Vehicle registration plates of Manitoba

The Canadian province of Manitoba first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1911.

Passenger plates 1971 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Association that fixed the size for licence plates for vehicles, except those for motorcycles, at six inches in height by twelve inches in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the province's first licence plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Description Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1971–76 Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; outline of bison's head and front leg embossed at far left; "MANITOBA" embossed in black block letters offset to right above numbers; "71" embossed in bottom left corner "SUNNY" embossed in black block letters to left of province name, giving "SUNNY MANITOBA"; "100,000 LAKES" embossed in same letters centered below numbers AB12-34 (variable number of digits) AA-1 to approximately DW99-99
1976–82 Embossed purple numbers on yellow plate; border line around plate and around bottom corners; "MANITOBA" embossed in purple block letters centered below numbers; "76" embossed in top right corner "FRIENDLY" embossed in purple block letters centered above numbers ABC-123 (variable number of digits) AAA-1 to approximately GUW-999
1983–86 Embossed black numbers on white plate; border line around plate and around bottom corners; "MANITOBA" screened in red block letters centered below numbers; "83" debossed in bottom left corner "FRIENDLY" screened in red block letters centered above numbers 123 ABC (variable number of digits) 1 AAA to approximately 500 DWT Numbers 1-100 later reserved.
1986–96 As above, but with province name embossed in black block letters As above, but embossed in black block letters 123 ABC 501 DWT to approximately 999 QLV Province name and slogan changed from red to black as a cost-saving measure.
1997 – late 2012 Embossed dark blue numbers on white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; blue bison graphic screened in top right corner; "Manitoba" screened in blue serifed letters offset to right above numbers, with red maple leaf over the 'i' "Friendly" screened in blue handwritten font to left of province name, giving "Friendly Manitoba" ABC 123 AAA 101 to approximately GLW 999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new standard-issue licence plate of 1997 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Manitoba has been so honored. Co-recipient with Wisconsin. Serials CAA through CZZ reserved for Commercial plates.
late 2012 – present As above, but with bison graphic changed from blue to black GLX 101 to HEA 999 (as of April 19, 2015)

Optional types

Image First issued Description Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
June 2011 Blue Text, Blue to white gradient and screened Winnipeg Blue Bombers logo Friendly and True Blue BB1234 BB0001 to BB9999 Issued in support of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. BB0001 to BB0150 were issued only to current Bomber players, Alumni and executives.
B12345 B00001 to present
Dec 2011 Blue Text, Blue to white Gradient and screened Winnipeg Jets Logo Friendly and Fueled By Passion WJ1234 WJ0001 to WJ9999 Issued in support of the Winnipeg Jets.
J12345 J00001 to present
summer 2012 Blue Text, Red to white Gradient and screened Fire Dept. crest Friendly and Serving your Community WF1234 WF0001 to present Issued to active or retired fire fighters in Winnipeg, and their immediate family.

Non-passenger types

Image Type Description Serial format Serials issued Notes
Commercial As current passenger base CAB 123 CAA 001 to CFY 999 (as of February 7, 2015)
Livery As current passenger base XAB 123 XAA 001 to XAE 999 (as of February 7, 2015)
Motorcycle Same design as current passenger base; "MC" embossed below numbers 1AB23 1AA01 to 7ES99 (as of February 7, 2015)
PSV As current passenger base PAB 123 PAA 001 to PCZ 999 (as of February 7, 2015)
Trailer Same design as current passenger base; "TL" embossed below numbers A123B A001A to X999A (as of February 7, 2015)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Licence plates of Manitoba.