West Virginia Unveils New License Plate Featuring State Cryptids

“Now, contrary to popular belief, the DMV does have a sense of humor!” West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Everett Frazier said.

Motorists across the Mountain State will soon have a spooky new way to outfit their vehicles. The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles unveiled a specialty license plate featuring nine different cryptids from the state’s rich folklore, with the design becoming available for purchase on Monday, November 2, at DMV regional offices.

Honoring the Late Artist Jesse Corlis

The distinctive plate was designed by the late West Virginia graphic artist Jesse Corlis while he worked at the Kanawha City DMV headquarters. Corlis also created other popular state license plates, including the Protect Pollinators plate, often referred to as the “Bee plate,” and a turtle wildlife plate.

New West Virginia Cryptids license plate depicting Mothman, the Flatwoods Monster, and other mysterious creatures against a — Photo: wvexplorer.com

Beyond his work for the DMV, Corlis left his artistic mark on buildings and bridge piers throughout West Virginia and neighboring regions. His prominent murals include pieces at the Silver Bridge Memorial in Point Pleasant, bridge piers in Charleston, and locations in Fayetteville, Gassaway, and Weston. Tragically, Corlis passed away in 2023 before he could see his cryptid design hit the road.

“First and foremost, I would like to pay tribute to Jesse Corlis, the talented graphic artist who designed the cryptid license plate, along with several other license plates you see traveling the roads of West Virginia every day,” Frazier said in a news release covered by WCHS. “Tragically, Jesse passed away in 2023 before he had the opportunity to see the cryptid plate come to fruition.”

Nine Legendary Creatures on One Metal Plate

The new design brings together an entire pantheon of West Virginia folklore against a friendly blue, wooded background. The Flatwoods Monster—affectionately known as Braxie—takes center stage, featured most prominently on the plate. Originating in Braxton County around 1952, the creature entered local lore after witnesses described a strange figure following a bright object crossing the sky.

West Virginia Unveils New License Plate Featuring State Cryptids — Photo: wchstv.com

Hovering just behind Braxie’s shoulder is Mothman, depicted flying through the wooded scene. Mothman first gained notoriety following sightings in Clendenin in Kanawha County during 1966, later becoming historically intertwined with the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant.

According to WV Explorer, the DMV has publicly identified Mothman and the Flatwoods Monster while inviting residents to examine the artwork and identify the remaining seven creatures before publishing the complete official list on its website. The comprehensive roster includes Bigfoot on the right-hand side in a shadowy blue hue, Sheepsquatch spanning a multi-county area from Boone to Mason County, and Batboy originating from Greenbrier County’s Lost World Caverns in Lewisburg.

Rounding out the otherworldly assembly are the Veggie Man of Fairmont from 1968, the Webster County Werewolf rooted in 18th-century Native American folklore, Ogua from the Monongahela River area in Marion County, and the Grafton Monster originating from Taylor County in 1964.

Pricing and Registration Details

For motorists looking to display a piece of local folklore on their daily commute, registration for the specialty plate costs $61.50 for a one-year term or $113 for a two-year commitment. Drivers who wish to swap out their current plates for the new cryptid design can do so with fees prorated as applicable.

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The release taps directly into the state’s thriving tourism industry, which frequently celebrates these creatures through local museums, festivals, and seasonal events. Complete registration guidelines and regional office locations remain accessible directly through the DMV specialty license plate collection portal.