Editor, News-Register:

Out-of-state plates!

Can anyone hazard a guess as to how much money the state of West Virginia and its subdivisions are losing by permitting residents of our state to have their vehicles registered in another state?

Obviously, there are a least a couple of reasons the owners of these vehicles choose to circumvent the law by obtaining licensing and registration in another state. One is the ability to avoid paying any property taxes in our state, county, or city. The second that comes to mind is the ability to avoid the requirement to have a yearly inspection of their vehicles.

In the first case there is a significant savings for the vehicle owner, by avoiding the assessment and payment of property taxes, levies, and fire service fees, leaving the rest of us to shoulder the load. Second, not having to subject your vehicle to a yearly inspection, although not necessarily a significant revenue source, does impact the safety of everyone else that uses our roads. This yearly inspection requirement helps to ensure that unsafe vehicles with bad brakes, worn tires, faulty suspension systems, etc., are either repaired or removed from the road.

I suspect that the users of out-of-state plates are actually lumped in two major categories. The first is the out-of-state oil and gas workers, and the second is West Virginia residents attempting to avoid payment of real property taxes. I’ve done some research (although just enough to get me in trouble) of the West Virginia Code as it pertains to registering vehicles in the state.

Section 17A-3-1a of the West Virginia Code states, “Every owner of a motor vehicle, trailer or other vehicle, shall, within thirty days after taking up residence in the state, apply to the division and obtain registration and title for the vehicle.” That means that everyone of those out-of-state trailers used a living quarters need to have W.Va. license plates. Proof of residency is “if any of the following elements exist including, but not limited to: (1) The person is registered to vote in this state, (2) The person enrolls the person’s child to be educated in a public elementary or secondary school in this state, (3) The person is receiving public assistance from the state, (4) The person resides or has continuously remained in this state for a period exceeding thirty days except for infrequent or brief absences, (5) The person has accepted employment or engages in any trade, profession, or occupation within this state … except … whose employment is seasonal or temporary, not exceeding ninety days.”

As you can see, the oil and gas workers are required to register their vehicles and pay property taxes. That would mean that the counties would also have to provide the oil and gas workers with receipts of payment of property taxes in order for them to get their vehicles registered in the state. That would also mean they would have to pay property taxes on their motor homes, 5th wheels, and tag-along trailers they’ve brought into the state to live in.

The question to be asked at this point in time is whose responsible for enforcing this law, is it? The county assessor? (I believe he/she has a role), or is it our law enforcement agencies? (I believe they have a role), or is it our elected representatives? (I believe they do, especially since the state, county, municipalities, and their subdivisions are losing mega bucks. Our representatives ought to question the assessors as to what additional tools (legislation) they need to aggressively pursue the freeloaders and make them pay their fair share. If you concur, please contact your local assessor’s office, local and state representatives, and make your voice heard. In this case “silence is not golden.”

Hope springs eternal!

J. Jacobs

Wheeling