West Virginia

West Virginia License Plates

West Virginia issued its first license plate in March 1905. The 1905 WV license plate was dated 1906 and made of embossed metal, probably steel. This was a smaller than standard license plate, and had an expiration date of March 1906. The West Virginia license plates from 1907 through 1916 were made of porcelain. The only years West Virginia issued undated license plates were 1907 and 1908, all other years were dated with an embossed year or later expiration decals.

The 1921 and 1922 West Virginia license plates had a unique circular embossing of the abbreviation of the state WVA. The state of West Virginia introduced retro-reflective sheeting in 1961 and continues to manufacture license plates with retro-reflective sheeting today. In 1963 West Virginia issued a commemorative license plate with the slogan "1863 CENTENNIAL 1963" on both the 1963 and 1964 license plates. From 1965 through 1976, West Virginia embossed the slogan "MOUNTAIN STATE" on the top of all license plates. The slogan "WILD, WONDERFUL" was introduced in 1976 and is still used on license plates today.