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 |
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
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 |
|
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
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 |
|
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
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. |
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
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. |
![](../I/m/Vintage_Manitoba_license_plate_with_%22Shalom%22_in_English_and_Hebrew.jpg) |
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. |
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
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 |
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
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 |
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
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 |
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
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 |
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
Commercial |
As current passenger base |
CAB 123 |
CAA 001 to CFY 999 (as of February 7, 2015) |
|
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
Livery |
As current passenger base |
XAB 123 |
XAA 001 to XAE 999 (as of February 7, 2015) |
|
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
Motorcycle |
Same design as current passenger base; "MC" embossed below numbers |
1AB23 |
1AA01 to 7ES99 (as of February 7, 2015) |
|
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
PSV |
As current passenger base |
PAB 123 |
PAA 001 to PCZ 999 (as of February 7, 2015) |
|
![](../I/m/Blank_License_Plate_Shape.jpg) |
Trailer |
Same design as current passenger base; "TL" embossed below numbers |
A123B |
A001A to X999A (as of February 7, 2015) |
|
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