# W. Va. Code § 17A-3-1: Misdemeanor to violate provisions of article; penalty

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S1

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 17A-3-1
- **Heading:** Misdemeanor to violate provisions of article; penalty
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 17A / Article 3 / Section 1

## Text

(a) It is unlawful for any person to drive or move or for an owner knowingly to permit to be driven or moved upon any highway any vehicle of a type required to be registered under this article which is not registered or for which a certificate of title has not been issued or applied for or for which the appropriate fee has not been paid when and as required under this article, except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this chapter: Provided, That in the event of the sale of a vehicle by a person other than a registered dealer, the person purchasing the same may, for a period of not more than ten days, operate such vehicle under the registration of its previous owner and display the registration thereof: Provided, however, That he or she shall have and display on the demand of any proper officer the consent in writing of such previous owner so to use such registration.

(b) Unless otherwise provided for in this article, any person violating the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500; and upon a second or subsequent conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500, or confined in the county or regional jail not more than six months, or both.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-1 §17A-3-1. Misdemeanor to violate provisions of article; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-1A §17A-3-1a. Registration of vehicles of new residents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S1A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-2 §17A-3-2. Every motor vehicle, etc., subject to registration and certificate of title provisions; exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-2A §17A-3-2a. Registration of nonresident vehicles.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S2A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-3 §17A-3-3. Application for registration; statement of insurance or other proof of security to accompany application; criminal penalties; fees; special revolving fund.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-3A §17A-3-3a. Payment of personal property taxes and emergency ambulance fees prerequisite to registration or renewal; duties of assessors; schedule of automobile values.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S3A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-3B §17A-3-3b. Motor vehicles believed illegally unregistered; assessor to make verification.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S3B.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-4 §17A-3-4. Application for certificate of title; fees; abolishing privilege tax; prohibition of issuance of certificate of title without compliance with consumers sales and service tax provisions; exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-5 §17A-3-5. Application for specially constructed, reconstructed or foreign vehicles or new vehicles purchased outside this state.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-6 §17A-3-6. Temporary permit pending registration and certification.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S6.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-7 §17A-3-7. Grounds for refusing registration or certificate of title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S7.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-8 §17A-3-8. Examination of registration records and index of stolen and recovered vehicles.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S8.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-9 §17A-3-9. Act of registration and record thereof; registration indexes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S9.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 17A-3-10 §17A-3-10. Division to issue registration card; duplicate to county assessor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S10.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.