U.S. and Canadian license plates

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Main article: Vehicle registration plates of the United States
Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Canada

Every state, territory, province, commonwealth and federal district in the United States and Canada issues license plates as a part of the motor vehicle registation process.

[edit] Currently valid standard-issue passenger plate designs and serial formats

Plates with the following designs and serial formats are currently being issued in jurisdictions or have been announced for future issuance. Other designs and serial formats previously issued may still be valid in certain jurisdictions.

Jursdiction Image First issued Description Slogan Serial format Notes
Alabama 2002 red on reflective white reflective sheeting with screened blue bar with state name Stars Fell On Alabama 1A2345B

12A345B
12A3B4C

 Coded by county of issuance
Alaska 1981 blue on reflective yellow with screened flag graphic in centre The Last Frontier ABC-123
1997 black on reflective white and yellow gradient with screened mountain scene Gold Rush Centennial ABC 123
2005 blue on reflective yellow with embossed flag graphic in centre The Last Frontier ABC-123
2007 blue on multicolored gradient with screened anniversary logo at left Celebrating Statehood 1959-2009 ABC123
Alberta 1983 red on reflective white Wild Rose Country ABC-123 Several variations of the serial dies exist, owing to different plate vendors
American Samoa 1999 blue on reflective white Centennial 2000 1234[1]
Arizona 1997 green on desert scene graphic Grand Canyon State 123-ABC
ABC1234
Arkansas 1996 red on reflective white with blue state name and slogan The Natural State 123 ABC
2006 black on blue gradient fade with diamond graphic in centre The Natural State 123 ABC
British Columbia 1985 blue on reflective white with screened provicnial flag Beautiful British Columbia ABC-123, 123-ABC
California 1962 yellow on black, non-reflective, embossed state name none ABC-123
1968 yellow on blue, non-reflective, embossed state name none 123-ABC
1980 yellow on blue, non-reflective, embossed state name none 1ABC234
1982 blue on white with graphic state name, reflective The Golden State 1ABC234
1987 blue on white with embossed red state name, reflective none 1ABC234
1996 blue on white with graphic red state name, reflective none 1ABC234
1998 blue on white with graphic red state name and slogan, reflective Sesquicentennial - 150 Years 1ABC234
2000 blue on white with graphic red state name, reflective none 1ABC234
Colorado 2000 green on reflective white grey and green mountain scene graphic none 123-ABC
Connecticut 2000 Dark blue on blue gradient fade, reflective Constitution State 123-ABC
Delaware 1942 white on black none 12♦345[1][2] 5.5"x9.5" in porcelain enamel
renewed with metal tabs
authorized modern reproductions allowed
1952 reflective silver numbers riveted on black aluminum none 123456 (variable number of digits) plates vaired in size:
5-digit 9.5 x 5.5 in
6 digit 11 x 5.5 in
renewed with metal tabs
1956 reflective silver numbers riveted on black aluminum The First State 123456[1] first plate in federally mandated 6 x 12 in size
renewed with metal tabs
1958 reflective gold numbers riveted on dark green The First State 123456[1] renewed with metal tabs
1962 gold on dark green The First State 123456[1]
1969 gold on dark green with gold border The First State 123456[1] Several variations of the font used for the serial exist
District of Columbia 1991 blue on reflective white with screened red flag separator Celebrate & Discover 123-456
1997 blue on reflective white with screened red flag separator Celebrate & Discover AB-1234 embossed serials
2000 blue on reflective white with screened red flag separator and script state name Taxation Without Representation AB-1234 embossed serials
2001 blue on reflective white with screened red flag separator and script state name Taxation Without Representation AB-1234 all plates after this issue are flat serialed
2001 blue on reflective white with screened red flag separator and script state name and slogan www.washingtondc.gov AB-1234
2001 blue on reflective white with screened red flag separator and sans serif state name and slogan Taxation Without Representation AB-1234
Florida 2003 green on reflective white with state map and citrus orange graphic myFLORIDA.com with county name A12 3BC
2006 green on reflective white with state map and citrus orange graphic myFLORIDA.com with "Sunshine State" slogan 123 ABC
Georgia 1997 to March 2001 black on white with orange and green peach graphic at centre ... on my mind 123 ABC, 1234 AB, 12345 AB, 1234 ABC
2003 black on reflective grey gradient with peach graphic in centre, state name with website in white www.GEORGIA.www ABC 1234
2007 black on reflective white with peach graphic in centre, state name with website in black GEORGIA.gov ABC 1234
Guam ? black on reflective white with map graphic in centre Tano Y Chamorro ABC1234[1]

ABC123A[1]

 Coded by municipality
Hawaii 1991 black on reflective white with rainbow graphic Aloha State ABC 123 Coded by county of issuance
Idaho 1987 dark blue on reflective white with red gradient and purple mountain scene Centennial C12345

123 ABC
1991 dark blue on reflective white with red gradient and purple mountain scene Scenic Idaho

A 123456[1]
1A 23456[1]
1A B2345[1]
1A BC234[1]

 Coded by county of issuance
Illinois 2001 red on blue gradient fade with Lincoln portrait graphic in centre Land of Lincoln ABC 123
123 4567
A12 3456
Indiana 2008 white on dark blue with graphic of state coat of arms county name 123A
123AB
123ABC
Iowa 1998 blue on reflective white farm scene graphic county name 123 ABC
Kansas 2007 dark blue on light blue gradient with state seal graphic none 123 ABC
Kentucky 2005 dark blue on light blue gradient Unbridled Spirit 123 ABC
Louisiana 2005 to present black on pink gradient with pelican graphic in centre Sportsman's Paradise ABC 123
Maine 1999 black on reflective white with chickadee graphic at left Vacationland 1234 AB[1]
Manitoba 1996 dark blue on white with screened graphic landscape Friendly Manitoba ABC-123
Maryland 1987 black on white, reflective none 123-ABC
1AB C23
2005 black on white, reflective www.maryland.gov 1AB C23 Some plates made in New Jersey
Massachusetts 1977 green on white, reflective none 123-ABC Coded by month of expiration
1987 red on reflective white The Spirit of America 123-ABC
1234 AB
12A B34		 Coded by month of expiration
Michigan 2007 blue on reflective white with blue box with state name www.Michigan.gov ABC 1234
Minnesota 1987 blue on reflective white with lake scene graphic Explore Minnesota, 10,000 Lakes 123-ABC
ABC-123
Mississippi October 2007 blue on lighthouse graphic county name ABC 123
Missouri 1997 dark blue on reflective white, blue and green gradient Show-Me State 123 ABC
1AB 23C
June 2008 dark blue on light blue gradient fade with bluebird graphic Show-Me State ABC 123
Montana 2006 black on grey and white gradient with mountain graphic Big Sky Country 1A-23456[1]

1A-2345A[1]
12-34567

 Coded by county of issuance
Nebraska 2005 blue on light blue gradient with prairie scene none ABC 123, 1-A2345[1]

1-AB234[1], 12-A345[1] 12-AB31[1]

 Coded by county of issuance
Nevada 1975 white on blue, reflective none various
2001 dark blue on sunset graphic The Silver State 123-ABC later plates with flat serials
New Brunswick 1993 red on reflective white with provincial wordmark none ABC-123
2003 red on reflective white with provincial wordmark none ABC-123
New Hampshire 1999 green on Old Man of the Mountain graphic Live Free or Die 123 456
123 4567
ABC123
New Jersey 1959 black on tan, state abbreviated "N. J." Garden State ABC-123, 123-ABC some plates were reflective, most were not
1977 black on tan, non-reflective, full state name Garden State 123-ABC, ABC-123
1979 buff on blue, non-reflective Garden State 123-ABC, ABC-123, ABC-12D
1992 black on yellow and white gradient, reflective, sticker boxes Garden State ABC1234, AB-123D, ABC-12D, ABC-123, 123-ABC
2007 black on yellow and white gradient, reflective, no sticker boxes Garden State ABC-12D, ABC1234, AB-123D, ABC-123, 123-ABC
New Mexico 1992 red on yellow with yucca graphic Land of Enchantment ABC-123
123-ABC
1999 red on hot air baloon graphic Land of Enchantment AA 000
ABC123
New York 2001 dark blue on reflective white with blue bars, one with Niagara Falls, state name, and New York City skyline The Empire State ABC-1234 [3]
Newfoundland and Labrador 2001 red on reflective white with provincial flag none ABC-123
2002 red on reflective white with provincial flag none ABC-123
2003 red on reflective white with provincial flag none ABC-123
2007 blue on reflective white with provincial wordmark (pitcher plant) none ABC-123
North Carolina 2007 red on reflective white with stylized first flight at Kitty Hawk graphic First in Flight ABC-1234
North Dakota 1993 black on light blue gradient fade with prairie scene graphic Discover the Spirit ABC 123
Northern Mariana Islands 1989 dark blue on reflective white with seal in center Hafa Adai ABC-123
Northwest Territories 1986 blue on white, bear shaped Explore Canada's Arctic 12345
Nova Scotia 1989 blue on reflective white with screened image of the Bluenose Canada's Ocean Playground ABC-123
Nunavut 1999 blue on white, bear shaped Explore Canada's Arctic 12345N
Ohio 1996 to 2001 rust gradient fade The Heart of it All ABC 1234
2001 to 2003 dark blue on reflective white and red and white bars Ohio Bicentennial
Birthplace of Aviation		 AB12CD
2004 to present dark blue on reflective white with sunburst graphic and red and white bars Birthplace of Aviation ABC 1234
Oklahoma 1994 green on reflective white with shield graphic Native America ABC 123
123 ABC
Ontario 1972 blue on reflective white with embossed crown separator Keep it Beautiful ABC-123
1980 blue on reflective white with embossed crown separator Yours to Discover ABC-123
123-ABC
1994 blue on reflective white with screened crown separator Yours to Discover 123-ABC
1997 blue on reflective white with screened crown separator Yours to Discover ABCD-123
Oregon 1956 orange on blue 1A-2345
1960 orange on blue 1A-2345
1964 orange on blue none ABC 123
1973 blue on orange none ABC 123
1987 dark blue on Douglas Fir tree and mountain graphic none ABC 123
1990 dark blue on Douglas Fir tree and mountain graphic none ABC 123
123 ABC
Pennsylvania 1999 blue on reflective white with yellow and blue gradient bars www.state.pa.us ABC-1234 [3]
2004 blue on reflective white with yellow and blue bar visitPA.com ABC-1234 [3]
Prince Edward Island 1981 green on reflective white Canada ABC-123
1993 red on reflective white with Anne of Green Gables graphic Home of Anne of Green Gables AB 123
1997 green on reflective white with Confederation Bridge graphic Confederation Bridge AB 123
1997 green on reflective white with Province House graphic Birthplace of Confederation AB 123
2007 green on reflective white with screened photo of windmills Canada's Green Province AB 123
2007 green on reflective white with screened photo of windmills La province verte du Canada AB 123
Puerto Rico 1986 black on reflective white with fort graphic Isla del Encanto ABC 123
2001 black on flag graphics Cincuentenario ABC 123
2008 Isla del Encanto ABC 123 ?
Québec 1983 dark blue on reflective white Je me souviens ABC-123, 123-ABC originally vaidated with stickers
Rhode Island 1996 dark blue on stylized grey and white wave graphic Ocean State 12345
AB-123
123-456
Saskatchewan 1977 green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic none ABC 123
2005 green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic Land of Living Skies 123 ABC
South Carolina 1999 black on light blue gradient fade "Smiling Faces. Beautiful Places." 123 ABC
2003 black on light blue gradient fade In God We Trust 123 4AB no cost optional plate
2008 black on orange, white and blue gradient with tree in centre travel2sc.com ABC 123
South Dakota 2006 blue on Mt. Rushmore graphic Great Faces. Great Places. 1AB 243, 12A 345
12A B23, 12A BC3		 Coded by county of issuance
Tennessee 2006 black on reflective white with mountain scene The Volunteer State 123-ABC
Texas 1999 dark blue on reflective white with graphic scene of space shuttle and cowboy The Lone Star State A12-BCD
123-ABC
2005 dark blue on reflective white with graphic scene of space shuttle and cowboy The Lone Star State 123-ABC

ABC-123
Utah 1985 dark blue on skier graphic Greatest Snow on Earth 123 ABC
1992 dark blue on rock formation graphic Centennial A12 3BC
2008 dark blue on skier graphic Life Elevated A12 3BC
2008 dark blue on rock formation graphic Life Elevated A12 3BC
Vermont 1985 white on green Green Mountain State ABC 123, 123, 1234
Virginia 1972 blue on white with embossed state name none ABC-123
1975 blue on reflective white with screend graphic red state name and slogan 1776 Independence Bicentennial 1976 123-456
1979 blue on reflective white with screened state name none ABC-123
1993 blue on reflective white with blue screened state name none ABC-1234
1993 blue on reflective white with blue screened state name none ABC-1234
2003 blue on reflective white with blue screened state name, slogan and ship outline 400th Anniversary ABC-1234
2003 blue on reflective white with red screened state name, slogan and ship outline 400th Anniversary ABC-1234
2006 blue on reflective white with red screened state name and multi-colored Jamestown logo Jamestown: America's 400th Anniversary ABC-1234
2008 blue on reflective white with blue screened state name none ABC-1234
Virgin Islands 2006 black on beach scene graphic America's Caribbean ABC 123 Coded by island of issuance
Washington 1998 dark blue on mountain scene graphic Evergreen State 123-ABC
1A23BCD[4]
West Virginia 1995 blue on reflective white with state name in dark blue bar Wild, Wonderful 1AB 234

ABC 123

 Coded by month of expiration
Wisconsin 2000 black on reflective white with stylized lake and farm graphic America's Dairyland 123-ABC
Wyoming 2000 black on reflective white with Devil's Tower graphic none 1-2345, 1-234A,
1-12AB, 1-2ABC, 12-3456
12-345A, 12-34AB
Yukon 1989 black on white with screened miner image The Klondike ABC12

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Variable amount of numbers in the serial
  2. ^ This jurisdiction recycles plate serials
  3. ^ a b c Formats remade from other bases
  4. ^ TRAFFIC Q&A: ‘Reflectivity’ the reason for new tags, official says | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Vehicle registration plates of the United States
States
Federal district
Insular areas
v • d • e
Vehicle registration plates of Canada (by province or territory)
v • d • e
Vehicle registration plates of North America
Sovereign states

Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Canada · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · El Salvador · Grenada · Guatemala · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Mexico · Nicaragua · Panama1 · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Trinidad and Tobago1 · United States
Dependencies and
other territories

American Samoa2 · Anguilla · Aruba1 · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Greenland · Guadeloupe · Guam2 · Martinique · Montserrat · Navassa Island · Netherlands Antilles · Northern Mariana Islands2 · Puerto Rico · St. Barthélemy · St. Martin · St. Pierre and Miquelon · Turks and Caicos Islands · United States Virgin Islands
1 Territories also in or commonly reckoned elsewhere in the Americas (South America). 2 Territories also in or commonly reckoned to be in the Pacific basin.