The department may assign a distinguishing number to a motor vehicle whenever the serial number thereon is destroyed or obliterated and issue to the owner a special plate bearing such distinguishing number which shall be affixed to the vehicle in a position to be determined by the commissioner. Such motor vehicle may then be registered under such distinguishing number in lieu of the former serial number.
W. Va. Code § 17A-3-20
Department may assign new identifying numbers
Official source: West Virginia Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain West Virginia statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.