Vehicle registration plates of Oklahoma

The U.S. state of Oklahoma first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1915. Plates are currently issued by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Only rear plates have been required since 1944.

Oklahoma
Current series
NameExplore
SloganExplore Oklahoma
TravelOK.com
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC-123
IntroducedJanuary 1, 2017 (2017-01-01)
Availability
Issued byOklahoma Tax Commission
History
First issuedJuly 1, 1915 (1915-07-01)

Passenger baseplates

1915 to 1978

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.[1] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Oklahoma license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1915 Embossed blue serial on white plate; vertical "OKLA" and "1915" at left and right respectively none 12345 4001 to approximately 33500, with gaps Single series of serials used for all classes of vehicles, with blocks reserved for non-passenger classes. This practice continued in one form or another through 1938.[2]
1916 Embossed white serial on blue plate; vertical "OKLA" and "1916" at left and right respectively none 12345 2501 to approximately 60500, with gaps
1917 Embossed white serial on brown plate; vertical "OKLA" and "1917" at left and right respectively none 123456 6501 to approximately 118500, with gaps
1918 Embossed yellow serial on green plate; vertical "OKLA" and "1918" at left and right respectively none 123456 18001 to approximately 131500
1919 Embossed green serial on yellow plate with border line; vertical "OKLA" and "1919" at left and right respectively none 123456 8001 to approximately 156500
1920 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; vertical "OKLA" and "1920" at left and right respectively none 123456 8001 to approximately 212000
1921 Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; vertical "OKLA" and "1921" at left and right respectively none 123456 10001 to approximately 231500, with gaps
1922 Embossed black serial on turquoise plate with border line; vertical "OKLA" and "1922" at left and right respectively none 123-456 11-001 to approximately 261-000, with gaps
1923 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; vertical "OKLA" and "1923" at left and right respectively none 123-456 18-001 to approximately 313-000
1924 Embossed white serial on olive green plate with border line; vertical "OKLA" and "1924" at left and right respectively none 123F456
123.456		 Plates with an 'F' in the serial were issued on Fords. This practice continued through 1928.
1925 Embossed silver serial on black plate; silver lines at top and bottom borders; "1925 OKLA" at right none 123F456
123.456
1926 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; black lines at top and bottom borders; "OKLA 1926" at bottom none 123F456
123-456
1927 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "OKLA 1927" at bottom none 123F456 30F001 to approximately 375F000
123-456 495-001 to approximately 674-000
1928 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; vertical "OKLA" and "1928" at left and right respectively none 123F456 35F001 to approximately 370F000
123-456 480-001 to approximately 727-000
1929 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "OK–29" centered at top none 123-456 50-001 to approximately 571-000
1930 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "OKLA–1930" centered at bottom none 123-456 60-001 to approximately 597-000
1931 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "OKLA–1931" centered at bottom none 123-456 60-001 to approximately 564-000
1932 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "OKLAHOMA-1932" at top none 123-456 60-001 to approximately 464-000 First use of the full state name.
1933 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "OKLAHOMA-1933" at bottom none 123-456 60-001 to approximately 481-000
1934 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "OKLAHOMA-1934" at top none 123A456 60A001 to approximately 507A000
1935 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "1935-OKLAHOMA" at bottom none 123A456 60A001 to approximately 510A000
1936 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "1936-OKLAHOMA" at top none 123-456 60-001 to approximately 516-000 Front and rear plates required; rear plates used an 'R' as the separator in the serial.
1937 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "1937-OKLAHOMA" at bottom none 123-456 60-001 to approximately 528-000 Front plates used an 'F' as the separator in the serial, while rear plates used an 'R'.
1938 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "OKLAHOMA-1938" at top none 123-456 60-001 to approximately 546-000
1939 Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "OK–39" at bottom, offset to right none A/B123 County-coded (A/B)
1940 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "OKLA–1940" at top none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1941 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "OKLA—1941" at bottom none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1942–43 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "OKLA-1942" at top none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded (1 or 10) Revalidated for 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "OKLAHOMA–44" at top none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded (1 or 10) Only rear plates issued; this practice continues today.
1945 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "OKLAHOMA–45" at bottom none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1946–47 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "OKLAHOMA–46" at top none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded (1 or 10) Revalidated for 1947 with yellow tabs.
1948 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "OKLAHOMA–48" at bottom none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1949 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "49–OKLAHOMA" at top none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1950 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "50–OKLAHOMA" at bottom none 1-12345
1-A1234
10-1234
10-A123		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1951 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "51–OKLAHOMA" at top none 1-12345
1-A1234
10-1234
10-A123		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1952 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "52–OKLAHOMA" at bottom none 1-12345
1-A1234
10-1234
10-A123		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1953 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "OKLAHOMA–53" at top none 1-12345
1-A1234
10-1234
10-A123		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1954 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "54-OKLAHOMA" at bottom none 1-12345
1-A1234
10-1234
10-A123		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1955 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "55" at top right "VISIT OKLAHOMA" at top, offset to left 1-12345
1-A1234
10-1234
10-A123		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1956 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "56" at bottom right "VISIT OKLAHOMA" at bottom, offset to left 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1957 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "57" at top right "VISIT OKLAHOMA" at top, offset to left 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1958 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "58" at top right "VISIT OKLAHOMA" at top, offset to left 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1959 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "59" at top right "VISIT OKLAHOMA" at top, offset to left 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1960 Embossed black serial on white plate; "19" at top left and "60" at top right "VISIT OKLAHOMA" centered at top 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1961 Embossed white serial on black plate; "19" at top left and "61" at top right "VISIT OKLAHOMA" centered at top 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1962 Embossed black serial on white plate; "19" at top left and "62" at top right "VISIT OKLAHOMA" centered at top 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded (1 or 10)
1963 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 OKLAHOMA 63" at top none AB-1234 County-coded Two-letter county codes introduced. Serials with numbers below 1000 used leading zeros; this happened again in 1964.
1964 Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 OKLAHOMA 64" at top none AB-1234 County-coded
1965 Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 OKLAHOMA 65" at top none AB-1234 County-coded
1966 Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 OKLAHOMA 66" at top none AB-1234 County-coded
1967 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "67" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234 County-coded Issued in the colors of the University of Oklahoma.[3]
1968 Embossed black serial on reflective orange plate; "68" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234 County-coded Issued in the colors of Oklahoma State University.[3]
1969 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "69" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234 County-coded Issued in the colors of the University of Oklahoma.[3]
1970 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; "70" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234 County-coded
1971 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "71" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded Three-letter county codes introduced in some counties that had exhausted their two-letter allocations.
1972 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; "72" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded
1973 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "73" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded Carried over into 1974 after the plate shop at Oklahoma State Penitentiary was hit by fire during a riot in July 1973, destroying the supply of 1974 plates (below).
1973–74 As above, but with border line Supplemental plates manufactured by Polyvend Inc. of Arkansas while the prison plate shop was being repaired.
(1974) Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; "74" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded Most of these plates were destroyed in the prison plate shop fire of July 1973 (above); salvaged plates were not issued.
1975 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "75" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded Manufactured by Polyvend Inc. while the prison plate shop was being repaired.
1976 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "19 OKLAHOMA 76" at top "1776 BICENTENNIAL 1976" at bottom AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded
1977 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "77" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded
1978 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "78" at top left "OKLAHOMA IS OK" at top, offset to right AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded

1979 to present
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1979–80 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; "OKLAHOMA" centered at top; debossed sticker boxes in top corners with "79" further debossed in right box none AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded Monthly staggered registration introduced.
1981–82 Embossed green serial with state-shaped separator on reflective white plate; debossed sticker boxes in top corners with "81" further debossed in right box "OKLAHOMA IS OK" centered at top AB-1234
ABC-1234		 County-coded Revalidated with stickers until 2009.
1983–88 Embossed green serial with state-shaped separator on reflective white plate; yellow band screened at bottom with a yellow sun and "Oklahoma" in black in the middle; sticker boxes debossed in bottom corners "is OK!" screened in black centered below state name, giving "Oklahoma is OK!" ABC-123 County-coded Commonly known as the "sunbelt" plate. Revalidated with stickers until 2009.
1989–94 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; battle shield of the Osage Nation screened in the center; "OKLAHOMA" screened in black centered at top "OK!" screened in tan centered between state name and battle shield ABC 123 County-coded Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1989 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Oklahoma was so honored. Co-recipient with Nova Scotia. Serials in each county continued from where the 1983–88 plates left off, with leading zeros added in numbers below 100. Revalidated with stickers until 2009.
1994–2008 Similar to 1989–94 base, but with larger state name and debossed area in center containing redrawn battle shield graphic "NATIVE AMERICA" screened in red centered at bottom ABC 123 County-coded Serials in each county continued from where the 1989–94 plates left off, with the 123 ABC format introduced in counties that had exhausted their ABC 123 allocations. Revalidated with stickers until 2009.
123 ABC
January 2009 – December 2016 Screened red serial on reflective white plate; Allan Houser's "Sacred Rain Arrow" sculpture (outside the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa) screened against cloudy blue sky at left and blue bar screened at bottom; "OKLAHOMA" screened in dark blue centered at top "NATIVE AMERICA" screened in white in center of blue bar, with white Osage Nation battle shield at right 123ABC 001AAA to approximately 999QJX Replaced all 1981–2008 plates. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2009 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the third time Oklahoma was so honored. County coding discontinued; the county of issuance has been printed on the month revalidation sticker since 2010. 'C' series of serials not issued; some serials carried over from 1994–2008 plates.
January 2017 – present Screened black serial with state-shaped separator on reflective graphic plate with white scissor-tailed flycatcher against blue landscape featuring mountains, badlands and water "EXPLORE OKLAHOMA" screened in black centered at top; "TRAVELOK.COM" screened in red centered at bottom ABC-123 AAA-001 to KPS-246 (as of October 20, 2020)

County coding

The order of the numeric county codes used from 1952–61 was based on the populations of each county according to the 1950 United States Census, and the order of the codes used in 1962 was based on the populations of each county according to the 1960 Census.[2]

CountyNumeric codes, 1952–61Numeric codes, 19622-letter codes, 1963–823-letter codes, 1971–82
Adair4646AD, AR
Alfalfa6262AL
Atoka5157AT
Beaver7369BV
Beckham2935BK, BE
Blaine4549BL
Bryan2527BR, BY
Caddo1620CA, CD
Canadian2626CN, CXCNN, CXX, CCN
Carter1412CR, CECRR
Cherokee3736CZCZZ
Choctaw3239CW
Cimarron7777CI
Cleveland117CL, CV, CY, CFCLL, CVV, CFF, CYY, CLE, CLV, CLY
Coal7174CO
Comanche43CC, CH, CM, CB, CPCCC, CCB, CCH, CMH
Cotton6665CT
Craig3937CGCGG
Creek1011CK, CJ, CUCKK
Custer3028CSCSS
Delaware4745DL, DE
Dewey6870DW
Ellis7575EL
Garfield55GA, GR, GF, GB, GL
Garvin2422GV, GN
Grady1718GD, GYGDD
Grant6464GT
Greer5960GE
Harmon7073HM
Harper7671HP
Haskell5458HK
Hughes3140HG
Jackson3317JA, JK, JS, JX
Jefferson6063JE
Johnston6361JN
Kay66KA, KY, KKKAY
Kingfisher5554KF
Kiowa3841KW
Latimer6767LA
Le Flore1519LE, LF, LR
Lincoln2831LN, LL
Logan2732LG, LO
Love7272LV
Major6566MA
Marshall6968MR
Mayes3530ME, MY
McClain4847ML, MN
McCurtain2225MC, MT
McIntosh4048MO
Murray6155MU
Muskogee34MK, MG, MS, MBMKK
Noble5756NB
Nowata5653NW
Okfuskee4351OK
Oklahoma11XA-YZXXA, XXY-XXZ
Okmulgee814OM, OLOML
Osage1916OS, OA, OE, OGOSG
Ottawa2121OT, OWOTT
Pawnee5352PW
Payne78PA, PY, PFPYY
Pittsburg1215PB, PSPPB
Pontotoc2323PN, PC
Pottawatomie910PT, PE, PDPTT
Pushmataha5859PM
Roger Mills7476RM
Rogers3629RG, RE, RO, RR
Seminole1324SM, SE
Sequoyah3434SY, SH
Stephens1813ST, SP, SNSTE
Texas5243TX, TS
Tillman4242TL
Tulsa22ZA-ZZZZA-ZZP
Wagoner4438WG, WN
Washington209WA, WH, WS, WI
Washita4133WT
Woods4950WD
Woodward5044WW, WE, WB

Optional plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
"State Parks" – Pavilion 2004–present Black on multicolored background. O/P 1234 O/P 1 to present Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2004 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Oklahoma was so honored.

References
  1. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  2. Tanner, Eric N. "Oklahoma Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  3. Mai, Chuck (July 31, 2016). "Chuck Mai: The colorful history of Oklahoma license plates". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
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