Vehicle registration plates of Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1920, while still a British dominion. It became a province of Canada in 1949.

Newfoundland and Labrador
Current series
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
Serial formatABC 123
IntroducedApril 2007 (2007-04)
Availability
Issued byDigital Government and Service NL, Motor Registration Division
Manufactured byWaldale Manufacturing Limited, Amherst, Nova Scotia[1]
History
First issued1925 (1925)

In 1956, Canada, the United States, 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 licence 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 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first Newfoundland licence plate that fully complied with these standards: the issues from 1951 (dated 1952) through 1955 (dated 1956) were all 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.

The last complete re-registration of all registered vehicles in Newfoundland and Labrador was in 1981, with a switch from a numerical system to an alphanumeric system.

All plates issued since 1982 (beginning AAA-001) remain valid today. Plates remain with the vehicle to which they are originally registered, rather than with the owner. Used vehicles with expired plates are issued new licence plates, while used vehicles with valid plates retain their original licence plate.

Since 1985, the province has not used the letters I, Q, U or Y on licence plates,[3] except on plates that use "VO1" (or "VO2" for Labrador) followed by two or three letters. However, the HAY series was issued on the 1996-97 Cabot 500 base, while the TFI series was issued on trailers in 2010. The letter I is skipped because it closely resembles the number 1, while the letter Q is skipped because it closely resembles the letter O (which the province does use) and the number zero.

Since September 1997, the province requires only a rear plate for most registrations, except for B, C, E and G plates (see below). Some older cars still display both front and rear plates. Some early "World of Difference" and Cabot 500 base plates were issued in duplicate for the front and rear.

On Newfoundland licence plates, the first letter (or two letters) designates the registration class of the vehicle. For example, HMT-999 would be assigned to a passenger car, while TZD-019 would be assigned to a trailer.

Vehicle class
First letter(s) Vehicle type Notes on use/expiration/issue Current/last issue
A Private car Began at AAA-001 in 1982; ended at AZZ-999 on World of Difference base in 1998. Front and rear plates required until 1997. AZZ-999
B Bus BAx for public-use buses, BPx for private-use buses (e.g. tour buses). Front and rear plates required. BAJ-736 BPD-893
C Truck/heavy vehicle Issued to pickup trucks, SUVs and large vans. Began at CAA-001 in 1982; reached CZZ-999 on pitcher plant base in 2017, followed by CA0 001 onwards. Front and rear plates required. CRx indicates large mobile crane units that are generally overwidth and need special permits and escort on public roadways. Some trucks and vans may now be registered as private cars. CE8-182
D Dealer Issued to auto dealers for test driving and transporting cars. DAW-146
E Emergency vehicle Emergency vehicles (fire trucks or police cars) are registered as provincial or municipal, as private ambulance companies operate in NL. Front and rear plates required. Also used by search and rescue vehicles. EAD-473
F Farm vehicle FAx for farm tractors, FEx for farm equipment, FTx for farm trucks that operate on roads. Infrequently issued. FAD-638 FEC-654 FTD-273
G Government vehicle GMx on municipal vehicles, GPx on provincial, GFx on federal. Front and rear plates required. GMN-309 GPP-553 GFL-854
H Private car Issued as next available letter after 'A' series. Began at HAB-001 on Cabot base in fall of 1996; issued on World of Difference base from 1998; ended at HZZ-999 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013. HZZ-999
J Private car Issued as next available letter after 'H' series. Began at JAA-001 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013. JNR-902
M Motorcycle Began at MCA-001 in 1982. MEK-031
PR Apportioned Issued to transport trucks. Began at PRP-001 in 1982; reached PRZ-999 on pitcher plant base in 2012, followed by PRA-001 onwards. PRB-961
T Trailer Began at TAA-001 in 1982; jumped from TET-999 to TVT-001 when flag base was introduced in 2001; reached TZZ-999 then jumped back to TEV-001 on pitcher plant base in 2008. TXx reserved for taxi plates. TLD-004
TX Licensed taxi Supplemented with a municipal taxi licence sticker. TXP-359
W Tow truck Tow trucks display a second plate (in addition to a 'C' series plate). Infrequently issued. WAE-535
X Heavy machinery Issued to tractors, backhoes, forklifts, etc. XAW-128

Passenger baseplates

1925 to 1969
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1925 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; vertical "NFLD" and "1925" at left and right respectively none 1234 1001 to approximately 2100
1926 Embossed black serial on cream plate with border line; vertical "NFLD" and "1926" at left and right respectively none 1234 1001 to approximately 2000
1927 Embossed white serial on forest green plate with border line; "NFLD 1927" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 2500
1928 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "NFLD 1928" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 2700
1929 Embossed white serial on ocean blue plate with border line; "NFLD 1929" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3200
1930 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-30" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3500
1931 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-31" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3600
1932 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-32" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3300
1933 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-33" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 2800
1934 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-34" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3600
1935 Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-35" at top none 1234 1001 to approximately 3900
1936 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-36" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 4200
1937 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; embossed crown graphic at left; "NEWFOUNDLAND-37" at top none 1234 1001 to approximately 4800
1938 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-38" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 5-100
1939 Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-39" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 4-900
1940 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-40" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 5-400
1941 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-41" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 5-000
1942 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-42" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 6-500 Reused in 1944 due to metal conservation for World War II.
1943 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-43" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 6-100
1944 As 1942 base, but red on black none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 5-700 Repainted and reused 1942 plates.
1945 Hand-painted white serial on dark green flat metal plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND-45" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 4-700
1946 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-46" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 6-400
1947 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-47" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 7-200
1948 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-48" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 8-000
1949 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-49" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 9-000
1950 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-50" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 11-500
1951 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND 51" at bottom none 12-345 10-001 to approximately 23-500
1952 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-52" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 19-000
1953 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-53" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 21-000
1954 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-54" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 26-500
1955 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-55" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 28-000
1956 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-56" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 36-000
1957 Embossed yellow serial on sky blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-57" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 38-000
1958 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-58" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 39-000
1959 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-59" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 43-000
1960 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-60" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 45-000
1961 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-61" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 49-000
1962 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-62" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 55-000
1963 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-63" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 59-000
1964 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-64" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 65-000
1965 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND" and "LABRADOR" centred and top and bottom respectively; "19" at top left and "65" at top right none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 70-000
1966 Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1966" centred at top and bottom respectively none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 74-000
1967 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1967" centred at top and bottom respectively "CANADA CENTENNIAL" between serial and year 12-345 1-001 to approximately 79-000
1968 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" at top; "19" at bottom left and "68" at bottom right "CANADA'S HAPPY PROVINCE" centred at bottom 12-345 1-001 to approximately 87-000
1969 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1969" centred at top and bottom respectively; embossed blue lightning bolts either side of year "THE MIGHTY CHURCHILL" between serial and year 12-345 1-001 to approximately 88-000

1970 to present
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1970–72 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1970" centred at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 136-000
1973–75 Embossed red serial on white plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1973" centred at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 165-000
1976–82 Embossed blue serial on orange plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1976" centred at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 259-000
1982 –
mid
1993		 Embossed blue serial on white plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND" and "AND LABRADOR" in red centred at top and bottom respectively none ABC-123 AAA-001 to ASZ-999
mid
1993 – September 1996		 Embossed red serial on white plate; graphic screened at bottom featuring a Viking ship with a red sail against a yellow sunset; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in red at top "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" screened in red below and to right of graphic ABC 123 ATA 001 to AZF 999
September 1996 – September 1997 Embossed red serial on light blue and white gradient plate; screened red graphic of John Cabot centred at bottom; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in blue at top "CABOT" screened in blue to right of graphic, and "Celebrate 500 Years" in black to left ABC 123 HAB 001 to HBC 999 Commemorated the 500th anniversary of Cabot's voyage to Newfoundland.
September 1997 – October 2001 As 1993–96 base "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" as from 1993–96 ABC 123 AZG 001 to AZZ 999; HBD 001 to HEP 999
October 2001 – July
2002		 Embossed red serial on white plate; screened provincial flag centred slightly below serial; "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CANADA" screened in red below flag none ABC 123 HER 001 to HFO 999
July
2002 – September 2003		 As above, but with "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR" centred at top, and "CANADA" increased in size HFP 001 to HGZ 999
September 2003 – April
2007		 As above, but with flag graphic revised and increased in size, "Newfoundland & Labrador" at top, and "CANADA" removed HHA 001 to HMT 999
April 2007 – present Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue below none ABC 123 HMV 001 to JNR 902 (as of January 29, 2021)

Non-passenger plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Motorcycle 1982–
2004		 Similar design to 1982 passenger base; debossed sticker box at bottom left M/C A-123 M/C A-001 to M/C X-999
2004–07 Embossed red serial on white plate; border lines around plate and around sticker box at bottom left; "NEWFOUNDLAND" at top; "& LABRADOR" at bottom right MBC-123 MDA-001 to
MDE-999
2007–
present		 Similar design to pitcher plant passenger base; debossed sticker box at bottom left MDF-001 to
MEK-031 (as of June 28, 2019)
Trailer 1982–94 As 1982 passenger base TBC-123 TAA-001 to
TDE-999
1994–96 As World of Difference passenger base TBC 123 TDF 001 to TDR 999
1996–97 As Cabot passenger base TDS 001 to TDX 999
1997–2001 As World of Difference passenger base TDZ 001 to TET 999
2001–02 As 2001 flag passenger base TVT 001 to TVV 999
2002–03 As 2002 flag passenger base TVW 001 to TWE 999
2003–07 As 2003 flag passenger base TWF 001 to TWZ 999; TZA 001 to TZC 999
2007–
present		 As pitcher plant passenger base TZD 001 to TZZ 999;
TEV 001 to TLD 004 (as of September 13, 2020)
Truck 1982–95 As 1982 passenger base CBC-123 CAA-001 to
CHV-999
1995–96 As World of Difference passenger base CBC 123 CHW 001 to CJH 999
1996–97 As Cabot passenger base CKL 001 to CKR 999
1997–
2003		 As World of Difference passenger base CJJ 001 to CKK 999; CKS 001 to CMS 999
2003–04 As 2001 flag passenger base CMT 001 to CNE 999
2004–07 As 2003 flag passenger base CNF 001 to COS 999
2007–17 As pitcher plant passenger base COT 001 to CZZ 999 Series CRA through CRZ reserved for mobile crane units.
2017–present CB1 234 CA0 001 to CE8 182 (as of December 30, 2020)

References
  1. Drost, Philip (April 19, 2018). "Peel... in this place: Why thousands of licence plates are being recalled". CBC News. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  2. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. Tanner, Eric N. "Newfoundland and Labrador Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
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