Vehicle registration plates of Michigan

The U.S. state of Michigan first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1910, when the state began to issue plates.[1]

Michigan
Current series
Sloganmichigan.org
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC 1234
IntroducedApril 2013 (2013-04)
Availability
Issued byMichigan Department of State
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1910 (1910-01-01)
(pre-state plates from 1905 to December 31, 1909)

Plates are currently issued by the Michigan Department of State. Only rear plates have been required since 1981.

Passenger baseplates

1910 to 1970

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 Michigan license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1910 Black on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1910" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 18500 Front and rear plates issued; this practice continued until 1944.
1911 White on black porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1911" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 27500
1912 Black on yellow porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1912" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 40000
1913 White on green porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1913" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 55000
1914 Red on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1914" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 77000
1915 White on blue; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1915" at left none 12345 1 to 99999 First embossed plate. Only letters C and E used in the A1234 serial format.[3]
A1234 C0000 to approximately E6000
1916 Blue on white; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1916" at left none 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A1 to approximately F5000
1917 White on black; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1917" at left none 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A1 to approximately O9000
1918 White on green; aluminum state seal and "MICH 18" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 245000
1919 White on brown; aluminum state seal and "MICH 19" at left none 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A1 to approximately Z9000
1920 Black on orange; stylized "MICH 20" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 414-000
1921 White on black; stylized "MICH 21" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 476-000
1922 White on red; stylized "MICH 22" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 577-000
1923 White on green; stylized "MICH 23" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 730-000
1924 Black on yellow; stylized "MICH 24" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 879-000
1925 Black on gray; stylized "MICH 25" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 996-000
1926 White on black; "MICH 26" at left none 123-456 1 to 999-999 On both these bases, plates with the M123-456 serial format had the 'M' surrounded by a diamond, and are thus informally known as "Diamond M" plates.
M123-456 M1 to approximately M133-000
1927 Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1927" at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
M123-456 M1 to approximately M226-000
1928 White on green; "MICHIGAN 1928" at top none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-116-000
1929 Yellow on black; "MICHIGAN 1929" at bottom none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-234-000
1930 Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1930" at bottom none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-248-000
1931 Red on black; "MICHIGAN 1931" at bottom none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-223-000
1932 White on dark blue; "MICHIGAN 1932" at top none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-139-000
1933 Black on white; "MICHIGAN 1933" at bottom none 12-345
A12-345		 Issued in blocks by county
1934 Black on yellow; "19 MICHIGAN 34" at top none 12-345
A 12345		 Issued in blocks by county
1935 Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 35" at bottom none 12-345
A 12345		 Issued in blocks by county
1936 Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 36" at top none 12-345
A 12345		 Issued in blocks by county
1937 Yellow on dark blue; "1937 MICHIGAN" at bottom none 12 345
A 12345		 Issued in blocks by county
1938 Black on light green; "1938 MICHIGAN" or "MICHIGAN 1938" at top none A 12345 Issued in blocks by county
Black on white; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-38" at top none 123456 1 to approximately 552000 Half-year plates issued at lower cost to full-year plates, due to the Depression.
1939 Black on beige; "19 MICH 39" at bottom none A 12345
AB 1234		 Issued in blocks by county
White on dark blue; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-39" at bottom none 123456 1 to approximately 552000 Half-year plate.
1940 Black on silver; "MICH 40" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
White on black; "MICH EXP. 8-31 40" at top none Half-year plate.
1941 White on maroon; "MICH 41" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
Maroon on white; "MICH EXP. 8-31 41" at top none Half-year plate.
1942–43 White on olive green; "MICHIGAN" at top and "42" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded Full and half-year plates revalidated for 1943 with metal tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
As above, but with "EXP. 8-31-42" at bottom none Half-year plate.
1944 White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "44" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded Only rear plates issued for both full-year and half-year plates. For full-year plates, this practice continued until 1957.
Maroon on white; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-44" at top none Half-year plate.
1945 Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at top and "45" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "EXP. 8-31-45" at bottom none Half-year plate.
1946 White on dark olive green; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "46" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-46" at top none Last half-year plate.
1947 Black on golden yellow; "MICHIGAN" at top and "47" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
1948 Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "48" at top none AB-12-34 County coded
1949 White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "49" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
1950 Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "50" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
1951 White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "51" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
1952 Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "52" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
1953 White on black, "MICHIGAN" at top and "53" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
1954 Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 54" at top Water Wonderland AB-12-34 County-coded
1955 White on green; "19 MICHIGAN 55" at top Water Wonderland AB-12-34 County-coded
1956 Dark green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 56" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded First 6" x 12" plate.
1957 White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 57" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded Front and rear plates issued (as from 1910–43); this practice continued until 1981.
1958 Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 58" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded
1959–61 Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 59" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded Revalidated for 1960 with yellow tabs, and for 1961 with silver tabs.
1962–64 Green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 62" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded Revalidated for 1963 with green tabs, and for 1964 with olive tabs.
1965 Yellow on blue; "MICH 65" at top Water-Winter Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded First year using galvanized steel. First year using state school colors: 1965 honored University of Michigan.
1966 Dark blue on buff; "MICH 66" at top Water-Winter Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded
1967 Maize on dark blue; "MICH 67" at top Water-Winter Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded Issued in the colors of the University of Michigan, in honor of its sesquicentennial.
1968 Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 68" at top Great Lake State AB-1234 County-coded
1969 White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 69" at top Great Lake State AB-1234 County-coded
1970 White on light gold; "19 MICHIGAN 70" at top Great Lake State ABC-123 BBB-000 to approximately NGS-999 Issued in the colors of Oakland University, which became independent from Michigan State University in 1970. Vowels and Q not used in serials; this practice continued until 1983.[3]

1971 to present
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1971–72 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on maroon plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 71" at top "GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom ABC-123 BBB-000 to approximately RMH-999 Plates available by mail for the first time. Revalidated for 1972 with stickers.
1973–75 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 73" at top "GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom ABC-123 BBB-000 to approximately VRM-999 Personalized and disabled plates available for the first time. Some aluminum plates issued. Revalidated for 1974 and 1975 with stickers.
1976–78 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on red and dark blue plate with border line; two embossed flag stripes at bottom and four embossed stars at left; "MICHIGAN" centered at top none ABC123 BBB000 to approximately XSD999 Commemorated the US Bicentennial. All plates issued were aluminum. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1976 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Michigan was so honored.[4] Revalidated for 1977 and 1978 with stickers.
1979–82 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on black plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 79" at top "GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom ABC-123 BBB-000 to ZZZ-999 Serials BBB-000 through NVM-999 were issued by county.[3][5] Front and rear plates issued until April 1, 1981; only rear plates have been issued ever since.
1982–83 123-ABC 999-ZZZ to approximately 000-ZMD Serials progressed backwards.
1983–90 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on blue plate; "MICHIGAN" centered at top "GREAT LAKES" centered at bottom 123 ABC 000 AAA to 999 ZZZ All variants of this base revalidated with stickers until 2007. Letters I and O not used in serials; this practice continues today.
1990–2001 ABC 123 AAA 000 to UDT 999
2001–04 UDU 000 to ZZZ 999 Narrow serial dies introduced.
2004–06 ABC1234 AAA0000 to AFP8999
2006–07 ABC 1234 AFP 9000 to AJX 1999 Narrower serial dies introduced and space added between letters and digits.
January 2007 –
April
2013		 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; blue band screened at top with "MICHIGAN" in white in the center "www.Michigan.gov" screened in blue centered at bottom ABC 1234 BAA 0000 to approximately CPS 0999 First standard baseplate reissue since 1983.
April
2013 – present		 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; wavy blue band screened at bottom; screened blue Pure Michigan logo centered at top "michigan.org" screened in white in center of wavy blue band ABC 1234 DAA 0000 to EKE 9852 (as of December 31, 2020)

County coding

Michigan used two-letter county codes from 1940 to 1969, after using county coding blocks from 1933 to 1939. The letters I, O and Q were not used in these codes.

Optional plates
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1996 Blue serial on background featuring the seal of the American Automobile Centennial Commission and a gold silhouette of an antique automobile outlined in red. World's Motor Capital ABC 12 AAA 00 to ZZZ 99 Validated with sticker until 2015 expiration.[6]
12 ABC 00 AAA to approximately 99 LPZ
1997–2007 Blue serial on background featuring a sunset and the Mackinac Bridge Great Lakes Splendor 1AB C23 0AA A00 to approximately 0GR A99 Validated with sticker until 2017 expiration.[6]
2007–present Black serial on background featuring buildings from the skylines of Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Flint, the forests of Michigan, all five Great Lakes, and the Mackinac Bridge Spectacular Peninsulas 1AB C23 0HA A00 to 7NA L42 (as of January 25, 2021)
2013–14 Embossed white serial on sunrise scene featuring the Mackinac Bridge, with gradient orange sky and light blue water; screened white rectangle centered at top containing Pure Michigan logo "The Mackinac Bridge" screened in black centered at bottom ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately AJG 999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2013 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Michigan was so honored.[4]
2014–present Embossed black serial on sunrise scene featuring the Mackinac Bridge, with gradient orange and white sky and light blue water; screened Pure Michigan logo centered at top "THE MACKINAC BRIDGE" screened in black centered at bottom ABC 123 AJH 000 to DFU 000 (as of December 31, 2020) Revision of the original Mackinac Bridge base for better visibility.

Special plates

The Michigan Secretary of State has for many years issued specialized themed vanity license plates, e.g. "Save Our Lights" with White Shoal Light, the block "M" of the University of Michigan, or "Sparty" from Michigan State University. These are available for an extra fee.

References
  1. "Old Michigan License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. Tanner, Eric N. "Michigan Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  4. Smith, Jay Scott (March 31, 2014). "Mackinac Bridge license plate designed by Lansing native wins annual 'world's best' award". MLive. Booth Newspapers. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  5. Reback, Brian P. (December 29, 2010). "Michigan - county codes". BPRlicenseplates.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  6. "Renewing at a Branch Office". Michigan Secretary of State. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
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