What to do with West Virginia plates after moving to Alabama
The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed West Virginia instruction only after the Alabama registration and insurance handoff are safe.
Complete the replacement record
Register the vehicle within 30 days after it enters Alabama. Vehicles covered by Alabama's title law must be titled before registration.
Put Alabama liability insurance in place before applying for the registration.
Return the West Virginia plate before canceling its insurance
After the destination registration is active, return the West Virginia plate to DMV and retain delivery, drop-box, or counter proof before canceling the West Virginia policy. If the plate cannot be surrendered because it is lost or stolen, use Form WV-4S and keep the accepted record.
Open the official West Virginia instructionReviewed 2026-08-21- 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage
Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.
- 2. Register in Alabama
Keep the issued registration or official receipt.
- 3. Complete the West Virginia plate action
Keep the surrender, cancellation, mailing, destruction, or retention record the state provides.
- 4. End or rewrite the old policy
Ask the insurer to use dates that do not create an uncovered active registration.
Sources for this closeout sequence
- West Virginia DMV: Consumer insurance and plate returnChecked 2026-08-21 ↗InsuranceExit closeout
- Alabama DOR: Registering a vehicleChecked 2026-07-31 ↗RegistrationInsuranceInspection / VINTitle / lienTax / fees