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West Virginia Front License Plate Laws (2026)

Permitted: West Virginia requires only a rear plate: the plate is attached to the rear.

PermittedVerified Jun 19, 2026

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West Virginia requires only a rear plate: the plate is attached to the rear. Only truck tractors and road tractors mount their plate on the front (WV Code 17A-3-15).

Official source: code.wvlegislature.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Front License Plate in states bordering West Virginia

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

KentuckyPermitted
Kentucky requires only a rear plate: one plate is displayed on the rear. Semitrailer-tractors are the exception — they display their plate on the front (KRS 186.170).
Verified Jul 20, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MarylandInfo
Maryland requires two plates: passenger cars must display one on the front and one on the rear. See Md. Transp. 13-411.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
OhioPermitted
Ohio requires only a rear plate: the front-plate requirement was eliminated effective July 1, 2020 (ORC 4503.21).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: codes.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →
PennsylvaniaPermitted
Pennsylvania requires only a rear plate: a single plate is issued and displayed on the rear. The state has not required a front plate since 1952 (75 Pa.C.S. 1332).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: pa.gov · Full Pennsylvania rule →
VirginiaInfo
Virginia requires two plates: one on the front and one on the rear. This is still current as of 2026 — repeal efforts have failed (Va. Code 46.2-715).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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