West Virginia: Is there an annual vehicle safety inspection?
West Virginia requires registered vehicles to pass a safety inspection every two years.
West Virginia used to inspect every year; since January 1, 2024, under a 2023 law (HB 2310), it inspects once every two years. Inspections are done at stations licensed by the West Virginia State Police. Someone who titles a vehicle in the state has 10 days to get it inspected. Certain commercial vehicles are inspected yearly under federal rules.
Conditions
- Inspection every two years
- Inspection within 10 days of titling in West Virginia
What the law says
The Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police shall require that every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer registered in this state be inspected once every two years; and that an official certificate of inspection and approval be obtained for each vehicle
Sources
- W. Va. Code § 17C-16-4 Official · code.wvlegislature.gov
- WV DMV, Vehicle Inspection Official · dmv.wv.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (program run by the West Virginia State Police)
- Website
- dmv.wv.gov
How bordering states compare
- Kentucky No safety inspectionNo. Kentucky does not require safety inspections of private cars; cars brought from other states get a VIN and odometer check.
- Maryland Only at sale or first registrationOnly at titling. Maryland requires a safety inspection before a used car is titled and registered, including when sold or brought from another state.
- Ohio No safety inspectionOhio does not require safety inspections of passenger cars.
- Pennsylvania Regular safety inspectionPennsylvania requires most vehicles to pass a safety inspection every year.
- Virginia Regular safety inspectionVirginia requires registered vehicles to pass a safety inspection every 12 months at a State Police-licensed station.
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