# W. Va. Code § 17A-3-5: Application for specially constructed, reconstructed or foreign vehicles or new vehicles purchased outside this state

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S5

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 17A-3-5
- **Heading:** Application for specially constructed, reconstructed or foreign vehicles or new vehicles purchased outside this state
- **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 5

## Text

(a) In the event the vehicle to be registered is specially constructed, reconstructed, or a foreign vehicle, such fact shall be stated in the application and with reference to every foreign vehicle which has been registered heretofore outside of this state the owner shall surrender to the department all registration plates, registration cards, and certificates of title or other evidence of such foreign registration as may be in his possession or under his control except as provided in subsection (b) hereof.

(b) Where in the course of interstate operation of a vehicle registered in another state it is desirable to retain registration of said vehicle in such other state, such applicant need not surrender but shall submit for inspection said evidences of such foreign registration and the department upon a proper showing shall register said vehicle in this state but shall not issue a certificate of title for such vehicle.

(c) In the event application for registration and certificate of title is made for a new vehicle purchased from a dealer outside this state, a certificate of title shall not be issued for such vehicle nor shall such vehicle be registered by the department unless and until such application shall be accompanied by a certificate of title or a manufacturer's certificate of origin, or if the state of purchase does not require a certificate of title such application shall be accompanied by a manufacturer's certificate of origin, accompanied by evidence that such seller is a bona fide dealer of the state in which such vehicle was purchased.

## 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)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C17A_A3_S5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.