A West Virginia private sale comes down to this: the seller signs the back of a title that is in their own name and hands it to you at the sale, and you file it with an Application for Certificate of Title (DMV-1-TR), the $15 title fee, and the 6% titling tax. The part people miss is the price rule. If you paid less than half of the NADA Clean Loan Book value, you need a notarized bill of sale signed by both of you, with copies of both driver's licenses, or the DMV taxes you on full book value.
I went through the West Virginia DMV's titles page, its inspection and registration pages, the DMV-1-TR form and the state code on October 16, 2026. The DMV's pages now live at dmv.wv.gov; the old title page on transportation.wv.gov returned a 404 for me, so older links you find may be dead.
The title has to be in the seller's name
The DMV's titles page says never to buy from an individual unless the seller holds a title printed in their own name and can hand it to you at the time of sale. It also says to confirm that the VIN on the car matches the title exactly and that the odometer does not read less than the mileage printed on the face of the title. A seller with a title in someone else's name, or a promise to "mail it once the bank sends it," is a pass for me.
Both seller and buyer sign the back of a West Virginia title. If the owners are joined by "AND," both must sign; with "OR," either can. For an out-of-state title, the seller signs as seller, and your name and address go on the document before you submit it with the DMV-1-TR. The seller records the exact mileage in the assignment section, or on form DMV-TM-1 if the title has no space. Our odometer disclosure statement rules post explains the federal side.
The 50 percent rule and notarized bills of sale
West Virginia taxes private sales at 6% of the price, but only if the price looks real. Per the titles page, if you buy from an individual at less than 50% of the current NADA Clean Loan Book value, a notarized bill of sale signed by both parties must come with the application, or tax is assessed on the full book value. Above 50%, you are taxed on the price you paid. Every notarized bill of sale or DMV-7-TR bill of sale must include a copy of both the buyer's and seller's driver's licenses.
Run the numbers before you meet. Say the book value is $20,000 and you pay $8,000. That is below half, so without a notarized bill of sale you pay 6% of $20,000, which is $1,200, instead of $480. And for any car two years old or newer bought from someone other than a registered dealer, the DMV taxes the book value no matter what you paid and will not accept a notarized bill of sale to lower it.
Do not let anyone "fix" the price later. The DMV says titles submitted with an altered or conflicting purchase price plus a second bill of sale will be rejected, and the original owner then has to apply for a duplicate title to start over. Get the price right on the title the first time.
Fees, gifts and trade-ins
The titles page lists a $15 title fee, the 6% titling tax on a net price over $500 or a flat $30 under $500, $10 per lien, and registration or transfer fees. Trade-in credit only counts if the trade is titled in West Virginia in the same name as the new vehicle. Gifts need an Affidavit of Transfer of Ownership Without Consideration (DMV-5-TR), except between parent and child or between spouses on a West Virginia title. If a gifted car carries a lien onto the new title, tax is 6% of the lien amount. For how this stacks up against other states, see our used car sales tax guide.
Driving it home, and how long you have
State law gives you a short window. Under W. Va. Code 17A-3-1, after buying from someone who is not a registered dealer, you may drive the car for not more than ten days under the previous owner's registration, as long as you carry and can show the seller's written consent. Get that consent in writing at the sale. The DMV pages I read did not state a separate number of days to apply for title, so plan to file within that ten-day window and you will not have to find out.
Inspection within 10 days
West Virginia now inspects every 24 months instead of every year. The DMV's inspection page says any vehicle bought in the state without a valid sticker must be inspected within 10 days, and out-of-state purchases have 10 days from titling. Keep the registration card and insurance certificate in the car for the inspection. The registration page adds that renewals and plate transfers need a personal property tax receipt from your county, which catches new residents off guard.
Salvage brands and VIN checks
Read the brand box on the title. A reconstructed car has its own inspection path in West Virginia, covered in our West Virginia salvage and rebuilt title rules post. For any car, check the VIN plate and door sticker against the title; our VIN verification for title transfer guide shows where to look.
A history check before the notary
The DMV itself points people to NMVTIS, so search the VIN there for brands. Then pull your own report instead of trusting a printout; our CARFAX for private-party buyers notes explain why. CarVins is a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller and is not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Mid October 2026 pricing runs about $5.50 for a guest report, $4.50 for members, and near $6.75 for both, versus $39.99 to $44.99 at retail. Treat that as approximate until checkout.
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