Alaska first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1921, while still an organized incorporated territory of the United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 49th state in January 1959. As of 2022, plates are issued by the Alaska Department of Administration through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required for standard passenger vehicles since August 11, 2022. On vehicles with two license plates, only the rear plate is required to be stickered.