Vehicle registration plates of Iowa

The U.S. state of Iowa first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1904. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1911, when the state began to issue plates.[1]

Iowa
Current series
Slogancounty name
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC 123
IntroducedApril 1, 2018 (2018-04-01)
Availability
Issued byIowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1911 (1911-01-01)
(pre-state plates from 1904 to December 31, 1910)

Plates are currently issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation through its Motor Vehicle Division. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Passenger baseplates

1911 to 1971

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[2] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Iowa license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Description Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1911 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IA 1911" at right none 12345 2001 to approximately 30000
1912 Embossed white serial on black plate; "IA 1912" at right none 12345 3001 to approximately 46000
1913 Embossed black serial on white plate; "IA 1913" at right none 12345 3001 to approximately 75000
1914 Embossed white serial on black plate; "IA 1914" at right none 123456 6001 to approximately 112000
1915 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "IA 1915" at right none 123456 7001 to approximately 152000
1916–18 Embossed beige serial on dark olive green plate; "IA" and dash at right none 123456 1 to approximately 341000
1919 Embossed white serial on brown plate; "IA 19" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 362000
1920 Embossed black serial on light green plate with border line; "IA 20" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 438000
1921 Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "IA 21" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 441000
1922 Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "IA 22" at right none 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) First use of county codes.
1923 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "IA 23" at right none 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1924 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IA 24" at right none 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1925 Embossed black serial on gray plate with border line; "IA 25" at right none 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1926 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "IA 26" at right none 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1927 Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IA 27" at right none A-12345
1-1234
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (A, 1 or 10)
1928 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IA 28" at right none A-12345
1-1234
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (A, 1 or 10)
1929 Embossed black serial on green plate with border line; vertical "IOWA" and "1929" at right none A-12345
1-1234
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (A, 1 or 10) First use of the full state name.
1930 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1930" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1931 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1931" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1932 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "IOWA-1932" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1933 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1933" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1934 Embossed yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1934" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1935 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1935" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1936 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1936" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1937 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "1937-IOWA" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1938 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1938" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1939 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1939" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1940 Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate with border line; "IOWA-1940" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1941 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1941" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1942–44 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA-1942" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Revalidated for 1943 and 1944 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1945 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1945" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Only rear plates issued due to ongoing metal conservation; a windshield sticker was carried at the front of the vehicle.
1946 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA-1946" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1947–48 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "1947-IOWA" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Revalidated for 1948 with silver tabs.
1949 Embossed white serial on waffle-textured black plate with border line; "IOWA-1949" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1950–51 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "50" at top right none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Revalidated for 1951 with silver tabs.
1952 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "52" at top right none 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1953–55 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "53" at top right "THE CORN STATE" centered at bottom 1-12345
10-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) First use of a slogan of any kind, with the state's unofficial nickname chosen over the official nickname of "The Hawkeye State". Revalidated for 1954 and 1955 with silver tabs.
1956–57 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "56" at top right none 1-1234
1-A123
1-1A23
10-1234
10-A123
10-1A23		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) First 6" x 12" plate. I, M, O, Q, W and Y not used in lettered serial formats.[3] Revalidated for 1957 with silver tabs.
1958 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "58" at top right none 1-12345
1/0-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1959 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "59" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1960 Embossed black serial on light gray plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "60" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1961 As 1959 base, but with "61" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1962 As 1960 base, but with "62" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1963 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "63" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1964 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "64" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1965 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "65" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1966 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "66" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1967 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "67" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1968 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "68" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1969 As 1967 base, but with "69" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1970 As 1968 base, but with "70" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1971 As 1967 base, but with "71" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)

1972 to present
Image Dates issued Description Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1972–74 Embossed black serial on reflective yellow plate with border line; "IOWA 72" centered at top; black sticker box at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0) Revalidated for 1973 and 1974 with stickers.
1975–78 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "IOWA 75" centered at top none 1 ABC123
1/0 ABC123		 1 AAA000 to 0/0 HNZ999 Three-letter serials assigned in blocks to each county (1 or 1/0); this practice continues today. See the County Coding table below for each assignment. Non-resident plates initially had "NON RESIDENT" at the bottom and no 0/0 code at the far left.[4][5]
1979 – December 1984 Reflective white serial on green plate with border line; "IOWA" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively; "79" at top right. Plate elements either embossed (above) or debossed (below) county name ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately KCZ 999 County codes abolished after 57 years, replaced by county names at bottom of plate. Whether the plate was embossed or debossed depended on the county of issuance. The serial blocks initially assigned were the same as those on the 1975–78 base. Non-resident plates had blank bottoms.
January 1985 – December 1996 Embossed reflective white serial on blue plate with border line; "IOWA" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively; "86" at top right county name ABC 123 LAA 000 to
YZZ 999		 Non-resident plates discontinued.
January 1997 – 1998 Embossed blue serial on reflective graphic plate with light blue sky, white city skyline and gray farm scene; "IOWA" screened in blue centered at top; county name on sticker centered at bottom county name 123 ABC 000 AAA to 399 FSK 'D' series not used.[3]
1998 – mid
2001		 As above, but with county name screened in blue Exclusively from 400 FSK to approximately 999 HMY; intermittently from 000 HMZ to approximately 999 JYC
mid 2000 – late
2011		 As above, but with serial screened rather than embossed Intermittently from 000 HMZ to approximately 999 JYC;
exclusively from 000 JYD to approximately 999 YPK		 Originally issued in eight most populous counties (Black Hawk, Dubuque, Johnson, Linn, Polk, Pottawattamie, Scott, Woodbury); issued in all counties from mid-2001. Series KDA through KZC skipped in error; SAA through SHG reserved for Special plates; 'U' and 'V' series not used.[3]
late 2011 – late
2012		 As above, but with serial, state name and county name in black rather than blue 000 YPL to
999 ZZZ		 Elements changed from blue to black in order to reduce costs and improve legibility.[6] Zeros in serials became slashed at the beginning of the YYA series (early 2012).
late 2012 – April 2018 ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately GXV 199
April 2018 – present Screened black serial 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 county name ABC 123 GXV 200 to
KGN 782 (as of January 30, 2021)		 In August 2017, this "City and Country Reboot" design was chosen by voters at the 2017 Iowa State Fair and on the Iowa State Fair's website. Competing against a "Flying Our Colors" design and a "Great Wide Open" design, the new "City and Country Reboot" license plate won the contest with 113,299 votes cast out of a total of 291,095 votes.[7][8][9]

County coding

Current non-passenger and optional plates

Non-passenger plates
Image Type First issued Design Serial format Notes
Apportioned Power Unit c. 1998 Green on white PB 1234
SB 1234		 Issued to trucks and tractor units.
Apportioned Trailer c. 1998 Green on white RB 1234
TB 1234		 Issued to semi-trailers.
County Sheriff's Department Green on white with Sheriff's star-shaped seal at left S00-1234 Uses the numeric county-code system that was used on standard passenger plates until 1979 (so, for instance, a plate whose serial starts with S77 would indicate a deputy from Polk County). The numbers to the right of the hyphen correspond to the deputy's badge number. These plates are used only on marked units.
Dealer Black on white with blue state name D1
D12
D123
D1234		 Plus three-digit suffix that ascends for each dealer.
Motorcycle Similar to standard passenger base 1234 AB
AB 1234
Official Black on white 123456
Official County Black on white 12345
Special As standard passenger base, but with vertical "SPECIAL" at left 123 SBC (000 SAA to 999 SHG)
State Patrol 1975 Black on yellow with two red stars either side of serial 12
123		 The serial number corresponds to the badge number for that state trooper, excluding post 16, who drive pool cars assigned numbers which are currently not being used by another trooper. These plates are used only on marked units; unmarked units use regular state-issued plates.
Trailer As standard passenger base 1234 AB
AB 1234

Optional plates

Iowa offers its motorists a number of optional issue designs that are available upon the payment of an additional fee.

Plates of all types other than the university types are available for both automobiles and motorcycles, the latter using a smaller overall plate size. University Plates are the only plates not colored the same as the standard issue plate, the color scheme is a yellow base, with the university's main sports team color on both the numbers, and a header denoting the school (i.e. red for Iowa State University, black for University of Iowa, purple for UNI, et cetera).

Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
Air Force Cross Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued. Issuance is strictly regulated by the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the Iowa Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Airman's Medal Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued. Plate issuance is strictly regulated by the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the Iowa Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Breast Cancer Awareness 123BA
Bronze Star Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued. As with all plates denoting high issue military medals, the issuance of this plate is strictly regulated by the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the Iowa Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Cattlemen Care CA123
123CA
123CI
Congressional Medal of Honor—Air Force Plate number is medal issuance number plate is light blue on white, with the words "Medal of Honor" in place of county name. Plate is issued by the state Veterans Administration.
Congressional Medal of Honor—Army Plate number is medal issuance number county name replaced with the words "Medal of Honor." Plate is light blue on white. Plate is issued by state Veterans Administration. Must provide Military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal, as well as a copy of the medal certificate. Medal of Honor plates issued for all branches of service are strictly regulated.
Congressional Medal of Honor—Navy Plate number is medal issuance number county name replaced with the words "Medal of Honor." Plate is light blue on white. Plate is issued by state Veterans Administration
Distinguished Service Cross DSC123
DSC1234		 Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Education Must show NEA membership card and hold credentials as a schoolteacher to be issued.
Emergency Medical Services 123EM
123EN		 You need your signature and your director's signature notarized proving that you are indeed a member of a paid or volunteer EMS service in Iowa
Masons Must provide membership in an area Freemasons Lodge to be issued this plate
Ex-Prisoner of War POW123
POW1234		 Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of the POW medal before issuance.
Firefighter FF123
123FF
FD123
123FD
1234F
F1234		 Must have Firefighter's Identification before issuance. Plate is red on white, with nationally recognized firefighter's insignia in far left side, and reads "Firefighter," in place of county name.
God Bless America US123
123US
123UA
123UD
123UE
123UK
123UP
123UQ
123UR
123UT
Gold Star Mothers/Wives Must have proof of membership within Gold Star Mother's, or Gold Star Wives in order to be issued this plate
Iowa Heritage
Iowa State University ISU1234
Legion of Merit Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued.
Love Our Kids K1234
Motorcycle Rider
National Guard N1234 Must have Military Identification denoting member of National Guard in order to be issued this plate.
Natural Resources – Bald eagle AB 123
Natural Resources – Goldfinch/wild rose AB123
AB 123
Natural Resources – Pheasant AB 123
Navy and Marine Corps Medal Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued.
Navy Cross NC123
NC1234		 Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued.
Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness U1234
1234U		 Must provide proof as an organ, or tissue donor (usually found on drivers license), to be issued this plate
Pearl Harbor Survivor Must have proof to be issued this plate. Proof would consist of Military form DD-214, denoting that applicant was stationed on any one of the eight Battleships moored at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, or any smaller vessel that was documented to be at Pearl Harbor during the attack. In place of county name, the plate reads "Pearl Harbor Survivor". Can have ship's hull number placed as plate number for no extra charge, provided the sequence is not already taken by another motorist.
Persons with Disabilities C1234
1234C
J1234
1234J
Y1234
1234Y
1234Z,
Z1234		 Must have proof of disability, as well as the signature of a board certified doctor before plate is issued. Nobody can be issued this plate without the approval of the Iowa Department of Transportation. The plate is marked with the universal handicapped symbol on the far left hand side, with the serial number following, the one letter four number combination can either be with the letter first, or last in sequence.
Purple Heart P1234 Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Retired Air Force R1234 Must present Military Identification Card denoting retirement to be issued.
Retired Army R1234 Must have military identification card denoting retirement to be issued
Retired Coast Guard R1234 Must present Coast Guard identification card showing retirement to be issued
Retired Marines R1234 Must have military identification card denoting retirement to be issued
Retired Navy R1234 Must have military identification card denoting retirement to be issued
Share the Road SR123 (passenger)
123SU (motorcycle)
Shriners ZA123
ZB123		 Must present a Shriners membership card to be issued
Silver Star Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Soldier's Medal Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
University of Iowa UI 1234
University of Northern Iowa UNI1234
Veteran V1234 Plate appears as standard plate, with an American flag to the far left, with the word "Veteran" above, plate is issued by the state Veteran's Administration, all applying must have copy of Military form DD-214 denoting Honorable Discharge in order to receive the Veterans plate.
Police Department 1234567 Plate is white on dark blue, with a police officer's badge from the corresponding city on the left side, along with a seven digit number, and at the bottom, the City Police Department of issuance. These are issued only by the local police departments within the state, and placed on marked units only upon receipt of vehicle. They are illegal to be displayed by non-police officers.

Previous non-passenger and optional plates

Optional plates
Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Sesquicentennial (Patriotic) 1992 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "IOWA" screened in blue centered at top, with blue state shape to right; "Sesquicentennial" screened in red centered at bottom; blue bands screened at top left and top right, with "1846-1996" on left band and "92" on right band S123456 S000001 to approximately S125000 Both these plates commemorated Iowa's 150 years of statehood. They remained valid until 1997.
Sesquicentennial (Scenic) 1992 Embossed red serial on reflective graphic plate with pale blue sky, green grass, pale green tree and blue city skyline; "IOWA" screened in red at top, offset to right; "SESQUICENTENNIAL 1846 * 1996" (in two lines) screened in black to left; "92" screened at top right 123456S 000001S to approximately 130000S

References
  1. Swarm, Curt (February 15, 2013). "Moulton man has 100-year collection of Appanoose County license plates". Daily Gate City. Keokuk, IA. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  2. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. Tanner, Eric N. "Iowa Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  4. Tanner, Eric N. "Iowa License Plate Variations". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  5. "76 Iowa". Plateshack.com. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  6. Sutterman, Kelli (July 10, 2011). "Standard license plates to adopt black lettering". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  7. "Iowa announces winning license plate". WHBF-TV. Nexstar Media Group. 2017-08-21. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  8. Maricle, Kelly (2017-08-21). "New Iowa License Plate Design Revealed". WHO-DT. Tribune Broadcasting. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  9. "New Iowa license plate: 'City and Country Reboot'". Cedar Rapids Gazette. The Gazette Company. 2017-08-22. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
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