Vehicle registration plates of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1920.

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 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the province's first licence plate that fully complied with these standards: the issues from 1951 (dated 1952) through 1955 (dated 1956) were all six inches in height by twelve inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.

The last complete re-registration of all registered vehicles in Newfoundland and Labrador was in 1981, with a switch from a numerical system to an alphanumeric system.

All plates issued since 1982 (beginning AAA-001) remain valid today. Plates remain with the vehicle to which they are originally registered, rather than with the owner. Used vehicles with expired plates are issued new licence plates — used vehicles with valid plates retain their original licence plate.

Since 1985, the province has not used the letters I, Q, U, or Y on licence plates, except on plates that use "VO1" (or "VO2" for Labrador) followed by two or three letters. However, the HAY series was issued on the 1996-97 Cabot 500 base, while the TFI series was issued on trailers in 2010. The letter I is skipped because it closely resembles the number 1, while the letter Q is skipped because it closely resembles the letter O (which the province does use) and the number zero.

Since September 1997, the province requires only a rear plate for most registrations, except for B, C, E and G plates (see below). Some older cars still display both front and rear plates. Some early "World of Difference" and Cabot 500 base plates were issued in duplicate for the front and rear.

On Newfoundland licence plates, the first letter (or two letters) designates the registration class of the vehicle. For example, HMT-999 would be assigned to a passenger car, while TZD-019 would be assigned to a trailer.

Vehicle class

First letter(s) Vehicle type Notes on use/expiration/issue
A Private car Began at AAA-001 in 1982; ended at AZZ-999 on World of Difference base in 1998. Front and rear plates required until 1997.
B Bus BAx for public-use buses, BPx for private-use buses (e.g. tour buses). Front and rear plates required.
C Truck/heavy vehicle Issued to pickup trucks, SUVs and large vans. Began at CAA-001 in 1982. Front and rear plates required. CRx indicates large mobile crane units that are generally overwidth and need special permits and escort on public roadways. Some trucks and vans may now be registered as private cars.
D Dealer Issued to auto dealers for test driving and transporting cars.
E Emergency vehicle Emergency vehicles (fire trucks or police cars) are registered as provincial or municipal, as private ambulance companies operate in NL. Front and rear plates required. Also used by search and rescue vehicles.
F Farm vehicle FAx for farm tractors, FEx for farm equipment, FTx for farm trucks that operate on roads. Infrequently issued.
G Government vehicle GMx on municipal vehicles, GPx on provincial, GFx on federal. Municipal/provincial still issue 2001 flag series, federal only has 2003 series. None on 2002 issue. Front and rear plates required. In 2010 provincial government vehicles started featuring 2007 type plates.
H Private car Issued as next available letter after A series. Began at HAB-001 on Cabot base in fall of 1996; issued on World of Difference base from 1998; ended at HZZ-999 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013.
J Private car Issued as next available letter after H series. Began at JAA-001 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013.
M Motorcycle Began at MCA-001.
PR Apportioned Issued to transport trucks, began at PRP-001 on 1993 issue.
T Trailer Began at TAA-001 in 1982; jumped from TET-999 to TVT-001 when flag base was introduced in 2001; reached TZZ-999 then jumped back to TEV-001 on pitcher plant base in 2008. TXx reserved for taxi plates.
TX Licensed taxi Supplemented with a municipal taxi licence sticker.
W Tow truck Tow trucks display a second plate (in addition to a C series). Infrequently issued.
X Heavy machinery Issued to tractors, backhoes, forklifts, etc.

Passenger baseplates 1920 to present

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1925 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "NFLD" and "1925" embossed in white block letters at left and right of numbering none 1234 unknown
1926 Embossed black numbers on buff plate with border line; "NFLD" and "1926" embossed in black block letters at left and right of numbering none 1234 unknown
1927 Embossed white numbers on forest green plate with border line; "NFLD 1927" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 1234 unknown
1928 Embossed black numbers on silver plate with border line; "NFLD 1928" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 1234 unknown
1929 Embossed white numbers on ocean blue plate with border line; "NFLD 1929" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 1234 unknown
1930 Embossed white numbers on brick red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 30" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 1234 unknown
1931 Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 31" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 1234 unknown
1932 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 32" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 1234 unknown
1933 Embossed white numbers on brick red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 33" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 1234 unknown
1934 Embossed orange numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 34" embossed in orange block letters at bottom none 1234 unknown
1935 Embossed silver numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 35" embossed in white block letters at top none 1234 unknown
1936 Embossed periwinkle numbers on gray plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 36" embossed in periwinkle block letters at bottom none 1234 unknown
1937 Embossed red numbers on buff plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 37" embossed in red block letters at top none 1234 unknown First (and only) use of crown.
1938 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 38" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 1-234 unknown
1939 Embossed dark green numbers on buff plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 39" embossed in dark green block letters at top none 1-234 unknown
1940 Embossed orange numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 40" embossed in orange block letters at bottom none 1-234 unknown
1941 Embossed white numbers on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 41" embossed in white block letters at top none 1-234 unknown
1942 Embossed orange numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 42" embossed in orange block letters at bottom none 1-234 unknown These plates were repainted for 1944 (see below)
1943 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND - 43" embossed in white block letters at top none 1-234 unknown
1944 Embossed red numbers on 1942 plate none 1-234 unknown Reused 1942 plates
1945 Hand-painted white numbers on dark green flat metal plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND-45" in white block letters at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 4-700
1946 Embossed white numbers on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-46" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 6-500
1947 Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-47" embossed in white block letters at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 7-500
1948 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-48" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 8-000
1949 Embossed white numbers on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-49" embossed in white block letters at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 9-000
1950 Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-50" embossed in black block letters at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 11-500
1951 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND 51" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 12-345 10-001 to approximately 23-500
1952 Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-52" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 19-000
1953 Embossed white numbers on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-53" embossed in white block letters at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 21-000
1954 Embossed white numbers on dark green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-54" embossed in white block letters at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 26-500
1955 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-55" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 28-000
1956 Embossed white numbers on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-56" embossed in white block letters at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 36-000
1957 Embossed yellow numbers on sky blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-57" embossed in yellow block letters at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 38-000
1958 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-58" embossed in black block letters at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 39-000
1959 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-59" embossed in yellow block letters at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 43-000
1960 Embossed white numbers on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-60" embossed in white block letters at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 45-000
1961 Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-61" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 49-000
1962 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-62" embossed in white block letters at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 55-000
1963 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-63" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 59-000
1964 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-64" embossed in white block letters at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 65-000
1965 Embossed dark blue numbers on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND" (in two lines) and "LABRADOR" embossed in dark blue block letters centred and top and bottom respectively; "19" embossed in top left corner and "65" in top right corner none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 70-000
1966 Embossed dark blue numbers on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" (in two lines) and "1966" embossed in dark blue block letters centred at top and bottom respectively none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 74-000
1967 Embossed green numbers on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1967" embossed in green block letters centred at top and bottom respectively "CANADA CENTENNIAL" embossed in green block letters between numbers and year 12-345 1-001 to approximately 79-000
1968 Embossed red numbers on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" embossed in red block letters at top; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "68" in bottom right corner "CANADA'S HAPPY PROVINCE" embossed in two lines of red block letters centred at bottom 12-345 1-001 to approximately 87-000
1969 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1969" embossed in blue block letters centred at top and bottom respectively, with an embossed blue lightning bolt either side of year "THE MIGHTY CHURCHILL" embossed in curving line of blue block letters between numbers and year 12-345 1-001 to approximately 88-000
1970–72 Embossed green numbers on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1970" embossed in green block letters centred at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 136-000
1973–75 Embossed red numbers on white plate; border lines around plate and around sticker spots in bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1973" embossed in red block letters centred at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 165-000
1976–82 Embossed blue numbers on orange plate; border lines around plate and around sticker spots in bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1976" embossed in blue block letters centred at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 259-000
1982 –
mid
1993		 Embossed blue numbers on white plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND" and "AND LABRADOR" embossed in red block letters centred at top and bottom respectively none ABC-123 AAA-001 to ASZ-999
mid
1993 – September 1996		 Embossed red numbers on white plate; graphic screened at bottom featuring a Viking ship with a red sail against a yellow sunset; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in red serifed letters at top "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" screened in two wavy lines of red serifed letters below and to right of graphic ABC 123 ATA 001 to AZF 999
September 1996 – September 1997 Embossed red numbers on light blue and white gradient plate; screened red graphic of John Cabot centred at bottom; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in blue serifed letters at top "CABOT" screened in blue cursive letters to right of graphic, and "Celebrate 500 Years" in black serifed letters to left ABC 123 HAB 001 to HBC 999 Commemorated the 500th anniversary of Cabot's voyage to Newfoundland.
September 1997 – October 2001 As 1993–96 base "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" as from 1993–96 ABC 123 AZG 001 to AZZ 999; HBD 001 to HEP 999
October 2001 – July
2002		 Embossed red numbers on white plate; screened provincial flag centred slightly below numbers; "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CANADA" screened in three lines of red serifed letters below flag none ABC 123 HER 001 to HFO 999
July
2002 – September 2003		 As above, but with "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR" in two lines centred at top, and "CANADA" increased in size HFP 001 to HGZ 999
September 2003 – April
2007		 As above, but with flag graphic revised and increased in size, "Newfoundland & Labrador" in one line at top, and "CANADA" removed HHA 001 to HMT 999
April 2007 – present Embossed blue numbers on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue stylized serifed letters, and a pitcher plant none ABC 123 HMV 001 to JGD 999 (as of June 24, 2017)

Non-passenger types

Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Motorcycle 1982–
2004		 Similar design to 1982 passenger base; debossed sticker box in bottom left corner M/C A-123 M/C A-001 to M/C X-999
2004–07 Embossed red numbers on white plate; border lines around plate and around sticker box in bottom left corner; "NEWFOUNDLAND" embossed in red block letters at top; "& LABRADOR" embossed in same letters in bottom right corner MAB-123 MDA-001 to
MDE-999
2007–
present		 Similar design to pitcher plant passenger base; debossed sticker box in bottom left corner MDF-001 to
MEE-999 (as of February 20, 2015)
Trailer 1982–94 As 1982 passenger base TAB-123 TAA-001 to
TDE-999
1994–96 As World of Difference passenger base TAB 123 TDF 001 to TDR 999
1996–97 As Cabot passenger base TDS 001 to TDX 999
1997–2001 As World of Difference passenger base TDZ 001 to TET 999
2001–02 As 2001 flag passenger base TVT 001 to TVV 999
2002–03 As 2002 flag passenger base TVW 001 to TWE 999
2003–07 As 2003 flag passenger base TWF 001 to TWZ 999; TZA 001 to TZC 999
2007–
present		 As pitcher plant passenger base TZD 001 to TZZ 999; TEV 001 to TJD 999 (as of August 14, 2015)
Truck 1982–95 As 1982 passenger base CAB-123 CAA-001 to
CHV-999
1995–96 As World of Difference passenger base CAB 123 CHW 001 to CJH 999
1996–97 As Cabot passenger base CKL 001 to CKR 999
1997–
2003		 As World of Difference passenger base CJJ 001 to CKK 999; CKS 001 to CMS 999
2003–04 As 2001 flag passenger base CMT 001 to CNE 999
2004–07 As 2003 flag passenger base CNF 001 to COS 999
2007–
present		 As pitcher plant passenger base COT 001 to CXP 999 (as of November 3, 2015) Series CRA through CRZ reserved for mobile crane units.
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