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Florida License Plate Types

'License plate' redirects here. It is not to be confused with Bag tag.
Some jurisdictions license non-traditional vehicles, such as golf carts, particularly on on-road vehicles, such as this one in Put-in-Bay, Ohio.

A vehicle registration plate, also known as a number plate (British English) or a license plate (American English), is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. All countries require registration plates for road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Whether they are required for other vehicles, such as bicycles, boats, or tractors, may vary by jurisdiction. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric ID that uniquely identifies the vehicle owner within the issuing region's vehicle register. In some countries, the identifier is unique within the entire country, while in others it is unique within a state or province. Whether the identifier is associated with a vehicle or a person also varies by issuing agency. There are also electronic license plates.

  • 1Legal requirements
  • 3History
  • 4Africa
  • 5Americas
  • 6Asia
    • 6.3China
    • 6.10Korea
  • 7Europe
  • 8Oceania
    • 8.1Australia
  • 15International codes

Legal requirements[edit]

A car registration plate as seen in the United Kingdom.

Most governments require a registration plate to be attached to both the front and rear of a vehicle, although certain jurisdictions or vehicle types, such as motorboats, require only one plate, which is usually attached to the rear of the vehicle. National databases relate this number to other information describing the vehicle, such as the make, model, colour, year of manufacture, engine size, type of fuel used, mileage recorded (and other similar data in jurisdictions where vehicles are regularly inspected for roadworthiness every year or two), vehicle identification number (chassis number), and the name and address of the vehicle's registered owner or keeper.

In the vast majority of jurisdictions, the government holds a monopoly on the manufacturing of vehicle registration plates for that jurisdiction. Either a government agency or a private company with express contractual authorization from the government makes plates as needed, which are then mailed to, delivered to, or picked up by the vehicle owners. Thus, it is normally illegal for private citizens to make and affix their own plates, because such unauthorized private manufacturing is equivalent to forging an official document. Alternatively, the government will merely assign plate numbers, and it is the vehicle owner's responsibility to find an approved private supplier to make a plate with that number.[citation needed]

In some jurisdictions, plates will be permanently assigned to that particular vehicle for its lifetime. If the vehicle is either destroyed or exported to a different country, the plate number is retired or reissued; exported vehicles must be re-registered in the jurisdiction of import. China requires the re-registration of any vehicle that crosses its borders from another country, such as for overland tourist visits, regardless of the length of time it is due to remain there; this has to be arranged with prior approval.[citation needed] Other jurisdictions follow a 'plate-to-owner' policy, meaning that when a vehicle is sold the seller removes the current plate(s) from the vehicle. Buyers must either obtain new plates or attach plates they already hold, as well as register their vehicles under the buyer's name and plate number. A person who sells a car and then purchases a new one can apply to have the old plates put onto the new car. One who sells a car and does not buy a new one may, depending on the local laws involved, have to turn the old plates in or destroy them, or may be permitted to keep them. Some jurisdictions permit the registration of the vehicle with 'personal' ('vanity' or 'cherished mark') plates.

In some jurisdictions, plates require periodic replacement, often associated with a design change of the plate itself. Vehicle owners may or may not have the option to keep their original plate number, and may have to pay a fee to exercise this option. Alternately, or additionally, vehicle owners have to replace a small decal on the plate or use a decal on the windshield to indicate the expiration date of the vehicle registration, periodic safety and/or emissions inspections or vehicle taxation. Other jurisdictions have replaced the decal requirement through the use of computerization: a central database maintains records of which plate numbers are associated with expired registrations, communicating with automated number plate readers to enable law-enforcement to identify expired registrations in the field.

Placement[edit]

Plates are usually fixed directly to a vehicle or to a plate frame that is fixed to the vehicle. Sometimes, the plate frames contain advertisements inserted by the vehicle service centre or the dealership from which the vehicle was purchased. Vehicle owners can also purchase customized frames to replace the original frames. In some jurisdictions registration plate frames are illegal or have design restrictions. For example, many states, like Texas, allow plate frames but prohibit plate frames from covering the name of the state, province, district, Native American tribe or country that issued of license plate (when that information appears on the plate). Plates are designed to conform to standards with regard to being read by eye in day or at night, or by electronic equipment. Some drivers purchase clear, smoke-colored or tinted covers that go over the registration plate to prevent electronic equipment from scanning the registration plate. Legality of these covers varies. Some cameras incorporate filter systems that make such avoidance attempts unworkable, usually with infra-red filters.

Vehicles pulling trailers, such as caravans and semi-trailer trucks, are typically required to display a third registration plate on the rear of the trailer.

Plate design considerations[edit]

An engineering study by the University of Illinois published in 1960 recommended that the state of Illinois adopt a numbering system and plate design 'composed of combinations of characters which can be perceived quickly and accurately, are legible at a distance of approximately 125 feet (38 m) under daylight conditions, and are readily adapted to filing and administrative procedures'. It also recommended that a standard plate size of 6 inches by 14 inches be adopted through the United States to replace the earlier 6 inch by 12 inch size to allow longer registration numbers to be displayed without excessively tight spacing or excessively thin or narrow characters.[1]

In order to combat registration plate fraud, since the 1920s several jurisdictions developed their own anti-fraud typefaces so that characters cannot be painted or modified to resemble other characters. Since the 1990s, many jurisdictions have adopted FE-Schrift typeface.

English uses 10 digits and 26 letters (languages such as German, Icelandic and Danish allow for extra letters), so assuming that the letters vs. numbers must appear in particular locations, (common on plates in most jurisdictions, for instance 4 numbers and 2 letters where the letters must come first, allowing AB1234 but excluding A12B34). Allowing for repeating letters and numbers, the combinations for each of these will be:

Possible combinations
Combinations possible
with particular arrangements
All possible combinationsDigitsLettersSample
2,600,00015,600,00051123 45A
26,000,000182,000,00061123 A 456
6,760,000101,400,00042AB 12 34
67,600,0001,419,600,00052AB 123 45
17,576,000351,520,00033ABC 123
175,760,0006,151,600,0004312 ABC 34
456,976,00015,994,160,00034AB 123 CD

If letters and digits can appear in any order, it is problematic to allow both the letter O and the digit 0 to be used. Even if the license plate uses distinguishable characters for the two, someone transcribing the plate may not know which symbol has which meaning, and the owner of plate EM6F9VO may get in trouble for something the owner of plate EM6F9V0 did. Other letter/number pairs, like I and 1, may be similarly problematic to a lesser degree. Allowing for repeating letters and numbers, the combinations for each of these will be:

Possible combinations
Combinations possible
with digit 0 excluded
Combinations possible
with letter O excluded
DigitsLetters
9,211,64415,000,00051
96,722,262175,000,00061
66,528,54093,750,00042
838,259,6041,312,500,00052
256,258,080312,500,00033
4,036,064,7605,468,750,00043
11,659,742,64013,671,875,00034

History[edit]

France was the first country to introduce the registration plate with the passage of the Paris Police Ordinance on August 14, 1893,[2] followed by Germany in 1896.[3] The Netherlands was the first country to introduce a national registration plate, called a 'driving permit', in 1898. Initially these plates were just sequentially numbered, starting at 1, but this was changed in 1906.

In the U.S., where each state issues plates, New York State has required plates since 1903 (black numerals on a white background) after first requiring in 1901 that only the owner's initials be clearly visible on the back of the vehicle.[4] At first, plates were not government issued in most jurisdictions and motorists were obliged to make their own. In 1903, Massachusetts was the first state to issue plates.

In Spain, the first law to define rules on non-animal vehicle traction was Real orden de 1897 de circulación de vehículos cuyo motor no sea la fuerza animal[5] and the registration of vehicles was defined as a per province task in the Reglamento de 1900 para el servicio de coches automóviles por las carreteras.[6][7]

The first Spanish registration plate, PM-1, was issued for a Clément-Talbot on 31 October 1900 in Palma de Majorca.[8][9] From 1901 to 1905 256 vehicles were registered.[10]

UK plates were first required from 1 January 1904 by the Motor Car Act 1903.[11]

Materials[edit]

The earliest plates were made of porcelain baked onto iron or ceramic with no backing, which made them fragile and impractical. Few of these early plates survived. Later experimental materials include cardboard, leather, plastic, and, during wartime shortages, copper and pressed soybeans.

  • Murlan card games. The damage to the porcelain on this Wyoming license plate from 1916 exposed the iron causing it to rust.

  • In 1944 Wyoming license plates were made of soybean-based fiberboard due to metal conservation for World War II.

New technology has allowed for the development of digital license plates. In 2018, Michigan approved Public Act 656, making electronic license plates legal[12].

Sizes[edit]

Early 20th century plates varied in size and shape from one jurisdiction to the next, such that if someone moved, new holes would need to be drilled into the automobile (often on the bumper) to support the new plate. Standardization of plates came in 1957, when automobile manufacturers came to agreement with governments and international standards organizations. While peculiar local variants exist, there are three basic standards worldwide:

  • 520 by 110 mm (20.5 by 4.3 inches) or 520 by 120 mm (20.5 by 4.7 inches) - in the bulk of European countries and many of their former overseas territories, as well as North Korea and South Korea.
  • 305 by 152 mm (12.0 by 6.0 inches) or 305 by 160 mm (12.0 by 6.3 inches) - in the majority of North America and Central America, and parts of South America; occasionally in Switzerland and Liechtenstein; and many Persian Gulf countries.
  • 372 by 135 mm (14.6 by 5.3 inches) - in Australia and some other Pacific Rim countries, about halfway between the dimensions of the other two standards, longer than Western Hemisphere plates but taller than European ones.

Additional sizes include:

  • Front: 260 by 90 mm (10.2 by 3.5 inches) - Rear: 340 by 110 mm (13.4 by 4.3 inches) - in Monaco.
  • from 275 by 200 mm (10.8 by 7.9 inches) to 340 by 220 mm (13.4 by 8.7 inches) - two line pattern, optional in several European countries for 4x4 and Imported Vehicles;
  • 275 by 205 mm (10.8 by 8.1 inches) - in Vietnam.
  • 300 by 80 mm (11.8 by 3.1 inches) - Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
  • 310 by 155 mm (12.2 by 6.1 inches) - in Saudi Arabia.
  • 320 by 90 mm (12.6 by 3.5 inches) - in Iraq.
  • 330 by 165 mm (13.0 by 6.5 inches) - in Japan.[citation needed]
  • 330 by 140 mm (13.0 by 5.5 inches) - in Andorra.
  • 340 by 150 mm (13.4 by 5.9 inches) - in Thailand.
  • 360 by 125 mm (14.2 by 4.9 inches) - in New Zealand.
  • 360 by 130 mm (14.2 by 5.1 inches) - in Chile.
  • 360 by 110 mm (14.2 by 4.3 inches) - in Italy (front plates), and Oman.
  • 380 by 160 mm (15.0 by 6.3 inches) - in Taiwan.
  • 390 by 120 mm (15.4 by 4.7 inches) - in San Marino.
  • 400 by 130 mm (15.7 by 5.1 inches) - in the Mercosur member countries, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and others. originally based on the 2008 Brazilian standard.
  • 404 by 154 mm (15.9 by 6.1 inches) - in Ecuador.
  • 430 by 110 mm (16.9 by 4.3 inches) - in Jordan.
  • 430 by 135 mm (16.9 by 5.3 inches) - in Indonesia.
  • 440 by 120 mm (17.3 by 4.7 inches) - in South Africa and Finland.
  • 440 by 140 mm (17.3 by 5.5 inches) - in China, but 480 by 140 mm (18.9 by 5.5 inches) for New Energy vehicles.
  • 450 by 100 mm (17.7 by 3.9 inches) - in Syria and Tunisia.

Previous sizes included:

  • 320 by 150 mm (12.6 by 5.9 inches) - in Paraguay and Taiwan; Paraguay now uses Mercosur size plates.
  • 330 by 155 mm (13.0 by 6.1 inches) - in South Korea, now uses European size plates.
  • 340 by 110 mm (13.4 by 4.3 inches) - in Belgium before 2013.
  • 340 by 120 mm (13.4 by 4.7 inches) - in Luxembourg before 2003.
  • 350 by 155 mm (13.8 by 6.1 inches) - in Uruguay before 2016.
  • 390 by 120 mm (15.4 by 4.7 inches) - in Finland before 2001.
  • 420 by 120 mm (16.5 by 4.7 inches) - in Serbia before 2011, based on Yugoslavia's standard.

Africa[edit]

Botswana[edit]

Florida license plate dmv
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Botswana

Normal vehicles have number plates starting with the letter B, followed by three digits, followed by three letters. The digits and letters are assigned by a registrar. The three letters never include the letter Q, to avoid confusion with O. Botswana number plates have a reflective white front and yellow rear background, and black lettering.

Government vehicles all have the prefix 'BX' - these number plates have a white reflective background with red lettering at the front and white on red at the rear. After 'BX' is the last two numerals of the date of issue and then up to four serial numbers.

Botswana Defence Force vehicles have the prefix 'BDF' in white on an 'army' green background.

Diplomatic vehicles' number plates start with two numerals which indicate the embassy to which they are attached, then two letters CD (Corps Diplomatique), CC (Consular Corps status) or CT (Foreign Technical and Advisory personnel) and another three digits which are serial. The official car of the Head of Mission uses the letters CMD rather that CD and the private vehicle uses CDA.This series is allocated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.[13]

Botswana is the former British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, and number-plates then used a 'BP' prefix (then BPA, BPB etc.) followed by up to three numbers, in white on black background, the plates being made in the characteristic style of South Africa at that time.

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Burkina Faso[edit]

Burkina Faso passenger plate
Burkina Faso Gendarmerie plate

Vehicles are fitted with registration plates in the front and rear of the vehicle. Motorcycles (50cc or more) must be licensed and only bear rear plates. Registration is performed at the local police or Gendarmerie station. The first digits of the plate indicate the province in which the vehicle is registered. Only plates which meet government standards and are sold by licensed dealers may be fitted.[14]

Private passenger car registration plates have a white background with black letters and numbers. Plates exist in a long pattern and a rectangular pattern, similar in size and appearance to French plates. Motorola cps programming software questionnaire. The plate is adorned with a small flag of Burkina Faso in the shape of the country, inscribed in a black circle. The letters 'BF' appear below the circle, also in black. This circle and BF design is to the right of the long plate and to the upper right of the rectangular plate. Motorcycle plates are similar to rectangular automobile plates, but smaller.

Commercial registration plates are similar in appearance to private plates, but the background is blue, and the writing and circle are white.

Security forces plates are black with white letters. They are adorned with the emblem of the relevant security service.

Cameroon[edit]

Cameroonian diplomatic registration plate

Vehicles in Cameroon display registration plates.

Kenya[edit]

An old Kenyan number plate from the 1970s
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Kenya

The current series of vehicle registration plates in Kenya are on a white plate with black lettering and look quite similar to UK suffix style registrations. The format is LLL 000L, where ‘L’ denotes a letter and ‘0’ denotes a digit. The older series of number plates were black with white or silver lettering. The rear plates in the older series of number plates were yellow and black lettering. According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics there are over 1,626,380 vehicles on Kenyan roads as at 2011.[15]

Morocco[edit]

Morocco, Agadir registration plate

New-style (post-1983, black lettering on white) Moroccan vehicle registrations have two numbers to the right of the plate to indicate the town of registration. Each number is separated by a vertical line. To the left of the plate are a series of up to 4 digits issued consecutively. These are separated from the town of registration digits by a hyphen.

Earlier plates (1972-1983, black lettering on white. Pre-1972, white lettering on black) differed in that they could have either one or two numbers to indicate the town of registration. The group of digits was separated from the rest of the plate by a vertical line.

The current plates use numerals without script. Earlier plates used numerals and included Arabic script.

South Africa[edit]

Northern Province number plate (1995)
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of South Africa

South African number plates are unique in each of the provinces. Each province has its own number plate design and colors, as well as numbering scheme.

Americas[edit]

Argentina[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Argentina
Argentina's registration plate

The history of registration plates in Argentina can be broken down in two major phases, the decentralized phase (until 1972) and the centralized one (since 1972). During the decentralized phase, registration plates were assigned by each municipality or by the provinces, while during the second phase, the national state took charge of standardizing and centralizing the design and style.

Argentina uses the ABC 123 format since 1995. However, from 2016, new registration plates with the logo of Mercosur and the AB 123 CD format were implemented. Both formats coexist temporarily.[16]

Bolivia[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Bolivia
Bolivian registration plate issued in La Paz, as indicated by the 'L' sticker in the top right corner

Bolivia's current registration plate system consists of four numbers followed by three letters. At the top of the plate, 'BOLIVIA' is spelled out. At the top left corner, the Bolivian flag may be present, and at the top right corner, a letter denoting the department in which the car is registered, according to the ISO 3166-2:BO code, is displayed on either a metal tab on older plates or a sticker on newer plates. The current registration plate design consists of a white background with a blue borderline and blue letters and numbers.

Serial digits progress sequentially from right to left, with the 000 AAA format followed by the 1000AAA format and currently the 4000AAA format.

Older plate serials consisted of three numbers followed by three letters (A to Z, except O and Q). They had a white background with black letters and numbers.

Brazil[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Brazil
Rear plate from Pernambuco, Brazil

Brazil adopted its current system in 1990, which uses the form ABC 1234, with a dot between letters and numbers. A combination given to one vehicle cannot be transferred to another vehicle.Above the combination there is a metallic band with the state abbreviation (SP = São Paulo, RJ = Rio de Janeiro, PR = Paraná, AM = Amazonas, etc.) and the name of the municipality in which the vehicle title owner resides. During the first registration of a new vehicle, the registering state issues a registration plate to the vehicle rather than owner, and the serial stays with the vehicle for its life.

Canada[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Canada
Standard New Brunswick plate

Some provinces issue plates in which the letters and numbers are embossed so that they are slightly raised above its surface. Others issue flat plates. The territory of Nunavut introduced the first flat registration plate in Canada in 2012–2013.

When a person moves from one province to another, they are normally required to obtain new registration plates issued by the new place of residence.

In the Canadian provinces and territories of Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon, registration plates are currently only required on the rear of the vehicle. The remaining provinces—British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario—require the registration plates to be mounted on both the front and rear of the vehicle.

In 1956, all North American passenger vehicle registration plates, except for French-controlled St. Pierre and Miquelon, were standardized at a size of 6 in × 12 in (152.40 mm × 304.80 mm), although a smaller size is used for certain vehicle classes, such as motorcycles, and for the state of Delaware's historic alternate black and white plates, which are 5.25 in × 9.5 in (133.35 mm × 241.30 mm). The plates of Nunavut and Northwest Territories are shaped like a polar bear but bolt to the standard holes.[17] Nunavut has created prototypes of standard registration plates with various patterns distinct from those of the Northwest Territories.

Canadian Forces vehicles that travel on regular roads display registration plates. These vehicles have registration plates issued by the Department of National Defence. Domestic plates were issued by the DND after 1968. By contrast, tactical vehicles of the United States military do not bear registration plates, even if they travel regularly on public streets and highways.

Prison inmates in some Canadian provinces make registration plates.[18]

Greenland[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Greenland

(Kingdom of Denmark)

Greenlandic vehicle registration plates normally have two letters and five digits. The combination is simply a serial and has no connection with a geographic location, but the digits have number series based on vehicle type.

Mexico[edit]

Mexico - Sonora registration plate
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Mexico

Each Mexican state issues registration plates of a different design. Most states change designs more or less every third year, with each state on its own plate replacement cycle. Every year Mexicans pay the 'tenencia' or 'revalidación de placas' (car plates renewal tax). A set of Mexican plates includes one pair of plates, a windshield sticker, and in a few states a plate sticker. In 2001 the size of the plate number was reduced to accommodate the addition of the state number, legend indicating the position of the plate on the vehicle ('delantera' (front) or 'trasera' (rear)), and additional graphics. European-sized plates do exist in Mexico, but are not official or technically even legal.[19] These generally contain the same design as the standard-size plate in use at the time, and bear the standard letter and number sequence.

Mexican plates come in several different classification: Private, Private Border, Public, Public Border, Federal Public Service, Fiscal and Customs Inspection, Mexico Army, and diplomatic. The border plates were introduced in 1972 and are available in the Mexico-USA border zone. This zone is formed by the Baja California and Baja California Sur states, as well as parts of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas. While the state of Nuevo León shares a 15 km (9 mi) border with the U.S., it does not have any cities within the border zone.

Panama[edit]

In Panama, the design of registration plates changes every year and have the same shape of US license plates. They used to be made by prison inmates but now they are made on demand and on site using a press. They used to have 6 numbers but since 2013 new plates for new vehicles they have 2 letters and 4 numbers. the 2 letters go before the numbers. they have a sticker on one of the corners indicating in which month of the year te plate was issued. On the bottom center of the plate is the year when the plate was issued. They also have holograms on the right edge of the plate. On the top center the plate has the word PANAMA. Government vehicles always begin with GO. Taxis begin with T and are always yellow. School buses say COLEGIAL instead of the year the plate was issued. Motorcycles begin with M. Metro buses begin with MB. Plates for motorcycles are about half the size. Plates of vehicles belonging to the national assembly are always white and have the logo of the national assembly on the left and 2 numbers on the right and are always white. Vehicles of government executives have no license (or registration) plate. Vehicles from central america can be used freely in Panama without having to change license plates but only if the vehicle will not be staying indefinitely in Panama.Vehicles also have to be checked every year when changing the license plate. The plate must be changed every year and once the vehicle is checked a sticker must be attached to the back of the vehicle's windshield. The color of the sticker changes every year.

United States[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of the United States

Although registration plates have only existed for just over one hundred years in the United States, they have developed a distinctive history that has undergone several periods and changes.

Standard Michigan plate. In the United States, the term 'SAMPLE' is used in every state as a fictitious example plate number.

The first registration plates in North America appeared in 1903 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.[20] Soon after, other states followed suit, with virtually every state having adopted a form of registration plates by 1918.[citation needed]

The first registration plates in the United States were made out of leather, rubber, iron, and porcelain, painted on the front in usually two different colors—one for the background and one for the lettering. This scheme held true for most states until about 1920. The front of the plate would usually contain the registration number in large digits, and in smaller lettering on one side of the plate, the two- or four-digit year number, and an abbreviated state name. Each year, citizens were usually required to obtain a new registration plate from the state government, which would have a different color scheme than the previous year, making it easier for police to identify whether citizens were current with their vehicle registration.

Even before 1920, some states had adopted the technique of embossing the metal plates with raised lettering and numbering, without porcelain, and applying paint all over the plate, directly onto the metal. Minnesota introduced some registration plates during this period with three different years embossed into the plate, so that the plates were valid for three consecutive years (e.g., 1918, 1919, and 1920).

In the United States, registration plates are issued by each state. The federal government issues plates only for its own vehicle fleet and for vehicles owned by foreign diplomats. In the United States, many American Indian tribal governments issue plates for their members, while some states provide special issues for tribal members. Within each jurisdiction, there may also be special plates for groups such as firefighters or military veterans, and for state, municipality, or province-owned vehicles.

The appearance of plates is frequently chosen to contain symbols or slogans associated with the issuing jurisdiction. Some of these are intended to promote the region. A few make political statements; for example, most plates issued in District of Columbia include the phrase 'Taxation Without Representation' to highlight D.C.'s lack of a voting representative in the United States Congress. More recently, some states have also started to put a web address pertaining to the state (such as Pennsylvania, which posts the address of its tourism site). In some states (Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and some versions in Florida), the issuing county is listed at the bottom, while Kansas does so with a letter-coded registration sticker; Utah did so until 2003. Indiana identifies counties with a two-digit code in the lower right corner of its plates. Alabama, Idaho, Montana, Ohio, South Dakota, Wyoming, most Nebraska, and some Oklahoma standard issue plates designate the county by unique codes, usually numeric (Idaho uses a one-letter or one-number/one-letter code; Oklahoma uses a one-letter code), either in the plate number or registration sticker. Some states, such as New Hampshire, New Mexico, and New York, formerly used county-coded or county-labeled plates before switching to standard-progression plates.

Standard Pennsylvania plate

Most states use plates onto which the letters and numbers are embossed so that they are slightly raised above its surface. Characters on Vermont plates are engraved onto a large, slightly raised portion of the plate. Seventeen states—Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas[21], Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wyoming—and District of Columbia, have moved to entirely digitally printed 'flat' registration plates. Several other states, such as Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, produce a flat registration plate only for certain plates, such as personalized license plates and special interest plates. Nevada reverted from using flat registration plates to using embossed plates, after using flat plates as a standard issue for a few years.[22][23]

The numbering system of registration plates also varies among the jurisdictions. Some states issue a motorist a serial that stays with that person as long as they live in that state, while other states periodically issue new serials and completely rotate out any old ones. Some states issue registration plates to vehicles rather than owners, and the serial stays with the vehicle for its life. Several states do not regularly use certain letters — most commonly the letters I, O, and/or Q — in their plates, except on vanity plates, so as not to confuse observers with the numbers one and zero.

When a person moves from one state to another, they are normally required to obtain new registration plates issued by the new place of residence. Some U.S. states will even require a person to obtain new plates if they accept employment in that state, unless they can show that they return to another state to live on a regular basis. The most prominent exceptions to this policy are active duty military service members, who legally do not change residence when they move to a new posting. Federal law specifically allows them to choose to either retain the state vehicle registration of their original residence or change registration to their state of assignment.

In the United States, 19 states – Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia – do not require an official front registration plate. In 2004, Puerto Rico established the designs of the United States plates and the requirements of the United States plates.[24][25] In Nevada, front plates are optional if the vehicle was not designed for a front plate and the manufacturer did not provide an add-on bracket or other means of displaying the front plate.[26] In Massachusetts, certain old rear-only plates are grandfathered, but newly issued registrations require both front and rear plates. Vehicles owned by the United States Postal Service, unlike other federally owned civilian vehicles, do not bear registration plates, but rather a postal service number such as on the Grumman LLV.

In 1956, all North American passenger vehicle registration plates, except for French-controlled St. Pierre and Miquelon, were standardized at a size of 6 in × 12 in (152.40 mm × 304.80 mm), although a smaller size is used for certain vehicle classes, such as motorcycles, and for the state of Delaware's historic alternate black and white plates, which are 5.25 in × 9.5 in (133.35 mm × 241.30 mm).

Tactical vehicles of the United States military do not bear registration plates, even if they travel regularly on public streets and highways.

In many U.S. states, registration plates are made by prison inmates.[27] Because of this, colloquial terms include 'license plate factories' for prison and 'making license plates' for serving a prison sentence.

Asia[edit]

Afghanistan[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Afghanistan
Afghanistan LP - Kabul

Afghan registration plates primarily use Persian script text and numerals. The current version was introduced in 2004.[28]

Bangladesh[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Bangladesh
Some of the old Number plates in Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi registration plates use Bengali alphabets and Bengali numerals.In Bangladesh, the Road Transport Authority (BRTA) issues vehicle registration plates for motor vehicles. The vehicle registration plates in Bangladesh use Bengali alphabets and Bengali numerals. The current version of Vehicle registration plates started in 1973. The International vehicle registration code for Bangladesh is BD.

The general format of vehicle registration plates in Bangladesh is 'City - Vehicle Class alphabet and No - Vehicle No'. For example, : 'DHAKA-D-11-9999'. The 'DHAKA' field represents the city name in Bengali alphabets, the 'D' field represents the vehicle class in Bengali alphabets, the '11' field represents the vehicle registration serial in Bengali numerals (newer registrations have a higher serial number) and finally, the '9999' field represents the vehicle number of the vehicle in Bengali numerals.

The plates are installed in both the front and rear of the vehicle, with the rear plate permanently attached to the vehicle. The plate is only removed when the vehicle has reached the end of service and has been sold for scrap. New vehicles are not delivered to the purchaser until the plates have been attached at the dealership.

China[edit]

Mainland[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of China
Blue PRC registration plate of the 1992 standard

The People's Republic of China issues vehicles registration plates at its Vehicle Management Offices, under the administration of the Ministry of Public Security.

The current plates are of the 2007 standard (GA36-2007), blue background and consist a one-character provincial abbreviation, a letter of the Latin alphabet corresponding to a certain city in the province, and five numbers or letters of the alphabet (e.g. 京A-12345, for a vehicle in Beijing or 粤B-12345 for a vehicle from Shenzhen in Guangdong province). The numbers are produced at random, and are computer-generated at the issuing office. (A previous registration plate system, with a green background and the full name of the province in Chinese characters, actually had a sequential numbering order, and the numbering system was eventually beset with corruption).

Yellow plates are issued to motorcycles and large vehicles, such as coaches and buses. Black plates are issued to vehicles belong to diplomatic missions and foreigners (including Hong Kong and Macau). Vehicles registered in Hong Kong or Macau and permitted to enter China would be required to have a separate black plate from China as Hong Kong and Macau operate their own vehicles registration system. The Chinese plates for these cars followed the pattern of the provincial character for Guangdong (粤), the Latin letter 'Z', 4 letters and/or numbers, ending in the abbreviated character for the territory (e.g. 港 for Hong Kong and 澳 for Macau).

For motorcycles, the front plate only included five numbers and rear contained the full information (e.g. for a motorcycle registered in Shanghai as 沪C•12345, the front plate would be '12345' and the rear plate bears the entire set).

Hong Kong[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Hong Kong

Hong Kong number plates follow the British system of colouring, with front white and rear yellow plates. The numbering system is two letters and (up to) four digits, e.g. AB1234. Registration plate numbers start with 'AM' are reserved for government use. The front white and rear yellow background is a reflective material to comply with the BS AU145a standard.

In addition, Hong Kong started a new scheme in 2006 to allow personalised registration plates, with up to eight selectable letters or numbers.

Macau[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Macau
Macau number plates for private vehicles, as observed in 2009

Macau local registration plates follow the Portuguese pre-1992 system of colour and sequence. Plates are black background with white numbers. Numbering system starts from M, and then one letter, and then 4 numbers, and separated by '-', e.g. MA-12-34. Earlier numbers will only have M instead of MA or MB or MC, etc.

Taiwan[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Taiwan

In the Republic of China vehicle registration plates are issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, he registration numbers contain Latin letters (A to Z), Arabic numerals (0 to 9) and dash (–), and plates also bear Chinese characters.

India[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of India
Florida
Main article: List of Regional Transport Office districts in India
Indian vehicle registration plate

Vehicle registration plates, usually known as number plates, are issued by the Regional Transport Office of each district. Most motor vehicles which are used on public roads are required by law to display them. The new system which is followed currently in all the states and cities came into effect in the early 1990s.[citation needed] The scheme comprises:

  • A two letter identification for the state in which the vehicle is registered.[citation needed]
  • A two number code to identify the Regional Transport Office where the vehicle is registered.[citation needed]
  • An alphabet code to define the series. (one or two Alphabet, depending on vehicle density of the district/RTO)[citation needed]
  • A four digit serial.[citation needed]

For Example, in the case of 'MH 10 EL 5311', 'MH' stands for Maharashtra, '10' stands for Sangli city RTO, and 'EL 5311' denotes the series and serial number.[citation needed]

The Delhi NCR however uses a modified system wherein an additional alphabet is inserted after the RTO code to classify vehicle type.[citation needed] For example, a Delhi registration plate may read 'DL 12 C AB 0496' where 'DL' stands for Delhi, '12 C' stands for Car, and 'AB 0496' is the series and number.[citation needed] In this scheme, 'C' denotes Car, 'S' denotes Scooter/Motorcycle, 'R' stands for rickshaw (three-wheeler), 'F' stands for 'Fancy' or VIP numbers irrespective of vehicle type; and 'P' for Public transport vehicles.[citation needed]

Some states have been adapting the dual letter series code system, for example car series' are CA, CB, CC; motorbike series' are MA, MB and so on.[citation needed] Most states however still use the standard series code, denoted by a single letter of the alphabet.[citation needed]

Indonesia[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Indonesia

Indonesian vehicle plates share the legacy of the Dutch colonial era, which do not reflect the regional divisions of the country into provinces, but the old system of karesidenan or residencies. Their prefixes are therefore based on this system. There are four types of plates that are used in Indonesia, all consists of a combination of alphabet and numbers.

B identifies the vehicle is from JADETABEK which can be from the following cities: Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang that includes South Tangerang, and Bekasi. 6703 WJF are random numbers and letters from the police. 07.18 identifies the expiry date of the plate which is July 2018 and at the bottom left of the plate there is a small logo of the Indonesian National Traffic Police. This plate is the new design starting from 2012
  • For commercial and public vehicles, a yellow background with black typeface.
  • For private vehicles, a black background with white typeface.
  • For government vehicles, a red background with white typeface.
  • Dealer plates are white background with red typeface, usually for vehicles yet to have legal and confirmed information and owner.

Besides these normal plates, there are also military plates for Army, Navy, Air Force, and also the Police. While diplomatic corps get special white plates and black numbering with 'CD' prefix. The normal scheme comprises a one or two letters identification for the regencies, followed by an up to four digit numbers for the car's identification, and the last one to three letters are the serial code or district identification. The expiry date of the licence is embossed along the bottom and some on the top of the plate. At the middle of the plate number, the numbers are usually random or requested by the vehicle owner and has a maximum of four digits and a maximum of three letters at the end of the vehicle's plate number, for example it could be: (B 1 T), (B 12 TE), (B 123 TE), and (B 1234 TWE). Sometimes the last maximum three letters at the end of the plate identifies the district region of the registered vehicle by the first letter, for example: (B 1234 WEW) which 'W' identifies the vehicle is from the region of Southern South Tangerang city (Kota Tangerang Selatan), Banten province. Vehicle owners may request their vehicle's last letters plate for their own desire, but would need more affairs by the local police registering it, for example that the owner's name is 'Adi' then he would make his vehicle's plate number like so: (B 1234 ADI).

Example:

  • B 1234 AB, is mainly a vehicle registered in Jakarta, distinguishable from the letter code from the first letter of the plate, 'B' which represents the following cities: Jakarta, Tangerang that includes South Tangerang, Depok, and Bekasi that is shortened as 'JADETABEK'. Mainly, vehicles registered in 2008 or 2009 and later starts using three letters at the end of the whole plate, for example: B 1234 ABC
  • L 123 MN, is a vehicle registered in Surabaya, the provincial capital of East Java (Jawa Timur). Surabaya code is 'L'
  • DB 787 AA, is a vehicle registered in North Sulawesi which includes Minahasa and Manado which is the capital city of the province. North Sulawesi code is 'DB'
  • KT 8910 T, is a vehicle registered in East Kalimantan Province, Tarakan municipality, on Borneo island. East Kalimantan code is 'KT'
  • F 8888 LU, is a vehicle registered in Bogor city, West Java. Bogor city code is 'F'

The plates usually have their expiration dates shown below or very few on the top of the serial numbers, indicating its expiry month and year, so if it says (03.15) it means that the plate expires at March 2015, so the owner of the vehicle should pay tax and get a new plate at that time, to which the process is redone every 5 years. A new plate design introduced in April 2011 eliminates a white line circling the whole plate and has thinner typeface.

Iran[edit]

New Registration Plate in Iran
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Iran

Iranian registration plates are sized to European standards.

Iraq[edit]

Iraq registration plate 53964 - 2001
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Iraq

Japan[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Japan
Japanese registration plate (schematic illustration). This sample registration plate is registered to Tama.

Japanese vehicle registration plates fall into two classes: Prefectural, used nationwide, and Municipal. Municipal registration is typically applicable to motor vehicles that will not leave the area, such as light motorcycles.

In the prefectural system, the top line names the office at which the vehicle is registered, and includes a numeric code that indicates the class of vehicle. The bottom contains one serial letter (typically a kana), and up to four digits. The classes of registration plate are divided by vehicle type and engine size. For private vehicles less than 660 cc (40 cu in), registration plates have black text on a yellow background. Above 660 cc (40 cu in), a white plate with green text is used. For commercial, non-private vehicles, the colors of the number plate are inverted. An official seal is applied over one (typically the left) screw, preventing the plate being removed and applied to another car.

Municipal registration plates in Japan may vary in color and design.[citation needed]

Jordan[edit]

Jordanian private vehicle registration plate
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Jordan

Jordan requires its residents to register their motor vehicles and display vehicle registration plates.

Korea[edit]

North Korea[edit]

North Korean registration plate from Pyongyang (1992)

North Korean vehicle plates follow the pattern XX-##-###, where 'XX' is replaced with two Hangul syllables) spelling the province name.

The most common plates are embossed black-on-white to indicate state ownership; plates indicating KPA use are white-on-black. Motorcycle plates are black-on-yellow or black-on-orange. The very few privately owned motor vehicles which exist in North Korea bear black-on-red plates, while diplomatic plates are white-on-blue. Other types of vehicles (trolleys, emergency vehicles, buses/taxis) are indicated with additional numerical prefixes.

South Korea[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of South Korea
South Korean vehicle registration plate

In South Korea, 6 types of registration number plates (3 variations of size, both non-commercial and commercial) are issued currently. Prior to 2006, sizes of plates were 335 by 155 mm (13.2 by 6.1 in) for normal vehicles and 440 by 200 mm (17.3 by 7.9 in) for large vehicles (buses with length over 6 metres (19 feet 8 inches) and trucks with payload over 4 t (3.9 long tons; 4.4 short tons)). Since November 2006, standard plate size for normal vehicles was changed to 520 by 110 mm (20.5 by 4.3 in), resembling European Union standard. Nonetheless, older 335 mm (13.2 in) plates are still effective for older vehicles and some models not fit for new standard, which are mostly imported cars. One example is the Ford Mustang. Even cars with 520 mm (20.5 in) plate in front and 335 mm (13.2 in) plate in rear are not rare.

Non-commercial vehicles (nationwide registration number '00-X-0000': X is one Hangeul character denoting type of vehicle) bear plates with white background and black letters, while commercial vehicles (Region name is added as prefix like 'Seoul 12 GA 3456') with yellow background and black letters. In older system, non-commercial vehicles plates had green background and white letters.

There are a few exceptions, including diplomats and United States military.

Malaysia[edit]

A standard Peninsular Malaysian registration plate, registered in Penang and affixed on a dealership plate frame.
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Malaysia

Malaysian registration plates are displayed at the front and rear of all private and commercial motorised vehicles in Malaysia, as required by law. The issuing of the registration plates is regulated and administered by the Malaysian Road Transport Department (Malay: Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia) or JPJ.

Nepal[edit]

Nepal embossed plate was started from 2017 AD.In Nepal, all road vehicles with or without a motor (except bicycles) are tagged with a registration number. Registration plates are commonly known as number plates. The registration plate number is issued by the zonal-level Transport Management Office, a government agency under the Department of Transport Management. The registration plates must be placed in the front as well as back of the vehicle.

The President of Nepal travels in an official vehicle that has no number on its plates. Instead it has the Coat of Arms of Nepal embossed on it.

Current system

The current format was introduced on 21 August 2017. This format consists of L LL NNNN where:

L is the category of vehicle,LL is a 'counter' comprising two letters, which increments after the sequence number reaches 9999.NNNN is a sequence number from 0001 to 9999.These plates come with a RFID microchip that enables the government to maintain uniformity in issuance of number plates and prevent duplication. Similarly, the new number plates also help authorities to maintain digital records of vehicles plying on the roads, collect revenue on time and control auto theft.

Pakistan[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Pakistan

Eight types of registration plates are used in Pakistan. Each province and territory issues its own number plate; the federal government issues number plates for foreign diplomats and vehicles owned by the military, police and federal departments (red for foreign diplomats and green for the federal government.) Sindh's number plates are yellow with black letters and numbers for private vehicles and Black number plates with white letters for commercial vehicles; Islamabad, NWFP, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Balochistan and Northern Areas have white number plates with black letters and numbers. The number plates also have the province or territory's name at the bottom. In Punjab however, number plates can be of any color the vehicle owner chooses. But legally it is not allowed. The first 2 letters represent the city the vehicle is registered in.

From January 1, 2006, Punjab has started issuing official number plates for all cars registered in Punjab. Number plates are of Green and White color. The green part is the same all over Punjab and has a sign and 'Punjab' written on it, while the white part has the number of the vehicle.

For example:

  • RIZ 3725, is a vehicle registered in Rawalpindi, Punjab.
  • MN 3909, is a vehicle registered in Multan, Punjab.
  • LEL 06 4520, is a vehicle registered in Lahore, Punjab. (06 represents year 2006)

All number plates use the Latin alphabet.

Saudi Arabia[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Saudi Arabia
2014 style Saudi Arabia registration plate

Saudi Arabian vehicle plates display both Arabic and Latin characters.

Singapore[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Singapore
Black on white(front) and black on yellow(rear) number plate scheme in Singapore
A white on black number plate scheme in Singapore

In general, every motor vehicle in Singapore has a vehicle registration number. Two colour schemes are in use: the black-on-white (front of the vehicle) and black-on-yellow (rear) scheme, or the more popular white-on-black scheme. The number plate has to be made of a reflective plastic or metallic with textured characters which are black (for white-yellow), or white or silver (for black ones). No standardised typeface is used, though all typefaces are based on the Charles Wright number plate typeface used in the UK. Thinner-looking variants are commonly used by SBS Transit buses, taxis and goods vehicles. Rarely, the FE-Schrift font used in Germany can be seen – though the use of this font is prohibited by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).[29]

A typical vehicle registration number comes in the format 'SBA 1234 A':

  • S – Vehicle class ('S', with some exceptions, stands for a private vehicle since 1984)
  • BA – Alphabetical series ('I' and 'O' are not used to avoid confusion with '1' and '0')
  • 1234 – Numerical series
  • A – Checksum letter ('F', 'I', 'N', 'O', 'Q', 'V' and 'W' are never used as checksum letters; absent on special government vehicle plates and events vehicle plates)

Sri Lanka[edit]

Sri Lankan Number Plate for Front side of Vehicle
Sri Lankan Number Plate for Rear side of Vehicle

Vehicle registration plates of Sri Lanka (known in Sri Lanka as 'number plates') started soon after introduction of motorcars in 1903. Initially the numbers started with Q, and the oldest existing plate is 'Q 53' of a 1903 Wolsley. Later the island was divided into sections from 'A ' to 'Z' (Ex A 123 ), then after World War II it changed to the two Roman letter plates combining pairs of letters in the word CEYLON . These series were CL XXXX, EY XXXX, EL XXXx . Afterwards in 1956 a new system with the Sinhala script letter Sri (ශ්‍රී) in the middle was introduced, this started from Reg no '1 Sri 1'.

The current series of car registrations in Sri Lanka was introduced in 2000 and is on yellow number plates with black characters and a black border. On the left hand side of the number plate is the country emblem, below which is a two-letter region identifier e.g. WP represents the Western Province. The format of the remainder of the registration is LL – DDDD, with L being a letter and D being a number. The previous series of registrations had been in effect since 1956 and was on brighter yellow plates with the format DD – DDDD. Also they didn’t have any national emblem or region identifier. Taxis have white number plates with red lettering.

Vietnam[edit]

Vietnamese civilian vehicle registration plate. 51 denotes that the province is Ho Chi Minh City.

The current Vietnamese registration plate design consists of a white background with black characters, each province has a regional number (located on the left side of the plate).Official and government cars bear blue registration plates, central government plates bear the number 80 followed by the letter A, B or M, diplomatique plates are white with NG wrote in red, company members vehicles are also white registration plate bearing LD letters in black. Military registration plates are red with white letter.

For example, 51X-XXXX would be used for civilian vehicles, 80X-XXXX with blue background for central government vehicles, 80-XXX-NG-XX for diplomatic vehicles, TC-XX-XX for military vehicles and XXLD-XXX.XX for company vehicles.

Thailand[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Thailand

United Arab Emirates[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of the United Arab Emirates

Europe[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Europe

In the European Union (EU), white or yellow number plates of a common format and size are issued throughout, although they are still optional in some member states. Nevertheless, some individual member states still use differing non-EU formats - Belgium, for example, still permits vehicles to display the older small white number plates with red lettering, and the registration plates that are issued by the government body which assigns these are of the smaller format, too. In 1908 number plates were only three numbers and one letter long. Italy still permits smaller plates to be attached to the front of a vehicle, while the rear plate complies to the usual EU format. The common design[30] consists of a blue strip on the left of the plate, which has the EU motif (12 yellow stars), along with the country code of the member state in which the vehicle was registered. Lettering on the plate must be black on a white or yellow reflective background.

According to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, vehicles in cross-border traffic are obliged to display a distinguishing sign of the country of registration on the rear of the vehicle. This sign may either be placed separately from the registration plate or may be incorporated into the vehicle registration plate. With registration plates in the common EU format, vehicles registered in the EU are no longer required to carry an international code plate or sticker for traveling within the European Economic Area. The common EU format is also recognized in countries signatory to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. As are registration plates of other European countries similar to the EU format, such as Norwegian ones; with the Norwegian flag replacing the circle of stars. Both the common EU format, and i.e. Norwegian registration plates satisfies the requirements laid out in the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic; According to the convention, when the distinguishing sign is incorporated into the registration plate, it must also appear on the front registration plate of the vehicle, and may be supplemented with the flag or emblem of the national state, or the emblem of the regional economic integration organization to which the country belongs.

Diplomatic plates are usually denoted by the letters 'CD' in Europe which stands for Corps Diplomatique located usually at the beginning of the number plate (France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal) or middle (Netherlands). The United Kingdom uses 'D' for 'diplomat'.

In order to combat registration plate fraud, Germany developed a typeface which is called fälschungserschwerende Schrift (abbr.: FE-Schrift), meaning 'falsification-hindering script'. It is designed so that, for example, the O cannot be adjusted to look like a Q, or vice versa; nor can the P be painted to resemble an R, amongst other changes. This typeface can more easily be read by radar or visual registration plate reading machines, but can be harder to read with the naked eye, especially when the maximum allowed number of 8 characters in 'Engschrift' (narrower script used when available space is limited) are printed on the plate. Many countries have since adopted FE-Schrift, or developed their own anti-fraud typeface.

Denmark[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Denmark

Denmark offers both a European or normal style registration plate. They have a fairly similar look, with the EU strip with the letters DK. Both styles are in the XX 12 345 format.

The first two letters run sequentially with no ties to any geographic region.

The first two digits determine the type of vehicle. For example, 10 through 18 are reserved for motorcycle.

Finland[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Finland

EU registration plates were introduced in Finland in 2001. EU plates are automatically given to all vehicles unless the owner makes a separate request for old model plates. If desired, EU plates can be changed for old model ones at inspection sites. Registration plates used in Finland are made of aluminium with a reflective membrane coating. Numbers and letters are embossed and painted. The embossing height is 1-1.2 mm.

Standard Finnish registration plate as seen in 2007.

The number sequence of the registration plate cannot start with a zero, nor can zero be the only number. The letter combination CD is reserved for diplomatic vehicles.Usually the next available ID is given as the plate number. Special registration plates with a selected ID are also available upon request. A special registration plate is a regular plate with a special ID. The ID is subject to certain restrictions and requires a separate application subject to a fee. The application fee for a special registration plate is EUR 900.A vehicle has one or two plates depending on the vehicle class. In certain cases, a vehicle can also be given an additional plate.

Norway[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Norway

The registration number of cars in Norway is maintained by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications. As in most countries, cars are identified only by number plates read visually.The current alphanumerical system (two letters followed by five numbers) was introduced in 1971. The design of the plates remained the same until 2002, when the road authorities decided on a new font which standardized the width of each character.[31] The new design was unsuccessful due to legibility issues, for example the letters 'A' and 'R' were often hard to distinguish. From 2006 the font was changed again to improve legibility, and space was provided for a blue nationality stripe with a Norwegian flag.[32] From 2009, plates were made of plastic, and produced in a factory at Tønsberg.[33] From 2012, plates are again produced in aluminium.[34] Also, electric cars have access to plates that begin with either 'EL', 'EK' or 'EV'.

Russian Federation[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Russia

Current Russian registration plates are a mix of French FNI, traditional Arabic 'windows', and Soviet 'small characters', introduced in 1993. See this for Soviet registration plates.

There are six types of Russian registration plates.

  1. Civil plates - civil plates have white background with black numbers. The templates for number is '@###@@ RR' where @ is one of the 'ABCEHKMOPTXУ' letters (Cyrillic letters that can be recognized by those familiar with the Latin alphabet, but actually correspond to AVSENKMORTKHU), # is a digit and RR is a region number (2 or 3 digits).
  2. Government plates - government plates have white background with black numbers. The templates for number is '@###@@ FL' where FL is a tricolor flag of Russia (canceled in 2007).
  3. Police plates - blue background and white characters, with '@#### RR' template.
  4. Diplomatic plates - red background and white characters, with '###@### RR' template.
  5. Military plates - black background and white characters, with '####@@ RR' template.
  6. Route vehicles (buses, trolleys and fixed-run taxies) - yellow background and black characters with '@@### RR' template.

Sweden[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Sweden
Swedish registration plate

Vehicle registration plates are white and have three black letters followed by a space and then three digits. The combination is simply a serial and has no connection with a geographic location, although the last digit shows what month the car has to undergo vehicle inspection. Vehicles like police cars, fire trucks, public buses and trolley buses use the same type of plate as normal private cars, and cannot be directly distinguished by the plate alone.Taxis have yellow plates, with the same three letters and digits as 'normal' cars, but without the space, and followed by a smaller T (for Taxi.)Military vehicles have four to six yellow digits on black background, and may be used for all kinds of vehicles from ordinary automobiles to tanks.

Turkey[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Turkey
Turkish vehicle registration plate

Turkish car number plates use an indirect numbering system associated with the geographical info. In Turkey, registration plates are made by authorized private workshops.The registration plate is rectangular in shape and made of aluminum. On the left, there is the country code 'TR' in a 4×10 cm blue stripe like in EU countries (without the 12 golden stars). The text is in black characters on white background, and for official vehicles white on black. On all vehicles two plates have to be present, being one in front and the other in rear except motorcycles and tractors. The serial letters use the Turkish letters except Ç, Ğ, İ, Ö, Ş and Ü.

Ukraine[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Ukraine
UA number plate

Ukrainian regular registration plates are issued in European style, using the format AB1234CE (the prefix refers to the region), using Cyrillic letters that resemble Roman letters (A, B, C, E, H, I, K, M, O, P, T, X). There were single-line plates for vehicles and trailers, double-line plates for vehicles with special shaped mounting place, three-lined plates for cycles (except scooters with small two-line plates). A plate with a yellow background is used for public-use vehicles such as taxis or route buses. Single-line plates are the standard European size 52 cm × 11 cm (20.5 by 4.3 inches).[citation needed]

Ukrainian vanity plates are unique in that purchasers may choose any image to be printed on the surface of plate, to the right of the characters.[citation needed]

United Kingdom[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom number plates

Vehicle registration plates, usually known as number plates, have existed in the United Kingdom since 1904. Most motor vehicles which are used on public roads are required by law to display them. The Motor Car Act 1903, which came into force on 1 January 1904, required all motor vehicles to be entered on an official vehicle register, and to carry number plates. The Act was passed in order that vehicles could be easily traced in the event of an accident or contravention of the law. Vehicle registration number plates in the UK are rectangular or square in shape, with the exact permitted dimensions of the plate and its lettering set down in law. Within the UK itself there are currently two numbering and registration systems: one for the island of Great Britain, which is administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), and one for Northern Ireland, administered by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA): both have equal status.

Oceania[edit]

Australia[edit]

NSW number plate
Victoria number plate
Queensland number plate
Plates
Western Australia number plate
South Australia number plate
A.C.T. number plate
Tasmania number plate
Northern Territory number plate
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Australia

In Australia, vehicle registration plates, usually known as number plates or 'rego plates', are normally issued by the State or Territory government; until 2000 some were issued by the Commonwealth government. Plates are associated with a vehicle and generally last for its life, though as they become unreadable (or for other reasons) they may be recalled or replaced with newer ones. New plates are issued when the vehicle is registered in another state, or if the owner requests them (though this depends on state laws).

Australian number plates were originally issued with white characters on black plates, black on white, black on yellow and blue on white, with each state and territory being allocated a range of plates inside the larger range AAA000 to ZZZ999. New South Wales, for example, was allocated AAA000 to FZZ999, Victoria was allocated from GAA000 to MZZ999, Queensland was allocated NAA000 to QZZ999 and South Australia was allocated from RAA000 to TZZ999. Western Australia was allocated UAA000 and XAA000, Tasmania and the Australia Capital Territory were allocated the series beginning with W and Y respectively. This system worked for a few decades but had been almost completely abandoned by 1980, particularly because some states had exhausted their allocated range of combinations. The Northern Territory never adopted the system.

The states then chose their own systems. New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia all retained xxx-nnn, but each started again from AAA-000. Queensland reversed the arrangement to nnn-xxx. Western Australia took nxx-nnn, and the ACT kept the Y plate range but substituted the last digit for a letter, giving Yxx-nnx. In 2013, Victoria became the last state to abandon the xxx-nnn format.

Current arrangements are listed below.

All current plates are manufactured to uniform dimensions and are made of pressed aluminium, except for certain special series plates; the form of which differs by state and design.

In 1942, the government released a new special series only alphabet (XB-AA OPS).

Current standard Australian number plate formats[edit]

Note: as of 22 February 2011; 'x' represents a sequential letter, 'n' represents a sequential number. This list excludes special issue or personalized plate designs.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Blue text on white background, with 'ACT' above and 'CANBERRA - THE NATION'S CAPITAL' below.
    Code format: Yxx-nnx.
  • New South Wales: Black text on yellow background, with 'NEW SOUTH WALES' below the plate code. Also in circulation are plates showing 'NEW SOUTH WALES - THE FIRST STATE' and 'NEW SOUTH WALES - THE PREMIER STATE' with code xxx-nnn, from the 1980s.
    Code format: AB-12-CD.
  • Victoria: Blue on white background, with 'VIC - THE EDUCATION STATE' under the plate code. Older plates show, 'VIC - STAY ALERT STAY ALIVE', 'VICTORIA - THE PLACE TO BE', 'VICTORIA - ON THE MOVE', or 'VICTORIA - THE GARDEN STATE' in green on white.
    Code format: 1AB-2CD.
  • Queensland: Maroon text (previously green) on white background, with 'QUEENSLAND - SUNSHINE STATE' or 'QUEENSLAND - THE SMART STATE' under the plate code.
    Code format: 123-ABC.
  • South Australia: Black on white with 'SOUTH AUSTRALIA' under code.
    Code format: S123-ABC.
  • Western Australia:, Blue on white with WESTERN AUSTRALIA on blue band at top of plate. Older plates black on yellow with format nxx-nnn.
    Code format: 1ABC-234. Even older Western Australian plates use a locality code, followed by a sequential number, e.g. AL 123 being for Albany, plate number 123. Some rural locations added a central dot to signify if the plate was issued for shire or town based drivers. This locality based system is still active, although it needs to be offered or asked for at the time of licensing the vehicle.
  • Tasmania: Blue on white with 'TASMANIA - Explore The Possibilities ' at bottom and thylacine between the 1st letter and 2 numbers digits. Older plates may show 'TASMANIA - HOLIDAY ISLE' or 'TASMANIA - YOUR NATURAL STATE'.
    Code format: A-12-BC.
  • Northern Territory: Orange text on white background with 'NT - OUTBACK AUSTRALIA' over code.
    Code format: CA-12-BC.

To show that a vehicle is registered in Australia, a sticker must be displayed in the lower left corner of either the rear left window or windscreen in annual colors on a 6-year cycle: blue, red, purple, brown, green and orange. This sticker is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle upon payment of the next year's registration fee, and shows the expiry date of the registration. They are color-coded for easy recognition of the year of expiry. The sticker shows the plate number, Vehicle Identification Number, make, model, and color of the vehicle, along with other such information. This acts as an anti-theft device, because transplanting the plates from one car to another will be in contrast to the details on the sticker.

The Western Australia registration sticker shows only the month and year of expiry. However, since the Western Australian police now have such easy access to registration information based on the numberplate via in-car computer systems found in all police vehicles, registration stickers in Western Australia have been completely scrapped.[35] As of 1 January 2010 they will no longer be required or made - a move that is said to save at least $2 million over 4 years in costs for printing and postage. Car owners will also feel the relief of not having to perform the tedious task of removing and re-applying the registration sticker every 6–12 months. As of 1 January 2013 NSW have also scrapped registration stickers. NT also scrapped registration stickers as of 1 January 2014. Tasmania scrapped registration stickers as of 1 January 2014.

In the Australian Capital Territory, vehicles under 4.5 tonnes are no longer required to display registration labels as of 1 July 2013.In Queensland, later this decade when all of the combinations have been taken. The plates will have the combination. 123-AB1. When they run out of combinations for that series the number will move to the left.
Code format: 123:A1C

Governors car
A motorcade transporting senior members of the official party to an event in Canberra in November 2009. The black car, at left, with the numberplate ADF1, carried the Chief of the Defence Force; the white car behind it, with the numberplate C1, carried the Prime Minister; and the black car, second from the right, carried the Governor-General.

Cars owned by the government have special numberplates, some also have a crown and symbols.

New Zealand[edit]

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of New Zealand
Old New Zealand plate, issued in 1973
Current New Zealand plate issued in 2006

The current system used in New Zealand was adopted in 1964, all vehicles were required to have their plates replaced to this system. The original format in this system was xx-nnnn with the original plate being AA1 plates were on a black background with silver text. In 1986 this was changed to a white reflective background with black text with the first plate in this style being NA1. In 2001 the final plate ZZ9999 was printed and the format was changed to ABC-123. In 2006 the text format was changed on all number plates registered after this time.[36]

Personalized number plates were introduced to New Zealand in 1987. Due to this size and population of New Zealand the same system is used across all of the country. Number plates are usually issued by the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Antarctica[edit]

Rare Antarctica registration plate[citation needed]

There are no private cars, and no vehicle registration authority in Antarctica. There are other vehicles such as tractors and AWDs, however they are not required to display registration plates.[37]

Vanity and specialty plates[edit]

An example of a vanity registration plate from Texas, 2012 issue. This plate references the Star Wars character Chewbacca.

In some countries, people can pay extra and get 'vanity plates': registration plates with a custom number (character set). For example, a vanity registration plate might read 'MY TOY'. Generally vanity plates are not allowed to have profane, offensive or obscene messages on them, and of course they must also be unique. (DMVs of US states have sometimes received complaints of offensive vanity plates.[38])

Many countries allow licensed amateur radio operators to obtain registration plates (labeled 'Amateur Radio') with their call signs printed on them, allowing public service officials controlling access to disaster areas to immediately recognize and allow operators into the areas, facilitating their provision of crucial emergency communications. Some U.S. states charge lower fees for ham radio plates than for vanity plates.[39] For example, in Virginia the annual cost of an amateur radio vanity plate is a mere $1.[40]

In the U.S., most provinces of Canada, and Australia, vehicle owners may also pay extra for specialty plates: with these, the sequence of letters and numbers is chosen by the licensing agency – as with regular plates – but the owners select a plate design that is different from the normal registration plate. Fees for specialty plates are usually channeled to a specific charity or organization. For example, California has issued the 'Yosemite plate' and 'whale tail plate,' both aimed at conservation efforts in the respective domains. Some jurisdictions allow for these special plates to also be vanity plates, usually for an additional fee on top of the cost of the plate.

Florida Plate Types

A 'Euro Plate' issued in the Australian state of Western Australia

In some Australian states, it is possible to purchase 'personalized plates', where an individual can choose the color, design, and sometimes even the shape and size of the plate, as well as the displayed text. For example, the government of the state of Queensland offers a wide range of possibilities for customization.[41] Another style of plate that is common in some states of Australia is 'Euro Plates', which are the same size as European plates (rather than the narrower taller Australian plates) to fit on the numberplate holders in European cars.

The 'personal plate' industry in the United Kingdom is huge, with a large number of private dealers acting as agents for DVLA issues as well as holding their own or communal stock. The official term for what is often incorrectly called a 'personal', 'personalized' or 'private' plate is a 'cherished mark', as the alphanumeric code on the plate is the 'index mark' — that is, the 'mark' assigned to the vehicle on the central registry or 'index'. UK registrations or indexes cannot be owned outright by individuals, even though they may appear to have been purchased. They are issued by government agencies and can be recalled or cancelled at any time if misuse is suspected.

The main difference regarding 'personal plates' between the UK and many other countries, is that drivers are not able to make, or request, their own. What is being traded is coincidences in the existing numbering system where the numbers and letters appear to spell something. For example, M15 ERY looks like MISERY or J4 MES looks similar to JAMES. However, a lot of people buying 'personal plates' choose to get them with their initials on. For example, Tony John Smith may want a plate that says E2 TJS. Often, illegal fonts, digit-spacings or colored screw heads are used to enhance the appearance of the 'word'. UK legislation can require a fine of up to £1000 per offense in the case of an illegally altered registration index mark.

The highest price paid for a personal number plate in Britain was once £440,000 for car registration 'F1' sold at auction in January 2008,[42] but this record was broken in November 2014, when a buyer purchased number plate '25 O' for £518,000 at a DVLA auction.[43][44]

The world record for the most expensive registration plate is US$14 million.[45] The registration plate '1' was bought at an auction in Abu Dhabi.

Offensive and prohibited registration plates[edit]

Some registration plate combinations are banned from being issued by registration authorities. These are typically combinations which, deliberately or otherwise, spell out a message that is likely to offend others. Concerns about what is considered offensive differ from country to country. In the United Kingdom, these have included combinations with sexual connotations such as BO11 LUX and BL04 JOB. The DVLA maintains blacklists of possible number/letter combinations in an attempt to prevent this.[46] Some prohibited plates reflect religious concerns; for example, in New Jersey, a woman found she was prohibited from registering the plate 8THEIST, but permitted to register BAPTIST. A similar registration for ATHE1ST had been rejected in 2013. Both prohibitions were later lifted.[47] In Manitoba, a plate reading ASIMIL8 was banned as being culturally offensive to indigenous people.[48]In 2015, Maine passed legislation that removed most censorship from their vanity plate program. Plates like GETFUKT are now allowed. [49]

Temporary registration plates[edit]

Temporary registration plate in Ontario

Some jurisdictions issue temporary registration plates made of cardboard or security paper or even printed on plain paper for newly purchased vehicles, for drivers waiting for plates in the mail, or other registration issues. A common length of time to have temporary plates is 30 days,[50][51] although Ontario offers ten-day permits, and some U.S. states allow temporary tags to be effective for up to 90 days.[52] Temporary registration plates are usually either attached to the vehicle in place of the rear registration plate or both registration plates or taped to the inside of the rear windshield, while some states require it to be in the front windshield. Expiration dates are usually hand written by regulatory employees or dealership sales personnel, but, due to easy alteration of hand written dates, some states now digitally print the date on the tag. If a driver continues to drive after the permit expires the vehicle can face impounding as an unplated vehicle.

Novelty registration plates[edit]

There also exist novelty registration plates often sold in gift or novelty shops. Similar to vanity plates, these novelties are printed with an individual's name or other words or phrases, but unlike vanity plates they are not intended for legal identification of an automobile. They can be displayed in the rear window, for example, or on the front of vehicles registered in jurisdictions that only require a valid plate on the rear of the vehicle.

Novelty registration plates are usually installed by motorists or automobile dealerships. While automobile dealerships may install such plates for promoting their business, motorists may install novelty registration plates to express their brand preference or an affiliation with a group, state, country, athletic team, hobby, art, or custom.

Antique auto collectors may use novelty replicas of period registration plates to give their show cars a dated look, or import vehicle owners may use a novelty replica of a foreign plate to give it a foreign image. Some states allow year of manufacture registrations where an original, official plate expiring on the model year of an antique car is revalidated. Wisconsin, for instance, permits the use of year-of-manufacture plates if the state-issued plates are also carried somewhere within the vehicle. California and Ohio also allow the Year-of-manufacture Plates.

Registration plate accessories[edit]

Miami Beach license topper

Today, plates are commonly attached with screws that mount into threaded fittings on the vehicle but originally nut-and-bolt combinations were needed to fasten the plate to a bracket, which led to the use of varied registration plate ornaments, accessories and attachments. The most common of these include fastening bolts with ornamental heads in a myriad of styles; these are generally legal everywhere providing the plate itself is not obscured. Those bolts faced with a colored glass or plastic reflector are termed registration plate jewels. Traditionally the front plate would be fastened by an amber or green jewel and the rear by a red jewel, but other colors have become available over the decades including blue, clear and, most recently, purple.

The manufacture and use of registration plate toppers – attachments and accessories mounted atop plates, often as advertising premiums – has diminished because of the design of modern vehicle bodies that incorporate recessed plate mountings. But older vehicles will usually have room for such attachments that may mention vehicle dealerships, tourist attractions and petroleum companies. Some of these commercial toppers also incorporate one or more reflectors or a safety-related message. Large stand-alone glass or plastic reflectors or cataphotes – some imprinted with an advertising message – are still common plate toppers whenever registration-plate brackets are able to accommodate them.

International codes[edit]

Florida License Plate Pictures

Main article: List of international vehicle registration codes

According to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, vehicles in cross-border traffic are obliged to display a distinguishing sign of the country of registration on the rear of the vehicle. This sign may either be placed separately from the registration plate or may be incorporated into the vehicle registration plate. When the distinguishing sign is incorporated into the registration plate, it must also appear on the front registration plate of the vehicle, and may be supplemented with the flag or emblem of the national state, or the emblem of the regional economic integration organization to which the country belongs. The distinguishing sign should be displayed on the far left or far right on the registration plate. When a symbol/flag/emblem is also displayed, the distinguishing sign shall obligatory be placed on the far left on the plate. The distinguishing sign shall be positioned so to be easy identifiable and so that it cannot be confused with the registration number or impair its legibility. The distinguishing sign shall therefore be at least a different color from the registration number, or have a different background color to that reserved for the registration number, or be clearly separated from the registration number, preferably with a line.

The physical requirements for the separate sign are defined in Annex 3 of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which states that the letters shall be in black on a white background having the shape of an ellipse with the major axis horizontal. The distinguishing sign should not be affixed in such a way that it could be confused with the registration number or impair its legibility.

The allocation of codes is maintained by the United Nations (UN) as the Distinguishing Signs of Vehicles in International Traffic, being authorized by the UN's Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949) and Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968). Many, but far from all, vehicle codes created since the adoption of ISO 3166 coincide with either the ISO two- or three-letter codes.

Imitation international codes[edit]

In Canada, Mexico and the United States, where the international oval is not used on vehicles from neighboring countries, putting one on a car is a matter of personal choice. This has given rise to a tourist-driven industry of imitation international code stickers. For example, the island of Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts has MV, while the Outer Banks region of North Carolina uses OBX. Long Beach Island, New Jersey uses 'LBI', with the letter 'I' substituted with an illustration of the island's lighthouse. The city of Key West, Florida, uses KW as part of its Conch Republic 'rebellion' from the U.S. There are also YNP ovals, for Yellowstone/Yosemite National Park. Stickers of this sort are usually visibly different from any real international code sticker, but some places sell what could appear to be real stickers, touting that the abbreviation refers to their venue.

In the United Kingdom, imitation international codes are sometimes seen for the various parts of the country. For example, in Scotland, oval stickers with 'Ecosse' or 'Alba' (Scotland in French and Gaelic respectively) are occasionally seen. In Wales, drivers commonly display 'CYM' to indicate Cymru (Wales).

In the Czech Republic, in large cities (notably Prague and Brno), these imitation international codes are usually used to show the district inside the city where the driver resides (e.g. DE for Dejvice).

See also[edit]

  • Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)

References[edit]

  1. ^Boerwald, John E.; Karmeier, Delbert F.; Herrington, C. Gordon (1960). The Functions and Design of Motor Vehicle License Plates. University of Illinois Engineering Experiment Station Bulletin No. 457.
  2. ^Robertson, Patrick (1974). The book of firsts. C. N. Potter : distributed by Crown Publishers. p. 51. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  3. ^De Autogids.nlArchived 2012-02-16 at the Wayback Machine(in Dutch)
  4. ^Laws of New York Chap 531, §169a, Apr 25, 1901; Chap. 625, §169a, May 15, 1903
  5. ^https://todosobretrafico.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/real-orden-1897.pdf(in Spanish)
  6. ^https://todosobretrafico.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/reglamento-de-1900_original.pdf(in Spanish)
  7. ^https://todosobretrafico.com/normativa-hasta-1910/Archived 2017-08-24 at the Wayback Machine(in Spanish)
  8. ^[1](in Spanish)
  9. ^[2](in Spanish)
  10. ^[3](in Spanish)
  11. ^The Early Motor Bus: Charles E Lee, London Transport Executive 1974 page 2
  12. ^https://www.wired.com/story/digital-license-plates/
  13. ^Road Transport (Permits) Act, CHAPTER 69:03
  14. ^Michaël, Pacodi (13 September 2011). 'Sécurité routière : Des faussaires de plaques sur le marché'. Le Faso (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  15. ^KNBS. Registered Vehicles, 2006-2011
  16. ^'Mercosur finally agrees: unified number plates for new cars beginning 2016'. MercoPress.
  17. ^'CBC News'. Archives.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  18. ^Government of Ontario, Canada / Gouvernement de l'Ontario, Canada(in English), (in French)Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^'Yahoo! GeoCities'. Web.archive.org. 2009-10-27. Archived from the original on 2009-10-27. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  20. ^'The First registration plates in the US - History'. About.com Education. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  21. ^'New Kansas License Plates getting a Makeover'. The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  22. ^'March of the Flats'. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  23. ^'Flat Digital registration plates in the US - End of the Embossed Era?'. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  24. ^'How Many States Require Front Licence Plates'. gbshowplates.co.uk. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  25. ^'Licence Plate Laws'. javasigns.com. Archived from the original on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  26. ^'Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles'. Dmvnv.com. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  27. ^'NC.GOV'. Doc.state.nc.us. Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  28. ^'License Plates of Afghanistan'. Worldlicenseplates.com. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  29. ^'This Continental touch can land you in trouble', The Straits Times, 22 February 2008
  30. ^'EUR-Lex - 31998R2411 - EN'. Eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  31. ^Aabakken, Jogrim (21 March 2001). 'Nye bilskilt på trappene'. dinSide. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  32. ^Hattrem, Hanne (29 August 2006). 'Nye bilskilt blir lettere å lese – og kan koste deg dyrt' (in Norwegian). VG. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  33. ^Lillerud, Anja (14 January 2009). 'Mer miljøvennlige bilskilt' (in Norwegian). NRK Østfold. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  34. ^Bugge, Stella (10 November 2011). 'Nå kan du bytte til nye bilskilt' (in Norwegian). VG. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  35. ^'Registration stickers a thing of the past' Archived August 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^'Licence Plates of New Zealand'. Worldlicenseplates.com. Retrieved 2010-07-05.
  37. ^Michael Kustermann. 'Licence Plates of the World'. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  38. ^'Documents'. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  39. ^'Oregon DMV Regular-Issue Licence Plates'. Oregon.gov. 2010-07-29. Archived from the original on 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  40. ^'Virginia Special Plates Information'. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/. 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2017-12-29.External link in publisher= (help)
  41. ^'Personalised Plates Queensland'. Ppq.com.au. 2010-09-15. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  42. ^'Personalised number plates'. Plate-Trader.com. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
  43. ^'Number Plate 250'. Privatenumberplates. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  44. ^'My number plate could have cost £1m'. BBC. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  45. ^ABC News, February 2008
  46. ^Association, Press (2017-08-25). 'NO67 FUN: DVLA cracks down on offensive numberplates'. The Guardian. ISSN0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-08-25.
  47. ^'New Jersey Rejected This Woman's Atheist License Plate. Now A Judge Says She Can Sue'. Retrieved 2017-08-25.
  48. ^'Star Trek inspired registration plate deemed offensive in Manitoba'. CTVNews. 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2017-08-25.
  49. ^https://bangordailynews.com/2016/03/27/news/state/law-change-could-make-maine-vanity-plates-more-risque/
  50. ^DMV Temporary Permits
  51. ^The 30-Day Temporary Registration
  52. ^https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/faq.html%7CIllinois[permanent dead link] DMV
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Florida
Current orange blossom license plate, with 'Sunshine State' slogan
Current series
SloganCounty name
Sunshine State
In God We Trust
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatAB1 2CD
ABC D12
Z12 3BC
IntroducedDecember 2003; 15 years ago
Availability
Issued byFlorida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1918; 101 years ago
(Pre-state plates from 1905–17)

The U.S. state of Florida first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1918, when the state began to issue plates, becoming the last of the contiguous 48 states to do so.[1][2]

  • 1Passenger baseplates
  • 3Non-passenger and specialty plates

Passenger baseplates[edit]

1918 to 1974[edit]

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

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial format(s)Serials issuedNotes
1918White serial on black flat metal plate; vertical '1918' and 'FLA' at left and right respectivelynone12345-ACoded by horsepower class (A)Horsepower classes were B (25 hp and under), C (26-40 hp) and D (41-60 hp).
1919Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; 'FLA 1919' at rightnone12345-ACoded by horsepower class (A)Horsepower classes were B (22 hp and under), C (23-27 hp), D (28-35 hp) and E (36 hp and over). This continued until 1922.[4]
1920Embossed red serial on gray plate with border line; 'FLA 20' at leftnoneA-12345Coded by horsepower class (A)
1921Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; 'FLA 21' at rightnone12345-ACoded by horsepower class (A)
1922Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; vertical 'FLA' and '22' at right; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom leftnoneC-12-345C-1 to approximately C-94-000
1923Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; state outline at right with 'FLA 23' below; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom leftnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 123-000-C
1924Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; state outline at right with 'FLA 24' below; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom leftnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 156-000-C
1925Embossed orange serial on green plate with border line; 'FLA' within state outline at right with '25' below; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom leftnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 250-000-C
1926Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; 'FLA' within state outline at right with '26' belownone123-456-C1-C to approximately 491-000-C
1927Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; 'FLORIDA-27' centered at bottomnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 409-000-CFirst use of the full state name.
1928Embossed yellow serial on maroon plate with border line; '1928 FLORIDA' at bottomnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 391-000-C
1929Embossed yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; '19-FLORIDA-29' at bottomnoneC-123-456C-1 to approximately C-321-000
1930Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; 'FLORIDA–1930' at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 324-000
1931Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; '1931–FLORIDA' at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 313-000
1932Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; 'FLORIDA–1932' at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 288-000First use of weight classes: all-numeric serials were used for vehicles weighing 3,000 lb and under, and serials with D prefixes for vehicles 3,001 lb and over.[4]
D12-345D1 to approximately D75-000
1933Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; '1933–FLORIDA' at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 235-000Weight classes same as 1932, but with D used as a suffix instead of a prefix.
12-345D1D to approximately 58-000D
1934Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; 'FLA.' centered at top; weight class letter and '34' stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectivelynoneT12-345
123-456
D12-345
W 1-234
Coded by weight classWeight classes were as follows: T (2,050 lb and under), no letter (2,051 to 3,050 lb), D (3,051 to 4,050 lb) and W (4,051 lb and over). This continued until 1942.[4]
1935Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; 'FLA.' centered at top; weight class letter and '35' stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectivelynoneT12-345
123-456
D12-345
W12-345
Coded by weight class
1936Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; 'FLORIDA 1936' at topnoneT12-345
123-456
D12-345
W12-345
Coded by weight class
1937Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; '1937 FLORIDA' at topnone12-345T
123-456
12-345D
1-234 W
Coded by weight class
1938Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at top left and '38' at top rightnoneT1-1-234
T10-123
1-12-345
10-1-234
D1-12-345
D10-1-234
W1-1-234
W10-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classFirst use of county codes.
1939Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at bottom left and '39' at bottom rightnone1T-1234
10T-123
1-12345
10-1234
1D12345
10D1234
1W-1234
10W-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1940Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at top left and '40' at top rightnone1T-123
10T-123
1-12345
10-1234
1D12345
10D1234
1W-1234
10W-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1941Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at bottom left and '41' at bottom rightnone1T-123
10T-123
1-12345
10-1234
1D12345
10D1234
1W-1234
10W-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1942–43Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at top left and '42' at top rightnone1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classRevalidated for 1943 with dark blue tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. Weight classes were as follows: T (2,000 lb and under), no letter (2,001 to 2,500 lb), D (2,501 to 3,500 lb), W (3,501 to 4,500 lb) and WW (4,501 lb and over); this continued until 1948.[4]
1944Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at top left and '44' at top rightnone1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1945Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at bottom left and '45' at bottom rightnone1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1946Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at top left and '46' at top rightnone1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1947Embossed white serial on forest green plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at bottom left and '47' at bottom rightnone1T-123
10T-123
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1948Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at top left and '48' at top rightnone1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-12345
1-1234A
10-1234
10/12345
1W12345
10W1234
1WW1234
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classWeight classes same as 1942–47, except D used for the 2,001 to 2,500 lb class and no letter for the 2,501 to 3,500 lb class. This continued until 1962.[4]
1949Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at bottom left and '49' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at top1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-12345
1-1234A
10-1234
10-123A
1W12345
10W1234
1WW1234
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classFirst use of the 'Sunshine State' slogan.
1950Embossed blue serial on orange plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at top left and '50' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-12345
1-1234A
10-1234
10-123A
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1951Embossed dark green serial on yellow plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at bottom left and '51' at bottom right'KEEP FLORIDA GREEN' centered at top1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classPlates with eight-character serials (counting the dash, if present) were an inch longer than plates with serials of seven characters or less. This practice continued until 1956.
1952Embossed orange serial on blue plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at top left and '52' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1953Embossed blue serial on orange plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at bottom left and '53' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at top1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1954Similar to 1952 base, but with '19' at bottom left and '54' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' as on 1952 base1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1955Similar to 1953 base, but with '19' at top left and '55' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' as on 1953 base1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1956Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at bottom left and '56' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW-1234
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classFirst 6' x 12' plate.
1957Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at top left and '57' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at top1T-1234
10T-1234
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW-1234
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1958Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at bottom left and '58' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW-1234
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1959Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at top left and '59' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at top1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1960Embossed yellow serial on royal blue plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at bottom left and '60' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-12345
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1961Embossed navy blue serial on lemon yellow plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at top left and '61' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at top1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1962Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at bottom left and '62' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classWeight classes same as 1948–61, except D used for all vehicles 2,500 lb and under. This continued until the cessation of weight classes and county codes in 1977.[4]
1963Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at top left and '63' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at top1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
January 1964 – January 1965Embossed blue serial on orange plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at bottom left and '64' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
February 1965 – February 1966Embossed gold serial on red plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '19' at top left and '65' at top right'400TH ANNIVERSARY' centered at top1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classCommemorated the 400th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously-inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States.
March 1966 – March 1967Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '19' at bottom left and '66' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
April 1967 – April 1968Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '67' at top left and '68' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at top1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
May 1968 – May 1969Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '68' at bottom left and '69' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
June 1969 – June 1970Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '69' at top left and '70' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at top1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
July 1970 – June 1971Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '70' at bottom left and '71' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
July 1971 – June 1972Embossed orange serial on reflective white plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at bottom; '72' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at top1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
July 1972 – June 1973Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '73' at bottom right'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
July 1973 – June 1974As 1971–72 base, but with '74' at top right'SUNSHINE STATE' as on 1971–72 base1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class

1974 to present[edit]

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial format(s)Serials issuedNotes
July 1974 – March 1977Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; 'FLORIDA' centered at top; '75' at top left'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottom1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classMonthly staggered registration introduced July 1976, with each plate expiring in the same month as the registrant's birthday.[2] Revalidated with stickers until 1980.
April 1977 – February 1979Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; 'FLORIDA' centered at topnoneABC 123AAA 000 to approximately FBN 999Issued only to new registrants. Letters I, O and Q not used in serials. County-name sticker added at bottom in 1978. Revalidated with stickers until 1987.
February 1979 – February 1984Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; orange state map screened to left of center behind serial; 'FLORIDA' centered at topCounty name centered at bottomABC 123FBP 000 to YZZ 999;
AIA 000 to YQZ 999
'M' and 'Z' series in the ABC 123 serial format reserved for dealers and rental vehicles respectively. After YZZ 999 was issued in late 1982, serials with I and Q as the first and/or second letters were issued, before the 123 ABC format was introduced. Revalidated with stickers until 1992.
February 1984 – June
1986
123 ABC000 AAA to approximately 999 KTG
June 1986 – November 1991Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; green state map screened to left of center behind serial; 'FLORIDA' centered at topCounty name centered at bottomABC 12DExclusively from AAA 00A to approximately JUQ 99Z; intermittently from JUR 00A to approximately KGW 99ZEarly plates used a lighter shade of green for the state map, while some plates manufactured during 1988 featured a smaller-size state name. Letter O not used in serials (this practice continues today); 'M' series reserved for dealers and 'Y' and 'Z' series for rental vehicles. Replaced from 1992 through 1996 as part of five-year plate replacement cycle.
November 1991 – November 1994As 1979–86 baseCounty name centered at bottomABC 12DIntermittently from JUR 00A to approximately KGW 99Z; exclusively from KGX 00A to approximately RWV 99Z
November 1994 – July
1997
County name or 'SUNSHINE STATE' centered at bottomExclusively from RWW 00A to approximately XBQ 99Z; intermittently from XBR 00A to approximately XDQ 99Z'Sunshine State' slogan reintroduced on all plates in Dade County.
July 1997 – February 1998Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; citrus orange graphic over green state map screened in the center; 'FLORIDA' screened in orange and yellow centered at topCounty name or 'SUNSHINE STATE' embossed in green centered at bottomABC 12DIntermittently from XBR 00A to approximately XDQ 99Z; exclusively from XDR 00A to XZZ 99Z'Sunshine State' plates issued in Dade County (renamed Miami-Dade County in late 1997); county-name plates in all other counties.
February 1998 – early 1999AB1 23CCY0 00X to IZ9 99Z
A12 34BI00 00V to L99 99Z
early 1999 – 2000A12 BCDA00 AAA to approximately B99 FWB
2000 – December 2003County nameA12 BCDB00 FWC to approximately I99 YXWIssued in all counties except Miami-Dade County.
'SUNSHINE STATE'T00 AAA to approximately X99 FTJIssued in Miami-Dade County. First use of a separate serial block for this county.
December 2003 – August 2004Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; orange blossom graphic over green state map screened in the center; 'MYFLORIDA.COM' screened in green centered at topCounty nameA12 BCDI00 ZAA to approximately K99 AARIssued in all counties except Miami-Dade County.
'SUNSHINE STATE'X00 FTN to X99 ZZZIssued in Miami-Dade County.
August 2004 – March 2009County nameA12 3BCA00 0AA to N99 9ZZIssued in all counties except Miami-Dade County. Wider serial dies introduced 2006.
March 2009 – July
2015
123 ABC000 MAA to 999 RZZ
July 2015 – mid-2018A12 BCDY00 AAA to Z99 ZZZ
mid-2018 – presentAB1 2CDIA0 0AA to IH9 9PD (as of February 4, 2019)
August 2004 – late
2006
'SUNSHINE STATE'A12 3BCP00 0AA to X99 9ZZIssued in Miami-Dade County. Dies changed from narrow set to wider set mid-production.
late 2006 – November 2009123 ABC000 HAA to 999 LZZ;
000 VAA to 999 YZZ;
000 TAA to 999 TZZ
Issued in Miami-Dade County, as well as alternate choice in all other counties. In 2008 state changes mandatory 5 year license plate replacement to 6 years.
November 2009 – presentABC D12AAA A00 to LPF W99 (as of May 5, 2019)Issued in Miami-Dade County, as well as alternate choice in all other counties. State changes mandatory 6 year license plate replacement to 10 years.
October 1, 2008 – present'IN GOD WE TRUST'123 4AB000 0GA to 999 9YZIssued in all counties as no-cost alternative issue. Progression of first letter in the 123 4AB serial format: G, H, I, J, B, P, Q, T, U, V, X, Y.
123 45Z000 00Z to 999 99Z
Z12 3BCZ00 0AA to Z99 9BX (as of February 4, 2019)

County coding, 1938–77[edit]

Florida used numeric county codes on its license plates between 1938 and 1977, with the order of the codes based on the populations of each of the state's 67 counties according to a 1935 census.[2] There was also code 68 on plates ordered from the state tag office in Tallahassee, and code 90 on replacement plates.

CodeCounty
1Dade
2Duval
3Hillsborough
4Pinellas
5Polk
6Palm Beach
7Orange
8Volusia
9Escambia
10Broward
11Alachua
12Lake
13Leon
14Marion
15Manatee
16Sarasota
17Seminole
18Lee
19Brevard
20St. Johns
21Gadsden
22Putnam
23Bay
24St. Lucie
25Jackson
26Osceola
27Highlands
28Pasco
29Columbia
30Hardee
31Suwannee
32Indian River
33Santa Rosa
34DeSoto
35Madison
36Walton
37Taylor
38Monroe
39Levy
40Hernando
41Nassau
42Martin
43Okaloosa
44Sumter
45Bradford
46Jefferson
47Citrus
48Clay
49Hendry
50Washington
51Holmes
52Baker
53Charlotte
54Dixie
55Gilchrist
56Hamilton
57Okeechobee
58Calhoun
59Franklin
60Glades
61Flagler
62Lafayette
63Union
64Collier
65Wakulla
66Gulf
67Liberty
68State Tag Office
90Replacements

Non-passenger and specialty plates[edit]

Non-passenger[edit]

The state issues many non-passenger types of license plates to various vehicle classes and types.

ImageTypeFirst issuedSerial format(s)Notes
Amateur Radiocall sign
Antique123 456
BA1 234
Antique MotorcycleQ123456
ApportionedA12 34BAnnual plates. Issued in pairs.
City GovernmentXA1234'City' legend.
College1234
County Government123456'County' legend.
Custom Vehicle2008VAB1C
DealerMAB 12C
NA1 23B
PA1 23B
Disabled Person123456
Y1ABC
Z1ABC
Disabled Person - Motorcycle1234
W'A1B
On 1998 base.
On myflorida.com base.
Ex-Prisoner of War1234
FleetGAB 123
Honorary Consul1
123
Horseless Carriage12345
Horseless Carriage - DMV
Horseless Carriage - Permanent
IndefiniteYA1 23B
ManufacturerA12 345
Member of Congress1
12
Serial is district number.
Motor Scooter—driver under 21 years old12ABC
Motorcycle12345A
1234EA
Pearl Harbor Survivor1234
Permanent TrailerC12 34A
123 4CA
Permanent plates.
Seminole Indian1234
SheriffZAB12
Temporary registrationP-123456
Q-123456
R-123456
S-123456
ABC1234
Truck over 5,000 lb.N12 34ACounty name or 'SUNSHINE STATE' slogan at bottom. Issued in pairs with the validation sticker placed on the front plate.
TransporterG12 34A
WreckerD12 34A
E12 34A
'WRECKER' legend.

Specialty[edit]

Florida has offered over 120 specialty license plates to its motorists, most for an extra fee. Some of these plates are no longer issued, while others have been redesigned since they were first issued.

Only Virginia and Texas have offered more specialty plates than Florida.[5]

ImageTypeFirst Issued
(Redesigned)
Serial format(s)Notes
Passenger - personalized2003One to seven characters selected by registrant. Specialty plates may be personalized; however, some specialties are limited to five characters.
A State of Vision2006-07-01XA123
Agriculture Keeps Florida Green1997-04-01VAB 123
Agriculture Education2006-07-01JA 123
American Red Cross2002-07-01123AB
Animal Friend2004-07-01ABC12
Aquaculture2004-07-01AB1 234
Barry University1998-07-01
Bethune-Cookman College1997-02-15
Challenger/Columbia1987-01-01
(2001, 2005)
ABC 123
TA123
TA1BC
Choose Life1999-07-01CAB1D
Clearwater Christian College2002-10-01A1BC
Conserve Wildlife1998-07-01CA123
CA12B
CA1BD
Disabled Veteran1234
Discover Florida's Oceans2004-07-01DAB12
Donate Organs2006-07-01Y123A
Eckerd College2002-10-01E12 345
Edward Waters College2002-10-01B1AB
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University2002-10-01
End Breast Cancer2002-07-01KAB1C
Everglades River of Grass1998-07-01EA12B
Family First2004-07-01FA1 234
Family Values2004-07-01VA1 234
Fish Florida2003-10-01JA1BC
Flagler College2002-10-01
Florida A&M University1987-10-01
Florida Atlantic University1987-10-01A123B
Florida College2002-10-01L1ABF
Florida Corrections Foundation2007-10-011CAB
Florida Gulf Coast University1997-11-01
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences2002-10-01
Florida Institute of Technology2002-10-01
Florida International University1987-10-01I123A
Florida Marlins1995-07-01
Florida Memorial University1999-07-01FAB1C
Florida Panthers1995-06-01P123A
Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches1998-07-01RA12B
Florida Southern College2002-10-01D1AB
Florida State University1987-10-01S1ABC
S1234
VA123
WA123
WA12B
Go Fishing1997-03-15
Gold Star Family2008-04-011GAB
Golf Capital of the World2002-07-01JA1 23B
Helping Sea Turtles Survive1998-02-01RAB 123
Horse Country2008-10-0112HAB
Hospice – Every Day Is a Gift2003-07-01123HA
Imagine2004-07-01123 4FA
In God We Trust2008-10-01IAB12
Indian River Lagoon1995-02-15R1234
R123A
R12AB
Invest in Children1995-05-01123 CAB
123 DAB
Jacksonville Jaguars1995-06-01J123A
Jacksonville University2002-10-01
Keep Kids Drug Free1998-07-01KA123
Kids Deserve Justice2004-07-01
Live the Dream2004-07-01DA1 234
Lynn University2002-10-01E1AB
Miami Dolphins1995-04-01D123A
Miami Heat1995-06-01L123A
Motorcycle specialty2003-10-01
NASCAR2007-10-0112NAB
New College of Florida2002-07-01N123
N12A
Nova Southeastern University2002-10-01S1AB
Olympic Spirit1994-01-01G12AB
Orlando Magic1995-06-01
Palm Beach Atlantic University2002-10-01F1AB
Parents Make a Difference2004-07-01
Play Tennis!2008-10-01
Police Athletic League1997-02-15PA123
PA12B
Protect Florida Springs2007-10-01P12 345
Protect Florida Whales2002-07-01WAB1C
Protect Our Reefs2003-07-01RAB1C
Protect the Panther1990-10-15LAB 123
MAB 123
Protect Wild Dolphins1998-07-01DA12B
DA1BC
Purple Heart12345
Ringling School of Art and Design2002-10-01U1AB
Rollins College2002-10-01
Saint Leo University2002-10-01
Saint Thomas University2002-10-01H1AB
Salutes Firefighters2002-10-01YA1BC
Salutes Veterans1989-10-01DAB 123
SAB1C
Save Our Seas2004-07-01RAB12
RAB1C
Save the Manatee1990-03-16
(2008)
HAB 123
IAB 123
Scouting Teaches Values1997-02-15123 SAB
Share the Road1999-06-10
(2007)
123 EAB
EAB1C
Southeastern University2002-10-01W1AB
Special Olympics Florida1994-01-01SAB 123
Sportsman National Land Trust2004-07-01VAB12
State of the Arts1995-02-01FAB 123
State Wildflower1999-07-01WAB 123
Stetson University2002-10-01
Stop Child Abuse2003-07-01123SA
Stop Heart Disease2003-07-01S12 345
Support Autism Programs2009-09-01
Support Education1994-10-01123 ABC
Support Homeownership for All2006-07-01QA123
Support Law Enforcement2002-10-01PAB1C
Support Our Troops2007-10-0112TAB
Support Soccer2004-07-01123 4SA
Tampa Bay Buccaneers1998-04-01
(2008)
B12AB
B1ACD
Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Tampa Bay Rays1997-03-01
(2008)
Tampa Bay Estuary1999-06-10TAB1C
Tampa Bay Lightning1995-06-01
Trees Are Cool2007-10-0112CAB
U.S. Air Force2003-07-01ABC1D
U.S. Army2003-07-01BAC1D
U.S. Coast Guard2003-07-01123VA
U.S. Marine Corps1999-07-01UAB1C
U.S. Navy2003-07-01NAB1C
U.S. Paratrooper2003-07-01123WA
United We Stand2002-07-01123 UAB
University of Central Florida1987-10-01C123A
University of Florida1987-10-01
(1997, 2007)
F1ABC
GAB1C
HAB1C
University of Miami1989-10-01H123A
H12AB
X12AB
University of North Florida1987-10-01N1234
University of South Florida1987-10-01U12AB
University of Tampa2002-10-01X1AB
University of West Florida1987-10-01W1234
W123A
Visit Our Lights2008-10-01VA12B
Warner Southern College2002-10-01

Discontinued types[edit]

ImageTypeDates issuedSerial format(s)Notes
ALLThru 1976County and weight codedYOM excluded
Passenger
Trailer
Truck
1977–1985ABC 123
AB 1234
A 12345
Challenger (Specialty)1986–1995ABC 123Redesigned base with 5 digit alpha numeric serials are valid
ALL1986–1997ABC 12D
ALL1997–2002A12 BCDI12 ABC and J12 ABC were grandfathered serials only if renewal date was after Sept 2009, regardless if on Citrus or myFlorida.com base. These grandfathered plates will be replaced with the ABC D12 serial on the plate's tenth renewal.
Girl ScoutsGA12B

References[edit]

  1. ^'Old Florida License Plates'. LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  2. ^ abcSimpers, M. R. (September 18, 2015). 'Florida License Plates'(PDF). Antique Automobile Club of Cape Canaveral. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  3. ^Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). 'Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size'. Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  4. ^ abcdef'Florida License Plates'. allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  5. ^Pascale, Jordan (November 30, 2015). 'Virginia offers more specialty license plates than most states. Here's why'. The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk, VA. Retrieved January 29, 2019.

External links[edit]

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