West Virginia Registration Renewal

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

West Virginia vehicle registration renews annually, with the renewal date set at first registration and visible on the registration card. Most renewals can be completed online through the WV DMV's online services portal — but the county personal property tax must be paid first, and the annual safety inspection must be current. The two-step model unique to West Virginia is what catches most new residents.

When you can renew

The WV DMV mails a renewal notice 60 days before the expiration date. The renewal can be processed up to 30 days before expiration without affecting the next cycle. Driving on expired plates is a moving violation and can lead to a vehicle being towed at the registered owner's expense.

Pay the personal property tax first

Before any West Virginia registration renewal, the registered owner must have paid the county personal property tax assessed on the vehicle for the prior year. The WV DMV's online portal verifies payment electronically at the time of renewal — if the tax is unpaid, the renewal cannot proceed. The personal property tax bill is mailed by the county sheriff or assessor in late summer, with payment due by September 1. New residents must visit the county assessor in their county of residence to begin the personal property tax cycle.

Annual safety inspection

The annual West Virginia safety inspection is required for every registered passenger vehicle. The inspection sticker on the windshield shows the month of expiration. The renewal cannot be completed without a current inspection. Inspection stations are widely available at gas stations, repair shops, and dealer service departments; the inspection costs approximately $14 plus the cost of any repairs.

Online renewal

The WV DMV's online services portal and the DMV Now mobile app handle most registration renewals. To qualify for online renewal, the owner must:

Have a current West Virginia registration that is not suspended or expired by more than 30 days.
Have paid the county personal property tax for the prior year.
Have a current West Virginia safety inspection sticker.
Maintain proof of West Virginia auto insurance meeting the 25/50/25 minimum.
Have no changes to ownership, address, or vehicle.

The portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. The new registration card and decal are mailed within 7-10 business days. The portal is available 24/7, although personal property tax payments processed by the county may take a day or two to appear in the portal.

In-person renewal

Drivers must renew in person at any WV DMV regional office when:

The vehicle is being re-registered after a suspension or hold.
Address or ownership has changed since the prior registration.
The owner is registering a vehicle from another state for the first time.
Specialty plates require an in-person change.

Mail-in renewal

The WV DMV accepts mail-in renewal requests. Send the renewal notice, a copy of the current safety inspection certificate, proof of paid personal property tax, and the renewal fee (check or money order payable to the WV DMV) to the address on the renewal notice. The new registration is mailed within 10-14 business days.

Fees at renewal

Renewal fees include:

$51.50 base annual registration fee for a passenger vehicle.
$5 Motor Vehicle Safety Equipment fund fee.
Specialty plate surcharge if applicable, typically $30-$60 annually.
Vanity plate surcharge of $40 annually.
Late fee of $5-$25 if renewed after expiration.

The Privilege Tax is collected only at first registration or title transfer, not at renewal. See vehicle registration for the first-time registration process.

Address changes at renewal

If you've moved within West Virginia since the last registration, update your address through the online portal before renewal, or include the address change request with the renewal application. The personal property tax for the prior year is owed to the county where the vehicle was principally garaged on July 1; if you moved between counties mid-year, the prior county's tax bill is the one that applies. Going forward, the new county assesses the personal property tax. See address and name change.

Specialty and personalized plates

West Virginia offers a wide range of specialty plates supporting causes, military service, organizations, and colleges. The annual surcharge is typically $30-$60 in addition to the standard registration fee. Vanity plates incur an extra $40 annual fee. Owners can swap from standard to specialty or vanity at any registration renewal — see other vehicle registrations.