West Virginia License Plate Slogan: Wild, Wonderful
Wild, Wonderful
License Plate Slogan of West Virginia
License Plate Slogan of West Virginia
- Current slogan
- Wild, Wonderful
- First used
- 1976
- Previous slogan
- MOUNTAIN STATE (1965-1975)
- Centennial slogan
- Statehood Centennial
Current Standard Plate
West Virginia changed the layout of its standard Class A motor vehicle plate beginning in July 2023 so it could accommodate a seventh character. The state DMV explains that the first digit still reflects the month of issuance.
The 2023 change was a layout and serial-format update, not a slogan replacement. The plate still uses "Wild, Wonderful," continuing the phrase that first appeared on standard West Virginia passenger plates in 1976.
The earlier 1995 base is important historically, but it is no longer the full current-series description. The current article should identify July 2023 as the current layout while noting that the slogan itself is much older.
What "Wild, Wonderful" Means
"Wild, Wonderful" is a tourism-facing phrase built around West Virginia's Appalachian landscape: forests, rivers, ridges, and mountain roads. It is distinct from the state nickname, "The Mountain State," but the two work together.
The slogan replaced "MOUNTAIN STATE" in 1976. That shift moved the plate from a straightforward geographic nickname to a more promotional phrase.
"Almost Heaven" is strongly associated with West Virginia tourism and the John Denver song, but it is not the standard license plate slogan in this chronology. The standard plate slogan remains "Wild, Wonderful."
Meaning of Wild, Wonderful
West Virginia's current standard license plate slogan is "Wild, Wonderful."
West Virginia License Plate Slogans by Era
West Virginia's passenger plate slogan history runs from centennial commemoration to nickname language and then to the long-running tourism slogan.
Statehood Centennial
Centennial plates commemorated West Virginia's 1863 admission to the Union. The 1964 issue used a reversed color scheme.
MOUNTAIN STATE
The state nickname appeared as the standard slogan. Annual/revalidated formats changed across the period, but "MOUNTAIN STATE" remained the slogan through 1975.
Wild, Wonderful
West Virginia introduced "Wild, Wonderful" on the white plate with a yellow state outline and blue top slogan bar. This was also the era when staggered/month-coded registration was introduced.
Wild, Wonderful
Blue-and-gold standard base with "Wild, Wonderful." The URL "www.callwva.com" appeared on the base from 2002 until early 2006, then was removed.
Wild, Wonderful
Current standard Class A layout with room for a seventh character. The first digit continues to indicate month of issuance.
Timeline
West Virginia enters the Union on June 20 during the Civil War.
West Virginia enters the Union on June 20 during the Civil War.
West Virginia issues Statehood Centennial plates for the 100th anniversary of statehood.
The Centennial plate continues with a reversed color scheme.
The Centennial plate continues with a reversed color scheme.
"MOUNTAIN STATE" appears as the standard passenger plate slogan.
West Virginia introduces the reflective yellow Mountain State base used through 1975.
West Virginia introduces the reflective yellow Mountain State base used through 1975.
"Wild, Wonderful" debuts on standard passenger plates.
A new blue-and-gold standard base continues the "Wild, Wonderful" slogan.
A new blue-and-gold standard base continues the "Wild, Wonderful" slogan.
The tourism URL "www.callwva.com" is added to the standard base.
The URL is removed; "Wild, Wonderful" remains.
The URL is removed; "Wild, Wonderful" remains.
Beginning in July, West Virginia updates the standard Class A layout to allow a seventh character while keeping the slogan.
Date Corrections
Saying the "current base" began in 1995 is now outdated. The slogan continued, but West Virginia updated the standard Class A plate layout in July 2023.
"MOUNTAIN STATE" should run through 1975, not just six years. It appeared from 1965 through the 1970-1975 reflective yellow base.
The 2002-2006 website note belongs to the 1995 base period, not to the slogan's start or current status.
Can You Match All 50 License Plate Slogans?
Each round shows a license plate and asks which state issued it. Some slogans are instantly recognizable. Others — 'Legendary,' 'Pacific Wonderland,' 'Constitution State' — will make you think. Questions and answer positions shuffle every time.
Take the License Plate Slogans QuizQuick Answers
What is West Virginia's license plate slogan?
When did Wild, Wonderful first appear on West Virginia plates?
What was West Virginia's license plate slogan before Wild, Wonderful?
What changed on West Virginia plates in July 2023?
Is Almost Heaven the West Virginia license plate slogan?
Did West Virginia put a website on its plate?
Sources
- West Virginia DMV - Updated Standard Class A Motor Vehicle License Plate
- West Virginia DMV - Registrations
- Vehicle registration plates of West Virginia
- West Virginia Map Bases - Andrew Turnbull License Plate Gallery
- License Plate Room - Slogans
- License Plate Mania - West Virginia
- Wikimedia Commons - New River Gorge Bridge
West Virginia State Symbols
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