix the recall issues.
Theft Records
Verifies if the vehicle has been reported as stolen, providing assurance about its legality and protecting you from potential legal complications. If the vehicle has ever been stolen, you’ll get to check the date, location, and the data source of the stolen vehicle.
Odometer Reading
Confirms the accuracy of the vehicle’s mileage, helping assess its wear and usage to make an informed purchasing decision. Check the date along with the recorded mileage and the last recorded mileage of the vehicle.
Service and Maintenance History
Details the vehicle’s servicing and repair history, showcasing how well it has been maintained and its potential reliability. In this section, you’ll get to see the date of service, location, and what service or maintenance was done to the vehicle.
How is a WV License Plate Lookup Important for Sellers?
Somebody wanted to sell a used 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE to XYZ Dealership. Before the dealer agreed to purchase the vehicle, the salesman decided to use the West Virginia license plate lookup, and here’s what he saw on the report.
Actual Condition
- Odometer is rolled back
- 1 accident record
- 2 Records of damage
- 4 specific events reported
- 8 service & repair record
- 1 auction & 3 sales records
- 5 lien or loan records
- 2 stolen or theft records
- 5 open recalls record
Initial Claim
- Almost no dents
- Way cheaper than the original marketplace
- Never been in an accident
- Was not a stolen vehicle
- Low odometer
Why Lookup's License Plate is a Must
- To get the vehicle’s full information before buying
- Check if it matches any claim made by the seller/buyer
Outcome
- The salesman decided not to buy the vehicle because it had too many red flags
How Does the License Plate Lookup Work?
Running a license plate lookup tool is easy; all you need to do is have the license plate number in hand and follow the steps below.
Enter the License Plate Number
Find the plate number on the vehicle and input it into the form on this page.
Review and Purchase
Submit the form, check the vehicle’s specifications, and proceed to payment.
Get Your Report
After the full report is generated, don’t forget to download the report in PDF format.
Why You Should Use Our West Virginia License Plate Lookup?
Our West Virginia license plate lookup provides reliable vehicle history at an affordable cost. With access to over 70 million sales records worldwide, you’ll gain detailed insights often missing from other services.
Each report may also include past auction details and up to 10 photos, helping you clearly see a vehicle’s condition and background before you decide to buy the vehicle.
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 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.
Passenger cars and SUVs should have the standard plate on the rear side, while motorcycles only require a single plate. Commercial vehicles like trucks and vans must have a license plate according to their weight classification. Similar 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 Plates
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 for specialty, disability, and personalized plates. The license plate came in a few different formats: 0BC 1234, 01B 1234, ABC 1234, A1B 1234
Types of West Virginia License Plates
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 a 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 disabled 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 out the DMV-41-TR form.
License Plate Cost in West Virginia
In West Virginia, license plate costs depend on the type of plate you choose. Standard, personalized, specialty, and disability plates all have different fees.
- Standard passenger registration (Class A): $50/year
- Personalized plates: an additional $31 annually
- Special interest/specialty plates: purchase ~$76.50, renewal ~$66.50 annually
- Disability plates: no additional fee beyond regular registration
- Duplicate or replacement plate/title/etc: $10 fee
How to Register and Transfer a Car Title in West Virginia
Registering and transferring a car title in West Virginia requires submitting the right paperwork and fees to the DMV. Here are the steps you need to take and follow so you do not miss any important paperwork.
- Application for Certificate of Title: Complete the title application form (DMV-1-TR).
- Vehicle title: Provide the current title properly signed by the seller.
- Odometer disclosure: Needed for vehicles under 10 years old.
- Bill of sale: Must include purchase price and buyer/seller information.
- Proof of insurance: Valid WV liability insurance is required.
- Payment of fees: $15 title fee plus 6% sales tax (based on purchase price or NADA value).
- Registration: Standard passenger vehicle registration is $50 per year.
How to Transfer License Plates in West Virginia
In West Virginia, plates usually stay with the owner, not the vehicle. Transferring your plates works like this:
- Same owner: Plates can be transferred to another vehicle you own by paying a $5 transfer fee.
- Different owner: Plates cannot be transferred to another person. The buyer must apply for new registration and plates.
- Replacement plates: If lost or damaged, a duplicate plate costs $10.
West Virginia Fun Facts
- West Virginia first required vehicle registration and license plates in 1905, making it an early state adopter of vehicle identification.
- The state introduced a unique staggered registration system in 1976 using a code based on the first character of the plate number to spread renewal months throughout the year, a distinctive approach still in use today.
- West Virginia was the first state to produce stamped metal license plates in 1921, pioneering the modern license plate manufacturing process
Other Vehicle Check Tools
Before purchasing, verify a car’s history, factory details, and ownership records with these essential tools.
VIN Decoder
Get the Original Window Sticker by VIN
Build Sheet by VIN
Classic Car History Report
License Plate Lookup By States
License plate checks are not only available in West Virginia. Our license plate lookups are widely available in all the states listed below.
FAQ About West Virginia License Plate Lookup
Q. Do you need a front license plate in WV?
A. Regular vehicles put their license plates on the back. Big trucks for pulling trailers are the exception; they have their plates on the front.
Q. Are license plates covered illegally in WV?
A. Clear license plate covers are permitted. However, tinted license plate covers are strictly prohibited.
Q. What do I do with my old license plates in WV?
A. 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.
Q. Can I get a vehicle history report through a West Virginia license plate number?
A. Yes, you can get the vehicle history report through the West Virginia license plate lookup. Click on the form above, fill it out with the license plate, and get the report.
Q. Can I register a vanity plate in West Virginia?
A. To register a vanity plate in West Virginia, you will need to apply through the Department of Motor Vehicles’ online portal, or you can send the required documents and fees to
West Virginia Department of Transportation
Division of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 17120
Charleston, WV 25317
