Vehicle registration plates of Florida

The U.S. state of Florida first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1918.

Passenger plates 1918 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Association that standardized the size for license 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 first Florida license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1927 Embossed white lettering and border on black background, "FLORIDA-27" embossed at bottom. none 12A3456
1937 Embossed white lettering and border on green background, "1937 FLORIDA" embossed at top. none 12A3456
1938 Embossed yellow lettering and border on black background, "19 FLORIDA 38" embossed at top. none 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1939 Embossed red lettering and border on white background. "19 FLORIDA 39" embossed at bottom. none 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1941 Embossed red lettering and border on white background. "19 FLORIDA 41" embossed at bottom. none 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1942 Embossed orange lettering and border on royaL blue background. "19 FLORIDA 42" embossed at top. none 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1944 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in black block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in top left corner and "44" in top right corner none 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1945 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in yellow block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "45" in bottom right corner none 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1946 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in white block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in top left corner and "46" in top right corner none 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1947 Embossed white numbers on forest green plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in white block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "47" in bottom right corner none 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1948 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in yellow block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in top left corner and "48" in top right corner none 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1949 Embossed red numbers on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide red block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "49" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow red block letters centered at top 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1950 Embossed blue numbers on orange plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide blue block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in top left corner and "50" in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow blue block letters centered at bottom 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1951 Embossed dark green numbers on yellow plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide dark green block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "51" in bottom right corner "KEEP FLORIDA GREEN" embossed in narrow dark green block letters centered at top 12A3456 Coded by county and weight class
1952 Embossed orange numbers on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide orange block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in top left corner and "52" in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow orange block letters centered at bottom 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1953 Embossed blue numbers on orange plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide blue block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "53" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow blue block letters centered at top 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1954 Similar to 1952 base, but with "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "54" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" as on 1952 base 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1955 Similar to 1953 base, but with "19" embossed in top left corner and "55" in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" as on 1953 base 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1956 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide white block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "56" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow white block letters centered at bottom 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1957 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide blue block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in top left corner and "57" in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow blue block letters centered at top 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1958 Embossed white numbers on dark green plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide white block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "58" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow white block letters centered at bottom 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1959 Embossed dark green numbers on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide dark green block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in top left corner and "59" in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow dark green block letters centered at top 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1960 Embossed yellow numbers on royal blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide yellow block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "60" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow yellow block letters centered at bottom 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1961 Embossed navy blue numbers on lemon yellow plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide navy blue block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in top left corner and "61" in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow navy blue block letters centered at top 12-34567
12A34567
Coded by county and weight class
1962 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide blue block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "62" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow blue block letters centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class (see right) D was used for vehicles weighing 2,500 lb or less, no letter for vehicles between 2,501 lb and 3,500 lb, W for vehicles between 3,501 lb and 4,500 lb, and WW for vehicles 4,501 lb or greater. This continued until the cessation of county codes and weight classes in 1977.[1]
1963 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide white block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in top left corner and "63" in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow white block letters centered at top 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1964 Embossed blue numbers on orange plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide blue block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "64" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow blue block letters centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1965 Embossed gold numbers on red plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide gold block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in top left corner and "65" in top right corner "400TH ANNIVERSARY" embossed in narrow gold block letters centered at top 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class Commemorated the 400th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously-inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States.
1966 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide white block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "66" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow white block letters centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1967–68 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide white block letters centered at bottom; "67" embossed in top left corner and "68" in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow white block letters centered at top 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1968–69 Embossed white numbers on red plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide white block letters centered at top; "68" embossed in bottom left corner and "69" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow white block letters centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1969–70 Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide white block letters centered at bottom; "69" embossed in top left corner and "70" in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow white block letters centered at top 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1970–71 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide white block letters centered at top; "70" embossed in bottom left corner and "71" in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow white block letters centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1972 Embossed orange numbers on reflective white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide orange block letters centered at bottom; "72" embossed in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow orange block letters centered at top 1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1973 Embossed green numbers on reflective white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide green block letters centered at top; "73" embossed in bottom right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow green block letters centered at bottom 1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1974 As 1972 base, but with "74" embossed in top right corner "SUNSHINE STATE" as on 1972 base 1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class
1975–77 Embossed red numbers on reflective white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide red block letters centered at top; "75" embossed in top left corner "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in narrow red block letters centered at bottom 1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county (1 or 10) and weight class Revalidated with stickers until 1980.
April
1977 – February 1979
Embossed green numbers on reflective white plate; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide green block letters centered at top none ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately FBN 999 Issued only to new registrants. Letters I, O and Q not used in serials. County-name stickers added at bottom in 1978. Revalidated with stickers until 1987.
February 1979 – February 1984 Similar to 1977–79 base, but with orange state map screened to left of center, behind numbers County name embossed in green block letters centered at bottom ABC 123 FBP 000 to YZZ 999;
AIA 000 to YQZ 999
After YZZ 999 was issued in late 1982, serials with I and Q in the first and/or second positions were issued, before the 123 ABC format was introduced. MAA 000 through MZZ 999 were reserved for dealers; ZAA 000 through ZZZ 999 and 000 YAA through 999 ZZZ for rental vehicles. Revalidated with stickers until 1992.
February 1984 – June
1986
123 ABC 000 AAA to approximately 999 KTG
June
1986 – November 1991
Embossed red numbers on reflective white plate; green state map screened to left of center behind numbers; "FLORIDA" embossed in red block letters centered at top County name embossed in red block letters centered at bottom ABC 12D Exclusively from AAA 00A to approximately JUQ 99Z; intermittently from JUR 00A to approximately KGW 99Z Early 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; MAA 00A through MZZ 99Z reserved for dealers and YAA 00A through ZZZ 99Z for rental vehicles. Replaced from 1992 through 1996 as part of five-year plate replacement cycle.
November 1991 – November 1994 green on reflective white with graphic of state map county name ABC 12D Intermittently from JUR 00A to approximately KGW 99Z; exclusively from KGX 00A to approximately RWV 99Z
November 1994 – July
1997
county name or "Sunshine State" Exclusively 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 1998
green on reflective white with state map and "citrus orange" graphic county name or "Sunshine State" ABC 12D Intermittently 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.
1998 AB1 23C AA0 00A to XZ9 99Z
1998 A12 34B A00 00A to X99 99Z
1999 A12 BCD A00 AAA to approximately B99 FWB
2000 – December 2003 county name A12 BCD B00 FWC to approximately I99 YXW Issued in all counties except Miami-Dade County.
"Sunshine State" T00 AAA to approximately X99 FMA Issued in Miami-Dade County. First use of a separate serial block for this county.
December 2003 – August 2004 green on reflective white with state map and "orange blossom" graphic myFLORIDA.com with county name A12 BCD I00 ZAA to approximately K99 AAR Issued in all counties except Miami-Dade County.
myFLORIDA.com with "Sunshine State" X00 FTA to X99 ZZZ Issued in Miami-Dade County.
August 2004 – late March 2009 myFLORIDA.com with county name A12 3BC A00 0AA to N99 9ZZ Issued in all counties except Miami-Dade County. Dies changed from narrow set to wider set mid-production.
late March 2009 – present 123 ABC 000 MAA to 999 RZZ Issued in all counties except Miami-Dade County.
August 2004 – 2006 myFLORIDA.com with "Sunshine State" A12 3BC P00 0AA to X99 9ZZ Issued in Miami-Dade County. Dies changed from narrow set to wider set mid-production.
2006 – present 123 ABC 000 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 1, 2009 – present myFLORIDA.com with "Sunshine State" slogan ABC D12 AAA A00 to present 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 myFLORIDA.com with "In God We Trust" slogan 123 4AB 000 0GA to present Issued in all counties as alternate choice without additional charges. Progression of first letter as of March 12, 2015: G, H, I, J, B, P, Q.

Non-passenger and specialty plates

Non-passenger

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

Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
Amateur Radio call sign
Antique 123 456
BA1 234
Antique Motorcycle Q123456
Apportioned A12 34B Annual plates. Issued in pairs.
City Government XA1234 "City" legend.
College 1234
County Government 123456 "County" legend.
Custom Vehicle 2008 VAB1C
Dealer MAB 12C
NA1 23B
PA1 23B
Disabled Person 123456
Y1ABC
Z1ABC
Disabled Person - Motorcycle 1234
W'A1B
On 1998 base.
On myflorida.com base.
Ex-Prisoner of War 1234
Fleet GAB 123
Honorary Consul 1
123
Horseless Carriage 12345
Indefinite YA1 23B
Manufacturer A12 345
Member of Congress 1
12
Serial is district number.
Motor Scooterdriver under 21 years old 12ABC
Motorcycle 12345A
1234EA
Pearl Harbor Survivor 1234
Permanent Trailer C12 34A
123 4CA
Permanent plates.
Seminole Indian 1234
Sheriff ZAB12
Temporary registration P-123456
Q-123456
R-123456
S-123456
ABC1234
Truck over 5,000 lb. N12 34A County name or "SUNSHINE STATE" slogan at bottom. Issued in pairs with the validation sticker placed on the front plate.
Transporter G12 34A
Wrecker D12 34A
E12 34A
"WRECKER" legend.

Specialty

Florida has offered a wide variety of specialty license plates to its motorists, most for an extra fee. Only a few of these types are no longer issued; a number of other types have been redesigned since they were first issued.

Image Type First Issued
(Redesigned)
Serial format Notes
Passenger - personalized 2003 One to seven characters selected by registrant. Specialty plates may be personalized; however, some specialties are limited to five characters.
A State of Vision 2006-07-01 XA123
Agriculture Keeps Florida Green 1997-04-01 VAB 123
Agriculture Education 2006-07-01 JA 123
American Red Cross 2002-07-01 123AB
Animal Friend 2004-07-01 ABC12
Aquaculture 2004-07-01 AB1 234
Barry University 1998-07-01
Bethune-Cookman College 1997-02-15
Challenger/Columbia 1987-01-01
(2001, 2005)
ABC 123
TA123
TA1BC
Choose Life 1999-07-01 CAB1D
Clearwater Christian College 2002-10-01 A1BC
Conserve Wildlife 1998-07-01 CA123
CA12B
CA1BD
Disabled Veteran 1234
Discover Florida's Oceans 2004-07-01 DAB12
Donate Organs 2006-07-01 Y123A
Eckerd College 2002-10-01 E12 345
Edward Waters College 2002-10-01 B1AB
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2002-10-01
End Breast Cancer 2002-07-01 KAB1C
Everglades River of Grass 1998-07-01 EA12B
Family First 2004-07-01 FA1 234
Family Values 2004-07-01 VA1 234
Fish Florida 2003-10-01 JA1BC
Flagler College 2002-10-01
Florida A&M University 1987-10-01
Florida Atlantic University 1987-10-01 A123B
Florida College 2002-10-01 L1ABF
Florida Corrections Foundation 2007-10-01 1CAB
Florida Gulf Coast University 1997-11-01
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences 2002-10-01
Florida Institute of Technology 2002-10-01
Florida International University 1987-10-01 I123A
Florida Marlins 1995-07-01
Florida Memorial University 1999-07-01 FAB1C
Florida Panthers 1995-06-01 P123A
Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches 1998-07-01 RA12B
Florida Southern College 2002-10-01 D1AB
Florida State University 1987-10-01 S1ABC
S1234
VA123
WA123
WA12B
Go Fishing 1997-03-15
Gold Star Family 2008-04-01 1GAB
Golf Capital of the World 2002-07-01 JA1 23B
Helping Sea Turtles Survive 1998-02-01 RAB 123
Horse Country 2008-10-01 12HAB
Hospice – Every Day Is a Gift 2003-07-01 123HA
Imagine 2004-07-01 123 4FA
In God We Trust 2008-10-01 IAB12
Indian River Lagoon 1995-02-15 R1234
R123A
R12AB
Invest in Children 1995-05-01 123 CAB
123 DAB
Jacksonville Jaguars 1995-06-01 J123A
Jacksonville University 2002-10-01
Keep Kids Drug Free 1998-07-01 KA123
Kids Deserve Justice 2004-07-01
Live the Dream 2004-07-01 DA1 234
Lynn University 2002-10-01 E1AB
Miami Dolphins 1995-04-01 D123A
Miami Heat 1995-06-01 L123A
Motorcycle specialty 2003-10-01
NASCAR 2007-10-01 12NAB
New College of Florida 2002-07-01 N123
N12A
Nova Southeastern University 2002-10-01 S1AB
Olympic Spirit 1994-01-01 G12AB
Orlando Magic 1995-06-01
Palm Beach Atlantic University 2002-10-01 F1AB
Parents Make a Difference 2004-07-01
Play Tennis! 2008-10-01
Police Athletic League 1997-02-15 PA123
PA12B
Protect Florida Springs 2007-10-01 P12 345
Protect Florida Whales 2002-07-01 WAB1C
Protect Our Reefs 2003-07-01 RAB1C
Protect the Panther 1990-10-15 LAB 123
MAB 123
Protect Wild Dolphins 1998-07-01 DA12B
DA1BC
Purple Heart 12345
Ringling School of Art and Design 2002-10-01 U1AB
Rollins College 2002-10-01
Saint Leo University 2002-10-01
Saint Thomas University 2002-10-01 H1AB
Salutes Firefighters 2002-10-01 YA1BC
Salutes Veterans 1989-10-01 DAB 123
SAB1C
Save Our Seas 2004-07-01 RAB12
RAB1C
Save the Manatee 1990-03-16
(2008)
HAB 123
IAB 123
Scouting Teaches Values 1997-02-15 123 SAB
Share the Road 1999-06-10
(2007)
123 EAB
EAB1C
Southeastern University 2002-10-01 W1AB
Special Olympics Florida 1994-01-01 SAB 123
Sportsman National Land Trust 2004-07-01 VAB12
State of the Arts 1995-02-01 FAB 123
State Wildflower 1999-07-01 WAB 123
Stetson University 2002-10-01
Stop Child Abuse 2003-07-01 123SA
Stop Heart Disease 2003-07-01 S12 345
Support Autism Programs 2009-09-01
Support Education 1994-10-01 123 ABC
Support Homeownership for All 2006-07-01 QA123
Support Law Enforcement 2002-10-01 PAB1C
Support Our Troops 2007-10-01 12TAB
Support Soccer 2004-07-01 123 4SA
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1998-04-01
(2008)
B12AB
B1ACD
Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Tampa Bay Rays 1997-03-01
(2008)
Tampa Bay Estuary 1999-06-10 TAB1C
Tampa Bay Lightning 1995-06-01
Trees Are Cool 2007-10-01 12CAB
U.S. Air Force 2003-07-01 ABC1D
U.S. Army 2003-07-01 BAC1D
U.S. Coast Guard 2003-07-01 123VA
U.S. Marine Corps 1999-07-01 UAB1C
U.S. Navy 2003-07-01 NAB1C
U.S. Paratrooper 2003-07-01 123WA
United We Stand 2002-07-01 123 UAB
University of Central Florida 1987-10-01 C123A
University of Florida 1987-10-01
(1997, 2007)
F1ABC
GAB1C
HAB1C
University of Miami 1989-10-01 H123A
H12AB
X12AB
University of North Florida 1987-10-01 N1234
University of South Florida 1987-10-01 U12AB
University of Tampa 2002-10-01 X1AB
University of West Florida 1987-10-01 W1234
W123A
Visit Our Lights 2008-10-01 VA12B
Warner Southern College 2002-10-01

Discontinued types

Image Type Dates issued Serial format Notes
ALL Thru 1976 County and weight coded YOM excluded
Passenger
Trailer
Truck
1977–1985 ABC 123
AB 1234
A 12345
Challenger (Specialty) 1986–1995 ABC 123 Redesigned base with 5 digit alpha numeric serials are valid
ALL 1986–1997 ABC 12D
ALL 1997–2002 A12 BCD I12 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 Scouts GA12B

References

  1. "Florida License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 20, 2015.

External links


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