The Canadian province of Nova Scotia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907.

In 1956, Canada, the United States, 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 licence 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.

[2] The first Nova Scotia licence plate that complied with these standards was issued fifteen years beforehand, in 1941.

[5] Lorne attempted to keep his plate by fighting back in court, claiming it violated his right to freedom of expression.

However, in August 2021 the Nova Scotia Court of Appeals ruled his constitutional rights had not been violated.