The U.S. state of West Virginia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905.

As of 2023[update], plates are issued by the West Virginia Department of Transportation through its Division of Motor Vehicles.

Only rear plates have been required since 1944.

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 1956–57 (dated 1957) issue was the first West Virginia license plate that complied with these standards.