United States license plate designs and serial formats

In the United States, the appearance of license plates is frequently chosen to contain symbols, colors, or slogans associated with the issuing jurisdiction, which are the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the 5 inhabited U.S. territories, and Native American tribes, each of which independently registers motor vehicles. Regular-issue license plates for passenger vehicles typically have 5-7 characters, with specialty or vanity plates having up to 8 characters in some states. This article describes the designs and serial formats for regular-issue plates.

Visualization of the number of characters in license plate serial formats in the United States, based on current serial formats for passenger plates as of April 2018. The arrangement of the characters may vary.
  Random coding: Plates issued based on available numbers in non-sequential order.
  Random coding: Plates issued based on blocks of alphanumeric combinations.
  Coded issuance: Plates coded by month of expiration
  Coded issuance: Plates coded by county of issuance
  Sequential issuance: 6-character plate (1 letter, 5 digits)
  Sequential issuance: 6-character plate (2 letters, 4 digits)
  Sequential issuance: 6-character plate (3 letters, 3 digits)
  Sequential issuance: 6-character plate (4 letters, 2 digits)
  Sequential issuance: 7-character plate (7 digits)
  Sequential issuance: 7-character plate (2 letters, 5 digits)
  Sequential issuance: 7-character plate (3 letters, 4 digits)

Notes:
  • Only the current passenger standard-issue serial format is depicted. Previous serial formats and optional issues are not depicted.
  • Florida uses six-character serial numbers, but the combinations vary. The most popular issue consists of four letters and two digits, but alternate standard issues contain four digits and two letters.
  • Maine uses a varying number of digits, but most Maine plates consist of four digits and two letters.
  • Nebraska uses sequential-issuance three-letter, three-number plates for its most populous counties and county-coded plates for the rest of the counties consisting of 1 or 2 letters and up to 5 numbers.
  • Nevada issues three letter and three number plates vehicles sold through dealers that require a new plate.
  • Tennessee issues three letter and three number plates for leased vehicles.

Formats for license plate numbers may be consistent within the state. For example, Delaware and Rhode Island were formerly able to use six-digit all-numeric serials due to their low respective populations; both now use five-digit serials, with Delaware using a letter and four digits, and Rhode Island using two letters and three digits. Several populous states use seven-character formats of three letters and four digits, including 1ABC234 in California and ABC-1234 (or variations thereof) in Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Other seven-character formats include Connecticut and Illinois, which use AB-12345, and Maryland, which uses 1AB2345. Arizona uses a distinctive format with seven characters, where the number of letters and digits varies and the plates are issued in random alphanumeric blocks.[1]

Many less-populous states, such as Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Carolina use a three-letter, three-number format in the format ABC-123, 123-ABC (sometimes both at the same time), or some variant thereof with mixed numbers and letters. Colorado, Florida, and New Jersey all use four letters and two numbers: Colorado and Florida use an ABC-D12 format, while New Jersey uses an A12-BCD format. Florida also uses an optional two-letter, four-number format for its no-cost "In God We Trust" plates.

Serial coding

License plate numbers are usually assigned in ascending order, beginning with a starting point such as AAA-001. Thus, an observer familiar with the sequence can determine roughly when the plate was issued. In a few cases, numbers have been assigned in descending order. For example, when Virginia switched to seven characters for its standard issue in 1993, numbers beginning with AAA-1000 were already in use for extra-cost, optional-issue plates; therefore, the new standard license plates were issued in descending order from ZZZ-9999.[2]

Expiration date

In some states, the month of expiration or the county of registration is incorporated into the plate's serial. The last number on a Massachusetts license plate indicates the month the vehicle's registration expires (for example, 1234 AB would expire in April, the fourth month; 0 indicates October expirations; and X and Y were used for November and December expirations, respectively, on commercial plates and pre-1978 passenger plates). The same applies to the first number or letter on West Virginia plates (1 to 9 for January through September, and O, N, and D for October, November, and December expirations, respectively). Additionally, the first letter of Missouri passenger plates denotes the month of expiration. The month's position within the calendar year corresponds roughly to the letter's position within the alphabet; i.e. the letters progress from "A" and "B" for January to "Y" and "Z" for December. Maine trailer plates start with two digits and a dash, as all plates expire on the last day of February, and the first two digits of the plate are the year it expires.

County of issuance

Although increasingly few states place the full name of the county of registration explicitly on their standard-issue plates, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee continue the practice. However, Georgia allows drivers to choose the slogan "In God We Trust" in place of the county name where the vehicle is registered, and Florida allows its residents to choose either "Sunshine State" or "In God We Trust" in place of the county name. Florida also terminated a practice by which plates registered to rented vehicles had the letter Y or Z as their first digit, which led to targeting of rental cars for theft.

In Alabama, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming, a one- or two-digit number representing the county of issue begins a license plate number. Standard-issue Idaho license plate numbers begin with a single-letter or a number-letter code representing the county of issue. County codes have been based on historical population figures, the county names in alphabetical order, or some combination thereof. Other states like Indiana and Tennessee also once used the practice, with Tennessee discontinuing in the 1980s and Indiana in 2008.

Only three places in the United States use letters to designate a residence where a vehicle was registered. In Hawaii, the license plates have a unique letter designation based on the island counties that residents purchased or registered the vehicles from; a vehicle with a registration number beginning with H or Z is registered in Hawai‘i County, one beginning with K is registered in Kaua‘i County, one beginning with M or L is registered in Maui County, and one beginning with any other letter (and not containing H, K, L, M, or Z) is registered in the City and County of Honolulu. In Idaho, the first one to three characters are used to designate the county of residence/registration. For example, all vehicles registered in Ada county start with 1A, vehicles in Twin Falls County start with 2T and vehicles in Valley county start with V (as there is only one county that starts with the letter V). In the US territory of Guam, the license plates use the first two letters that are coded by village of issuance, for example, "TM-1234" refers to a vehicle that was registered by a person who lives the village of Tamuning.

Several states do require vehicles to display county codes, but these codes are not part of the serial. Indiana and Ohio display two-number county codes, while Kansas plates display two-letter county codes, but these codes are placed on a sticker or are printed in the corner of the plate in a smaller font size. Texas places the county name only on the windshield registration sticker, where the car's license plate number is also printed.

Skipping characters

For various reasons related to visibility and readability, some states and territories exclude certain letters from use in their license plate serial formats. The most commonly skipped characters are I, O, and Q, with some states using only one or two of the three while others will skip all three of these letters. Other states, such as Colorado, Georgia and South Carolina have gradually adopted one or more of these letters over a course of years after previously skipping them in order to accommodate the demands of population growth and depletion of available serial combinations. The most common argument behind skipping I, O, and Q is that they can be too easily confused with 0, 1, and other characters, particularly when there isn't adequate spacing or divider between numbers and letters.

California currently only uses I, O, and Q in between two other letters, for example "1AQA000". A unique example of character use is Texas, which used to issue serials using all 26 letters but currently skips all vowels along with the letter Q on passenger plates (as these letters are reserved for truck plates).

In amateur radio license plate issues, all states that have them available, except Pennsylvania & Tennessee, use a unique slashed zero character in place of the standard "0" character due to lack of spacing between letters and numbers. In Pennsylvania, the die used for the number "0" is different than the one used for the letter "O" since the state's number dies are taller and narrower than its letter dies. Iowa is a unique example in the use of this character, which began using the slashed zero beginning in 2012 on all standard passenger plates as opposed to the traditional symbol for zero to differentiate it from the letter "O" which is also used.

Persons with disabilities

In the states, special plates displaying the International Symbol of Accessibility are issued to persons with disabilities that entitle them to special parking privileges. Alternately, a placard, which in some jurisdictions can be hung from the rear view mirror, may be issued; the placard has the advantage of being transferred from vehicle to vehicle.

Current standard-issue passenger plate designs and serial formats

The following tables give information on license plates currently being issued, with 2014 or later expiration dates, for private (non-commercial) use on passenger vehicles by the governments of the fifty U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the five inhabited U.S. territories, and Native American tribes. Information on serial numbering patterns is also given. Older designs and serial formats previously issued may still be valid for continued usage in certain jurisdictions; these are noted in a separate table below.

In addition to "regular" passenger plates, all jurisdictions also provide plates for other types of vehicles that may only be roughly similar in design and layout. Additionally, there has been an increasing trend in the field of "specialty" plates to promote specific causes or interests. To keep this table as simple as possible, most of these alternate types of plates will not be noted. More information may also be found within the individual articles for each state, as linked within the table. Exceptions to this guideline may be made for specialty plates that are available at no extra cost to the motorist, as these tend to be seen more commonly on the roads.

Current Table Format
Jurisdiction Image First issued Type & slogan Design Plate style Serial format
Alabama January 2, 2014 Standard issue
Heart of Dixie (in small print)
lake and forest graphic Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
Numerically coded by county:[3]
  • 0AB1234 (single-digit counties)
  • 00AB123 (double-digit counties)[4]
Alaska January 2010[5] Standard issue
The Last Frontier
blue on gold with state flag Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
American Samoa 2011 Standard issue
Motu O Fiafiaga
black on reflective graphic featuring Fatu Rock Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
1234
Arizona 1996 (embossed)
2008 (flat)
Standard issue
Grand Canyon State
dark green on desert landscape Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
Random[6]
Arkansas 2006 Standard issue
The Natural State
black on a diamond background, representing Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro[7] Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123 ABC[8]
California Late 2011 Standard issue
dmv.ca.gov
dark blue on white with red state name graphic and slogan printed in red at the bottom Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
1ABC234[9]
Colorado 2000 Standard issue
Dark green on reflective white grey and green Rocky Mountains scene graphic. Some versions have full color Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-D12
Connecticut 2000 Standard issue
Constitution State
dark blue on blue and white gradient fade Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
AB•12345 (2015–present)
1AB•CD2 (2013–2015)
1ABCD2 (2013)
123•ABC (2000–2013)[10]
Delaware 1959 Standard issue
The First State
gold on navy blue Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
123456 (variable number of digits)
District of Columbia April 2017 Standard issue
End Taxation without Representation; jurisdiction name displayed as "District of Columbia"
blue on reflective white with red flag separator Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
AB-1234
2001 Optional issue:
www.washingtondc.gov[11]
Florida December 2003 Standard issue
myFLORIDA.com with county name[12] or "Sunshine State"
green on reflective white with state map and citrus orange graphic Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC D12 (2009–present)
123 ABC (2006 to 2009)
A12 3BC (2003 to 2009)
October 1, 2008 Optional issue
myFLORIDA.com with "In God We Trust" slogan
123 4AB
Georgia May 2012 Standard issue
Peach State with county name or "In God We Trust" sticker
black on reflective blue with hills, peach tree, and peaches Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC1234
May 2012 Optional issue
GEORGIA with county name or "In God We Trust" sticker
black on reflective white
Guam February 27, 2009 Standard issue
Tano Y Chamorro
black on reflective white with grey latte stone and three red bougainvillea flowers at center[13] Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by municipality of issuance
AB 1234
Hawaii 1991 Standard issue
Aloha State
black on reflective white with rainbow graphic Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by county of issuance:
Idaho 2008 Standard issue
Famous Potatoes
black on reflective white with red gradient and dark blue mountain scene Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by county of issuance:
  • A 123456 (variable number of digits following space)
  • 0A 12345 (variable number of digits following space)
  • 0A B1234 (following exhaustion of above format)
  • 0A BC123 (following exhaustion of above format)
  • 0A 1B234 (following exhaustion of above format)
  • 0A 1234B (following exhaustion of above format)
  • 00A 1234 (variable number of digits following space)
Illinois January 2017 Standard issue
Land of Lincoln
Reflective gradient blue-to-white with white Chicago and Springfield skyline and gray Abraham Lincoln graphic at far left; state name screened in black at top Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
AB 12345 (2017–Present)
AB1 2345 (2016)[14]
Indiana January 2017 Standard issue
Dark blue serial on reflective country scene graphic featuring a covered bridge; expiration date, year, county number and recycling symbol in corners clockwise from top left
Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
123A
123AB
123ABC
Optional issue
In God We Trust
black on white with American flag graphic ABC123
Iowa April 2018 Standard issue
black numbers on reflective graphic plate with blue sky, white city skyline, farm and wind turbine, and green grass field; "IOWA" screened in white centered at top; county name screened in black centered at bottom
Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
Kansas April 2007 (Embossed)

August 15, 2018 (Flat)

Standard issue
Black characters on a light blue gradient with state seal graphic as the background, county code sticker on the top left and registration sticker on the top right.
Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
123 ABC
Kentucky 2005 Standard issue
Unbridled Spirit
Standard issue
dark blue on light blue graident with county name sticker
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123 ABC
2011 Optional issue
In God We Trust
Louisiana 2005 to 2010; 2013, and 2016 Standard issue
"Sportsman's Paradise"; black on yellow-pink gradient with pelican graphic in center
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123 (through 2016)
123 ABC (2016 – present)
Maine 1999 Standard issue
Vacationland
black on reflective white with a chickadee and pine tassel graphic at left Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
1234 AB (variable number of digits preceding space)
Maryland September 2016 Standard issue
Maryland Proud
Black on reflective white with Maryland flag graphic Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
1AB2345
Massachusetts 1988 Standard issue
The Spirit of America
red on reflective white Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by month of expiration:
  • 12A 345
  • 1ABC 23
  • 1AB 234
  • 123 AB4
  • 12A B34
  • 1234 AB
  • 123 ABC
Michigan 2013 Standard issue
Pure Michigan
blue on reflective white with blue wave at bottom Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 1234
2007 Optional issue
Spectacular Peninsulas
green and blue with Great Lakes outline on reflective white with black characters 1AB C23
2014 Optional issue
The Mackinac Bridge
white to yellow fade and blue with stylized Mackinac Bridge in background with black characters ABC 123
Minnesota June 2009 Standard issue
Explore Minnesota.com, 10,000 Lakes
black on reflective white with lake scene graphic Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
123-ABC
Mississippi October 2012 Standard issue
"Birthplace of America's Music"
dark blue on guitar graphic and "Celebrating Mississippi's Creative Culture" with county name Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
Missouri October 15, 2018 Standard issue
Bicentennial
dark blue on white with red and dark blue waves, light grey state seal, and dark blue "1821 * 2021" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by month of expiration
AA1 B2C
Montana January 2010 Standard issue
Treasure State
white on blue with white state outline Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by county of issuance:
  • 0-12345A (variable number of digits following divider)
  • 00-1234A (variable number of digits following divider)
Optional issues:[15]
replica 1989 Centennial base
replica 1991 "Big Sky" base
replica 2000 base
replica 2006 "Big Sky Country" base
blue on white with gold and maroon graphics ABC123
black on light blue gradient with multicolor state outline Coded by county of issuance:
  • 0-12345A (variable number of digits following divider)
  • 00-1234A (variable number of digits following divider)
black on light blue with blue and tan graphics
black on light blue gradient with multicolor state outline
Native American tribes Varies Varies Varies Varies Varies
Nebraska January 2017 Standard issue
1867; 2017
black on reflective white with Sower statue from the Nebraska State Capitol Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123[16]
Or coded by county of issuance:[17]
  • 0-A1234 (variable number of digits following letter)
  • 0-AB123 (following exhaustion of above format; variable number of digits following letter)
  • 00-A123 (variable number of digits following divider)
  • 00-AB12 (following exhaustion of above format; variable number of digits following divider)
Nevada November 1, 2016 Standard issue
Home Means Nevada
black numbers and state-shaped separator on sky blue plate; stylized multi-colored mountain range at bottom; "NEVADA" screened in black serifed letters centered at top Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123·A45
New Hampshire January 1999 Standard issue
Live Free or Die
green on Old Man of the Mountain graphic Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123 4567 (2000–present)
123 456 (1999)[18]
New Jersey 2007 Standard issue
Garden State
black on yellow gradient fade Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
D12-ABC (2010–present)[19]
ABC-12D (2007–2010)
New Mexico 1989 Standard issue
Land of Enchantment
red on yellow with turquoise yucca graphics and red Zia sun symbol Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123-ABC
2010 Standard issue
upper: Land of Enchantment
lower: New Mexico USA
yellow on turquoise with large yellow and red Zia sun symbol ABC-123
New York 2010 Standard issue
Empire State
dark blue on reflective gold Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234
2020 Standard issue
Excelsior
dark blue on reflective white with Niagara Falls, Adirondack Mountains, the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline, and the Montauk Point Light on the bottom. Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234
North Carolina 1982 Standard issue
First in Flight
blue on reflective white with Wright Flyer graphic Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-123 (1982-1985)[20]

ABC-1234

2015 Standard issue
First In Freedom[21]
blue on reflective white Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234
North Dakota November 2016 Standard issue
Legendary; Peace Garden State
black on light blue gradient fade to sunrise with prairie scene and buffalo graphic Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
123 ABC
Northern Mariana Islands 1989 Standard issue
Hafa Adai
dark blue on white with seal in center Embossed on screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
Ohio June 7, 2010 Standard issue
Birthplace of Aviation, county name sticker in black to be centered at bottom
blue on white various slogans in gray with a red border Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 1234
Oklahoma January 2017 Standard issue
TRAVELOK.COM
Screened black on reflective blue with state-shaped separator; scissor-tailed flycatcher in the middle, mountains on the left, oceans in the background and Explore above the state name Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-123
Oregon 1990 Standard issue
dark blue on fir tree and mountain graphic
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123 ABC (2004–present)
ABC 123 (1990–2004)
Pennsylvania 2006 Standard issue
visitPA.com
blue on white with yellow and blue bars Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234
Puerto Rico 2011 Standard issue
Puerto Rico Does It Better/Puerto Rico Lo Hace Mejor
black on white with green gradient at bottom and grey building in background Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-123
Rhode Island 1996–2020 Standard issue
Ocean State
dark blue on stylized grey and white ocean wave graphic Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123456 (2007–present)[22][23]
AB-123 and 12345 (1996–2007)

1AB-234 (2020-present)

2020 Beautiful Rhode Island (top), Ocean State (Bottom) white on dark blue with the Reliance in the upper left corner Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
N/A
South Carolina January 2016 Standard issue
While I Breathe, I Hope.
black on white and blue background with palmetto tree in center Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
January 2016 Optional issue
In God We Trust
black on white with American and South Carolinian flags on the left. Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
1234AB
South Dakota January 2016 Standard issue
Great Faces. Great Places.
blue on Mount Rushmore graphic Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by county of issuance:
  • 0A1 234
  • 0AB 123
  • 00A 123
Tennessee 2011 Standard issue
www.tnvacation.com
black on mountain scene with county name sticker Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
  • A12-34B February 2011 – April 2016
  • 1A2-3B4 April 2016 – present
Texas July 2012 Standard issue
The Lone Star State
black on white with 5-point star in the upper left corner. Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234
Utah Late 2007 Greatest Snow on Earth and Life Elevated dark blue on skier graphic[24][25] Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
A12 3BC
Life Elevated dark blue on graphic of Delicate Arch A12 3BC[26]
2017 In God We Trust; United We Stand dark blue on white 1A2BC
Vermont 1985 Standard issue
Green Mountain State
white on green with small white tree in top left corner Debossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123 (1990–present)
12AB3 (1989)
1AB23 (1988)
123A4 (1986–1987)
1A234 (1985)
U.S. Virgin Islands 2017 Standard issue
Transfer Centennial
white on blue ocean background with orange island maps Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by island of issuance:[27]
ABC 123, ABC 123 (for St. John)
Virginia March 1, 2014 Standard issue
Virginia is for Lovers
blue on white Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234[28]
Washington July 1998 Standard issue
Evergreen State
dark blue on white with light blue Mount Rainier graphic Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC1234 (2010–present)
123-ABC (1987–2010)
West Virginia 2006[29] Standard issue
Wild, Wonderful
blue on white with state name in dark blue bar Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by month of expiration:
  • 0AB 123 (1 through 9 for January through September, respectively)
  • ABC 123 (O, N, and D for October, November, and December, respectively)
Wisconsin June 2000 Standard issue
America's Dairyland
black on reflective white with stylized lake and farm graphic Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234 (2017–present)
123-ABC (2000-2017)
Wyoming January 2016 Standard issue
Screened black numbers and Bucking Horse and Rider on graphic plate featuring the Green River Lakes and Squaretop Mountain against a cloudy blue sky; golden yellow rope border around plate
Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by county of issuance:
  • 0-12345 (variable number of digits following divider)
  • 0-1234A (following exhaustion of above format; variable number of digits following divider)
  • 00-12345 (variable number of digits following divider)

Plate types no longer issued but still valid

Plates with the following designs and serial formats are no longer being issued but may still be valid for use in certain instances. This table does not include year of manufacture registrations.

Jurisdiction Image Dates issued Type Plate style Serial format Status
Alabama early 2007 – October 2013 Optional issue
God Bless America
dark blue on American flag background AB12345
12345AB[4]
Being replaced upon expiration, October 2013 to October 2014.
Alaska 1981 – late 2004 "The Last Frontier"; blue on gold with state flag Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123 Valid.
late 1997 – late 2004 "Gold Rush Centennial" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
January 2, 2008 – December 31, 2009 "Celebrating Statehood 1959–2009"; dark blue on mountain landscape background Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC123[30]
American Samoa
none
Arizona 1980–1996 white on maroon Embossed serial;
Reflective characters on nonreflective background
ABC-123 Valid.
1996 – late 2007 desert scene with embossed serials Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123•ABC
Arkansas
none
California 1963–1969 yellow on black Embossed serial;
Non-reflective background
ABC 123 Valid.
1969–1980 yellow on blue Embossed serial;
Non-reflective background
123 ABC
1980 – January 1987 1ABC234
January 1987 – October 1987 "The Golden State" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
October 1987 – 1995 blue on white with red embossed state name
1995–1998; 2000–2011 blue on white with red screened state name Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
1998–2000 "Sesquicentennial – 150 Years" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
Colorado
1978–2000 embossed mountain scene Reflective embossed serial;
Non-reflective background
Coded by county of issuance: AB-1234, ABC-123, ABC1234 Valid.
Connecticut
none
Delaware white on black up to 12–345 Valid.
silver on black up to 123456
yellow on blue without slogan up to 123456
District of Columbia "A Capital City" 123–456 Valid.
"Celebrate & Discover" 1991 – November 2000 AB-1234 (1997–2000)
123–456 (1991–1997)
2001 blue on reflective white with red flag separator and "WWW.Washingtondc.gov" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
BB-1234
2001 – July 2013 blue on reflective white with red flag separator and "Taxation without Representation" with jurisdiction name displayed as "Washington, D.C." Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
AB-1234
Florida December 2003 – early 2009 green on reflective white with state map, citrus orange graphic, and myFLORIDA.com with county name Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
A12 3BC Being replaced on a ten-year rolling basis.
December 2003 – 2006 green on reflective white with state map, citrus orange graphic, and myFLORIDA.com with "Sunshine State" slogan
Georgia 1997 – December 2003 "...on my mind" 123 ABC
12345 QA
1234 AB
1234 ABC
Valid.
December 2003 – May 2007 www.GEORGIA.gov ABC 1234
May 2007 – May 2012 GEORGIA.gov ABC 1234
Guam black on reflective white with map graphic in center, "Tano Y Chamorro" Coded by municipality of issuance:
  • ABC1234 (variable number of digits following space)
  • ABC123A (following exhaustion of above format)
Valid.
Hawaii
none
Idaho dark blue on reflective white with red gradient and dark blue mountain scene, "Famous Potatoes" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by county of issuance:
  • A 123456 (variable number of digits following space)
  • 0A 12345 (variable number of digits following space)
  • 0A B1234 (following exhaustion of above format)
  • 0A BC123 (following exhaustion of above format)
Illinois July 2016 "Land of Lincoln": red on blue gradient fade with Abraham Lincoln portrait graphic in center Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
AB 12345 (2017–Present)
AB1 2345 (2016)
A12 3456 (2006–2016)
123 4567 (2001–2006)[31]
Valid for 10 years.
Indiana
none
Iowa 1997 - late 2011 blue on reflective white farm scene foreground and skyline background Embossed or screened serial;
Reflective sheeting[32]
123 ABC[33] Valid.
Kansas January 2001 – April 2007 state capitol Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123 Valid.
Kentucky
none
Louisiana 1993–2001; 2004–2005 "Sportsman's Paradise" without pelican Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123 Valid.
January 2002 - early 2004 "Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 1803–2003" written in early 18th-century lettering and has the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial logo as the separator[34] Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
2011–2012 "200 Years" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC123
2014 - 2015 www.louisianatourism.com
Bicentennial, Battle of New Orleans, 1815–2015
blue on reflective white with silhouette of Andrew Jackson on horse at left
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
Maine
none
Maryland February 1986 – early 2005 no slogan 1AB C23 (2004–2005)
ABC 123 (1986–2004)
Valid.
early 2005 – June 2010 www.Maryland.gov
black on reflective white with state crest in center
1AB C23
Massachusetts green on white (coded by month of expiration)
"The Spirit of America" (coded by month of expiration)
123-450
120-ABC
Valid. Maybe subject to replacement if found to be illegible during annual motor vehicle safety inspection.
Michigan 1996–2007 Optional issue
"Great Lakes Splendor"
1AB C23[35] Valid
1996 Optional issue
"World's Motor Capital"
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 12
12 ABC
Valid
2007–2013 Optional issue
"www.Michigan.gov"
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 1234[36] Valid
2013–2014 Optional issue
The Mackinac Bridge
yellow to orange fade and blue with stylized Mackinac Bridge in background with white characters.
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123 Valid
Minnesota circa 2000–2008 blue on reflective white with lake scene graphic, "Explore Minnesota; 10,000 lakes"; second slogan displayed in small blue gradient across bottom of plate Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-123 Being replaced on a seven-year rolling basis.
2008–2009 black on reflective white with lake scene graphic, "Explore Minnesota; 10,000 lakes" Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
123-ABC
Mississippi
none
Missouri
none
Montana 2006–2009 black on grey and white gradient with mountain graphic; "Big Sky Country" Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
Coded by county of issuance:
  • 0C-12345 (variable number of digits following divider)
  • 0C-1234A (following exhaustion of above format; variable number of digits following divider)
  • 0-12345A (variable number of digits following divider)
Valid if permanently registered.
Nebraska
none
Nevada white on blue A12345, AB1234, ABC123, 123ABC
New Hampshire
none
New Jersey 1959–1969; 1970–1973 black on tan, non-reflective, state abbreviated "N. J." ABC-123 Valid.
1969–1970 black on tan, reflective, state abbreviated "N. J." ABC-123
1973–1977 black on tan, non-reflective, state abbreviated "N. J." 123-ABC
1977–1979 black on tan, non-reflective, full state name 123-ABC
1979–1985 buff on blue, non-reflective 123-ABC
1985 ABC-123
1985–1992 ABC-12D
1992–1993 black on yellow and white gradient, reflective, sticker boxes ABC1234
1993–1999 AB-123D
1999–2007 ABC-12D[37]
New Mexico 1999–2010 Land of Enchantment
hot air balloon
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
NM1234
1NM234
12NM34
123NM4
1234NM
AB 123
ABC123
Valid.
New York 2001–2010 dark blue on reflective white with blue bars (upper blue bar has the state name over a skyline of Niagara Falls, the Adirondack Mountains, and New York City; lower bar includes the words "The Empire State" in white) Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234[38] Valid.
North Carolina 2007–2011 red on reflective white with blue and red graphics, "First in Flight" ABC-1234 Valid.
North Dakota 1993–2015 black on light blue gradient fade with prairie scene graphic, "Discover The Spirit" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-123 Valid through 2016
Northern Marianas Islands
none
Ohio 1996–1998 dark blue on gold gradient fade "The Heart of it All" ABC 1234 Valid.
1998–2001 dark blue on gold gradient fade "The Birthplace of Aviation" ABC 1234
2001–2003 red, white, and blue "Ohio Bicentennial" AB12CD
2004–2010 dark blue on reflective white with state seal ("Sunburst") graphic and red and blue bars ABC 1234
2010–2013 "Beautiful Ohio": dark blue on rolling hills with farm, distant skyline, and airborne biplane ABC 1234
Oklahoma 2009 - 2016 "Native America": dark red on white and blue with photograph of Sacred Rain Arrow sculpture Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
123ABC Valid until expiration.
Oregon 1956–1959 gold on blue 1A-1234 Valid.
1959–1964 gold on blue with "Pacific Wonderland" slogan
1964–1974 gold on blue ABC 123 (A-M corresponds to January–December, skipping I)
1974–1988 blue on gold ABC 123 (A-M corresponds to January–December, skipping I; N and later series had no month correlation)
1988–1990 blue on light green tree graphic ABC 123 (A-M corresponds to January–December, skipping I, N-series had no month correlation)
Pennsylvania 1999–2004 blue on blue, white and yellow gradient, "www.state.pa.us" ABC-1234 Valid if retained by current owner on current vehicle. May not be transferred to new vehicle.
Puerto Rico 1986–2007 Standard issue
black on reflective white with Fortaleza graphic, "Isla del Encanto"
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123 valid
Optional issue
black on reflective flag graphics, "Cincuentenario 1952–2002"
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
2007–2011 Standard issue
black on reflective blue with Fortaleza graphic, "Isla del Encanto"
Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
ABC-123
Rhode Island
none
South Carolina summer 2008 – December 2015 Standard issue
travel2sc.com

black on orange, white, and blue gradient with palmetto tree in center

Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
South Dakota
none
Tennessee 2006–2011 black on mountain scene with "The Volunteer State" and county name sticker Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
123-ABC valid
Texas 2009–2012 black on Davis Mountains and sky background with a lone star and streaks of red and blue in the upper-left corner Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
AB1-C234 Valid.
U.S. Virgin Islands
none
Utah 1972–1985 black on white Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 123
ABC-123
Valid.
1985–2008 blue on white with skier graphic, "Ski Utah!", and "Greatest Snow on Earth" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123 ABC
1992–2008 dark blue on Delicate Arch background; "Centennial" Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123 ABC[26]
2002 2002 Winter Olympics commemorative plate with snowflake logo above "Salt Lake 2002" and the Olympic rings; "Olympic Winter 2002"[39] Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
123A4
Vermont
none
Virginia 1979–1994 dark blue on white with blue state name in sentence case Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234 (1994)
ABC-123 (1979–1993)
Valid.
1994 – July 2002; 2007 – February 28, 2014 dark blue on white with blue state name in all capital letters Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234[40]
July 2002 – 2006 400th Anniversary Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC-1234
2006–2007 Jamestown
America's 400th Anniversary
Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
Washington
none
West Virginia December 2002 – early 2006 blue on reflective white with state name in dark blue bar, "Wild, Wonderful / www.callwv.com" Coded by month of expiration:
  • 0AB 123 (1 through 9 for January through September, respectively)
  • ABC 123 (O, N, and D for October, November, and December, respectively)
Valid.
Wisconsin
none
Wyoming
none

Diplomatic license plates

Diplomatic license plates are issued by the United States Department of State to accredited diplomats.

Prior to 1984 license plates for diplomatic vehicles were provided by the jurisdiction where the foreign mission was located. The District of Columbia provided license plates for missions headquartered in the capital, and New York provided plates for members of the United Nations, etc. Upon passage of the Foreign Missions Act in 1984 registration authority for foreign mission vehicles was centralized with the U.S. Department of State.[41][42][43][44]

From 1984 until August 28, 2007, all plates issued followed the pattern of a letter identifying the status of the owner, followed by the two-letter country code, followed by a random three or four-digit number (S AB 1234). For member countries of the Organization of American States (OAS), a subset of that numbering pattern was allotted to vehicles based at those countries' missions to the OAS. Plates issued to cars based at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City were issued in the reverse format, with the three or four-digit number first, followed by the two-letter country code, followed by the status code (1234 AB S).

The location of the status codes, either as the first or last character, allows the city of assignment to be easily identified because representatives of certain countries are limited to travel in a certain radius from their base. The status codes used until 2007 were "C" for Foreign Consul; "D" for Diplomat; "S" for Non-Diplomatic Staff; and "A" for the OAS. Status codes used for U.N. personnel until 2007 were "A" for the U.N. Secretariat; "D" for U.N. missions and diplomatic personnel; and "S" for U.N. Staff. The rights of the driver and car under diplomatic immunity are defined by this status code.

The country codes are unique to each particular country, but do not correlate to ISO Country Codes or other standards format. For example, in the system used until 2007, France is "DJ" rather than "F", and Australia is "XZ" rather than "AUS".

Diplomatic License Plates
Jurisdiction Image Dates issued Type Plate style Serial format Status
U.S. Dept. of State 1984 – December 31, 2008 Standard issue; red, white, and blue background with "DIPLOMAT", "CONSUL" or blank at top, and black serial centered on a white background Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
A AB1234
A 12345
1234AA A
12345 A
Expired
U.S. Dept. of State Unknown – December 31, 2008 Standard issue; red, white, and blue background with "DIPLOMAT", "CONSUL" or blank at top, and blue serial centered on a white background Screened serial;
Reflective sheeting
A AB1234
A 12345
1234AA A
12345 A
Expired
U.S. Dept. of State August 28, 2007 - Current Standard issue; black serial on sky blue background, concave curved red top with the Dept. of State seal, "DIPLOMAT", "CONSUL" or blank at top center, and Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) logo Embossed serial;
Reflective sheeting
ABC 1234
A 123456
1234 ABC
123456 A
Valid
U.S. diplomatic plate country codes
Codes Country or Organization
AA  Congo
AB  Taiwan (Issued with "E" status code)[45][46]
AC  Ivory Coast
AE  Uzbekistan
AF  Japan
AH  Madagascar
AJ  Panama
AK  Cape Verde
AQ  Syria
AU  Uganda
AV  Israel
AW African Union
AX  Marshall Islands
BL  South Africa
BV  Solomon Islands
BW World Bank
BY  Solomon Islands
BZ  Iraq
CB  Cambodia
CC  Ethiopia
CE  Moldova
CG  Marshall Islands
CK  Namibia
CM  Micronesia
CN International Organization
CS  Afghanistan
CT  Bhutan
CU  Botswana
CV  Myanmar (Burma)
CW  Cameroon
CX  Burundi
CY  China
DA  Colombia
DB  Costa Rica
DC  Cuba (UN only)
DD  Cyprus
DF  Dominican Republic
DG  Ecuador
DH  Ivory Coast
DI  South Africa
DJ  France
DK  Greece
DL  India
DM  Iran (UN only)
DN  Denmark
DP  Bangladesh
DR  Slovakia
DZ  Palau
FC  Soviet Union (discontinued)
FF  Antigua & Barbuda
FG  Central African Republic
FH  Ireland
FJ  Lebanon
FK  Kenya
FL  Liberia
FM  Libya
FN  Malta
FP  Morocco
FR  Philippines
FS  Netherlands
FT  Qatar
FV  Sri Lanka
FW   Vatican City
FX  Sierra Leone
FZ  Suriname
GC  Sweden
GD  Ukraine
GE  Azerbaijan
GG  Zambia
GM  Turkey
GN  Turkey
GP  Albania
GQ  North Korea (UN only)
GX  Vanuatu
GY  Chile
HB  Tonga
HD  Argentina
HL  Saint Lucia
HM  Andorra
HN  Mongolia
HV  Belgium
HW  Guatemala
HX  Benin
HY  Guinea-Bissau
HZ  Haiti
JB  Honduras
JC  Kuwait
JD  Mauritius
JF  Nigeria
JG  Portugal
JH  Somalia
JJ  Chad
JK  Turkey
JM  Yugoslavia (discontinued)
JP  Tunisia
JQ  Togo
JS  Slovenia
JT  Croatia
JY  Cyprus
KB  Monaco
KD  Eritrea
KE  Georgia
KG  Equatorial Guinea
KH  Hungary
KJ  Lithuania
KK  Fiji
KL  Jordan
KM  Jamaica
KN  Gabon
KP  Luxembourg
KQ  Israel
KR  Malaysia
KS  Mexico
KT  Namibia
KU  São Tomé and Príncipe
KV  Saudi Arabia
KW  Seychelles
KX  Sudan
LC  Venezuela
LD  Vietnam
LG  Turkey
LH  Israel
LJ  Israel
LK European Economic Communities
LM  Macedonia
LN  Saudi Arabia
LR  Bosnia-Herzegovina
LW  Germany
MF International Monetary Fund
MG Unknown, Seen in Sterling, VA July 2018
MK  Djibouti
ML Diego Garcia
MN  Comoros
MP  Bahamas
MW  Maldives
NA  Oman
NB  Papua New Guinea
NC  Paraguay
ND  Romania
NQ  Angola
NX  Malaysia
PA  Austria
PB  Barbados
PC  Belize
PD  United Kingdom
PF  Bolivia
PG  Belarus
PH  Czech Republic
PI  Israel
PK  Norway
PL  Chile
PM  Brunei
PR  Argentina
PS  Zimbabwe
PV  Democratic Republic of the Congo
QA  Yemen
QD  Burkina Faso
QL  St. Kitts & Nevis
QM  Bulgaria
QN  Laos
QP  Latvia
QQ  Lesotho
QR  Malawi
QS  Mozambique
QT  New Zealand
QU  Nicaragua
QV  Niger
QW  Poland
QX  Pakistan
QX  Iran (DC only)
QY  Yemen
QZ  Indonesia
RB  Rwanda
RC  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
RD  Senegal
RJ   African Union Mission (seen in DC 2017 park outside African Union Mission)
RL  Uruguay
RM Unknown, Seen DC July 2013
RO  Romania
RQ Unknown, Seen DC February 2011
RV  San Marino
SF  Czech Republic
SG  Israel
ST  Dominica
SX  Soviet Union (discontinued)
TC  Mali
TF  Algeria,  Iraq (DC Only)
TG  Canada
TH  Egypt
TJ  Germany
TK  Liechtenstein
TL  El Salvador
TM  Iceland
TN    Nepal
TP  Mauritania
TQ  Mali
TR  Italy
TS  Iraq (UN only)
TT  Guyana
TU  Guinea
TV  Ghana
TW  Gambia
TX  Finland
TY  Grenada
TZ  Peru
UA  Bahrain
UF  Estonia
UH  Spain
UX  Trinidad & Tobago
VF  Thailand
VG  Tanzania
VH   Switzerland
VJ  Brazil
VK  Singapore
VL  Swaziland
VM  Nauru
WB  United Arab Emirates
WD  South Korea
WM  Samoa
WZ  United Kingdom
XA  Bangladesh
XC  Fiji
XD  Myanmar (Burma)
XE  Ghana
XF  Turkey
XG  Norway
XY  Ireland
XZ  Australia
YA  Armenia
YJ  Tajikistan
YK  Kazakhstan
YM  Moldova
YR  Russia
YT  Turkmenistan
YY  Kyrgyzstan
YZ  Azerbaijan

See also

References

  1. Randazzo, Ryan. "Arizona has made a subtle but significant change to its license plates. Have you noticed?". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  2. Current High-Issue License Plates (U.S. and Canada) Archived March 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Alabama County Codes". 15q.net. 2010-10-03. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  4. "License Plates". Licenseplates.cc. 2014-02-06. Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  5. Same style also was issued from late 2004 until December 2007.
  6. "License Plates". Licenseplates.cc. 2010-10-10. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  7. "Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration" (PDF). State.ar.us. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  8. "License Plates". Licenseplates.cc. 2010-10-10. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  9. 12345A1 issued to trucks
  10. Plus remakes of serials issued on previous bases: 1234, 12345, 123•456, A•123, AB•123, AB•1234
  11. "District of Columbia: Department of Motor Vehicles – Services – Plates – Taxation without Representation Plates". Dmv.dc.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-04-30. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  12. except Miami-Dade County
  13. "DRT launches new license plates". Marianas Variety, Guam Edition. Archived from the original on 2009-07-13.
  14. Plus A12 3456, 123 4567, 12 345, 123 456, AB 1234, ABC 123, A12 345 as remakes of serials issued on previous bases.
  15. "License Plates". Motor Vehicle Division. Montana Department of Justice. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  16. In Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska.
  17. In all other counties, Nebraska.
  18. Plus 1234, 12345, and ABC123 as remakes of serials issued on previous base.
  19. "ALPCA Garden State Region » Blog Archive » New Format Plate Spotted in the Wild!". Alpcagardenstate.org. 2010-07-16. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  20. Kretschmer, Rick. "Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives | North Carolina Passenger Cars 1975-Present". www.ricksplates.com. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  21. webmaster. "NCDOT: First in Freedom Plate". www.ncdot.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  22. "License Plates". Division of Motor Vehicles. State of Rhode Island. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  23. Landis, Bruce (10 January 2007). "New License Plates Go By The Numbers". The Providence Journal. p. A.1.
  24. Lisa Riley Roche (26 January 2007). "New license plates sought: 'Life Elevated' would combine with 'Greatest Snow on Earth' slogan". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  25. Medley, Tracy (27 February 2007). "Utah Gets a New License Plate Slogan: "Life Elevated"". New West. NewWest.Net. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  26. First letter progressing backwards from Z.
  27. C: St. Croix, JA: St. John (because of shortage of population), T: St. Thomas
  28. Progressing forward from VAA-1001.
  29. Also issued 1995 – December 2000.
  30. "License Plates". Licenseplates.cc. 2010-10-10. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  31. Plus 12 345, 123 456, AB 1234, ABC 123, A12 345 as remakes of serials issued on previous bases.
  32. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2010-09-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  33. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 26, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. Regulation License Plate to Commemorate Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Archived July 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  35. A12 34B issued to light trucks.
  36. AB 12345 issued to commercial vehicles.
  37. "Jim Moini's License Plates". Moini.net. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  38. Plus ABC-123, 1AB-234, A1B-234, A12-3BC, AB1-23C as remakes of serials issued on previous bases.
  39. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-06-29. Retrieved 2012-09-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  40. Progressing backwards from ZZZ-9999.
  41. Luxner, Larry (October 2007). "State Department Unveils New Design for Diplomatic Plates". The Washington Diplomat. The Washington Diplomat. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  42. Nebel, Claude (2007). "New Look for U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Plates". Police Chief. Alexandria, Virginia: International Association of Chiefs of Police.
  43. Levanthal, Brian (August 28, 2007). "New Diplomatic License Plates Unveiled". U.D. Department of State Archive. U.S. Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  44. "Old-v.-New Diplomatic and Consular License Plate Comparison Chart". U.S. Department of State Archive. Office of Foreign Missions, Bureau of Diplomatic Security. June 20, 2007. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  45. Taiwan’s representatives in the US are given diplomatic license plates (2015/02/25) Archived January 23, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Formosa News of Formosa Television. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  46. 駐美代表處 掛上外交車牌, CNA (ROC). Retrieved February 25, 2015.
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