Vehicle Mod Laws in West Virginia

Replacing the exhaust system is legal in West Virginia, but a muffler in good working order is required and cutouts or bypasses are prohibited. Modifications that make the exhaust louder than the originally installed muffler are specifically prohibited.

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West Virginia sets no statewide decibel limit for passenger cars. A muffler in good working order is required, exhaust may not produce excessive or unusual noise, and cutouts or bypasses are prohibited.

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Smoked or tinted film on headlights and taillights is illegal in West Virginia. Headlights must emit white light and taillights must show red at the required visibility distance, and tint that dims or discolors them violates those requirements.

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Frames are legal if nothing is obscured; the plate must be clearly visible and maintained free from foreign materials in a condition to be clearly legible.

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West Virginia requires front and rear bumper height between 6 and 31 inches on vehicles at or under 10,000 lb GVWR.

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West Virginia requires no cover; the limit is four auxiliary, spot, or front lamps over 300 candlepower lit at one time on a highway.

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West Virginia sets a real floor: on vehicles up to 10,000 lb GVWR, front and rear bumper height may be no less than 6 inches and no more than 31 inches.

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Underglow is legal in West Virginia, including while driving, subject to color and flashing limits: No flashing (emergency vehicles only), red and blue reserved, and beams over 300 candlepower aimed within 75 feet.

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West Virginia has no fender, mudguard, splash-guard, or flap requirement and no limit on tire protrusion.

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A sun-screening device may be used only along the top of the windshield and may not extend below the AS-1 line or more than 5 inches from the top, whichever is closer to the top; it must be non-reflective and not red, yellow, or amber. Because the material must be transparent, a printed or opaque banner is not legal in West Virginia — only a clear tint band.

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Front side windows: minimum 35% VLT. Trucks, buses, and MPVs are exempt behind the driver.

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