Need a DOT inspection near you in West Virginia?
If your vehicle is registered in another state, Bright Inspect does the federal annual where it's parked. West Virginia-registered CMVs use the state inspection program, and wreckers need a PSC inspection, which our inspection doesn't replace. We tell you which applies before you pay.
| Item | West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Lead agency | West Virginia Public Service Commission, Motor Carrier Enforcement |
| Federal rules | Federal baseline plus a state inspection program |
| Who's covered intrastate | 10,001 lb or more; more than 15 passengers; placarded hazmat; some for-hire vehicles of any size |
| Annual inspection | Every 12 months for CMVs subject to federal rules |
| State program | State vehicle inspection program run by the West Virginia State Police (W. Va. Code 17C-16-4) |
| Wreckers | PSC inspection before service and at least once a year |
Compare West Virginia with other states on the state requirements hub, or see which states run their own inspection programs.
The Public Service Commission's Motor Carrier Enforcement officers enforce motor carrier safety and inspect wreckers (PSC motor carrier rules, 150 CSR 9). The West Virginia State Police run the state vehicle inspection program, and the Department of Education oversees school bus inspections.
Yes. The PSC incorporates the federal inspection rules, including Part 396, for interstate and intrastate carriers (150 CSR 9, Rule 4.3). Coverage starts at 10,001 lb for commercial-purpose vehicles; passenger and placarded hazmat vehicles are covered, and some for-hire passenger and property vehicles are covered at any capacity.
| Operation | Who's covered |
|---|---|
| Interstate | 10,001 lb or more, plus federal passenger and hazmat triggers (49 CFR 390.5) |
| Intrastate (West Virginia only) | 10,001 lb or more GVWR for commercial-purpose vehicles; more than 15 passengers including the driver; placarded hazmat; some for-hire passenger and property vehicles at any capacity |
West Virginia's inspection law sets a state inspection for registered vehicles and says CMVs subject to federal motor carrier rules should be inspected at least once a year (W. Va. Code 17C-16-4). FMCSA recognizes West Virginia as an equivalent periodic inspection state.
We're still confirming exactly how West Virginia-registered CMVs complete the annual through the state program versus a federal annual. Check with the West Virginia State Police inspection program directly.
| Inspection | Applies to | How often | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal / West Virginia annual | CMVs subject to federal rules, each unit in a combination | 12 months | 49 CFR 396.17; W. Va. Code 17C-16-4 |
| PSC wrecker inspection | Every vehicle a wrecker company uses for towing | Before service, then at least once a year | 150 CSR 9, 6.5 to 6.11 |
| School bus inspection | Buses carrying students to school or school events | Annually each fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) | 126 CSR 92, section 24 |
Every unit counts on its own: see whether each trailer needs its own annual inspection.
The federal annual can be done by an inspector qualified under 49 CFR 396.19. The West Virginia state inspection is done through the State Police's authorized inspection system, wrecker inspections by PSC Motor Carrier Enforcement Officers, and school bus inspections by qualified bus inspectors under Department of Education oversight.
Our federal annual, designed to meet FMCSA annual inspection requirements, is not a substitute for the West Virginia state inspection, the PSC wrecker inspection or the school bus inspection. It may fit vehicles registered in other states, and we check before you pay.
Keep the annual report under Part 396, with proof on the vehicle. A West Virginia state inspection comes with a certificate and sticker. School buses must display a valid Department of Education inspection sticker; unsafe buses get a rejection sticker. Wrecker companies also register each tow vehicle with the PSC every year.
| Vehicle | Rule |
|---|---|
| Tow trucks | PSC Motor Carrier Enforcement inspection before service and at least once a year; intrastate wrecker companies also need PSC operating authority, an insurance filing and annual vehicle registration (PSC wrecker requirements) |
| School buses | Annual inspection by a qualified bus inspector, with a state sticker; Department of Education inspectors may also inspect without notice. Buses with major accident damage need inspector approval before returning to service |
| Passenger carriers | Covered at more than 15 passengers including the driver; some for-hire passenger vehicles are covered at any capacity |
PSC Motor Carrier Enforcement Officers conduct roadside and fixed-facility inspections. Federal rules let an officer cite you under 49 CFR 396.17(c) when proof of a current annual inspection isn't on the vehicle; it carries a CSA severity weight of 4. The officer gives the driver an inspection report. The carrier must certify that listed violations were corrected and return it within 15 days, and keep a copy for 12 months (49 CFR 396.9). Fines are set by state law. Proof of an annual doesn't exempt a vehicle from roadside inspection.
We're still confirming roadside fines for a missing annual inspection in West Virginia. Check with the West Virginia Public Service Commission directly.
Stopped without proof of a current annual? See what to do when your inspection expired or failed at roadside and what happens if your annual inspection is expired. Nobody can promise to remove a violation or change a safety score; what fixes the problem going forward is a current inspection and a complete record.
Last reviewed: September 11, 2026
Bright Inspect does the federal annual where your vehicle is parked, and we confirm before you pay whether West Virginia needs a state inspection instead. $99 for one vehicle, with fleet discounts from 2 units.