The U.S. state of North Dakota first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911.
As of 2024[update], plates are issued by the North Dakota Department of Transportation through its Motor Vehicle Division.
Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.
[1] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first North Dakota license plate that complied with these standards.