West Virginia Scrap Metal Laws

Payment Restrictions:

Fingerprinting:

Video Recording:

Tag and Hold:

License Scanning:

Vehicle Descriptions:

Taking Photographs of Materials:

Taking Photographs of Customers Faces:

Notify Law Enforcement:

NMVTIS Reporting:

Legal Mandates

Updated January 2014

State Requirements

In order to sell scrap metal, sellers will be required to:

         ·            Agree to allow photocopy of driver's license or state ID card (can be reused for future transactions);

         ·            Sign a statement indicating that they are the owner of or are authorized to sell the metal;

         ·            Sign a statement that they have not been convicted of metal theft;

         ·           Provide a thumbprint (required for sale of catalytic converters separated from a vehicle). 

Buyer’s must:

• Record description, state and license plate number of sellers vehicle used to transport scrap
• Keep a record of sellers name, business name (if applicable), address, telephone number and date of sale
• All sales tickets must have date and time of the sale, as well as the name of the clerk completing the sale.
  • Must also show the type of material, weight, quantity and/or volume of the material.
  • Sales tickets must also show the dollar amount paid for the material.
  • A statement of whether the scrap metal was purchased, taken as collateral for a loan, or taken on consignment.
  • Sales tickets must be signed by the seller.  Seller will receive a copy of the receipt and buyer will retain a copy.

         ·            Buyer must report purchased vehicle information to NMVTIS

NOTE:  Please be aware of your local ordinances.  Many cities and counties have additional ordinances that may not be listed here.

Keep records, certifications, registrations, etc. on site for 3 years. 

Scrap recyclers must maintain a record of all purchases for a minimum of three years and is subject to inspection by any law enforcement at any time.

No scrap metal business may purchase or receive beer kegs from anyone except a distributor or manufacturer of beer kegs or licensed brewery.

Any person delivering five or more automobile catalytic converters to a scrap metal dealer shall sign a document stating he or she is the lawful owner of the catalytic converters, or authorized by the lawful owner to sell the catalytic converters. Next to his or her signature he or she shall place a clear impression of his or her index finger or thumb that is in ink and free of smearing.

It is unlawful to purchase the following materials without written documentation or licensure that the seller is authorized to sell the materials:  Utility access covers; Street light poles or fixtures; Road or bridge guard rails; Water meter covers; Highway or street signs; Traffic directional or traffic control signs; Traffic light signals; Any metal marked with any form of the name or initials of a governmental entity; Property marked as or readily identifiable as owned by a telephone, cable, electric, water or other utility provider; Property owned and marked by a railroad; Cemetery markers or vases; Historical markers; Utility manhole covers and storm water grates; and Fire hydrant or fire hydrant caps; or Twisted pair copper telecommunications wiring of twenty- five pair or greater in nineteen, twenty-two, twenty-four or twenty-six gauge.

Links to Other Important Information for West Virginia Salvage/Recycling

Auto-Parts Salvage/Recycling

·         Tires - http://www.state.wv.us/swmb/Admn/TIREFINA.pdf

·         State EPA Regulations - http://www.nasda.org/nasda/nasda/foundation/state/WestVirginia.pdf

·         State regulations -  http://www.legis.state.wv.us/wvcode/ChapterEntire.cfm?chap=61&art=3§ion=49

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