The Illinois Secretary of State Office is another excellent source of Illinois vehicle information.For inquiries, you may call at 217-785-3000 (Outside Illinois) / 800-252-8980 (Toll-free in Illinois). You may also visit the Contact page. Illinois License Plates & Placards. Types of License Plates in Illinois. When drivers need to obtain car registration plates and decals in Illinois, they may choose from several different types of car tags. For instance, popular IL car registration tags include basic passenger vehicle plates, disability plates, military tags, specialty plates, vanity plates and personalized plates. Vanity License Plates This information was printed from www.cyberdriveillinois.com, the official website of the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. Wed Sep 25 2019. Read below for details about Illinois license plates and tags. Pick a plate that reflects your personality—find information about personalized and special plates on our Types of Special Plates page. Get more information about disabled parking plates by visiting our Disability Placards & Plates page. Types of Illinois License Plates.
- In the United States, the appearance of license plates is frequently chosen to contain symbols, colors, or slogans associated with the issuing jurisdiction, which are the 50 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, the 5 inhabited U.S. Territories, and Native American tribes, each of which independently registers motor vehicles.Regular-issue license plates for passenger vehicles typically have 5.
- SUMMARY: Specialty Illinois License Plates. Illinois residents can choose from a wide variety of specialty license plates, including personalized and vanity plates and plates with special designs.You can apply for specialty plates by mail or in person, and you can order some plates online.
In the United States, the appearance of license plates is frequently chosen to contain symbols, colors, or slogans associated with the issuing jurisdiction, which are the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the 5 inhabited U.S. territories, and Native American tribes, each of which independently registers motor vehicles. Regular-issue license plates for passenger vehicles typically have 5-7 characters, with specialty or vanity plates having up to 8 characters in some states. This article describes the designs and serial formats for regular-issue plates.
- 2Serial coding
Trends in serial formats[edit]
Visualization of the number of characters in license plate serial formats in the United States, based on current serial formats for passenger plates as of April 2018. The arrangement of the characters may vary.Random coding - Plates issued based on available numbers in non-sequential order.
Coded issuance - Plates coded by month of expiration
Coded issuance - Plates coded by county of issuance
Sequential issuance - 6-character plate (1 letter, 5 digits)
Sequential issuance - 6-character plate (2 letters, 4 digits)
Sequential issuance - 6-character plate (3 letters, 3 digits)
Sequential issuance - 6-character plate (4 letters, 2 digits)
Sequential issuance - 7-character plate (7 digits)
Sequential issuance - 7-character plate (2 letters, 5 digits)
Sequential issuance - 7-character plate (3 letters, 4 digits)
Different Types Of Illinois License Plates
Notes:- Only the current passenger standard-issue serial format is depicted. Previous serial formats and optional issues are not depicted.
- Florida uses 6-character serial numbers, but the combinations vary. The most popular issue consists of 4 letters and 2 digits, but alternate standard issues contain 4 digits and 2 letters.
- Maine uses a varying number of digits, but most Maine plates consist of 4 digits and 2 letters.
- Nebraska uses sequential-issuance 3-letter, 3-number plates for its most populous counties and county-coded plates for the rest of the counties.
Formats for license plate numbers may be consistent within the state. For example, Delaware and Rhode Island were formerly able to use six-digit all-numeric serials due to their low respective populations; both now use five-digit serials, with Delaware using a letter and four digits, and Rhode Island using two letters and three digits. Several populous states use seven-character formats of three letters and four digits, including 1ABC234 in California and ABC-1234 (or variations thereof) in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Other seven-character formats include Connecticut and Illinois, which use AB-12345, and Maryland, which uses 1AB2345.(Texas used a AB1-C234 until recently.)
Many less-populous states, such as Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Carolina use a 3-letter, 3-number format in the format ABC-123, 123-ABC (sometimes both at the same time), or some variant thereof with mixed numbers and letters. Florida and New Jersey both use four letters and two numbers: Florida uses an ABC-D12 format, while New Jersey uses an A12-BCD format. Florida also uses an optional two-letter, four-number format for its no-cost 'In God We Trust' plates.
Serial coding[edit]
License plate numbers are usually assigned in ascending order, beginning with a starting point such as AAA-001. Thus, an observer familiar with the sequence can determine roughly when the plate was issued. In a few cases, numbers have been assigned in descending order. For example, when Virginia switched to seven characters for its standard issue in 1993, numbers beginning with AAA-1000 were already in use for extra-cost, optional-issue plates; therefore, the new standard license plates were issued in descending order from ZZZ-9999.[1]
Expiration date[edit]
In some states, the month of expiration or the county of registration is incorporated into the plate's serial. The last number on a Massachusetts license plate indicates the month the vehicle's registration expires (for example, 1234 AB would expire in April, the fourth month; 0 indicates October expirations; and X and Y were used for November and December expirations, respectively, on commercial plates and pre-1978 passenger plates). The same applies to the first number or letter on West Virginia plates (1 to 9 for January through September, and O, N, and D for October, November, and December expirations, respectively). Additionally, the first letter of Missouri passenger plates denotes the month of expiration. The month's position within the calendar year corresponds roughly to the letter's position within the alphabet; i.e. the letters progress from 'A' and 'B' for January to 'Y' and 'Z' for December. Maine trailer plates start with two digits and a dash, as all plates expire on the last day of February, and the first two digits of the plate are the year it expires.
County of issuance[edit]
Although increasingly few states place the full name of the county of registration explicitly on their standard-issue plates, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee continue the practice. However, Georgia allows drivers to choose the slogan 'In God We Trust' in place of the county name where the vehicle is registered, and Florida allows its residents to choose either 'Sunshine State' or 'In God We Trust' in place of the county name. Florida also terminated a practice by which plates registered to rented vehicles had the letter Y or Z as their first digit, which led to targeting of rental cars for theft.
In Alabama, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming, a one- or two-digit number representing the county of issue begins a license plate number. Standard-issue Idaho license plate numbers begin with a single-letter or a number-letter code representing the county of issue. County codes have been based on historical population figures, the county names in alphabetical order, or some combination thereof. Other states like Indiana and Tennessee also once used the practice, with Tennessee discontinuing in the 1980s and Indiana in 2008.
Only three places in the United States use letters to designate a residence where a vehicle was registered. In Hawaii, the license plates have a unique letter designation based on the island counties that residents purchased or registered the vehicles from; a vehicle with a registration number beginning with H or Z is registered in Hawai‘i County, one beginning with K is registered in Kaua‘i County, one beginning with M or L is registered in Maui County, and one beginning with any other letter (and not containing H, K, L, M, or Z) is registered in the City and County of Honolulu. In Idaho, the first one to three characters are used to designate the county of residence/registration. For example, all vehicles registered in Ada county start with 1A, vehicles in Twin Falls County start with 2T and vehicles in Valley county start with V (as there is only one county that starts with the letter V). In the US territory of Guam, the license plates use the first two letters that are coded by village of issuance, for example, 'TM-1234' refers to a vehicle that was registered by a person who lives the village of Tamuning.
Several states do require vehicles to display county codes, but these codes are not part of the serial. Indiana and Ohio display two-number county codes, while Kansas plates display two-letter county codes, but these codes are placed on a sticker or are printed in the corner of the plate in a smaller font size. Texas places the county name only on the windshield registration sticker, where the car's license plate number is also printed.
Skipping characters[edit]
For various reasons related to visibility and readability, some states and territories exclude certain letters from use in their license plate serial formats. The most commonly skipped characters are I, O, and Q, with some states using only one or two of the three while others will skip all three of these letters. Other states, such as Colorado, Georgia and South Carolina have gradually adopted one or more of these letters over a course of years after previously skipping them in order to accommodate the demands of population growth and depletion of available serial combinations. The most common argument behind skipping I, O, and Q is that they can be too easily confused with 0, 1, and other characters, particularly when there isn't adequate spacing or divider between numbers and letters.
California currently only uses I, O, and Q in between two other letters, for example '1AQA000'. A unique example of character use is Texas, which used to issue serials using all 26 letters but currently skips all vowels along with the letter Q on passenger plates (as these letters are reserved for truck plates).
In amateur radio license plate issues, all states that have them available, except Pennsylvania & Tennessee, use a unique slashed zero character in place of the standard '0' character due to lack of spacing between letters and numbers. In Pennsylvania, the die used for the number '0' is different than the one used for the letter 'O' since the state's number dies are taller and narrower than its letter dies. Iowa is a unique example in the use of this character, which began using the slashed zero beginning in 2012 on all standard passenger plates as opposed to the traditional symbol for zero to differentiate it from the letter 'O' which is also used.
Persons with disabilities[edit]
In the states, special plates displaying the International Symbol of Accessibility are issued to persons with disabilities that entitle them to special parking privileges. Alternately, a placard, which in some jurisdictions can be hung from the rear view mirror, may be issued; the placard has the advantage of being transferred from vehicle to vehicle.
Current standard-issue passenger plate designs and serial formats[edit]
Il Dmv License Plates
The following tables give information on license plates currently being issued, with 2014 or later expiration dates, for private (non-commercial) use on passenger vehicles by the governments of the fifty U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the five inhabited U.S. territories, and Native American tribes. Information on serial numbering patterns is also given. Older designs and serial formats previously issued may still be valid for continued usage in certain jurisdictions; these are noted in a separate table below.
In addition to 'regular' passenger plates, all jurisdictions also provide plates for other types of vehicles that may only be roughly similar in design and layout. Additionally, there has been an increasing trend in the field of 'specialty' plates to promote specific causes or interests. To keep this table as simple as possible, most of these alternate types of plates will not be noted. More information may also be found within the individual articles for each state, as linked within the table. Exceptions to this guideline may be made for specialty plates that are available at no extra cost to the motorist, as these tend to be seen more commonly on the roads.
Jurisdiction | Image | First issued | Type & slogan | Design | Plate style | Serial format |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | January 2, 2014 | Standard issue Heart of Dixie (in small print) | lake and forest graphic | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | Numerically coded by county:[2]
| |
Alaska | January 2010[4] | Standard issue The Last Frontier | blue on gold with state flag | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | |
American Samoa | 2011 | Standard issue Motu O Fiafiaga | black on reflective graphic featuring Fatu Rock | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 1234 | |
Arizona | 2008 | Standard issue Grand Canyon State | dark green on desert landscape | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC1234[5] | |
Arkansas | 2006 | Standard issue The Natural State | black on a diamond background, representing Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro[6] | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123 ABC[7] | |
California | Late 2011 | Standard issue dmv.ca.gov | dark blue on white with red state name graphic and slogan printed in red at the bottom | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 1ABC234[8] | |
Colorado | 2000 | Standard issue | Dark green on reflective white grey and green Rocky Mountains scene graphic. Some versions have full color | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123-ABC, ABC-123 (the second serial set is limited to characters that were unused previously, such as Q). | |
Connecticut | 2000 | Standard issue Constitution State | dark blue on blue and white gradient fade | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | AB•12345 (2015–present) 1AB•CD2 (2013–2015) 1ABCD2 (2013) 123•ABC (2000–2013)[9] | |
Delaware | 1959 | Standard issue The First State | gold on navy blue | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | 123456 (variable number of digits) | |
District of Columbia | April 2017 | Standard issue End Taxation without Representation; jurisdiction name displayed as 'District of Columbia' | blue on reflective white with red flag separator | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | AB-1234 | |
2001 | Optional issue: www.washingtondc.gov[10] | |||||
Florida | December 2003 | Standard issue myFLORIDA.com with county name[11] or 'Sunshine State' | green on reflective white with state map and citrus orange graphic | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC D12 (2009–present) 123 ABC (2006 to 2009) A12 3BC (2003 to 2009) | |
October 1, 2008 | Optional issue myFLORIDA.com with 'In God We Trust' slogan | 123 4AB | ||||
Georgia | May 2012 | Standard issue Peach State with county name or 'In God We Trust' sticker | black on reflective blue with hills, peach tree, and peaches | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC1234 | |
May 2012 | Optional issue GEORGIA with county name or 'In God We Trust' sticker | black on reflective white | ||||
Guam | February 27, 2009 | Standard issue Tano Y Chamorro | black on reflective white with grey latte stone and three red bougainvillea flowers at center[12] | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by municipality of issuance AB 1234 | |
Hawaii | 1991 | Standard issue Aloha State | black on reflective white with rainbow graphic | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by county of issuance:
| |
Idaho | 2008 | Standard issue Famous Potatoes | black on reflective white with red gradient and dark blue mountain scene | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by county of issuance:
| |
Illinois | January 2017 | Standard issue Land of Lincoln | Reflective gradient blue-to-white with white Chicago and Springfield skyline and gray Abraham Lincoln graphic at far left; state name screened in black at top | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | AB 12345 (2017–Present) AB1 2345 (2016)[13] | |
Indiana | January 2017 | Standard issue Dark blue serial on reflective country scene graphic featuring a covered bridge; expiration date, year, county number and recycling symbol in corners clockwise from top left | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | 123A 123AB 123ABC | ||
Optional issue In God We Trust | black on white with American flag graphic | ABC123 | ||||
Iowa | April 2018 | Standard issue black numbers on reflective graphic plate with blue sky, white city skyline, farm and wind turbine, and green grass field; 'IOWA' screened in white centered at top; county name screened in black centered at bottom | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | ||
Kansas | April 2007 | Standard issue dark blue on light blue gradient with state seal graphic and county code sticker | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123 ABC | ||
Kentucky | 2005 | Standard issue Unbridled Spirit | Standard issue dark blue on light blue graident with county name sticker | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123 ABC | |
2011 | Optional issue In God We Trust | |||||
Louisiana | 2005 to 2010; 2013, and 2016 | Standard issue 'Sportsman's Paradise'; black on yellow-pink gradient with pelican graphic in center | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 (through 2016) 123 ABC (2016 – present) | ||
Maine | 1999 | Standard issue Vacationland | black on reflective white with a chickadee and pine tassel graphic at left | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 1234 AB (variable number of digits preceding space) | |
Maryland | September 2016 | Standard issue Maryland Proud | Black on reflective white with Maryland flag graphic | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 1AB2345 | |
Massachusetts | 1988 | Standard issue The Spirit of America | red on reflective white | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by month of expiration:
| |
Michigan | 2013 | Standard issue Pure Michigan | blue on reflective white with blue wave at bottom | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 1234 | |
2007 | Optional issue Spectacular Peninsulas | green and blue with Great Lakes outline on reflective white with black characters | 1AB C23 | |||
2014 | Optional issue The Mackinac Bridge | white to yellow fade and blue with stylized Mackinac Bridge in background with black characters | ABC 123 | |||
Minnesota | June 2009 | Standard issue Explore Minnesota.com, 10,000 Lakes | black on reflective white with lake scene graphic | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | 123-ABC | |
Mississippi | October 2012 | Standard issue 'Birthplace of America's Music' | dark blue on guitar graphic and 'Celebrating Mississippi's Creative Culture' with county name | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | |
Missouri | October 15, 2018 | Standard issue Bicentennial | dark blue on white with red and dark blue waves, light grey state seal, and dark blue '1821 * 2021' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by month of expiration AA1 B2C | |
Montana | January 2010 | Standard issue Treasure State | white on blue with white state outline | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by county of issuance:
| |
Optional issues:[14] replica 1989 Centennial base replica 1991 'Big Sky' base replica 2000 base replica 2006 'Big Sky Country' base | blue on white with gold and maroon graphics | ABC123 | ||||
black on light blue gradient with multicolor state outline | Coded by county of issuance:
| |||||
black on light blue with blue and tan graphics | ||||||
black on light blue gradient with multicolor state outline | ||||||
Native American tribes | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | |
Nebraska | January 2017 | Standard issue 1867; 2017 | black on reflective white with Sower statue from the Nebraska State Capitol | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123[15] Or coded by county of issuance:[16]
| |
Nevada | November 1, 2016 | Standard issue Home Means Nevada | black numbers and state-shaped separator on sky blue plate; stylized multi-colored mountain range at bottom; 'NEVADA' screened in black serifed letters centered at top | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123·A45 | |
New Hampshire | January 1999 | Standard issue Live Free or Die | green on Old Man of the Mountain graphic | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123 4567 (2000–present) 123 456 (1999)[17] | |
New Jersey | 2007 | Standard issue Garden State | black on yellow gradient fade | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | D12-ABC (2010–present)[18] ABC-12D (2007–2010) | |
New Mexico | 1989 | Standard issue Land of Enchantment | red on yellow with turquoise yucca graphics and red Zia sun symbol | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123-ABC | |
2010 | Standard issue upper: Land of Enchantment lower: New Mexico USA | yellow on turquoise with large yellow and red Zia sun symbol | ABC-123 | |||
New York | 2010 | Standard issue Empire State | dark blue on reflective gold | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234 | |
North Carolina | 1982 | Standard issue First in Flight | blue on reflective white with Wright Flyer graphic | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-123 (1982-1985)[19] ABC-1234 | |
2015 | Standard issue First In Freedom[20] | blue on reflective white | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234 | ||
North Dakota | November 2016 | Standard issue Legendary; Peace Garden State | black on light blue gradient fade to sunrise with prairie scene and buffalo graphic | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | 123 ABC | |
Northern Mariana Islands | 1989 | Standard issue Hafa Adai | dark blue on white with seal in center | Embossed on screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | |
Ohio | June 7, 2010 | Standard issue Birthplace of Aviation, county name sticker in black to be centered at bottom | blue on white various slogans in gray with a red border | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 1234 | |
Oklahoma | January 2017 | Standard issue TRAVELOK.COM | Screened black on reflective blue with state-shaped separator; scissor-tailed flycatcher in the middle, mountains on the left, oceans in the background and Explore above the state name | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-123 | |
Oregon | 1990 | Standard issue dark blue on fir tree and mountain graphic | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123 ABC (2004–present) ABC 123 (1990–2004) | ||
Pennsylvania | 2006 | Standard issue visitPA.com | blue on white with yellow and blue bars | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234 | |
Puerto Rico | 2011 | Standard issue Puerto Rico Does It Better/Puerto Rico Lo Hace Mejor | black on white with green gradient at bottom and grey building in background | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-123 | |
Rhode Island | 1996–2019 | Standard issue Ocean State | dark blue on stylized grey and white ocean wave graphic | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123456 (2007–present[21][22] AB-123 and 12345 (1996–2007) | |
2019[23] | Beautiful Rhode Island (top), Ocean State (Bottom) | white on dark blue with the Reliance in the upper left corner | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | N/A | ||
South Carolina | January 2016 | Standard issue While I Breathe, I Hope. | black on white and blue background with palmetto tree in center | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | |
January 2016 | Optional issue In God We Trust | black on white with American and South Carolinian flags on the left. | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | 1234AB | ||
South Dakota | January 2016 | Standard issue Great Faces. Great Places. | blue on Mount Rushmore graphic | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by county of issuance:
| |
Tennessee | 2011 | Standard issue www.tnvacation.com | black on mountain scene with county name sticker | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting |
| |
Texas | July 2012 | Standard issue The Lone Star State | black on white with 5-point star in the upper left corner. | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234 | |
Utah | Late 2007 | Greatest Snow on Earth and Life Elevated | dark blue on skier graphic[24][25] | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | A12 3BC | |
Life Elevated | dark blue on graphic of Delicate Arch | A12 3BC[26] | ||||
2017 | In God We Trust; United We Stand | dark blue on white | 1A2BC | |||
Vermont | 1985 | Standard issue Green Mountain State | white on green with small white tree in top left corner | Debossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 (1990–present) 12AB3 (1989) 1AB23 (1988) 123A4 (1986–1987) 1A234 (1985) | |
U.S. Virgin Islands | 2017 | Standard issue Transfer Centennial | white on blue ocean background with orange island maps | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by island of issuance:[27] ABC 123, ABC 123 (for St. John) | |
Virginia | March 1, 2014 | Standard issue Virginia is for Lovers | blue on white | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234[28] | |
Washington | July 1998 | Standard issue Evergreen State | dark blue on white with light blue Mount Rainier graphic | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC1234 (2010–present) 123-ABC (1987–2010) | |
West Virginia | 2006[29] | Standard issue Wild, Wonderful | blue on white with state name in dark blue bar | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by month of expiration:
| |
Wisconsin | June 2000 | Standard issue America's Dairyland | black on reflective white with stylized lake and farm graphic | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234 (2017-present) 123-ABC (2000-2017) | |
Wyoming | January 2016 | Standard issue Screened black numbers and Bucking Horse and Rider on graphic plate featuring the Green River Lakes and Squaretop Mountain against a cloudy blue sky; golden yellow rope border around plate | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by county of issuance:
|
Plate types no longer issued but still valid[edit]
Plates with the following designs and serial formats are no longer being issued but may still be valid for use in certain instances. This table does not include year of manufacture registrations.
Jurisdiction | Image | Dates issued | Type | Plate style | Serial format | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | early 2007 – October 2013 | Optional issue God Bless America | dark blue on American flag background | AB12345 12345AB[3] | Being replaced upon expiration, October 2013 to October 2014. | |
Alaska | 1981 – late 2004 | 'The Last Frontier'; blue on gold with state flag | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | Valid. | |
late 1997 – late 2004 | 'Gold Rush Centennial' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | |||
January 2, 2008 – December 31, 2009 | 'Celebrating Statehood 1959–2009'; dark blue on mountain landscape background | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC123[30] | |||
American Samoa | ||||||
Arizona | 1980–1996 | white on maroon | Embossed serial; Reflective characters on nonreflective background | ABC-123 | Valid. | |
1996 – late 2007 | desert scene with embossed serials | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123•ABC | |||
Arkansas | ||||||
California | 1963–1969 | yellow on black | Embossed serial; Non-reflective background | ABC 123 | Valid. | |
1969–1980 | yellow on blue | Embossed serial; Non-reflective background | 123 ABC | |||
1980 – January 1987 | 1ABC234 | |||||
January 1987 – October 1987 | 'The Golden State' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ||||
October 1987–1995 | blue on white with red embossed state name | |||||
1995–1998; 2000–2011 | blue on white with red screened state name | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ||||
1998–2000 | 'Sesquicentennial – 150 Years' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ||||
Colorado | 1978–2000 | embossed mountain scene | Reflective embossed serial; Non-reflective background | Coded by county of issuance: AB-1234, ABC-123, ABC1234 | Valid. | |
Connecticut | ||||||
Delaware | white on black | up to 12–345 | Valid. | |||
silver on black | up to 123456 | |||||
yellow on blue without slogan | up to 123456 | |||||
District of Columbia | 'A Capital City' | 123–456 | Valid. | |||
'Celebrate & Discover' | 1991 – November 2000 | AB-1234 (1997–2000) 123–456 (1991–1997) | ||||
2001 | blue on reflective white with red flag separator and 'WWW.Washingtondc.gov' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | BB-1234 | |||
2001 – July 2013 | blue on reflective white with red flag separator and 'Taxation without Representation' with jurisdiction name displayed as 'Washington, D.C.' | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | AB-1234 | |||
Florida | December 2003 – early 2009 | green on reflective white with state map, citrus orange graphic, and myFLORIDA.com with county name | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | A12 3BC | Being replaced on a ten-year rolling basis. | |
December 2003–2006 | green on reflective white with state map, citrus orange graphic, and myFLORIDA.com with 'Sunshine State' slogan | |||||
Georgia | 1997 – December 2003 | '...on my mind' | 123 ABC 12345 QA 1234 AB 1234 ABC | Valid. | ||
December 2003 – May 2007 | www.GEORGIA.gov | ABC 1234 | ||||
May 2007 – May 2012 | GEORGIA.gov | ABC 1234 | ||||
Guam | black on reflective white with map graphic in center, 'Tano Y Chamorro' | Coded by municipality of issuance:
| Valid. | |||
Hawaii | ||||||
Idaho | dark blue on reflective white with red gradient and dark blue mountain scene, 'Famous Potatoes' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by county of issuance:
| |||
Illinois | July 2016 | 'Land of Lincoln': red on blue gradient fade with Abraham Lincoln portrait graphic in center | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | AB 12345 (2017–Present) AB1 2345 (2016) A12 3456 (2006–2016) 123 4567 (2001–2006)[31] | Valid for 10 years. | |
Indiana | ||||||
Iowa | 1997 - late 2011 | blue on reflective white farm scene foreground and skyline background | Embossed or screened serial; Reflective sheeting[32] | 123 ABC[33] | Valid. | |
Kansas | January 2001 – April 2007 | state capitol | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | Valid. | |
Kentucky | ||||||
Louisiana | 1993–2001; 2004–2005 | 'Sportsman's Paradise' without pelican | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | Valid. | |
January 2002 - early 2004 | 'Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 1803–2003' written in early 18th-century lettering and has the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial logo as the separator[34] | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ||||
2011–2012 | '200 Years' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC123 | |||
2014 - 2015 | www.louisianatourism.com Bicentennial, Battle of New Orleans, 1815–2015 blue on reflective white with silhouette of Andrew Jackson on horse at left | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ||||
Maine | ||||||
Maryland | February 1986 – early 2005 | no slogan | 1AB C23 (2004–2005) ABC 123 (1986–2004) | Valid. | ||
early 2005 – June 2010 | www.Maryland.gov black on reflective white with state crest in center | 1AB C23 | ||||
Massachusetts | green on white (coded by month of expiration) 'The Spirit of America' (coded by month of expiration) | 123-450 120-ABC | Valid. Maybe subject to replacement if found to be illegible during annual motor vehicle safety inspection. | |||
Michigan | 1996–2007 | Optional issue 'Great Lakes Splendor' | 1AB C23[35] | Valid | ||
1996 | Optional issue 'World's Motor Capital' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 12 12 ABC | Valid | ||
2007–2013 | Optional issue 'www.Michigan.gov' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 1234[36] | Valid | ||
2013–2014 | Optional issue The Mackinac Bridge yellow to orange fade and blue with stylized Mackinac Bridge in background with white characters. | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | Valid | ||
Minnesota | circa 2000–2008 | blue on reflective white with lake scene graphic, 'Explore Minnesota; 10,000 lakes'; second slogan displayed in small blue gradient across bottom of plate | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-123 | Being replaced on a seven-year rolling basis. | |
2008–2009 | black on reflective white with lake scene graphic, 'Explore Minnesota; 10,000 lakes' | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | 123-ABC | |||
Mississippi | ||||||
Missouri | ||||||
Montana | 2006–2009 | black on grey and white gradient with mountain graphic; 'Big Sky Country' | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | Coded by county of issuance:
| Valid if permanently registered. | |
Nebraska | ||||||
Nevada | white on blue | A12345, AB1234, ABC123, 123ABC | ||||
New Hampshire | ||||||
New Jersey | 1959–1969; 1970–1973 | black on tan, non-reflective, state abbreviated 'N. J.' | ABC-123 | Valid. | ||
1969–1970 | black on tan, reflective, state abbreviated 'N. J.' | ABC-123 | ||||
1973–1977 | black on tan, non-reflective, state abbreviated 'N. J.' | 123-ABC | ||||
1977–1979 | black on tan, non-reflective, full state name | 123-ABC | ||||
1979–1985 | buff on blue, non-reflective | 123-ABC | ||||
1985 | ABC-123 | |||||
1985–1992 | ABC-12D | |||||
1992–1993 | black on yellow and white gradient, reflective, sticker boxes | ABC1234 | ||||
1993–1999 | AB-123D | |||||
1999–2007 | ABC-12D[37] | |||||
New Mexico | 1999–2010 | Land of Enchantment hot air balloon | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | NM1234 1NM234 12NM34 123NM4 1234NM AB 123 ABC123 | Valid. | |
New York | 2001–2010 | dark blue on reflective white with blue bars (upper blue bar has the state name over a skyline of Niagara Falls, the Adirondack Mountains, and New York City; lower bar includes the words 'The Empire State' in white) | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234[38] | Valid. | |
North Carolina | 2007–2011 | red on reflective white with blue and red graphics, 'First in Flight' | ABC-1234 | Valid. | ||
North Dakota | 1993–2015 | black on light blue gradient fade with prairie scene graphic, 'Discover The Spirit' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-123 | Valid through 2016 | |
Northern Marianas Islands | ||||||
Ohio | 1996–1998 | dark blue on gold gradient fade 'The Heart of it All' | ABC 1234 | Valid. | ||
1998–2001 | dark blue on gold gradient fade 'The Birthplace of Aviation' | ABC 1234 | ||||
2001–2003 | red, white, and blue 'Ohio Bicentennial' | AB12CD | ||||
2004–2010 | dark blue on reflective white with state seal ('Sunburst') graphic and red and blue bars | ABC 1234 | ||||
2010–2013 | 'Beautiful Ohio': dark blue on rolling hills with farm, distant skyline, and airborne biplane | ABC 1234 | ||||
Oklahoma | 2009 - 2016 | 'Native America': dark red on white and blue with photograph of Sacred Rain Arrow sculpture | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | 123ABC | Valid until expiration. | |
Oregon | 1956–1959 | gold on blue | 1A-1234 | Valid. | ||
1959–1964 | gold on blue with 'Pacific Wonderland' slogan | |||||
1964–1974 | gold on blue | ABC 123 (A-M corresponds to January–December, skipping I) | ||||
1974–1988 | blue on gold | ABC 123 (A-M corresponds to January–December, skipping I; N and later series had no month correlation) | ||||
1988–1990 | blue on light green tree graphic | ABC 123 (A-M corresponds to January–December, skipping I, N-series had no month correlation) | ||||
Pennsylvania | 1999–2004 | blue on blue, white and yellow gradient, 'www.state.pa.us' | ABC-1234 | Valid if retained by current owner on current vehicle. May not be transferred to new vehicle. | ||
Puerto Rico | 1986–2007 | Standard issue black on reflective white with Fortaleza graphic, 'Isla del Encanto' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | valid | |
Optional issue black on reflective flag graphics, 'Cincuentenario 1952–2002' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | ||||
2007–2011 | Standard issue black on reflective blue with Fortaleza graphic, 'Isla del Encanto' | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 ABC-123 | |||
Rhode Island | ||||||
South Carolina | summer 2008 – December 2015 | Standard issue travel2sc.com black on orange, white, and blue gradient with palmetto tree in center | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 | ||
South Dakota | ||||||
Tennessee | 2006–2011 | black on mountain scene with 'The Volunteer State' and county name sticker | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | 123-ABC | valid | |
Texas | 2009–2012 | black on Davis Mountains and sky background with a lone star and streaks of red and blue in the upper-left corner | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | AB1-C234 | Valid. | |
U.S. Virgin Islands | ||||||
Utah | 1972–1985 | black on white | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 123 ABC-123 | Valid. | |
1985–2008 | blue on white with skier graphic, 'Ski Utah!', and 'Greatest Snow on Earth' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123 ABC | |||
1992–2008 | dark blue on Delicate Arch background; 'Centennial' | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123 ABC[26] | |||
2002 | 2002 Winter Olympics commemorative plate with snowflake logo above 'Salt Lake 2002' and the Olympic rings; 'Olympic Winter 2002'[39] | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | 123A4 | |||
Vermont | ||||||
Virginia | 1979–1994 | dark blue on white with blue state name in sentence case | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234 (1994) ABC-123 (1979–1993) | Valid. | |
1994 – July 2002; 2007 – February 28, 2014 | dark blue on white with blue state name in all capital letters | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234[40] | |||
July 2002–2006 | 400th Anniversary | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC-1234 | |||
2006–2007 | Jamestown America's 400th Anniversary | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ||||
Washington | ||||||
West Virginia | December 2002 – early 2006 | blue on reflective white with state name in dark blue bar, 'Wild, Wonderful / www.callwv.com' | Coded by month of expiration:
| Valid. | ||
Wisconsin | ||||||
Wyoming |
Diplomatic license plates[edit]
Diplomatic license plates are issued by the United States Department of State to accredited diplomats.
Prior to 1984 license plates for diplomatic vehicles were provided by the jurisdiction where the foreign mission was located. The District of Columbia provided license plates for missions headquartered in the capital, and New York provided plates for members of the United Nations, etc. Upon passage of the Foreign Missions Act in 1984 registration authority for foreign mission vehicles was centralized with the U.S. Department of State.[41][42][43][44]
From 1984 until August 28, 2007, all plates issued followed the pattern of a letter identifying the status of the owner, followed by the two-letter country code, followed by a random three or four-digit number (S AB 1234). For member countries of the Organization of American States (OAS), a subset of that numbering pattern was allotted to vehicles based at those countries' missions to the OAS. Plates issued to cars based at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City were issued in the reverse format, with the three or four-digit number first, followed by the two-letter country code, followed by the status code (1234 AB S).
The location of the status codes, either as the first or last character, allows the city of assignment to be easily identified because representatives of certain countries are limited to travel in a certain radius from their base. The status codes used until 2007 were 'C' for Foreign Consul; 'D' for Diplomat; 'S' for Non-Diplomatic Staff; and 'A' for the OAS. Status codes used for U.N. personnel until 2007 were 'A' for the U.N. Secretariat; 'D' for U.N. missions and diplomatic personnel; and 'S' for U.N. Staff. The rights of the driver and car under diplomatic immunity are defined by this status code.
The country codes are unique to each particular country, but do not correlate to ISO Country Codes or other standards format. For example, in the system used until 2007, France is 'DJ' rather than 'F', and Australia is 'XZ' rather than 'AUS'.
Jurisdiction | Image | Dates issued | Type | Plate style | Serial format | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Dept. of State | 1984 – December 31, 2008 | Standard issue; red, white, and blue background with 'DIPLOMAT', 'CONSUL' or blank at top, and black serial centered on a white background | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | A AB1234 A 12345 1234AA A 12345 A | Expired | |
U.S. Dept. of State | Unknown – December 31, 2008 | Standard issue; red, white, and blue background with 'DIPLOMAT', 'CONSUL' or blank at top, and blue serial centered on a white background | Screened serial; Reflective sheeting | A AB1234 A 12345 1234AA A 12345 A | Expired | |
U.S. Dept. of State | August 28, 2007 - Current | Standard issue; black serial on sky blue background, concave curved red top with the Dept. of State seal, 'DIPLOMAT', 'CONSUL' or blank at top center, and Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) logo | Embossed serial; Reflective sheeting | ABC 1234 A 123456 1234 ABC 123456 A | Valid |
U.S. diplomatic plate country codes | |
---|---|
Codes | Country or Organization |
AA | Congo |
AB | Taiwan (Issued with 'E' status code)[45][46] |
AC | Ivory Coast |
AE | Uzbekistan |
AF | Japan |
AH | Madagascar |
AJ | Panama |
AK | Cape Verde |
AQ | Syria |
AU | Uganda |
AV | Israel |
AW | African Union |
AX | Marshall Islands |
BL | South Africa |
BV | Solomon Islands |
BW | World Bank |
BY | Solomon Islands |
BZ | Iraq |
CB | Cambodia |
CC | Ethiopia |
CE | Moldova |
CG | Marshall Islands |
CK | Namibia |
CM | Micronesia |
CN | International Organization |
CS | Afghanistan |
CT | Bhutan |
CU | Botswana |
CV | Myanmar (Burma) |
CW | Cameroon |
CX | Burundi |
CY | China |
DA | Colombia |
DB | Costa Rica |
DC | Cuba (UN only) |
DD | Cyprus |
DF | Dominican Republic |
DG | Ecuador |
DH | Ivory Coast |
DI | South Africa |
DJ | France |
DK | Greece |
DL | India |
DM | Iran (UN only) |
DN | Denmark |
DP | Bangladesh |
DR | Slovakia |
DZ | Palau |
FC | Soviet Union (discontinued) |
FF | Antigua & Barbuda |
FG | Central African Republic |
FH | Ireland |
FJ | Lebanon |
FK | Kenya |
FL | Liberia |
FM | Libya |
FN | Malta |
FP | Morocco |
FR | Philippines |
FS | Netherlands |
FT | Qatar |
FV | Sri Lanka |
FW | Vatican City |
FX | Sierra Leone |
FZ | Suriname |
GC | Sweden |
GD | Ukraine |
GE | Azerbaijan |
GG | Zambia |
GM | Turkey |
GN | Turkey |
GP | Albania |
GQ | North Korea (UN only) |
GX | Vanuatu |
GY | Chile |
HB | Tonga |
HD | Argentina |
HL | Saint Lucia |
HM | Andorra |
HN | Mongolia |
HV | Belgium |
HW | Guatemala |
HX | Benin |
HY | Guinea-Bissau |
HZ | Haiti |
JB | Honduras |
JC | Kuwait |
JD | Mauritius |
JF | Nigeria |
JG | Portugal |
JH | Somalia |
JJ | Chad |
JK | Turkey |
JM | Yugoslavia (discontinued) |
JP | Tunisia |
JQ | Togo |
JS | Slovenia |
JT | Croatia |
JY | Cyprus |
KB | Monaco |
KD | Eritrea |
KE | Georgia |
KG | Equatorial Guinea |
KH | Hungary |
KJ | Lithuania |
KK | Fiji |
KL | Jordan |
KM | Jamaica |
KN | Gabon |
KP | Luxembourg |
KQ | Israel |
KR | Malaysia |
KS | Mexico |
KT | Namibia |
KU | São Tomé and Príncipe |
KV | Saudi Arabia |
KW | Seychelles |
KX | Sudan |
LC | Venezuela |
LD | Vietnam |
LG | Turkey |
LH | Israel |
LJ | Israel |
LK | European Economic Communities |
LM | Macedonia |
LN | Saudi Arabia |
LR | Bosnia-Herzegovina |
LW | Germany |
MF | International Monetary Fund |
MG | Unknown, Seen in Sterling, VA July 2018 |
MK | Djibouti |
ML | Diego Garcia |
MN | Comoros |
MP | Bahamas |
MW | Maldives |
NA | Oman |
NB | Papua New Guinea |
NC | Paraguay |
ND | Romania |
NQ | Angola |
NX | Malaysia |
PA | Austria |
PB | Barbados |
PC | Belize |
PD | United Kingdom |
PF | Bolivia |
PG | Belarus |
PH | Czech Republic |
PI | Israel |
PK | Norway |
PL | Chile |
PM | Brunei |
PR | Argentina |
PS | Zimbabwe |
PV | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
QA | Yemen |
QD | Burkina Faso |
QL | St. Kitts & Nevis |
QM | Bulgaria |
QN | Laos |
QP | Latvia |
Lesotho | |
QR | Malawi |
QS | Mozambique |
QT | New Zealand |
QU | Nicaragua |
QV | Niger |
QW | Poland |
QX | Pakistan |
QX | Iran (DC only) |
QY | Yemen |
QZ | Indonesia |
RB | Rwanda |
RC | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
RD | Senegal |
RJ | Template:Country data African Union Mission (seen in DC 2017 park outside African Union Mission) |
RL | Uruguay |
RM | Unknown, Seen DC July 2013 |
RO | Romania |
RQ | Unknown, Seen DC February 2011 |
RV | San Marino |
SF | Czech Republic |
SG | Israel |
ST | Dominica |
SX | Soviet Union (discontinued) |
TC | Mali |
TF | Algeria, Iraq (DC Only) |
TG | Canada |
TH | Egypt |
TJ | Germany |
TK | Liechtenstein |
TL | El Salvador |
TM | Iceland |
TN | Nepal |
TP | Mauritania |
TQ | Mali |
TR | Italy |
TS | Iraq (UN only) |
TT | Guyana |
TU | Guinea |
TV | Ghana |
TW | Gambia |
TX | Finland |
TY | Grenada |
TZ | Peru |
UA | Bahrain |
UF | Estonia |
UH | Spain |
UX | Trinidad & Tobago |
VF | Thailand |
VG | Tanzania |
VH | Switzerland |
VJ | Brazil |
VK | Singapore |
VL | Swaziland |
VM | Nauru |
WB | United Arab Emirates |
WD | South Korea |
WM | Samoa |
WZ | United Kingdom |
XA | Bangladesh |
XC | Fiji |
XD | Myanmar (Burma) |
XE | Ghana |
XF | Turkey |
XG | Norway |
XY | Ireland |
XZ | Australia |
YA | Armenia |
YJ | Tajikistan |
YK | Kazakhstan |
YM | Moldova |
YR | Russia |
YT | Turkmenistan |
YY | Kyrgyzstan |
YZ | Azerbaijan |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Current High-Issue License Plates (U.S. and Canada)Archived March 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^'Alabama County Codes'. 15q.net. 2010-10-03. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^ ab'License Plates'. Licenseplates.cc. 2014-02-06. Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
- ^Same style also was issued from late 2004 until December 2007.
- ^'License Plates'. Licenseplates.cc. 2010-10-10. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^'Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration'(PDF). State.ar.us. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^'License Plates'. Licenseplates.cc. 2010-10-10. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^12345A1 issued to trucks
- ^Plus remakes of serials issued on previous bases: 1234, 12345, 123•456, A•123, AB•123, AB•1234
- ^'District of Columbia: Department of Motor Vehicles – Services – Plates – Taxation without Representation Plates'. Dmv.dc.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-04-30. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^except Miami-Dade County
- ^'DRT launches new license plates'. Marianas Variety, Guam Edition. Archived from the original on 2009-07-13.
- ^Plus A12 3456, 123 4567, 12 345, 123 456, AB 1234, ABC 123, A12 345 as remakes of serials issued on previous bases.
- ^'License Plates'. Motor Vehicle Division. Montana Department of Justice. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^In Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska.
- ^In all other counties, Nebraska.
- ^Plus 1234, 12345, and ABC123 as remakes of serials issued on previous base.
- ^'ALPCA Garden State Region » Blog Archive » New Format Plate Spotted in the Wild!'. Alpcagardenstate.org. 2010-07-16. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^Kretschmer, Rick. 'Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives | North Carolina Passenger Cars 1975-Present'. www.ricksplates.com. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
- ^webmaster. 'NCDOT: First in Freedom Plate'. www.ncdot.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
- ^'License Plates'. Division of Motor Vehicles. State of Rhode Island. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^Landis, Bruce (10 January 2007). 'New License Plates Go By The Numbers'. The Providence Journal. p. A.1.
- ^NBC 10 News (15 November 2017). 'Rhode Island license plate redesign on hold until 2019'. WJAR Providence News. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^Lisa Riley Roche (26 January 2007). 'New license plates sought: 'Life Elevated' would combine with 'Greatest Snow on Earth' slogan'. Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^Medley, Tracy (27 February 2007). 'Utah Gets a New License Plate Slogan: 'Life Elevated''. New West. NewWest.Net. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ abFirst letter progressing backwards from Z.
- ^C: St. Croix, JA: St. John (because of shortage of population), T: St. Thomas
- ^Progressing forward from VAA-1001.
- ^Also issued 1995 – December 2000.
- ^'License Plates'. Licenseplates.cc. 2010-10-10. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^Plus 12 345, 123 456, AB 1234, ABC 123, A12 345 as remakes of serials issued on previous bases.
- ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2010-09-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on November 26, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^Regulation License Plate to Commemorate Louisiana Purchase BicentennialArchived July 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^A12 34B issued to light trucks.
- ^AB 12345 issued to commercial vehicles.
- ^'Jim Moini's License Plates'. Moini.net. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^Plus ABC-123, 1AB-234, A1B-234, A12-3BC, AB1-23C as remakes of serials issued on previous bases.
- ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 2012-06-29. Retrieved 2012-09-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^Progressing backwards from ZZZ-9999.
- ^Luxner, Larry (October 2007). 'State Department Unveils New Design for Diplomatic Plates'. The Washington Diplomat. The Washington Diplomat. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^Nebel, Claude (2007). 'New Look for U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Plates'. Police Chief. Alexandria, Virginia: International Association of Chiefs of Police.
- ^Levanthal, Brian (August 28, 2007). 'New Diplomatic License Plates Unveiled'. U.D. Department of State Archive. U.S. Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^'Old-v.-New Diplomatic and Consular License Plate Comparison Chart'. U.S. Department of State Archive. Office of Foreign Missions, Bureau of Diplomatic Security. June 20, 2007. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^Taiwan’s representatives in the US are given diplomatic license plates (2015/02/25)Archived January 23, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Formosa News of Formosa Television. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
- ^駐美代表處 掛上外交車牌, CNA (ROC). Retrieved February 25, 2015.
External links[edit]
- Website for Automobile License Plate Collectors' Association
- licenseplates.cc – lists high and low license plate
- FindByPlate.com – License Plate Lookup tool, with sample designs for all US states
- unitedstateslicenseplate.com – list of all US license plates
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_States_license_plate_designs_and_serial_formats&oldid=918524715'
Current series | |
---|---|
Slogan | Land of Lincoln |
Size | 12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm |
Material | Aluminum |
Serial format | AB 12345 |
Introduced | January 1, 2017 |
Designer | Illinois Secretary of State staff |
Availability | |
Issued by | Illinois Secretary of State |
Manufactured by | Macon County Rehabilitation Facilites, Inc., Decatur, Illinois |
History | |
First issued | July 1, 1911 (Pre-state plates from July 1, 1907 to June 30, 1911) |
The U.S. state of Illinois first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1911, when the state began to issue plates. Plates are currently issued by the Illinois Secretary of State.
Front and rear plates are required on most vehicle types, with the exception of motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and trailers. Plates were issued annually until 1979; multi-year plates have been issued ever since. Plates belong to vehicle owners, so they can be transferred from one vehicle to another.
- 3Multiyear baseplates: 1979 - Present
- 4Temporary registration permits
- 5Passenger baseplates
Early history: 1907 - 1939[edit]
Automobile owners in Illinois were first required to register their vehicles with the Secretary of State's office in 1907, paying a one-time registration fee of $2. Registrants were issued a numbered aluminum disc to place on their dashboard, but they had to provide their own license plates. Annual registration commenced in 1909.
The state began to issue license plates in 1911. Front and rear plates were required each year, along with an aluminum dashboard disc whose number matched the serial on the plate. The legislation authorizing the state issuance of license plates also provided for the registration and plating of motorcycles, and issued special licenses and plates to mechanics and chauffeurs.
Serials were all-numeric and originally ran to five digits. When 99999 was reached in 1914 and 1915, serials with one letter and four digits were issued. Six-digit all-numeric serials were introduced in 1916, followed in 1925 by seven-digit serials. Aluminum dashboard discs were discontinued after 1917.
Trucks received their own plates for the first time in 1920. Serials on these plates were all-numeric until 1930, when weight codes were introduced. Trailers received their own plates from 1924 onwards.
In 1927, the state issued its first graphic license plate, featuring an embossed state shape to the right of the serial.
Mid-century history: 1940 - 1978[edit]
With the entry of the United States into World War II, and the subsequent introduction of measures to conserve metal for the war effort, Illinois manufactured its license plates for 1943 from wood-based fiberboard instead of steel. This practice continued each year up to and including 1948, despite the war ending in 1945 with the surrender of Japan. The state reverted to manufacturing its plates from steel in 1949, although the 1950 and 1951 plates were instead manufactured from aluminum.[1]
License plates were placed under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State in 1953. The 1954 plates were the first to feature the 'Land of Lincoln' slogan, which continues to be used today.
In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[2] The 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first Illinois license plate that fully complied with these standards: the 1955 (dated 1956) issue was 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.
Multiyear baseplates: 1979 - Present[edit]
In late 1966 the implementation of five year license plates, which would use renewal tabs annually, was proposed. Their use would also aid police in identifying drivers because the books that listed all license plate numbers were not available until halfway through the year. With fewer plate numbers changing, the books would be relevant for longer periods of time.[3]Paul Powell, the Illinois Secretary of State, rejected the proposal stating that any cost savings would be minimized by additional record keeping costs. He also mentioned that some multiyear plates used in other states were not satisfactory.[4] Powell further reiterated his position the following month by mentioning a University of Illinois study which recommended the annual change in license plate colors as an incentive for motorists to pay the annual registration cost, and that the initial cost of the longer term plates would be much more than regular plates.[5] The University of Illinois study mentioned by Powell was conducted in 1957 and 1958, and also recommended the addition of letters to the Illinois license plate.[6] In 1969 Powell backed a plan to implement two-year plates, which would have cost twice the annual registration price, but the plan did not pass the legislature.[7]
In January 1975 it was recommended that Illinois retain the practice of issuing annual license plates by an advisory committee to Secretary of State Michael Howlett. Two year license plates and a staggered registration system were studied by the committee, but both proposals were rejected.[8] Despite this recommendation Howlett appointed a task force in April 1975 to study how to implement multiyear plates.[9] At the conclusion of the study in September 1975 Howlett stated he would propose to the legislature that Illinois begin issuing multiyear plates validated by an annual renewal sticker. The plates were expected to last five years, and they were to be made of aluminum stock that was twice as thick as the current plates in order to make them more durable.[10] With the 1976 license plates already in production, and the 1977 license plate contract already awarded, the implementation of a multiyear license plate system was delayed.
Issue of 1979[edit]
Legislation to implement a multiyear license plate was finally proposed in 1977. The bill to institute five-year plates passed the House Motor Vehicle Committee on March 16, 1977, and the state House on March 29, 1977. Alan Dixon, the Secretary of State spoke in favor of passage of the bill. The Senate Transportation Committee passed the bill on April 28, 1977, and the full Senate on June 10, 1977. The bill was signed into law by Governor Jim Thompson on August 4, 1977. With the 1978 contract for license plates already awarded, multiyear plates would not be implemented until 1979. The cost savings from not issuing annual plates for the expected five year life of the plates was $21 million. One change made to the legislation before becoming a law gave the Secretary of State the discretion to determine how long the plates would last. This change would have long-term implications as there was not a statutory requirement to issue new license plates every five years.[11][12][13][14][15][16]
The 1979 issue of new license plates was complicated by the fact that the state was converting to a staggered registration system at the same time it issued these plates. Under the multiyear system vehicle owners could obtain their new plates and register their vehicles for as few as nine months or as long as 23 months. At this time a full year registration cost $18, so the registration cost was prorated to the number of months that was chosen. A nine-month registration was $13.50 while a 23-month registration cost $34.50. Initially the month that a registration would expire was based upon the last two digits of a license plate number. For instance a plate ending in the number 11 allowed the vehicle owner to register for nine months ending on September 30, 1979 or they could choose an April 30, 1980 expiration. By limiting the choices for expiration to only two different months, the state ensured that registrations would be staggered.[17]
Renewal stickers for the 1979 license plates were blue for 1979, red for 1980, green for 1981, brown for 1982, and orange for 1983.
The multiyear system also eliminated the need for current vehicle owners to replace license plates during the winter months as no registrations were set to expire in December, January, or February. Anyone who purchased a new or used vehicle in the winter months could still end up with license plates that needed to be renewed while it was cold outside. Many other types of vehicles, such as taxis, limousines, dealers, etc. continued to be issued a new plate annually.[17][18]
Issue of 1984[edit]
A new multi-year plate was introduced in 1984, replacing all the 1979 plates by the start of 1987. This plate consisted of embossed dark blue characters on a reflective white background, with a light blue band screened across the top containing the state name and the 'Land of Lincoln' slogan. Serials on passenger plates issued to new registrants initially consisted of three letters and three numbers, while existing registrants with 1979 plates could retain the all-numeric and two-letter, four-number serials from these plates. After the three-letter, three-number format was completed in 1995, new formats were used consisting of one letter and up to six numbers.
Renewal stickers for these plates were as follows: purple for 1984, green for 1985, orange for 1986, blue for 1987, red for 1988, green for 1989, orange for 1990, maroon for 1991, white for 1992, blue for 1993, dark gray for 1994, red for 1995, white for 1996, green for 1997, gray for 1998, orange for 1999, blue for 2000 and finally red for 2001.
Issue of 2001[edit]
The new multiyear baseplate, which began to be issued in July 2001, was the first fully graphic passenger plate issued by the state of Illinois. The design, dark red characters on a background that faded from white at the top to dark blue at the bottom, was chosen by Internet voters from among nine different designs. The word 'Illinois' was centered in a script font at the top, the 'Land of Lincoln' slogan was once more centered at the bottom of the plate, and a single sticker well, half the size of the former well, was at the top right corner. In the center of the plate was a silhouette of Abraham Lincoln. Approximately 8.5 million passenger plates were scheduled to be replaced in a single year although replacement plates for all vehicle types was scheduled to take place over three years.[19][20] Approximately 6.5 million passenger plates were made in Illinois at Macon County Rehabilitation Facilites, Inc. in Decatur, and another 2 million plates were made by Waldale Manufacturing Ltd. of Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada in order to produce all of the passenger plates needed in a single year.[21]
Issue of 2017[edit]
On November 15, 2016 Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that new Illinois license plates would begin to be issued in 2017. As before, the new license plates were announced in conjunction with a multiyear replacement program. The largest change to the plate was the complete replacement of the background image. The image of Abraham Lincoln was moved to the far left, was changed to a dark gray color, only showed the left half of his face, and was nearly the entire height of the plate. Additionally, the rest of the background showed a blue sky above a partial Chicago skyline including the Willis Tower; a barn with a windpump; and the dome of the Illinois State Capitol building; all of which are all in white. The serial number characters remained in dark red, and the word 'Illinois' along with the 'Land of Lincoln' slogan were changed to a black seriffed font. The replating program is scheduled to take place over 10 years ending in 2026.[22][23]
The plate was designed by staff of the Illinois Secretary of State's office, and drew criticism immediately, Blair Kamin of the Chicago Tribune calling the design 'busy and banal'.[24] Two changes were made to the plate's design within the first year of issuance, both in order to make the serial more readable: the serial's layout was changed from AB1 2345 to AB 12345 (the space coming after the letters instead of after the first digit), before the image of Abraham Lincoln was changed from a dark gray color to a much lighter gray.[25]
Temporary registration permits[edit]
1914 to 1982[edit]
The use of 'License Applied For' windshield signs or similar devices can be traced back to at least 1914. Their use is likely back to 1911 when Illinois first began to provide state issued license plates.[26][27][28][29][30] Defacing the signs was not taken lightly, and fines were handed out for tampering with them in even the most minor way.[31] In 1933 many new cars were seen in Chicago without the required sign.[32] There is little evidence of the use of 'License Applied For' signs throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, but no other system of temporary vehicle registration is known for these decades. In the early 1970s Illinois vehicle owners were again receiving a small piece of cardboard with the words 'License Applied For' to be taped to the inside of the vehicle's windshield until their license plates arrived in the mail.[33][34] These signs continued to be issued until the early 1980s.[35]
1983 to 2000[edit]
By 1983 this had transitioned to a Temporary Registration Permit on blue banknote paper for state residents that purchased new or used cars. These permits were supposed to be displayed in the lower right corner of the windshield. If new plates did not arrive in the mail within 60 days, the permit could be renewed. State residents who privately purchased a new or used vehicle were required to place a copy of their registration application in the lower right corner of the windshield and place a copy of the bill of sale in the lower left window. There has never been a charge for these permits.[36][37]
Each of these permits had a unique number at the bottom left hand corner. In 1984 a prefix was added to the permit number so that the location of where the permit was obtained could be identified. The following prefixes were used: B for agents of the Secretary of State; CX for currency exchanges; DL for Illinois vehicle dealers; and RM for licensed remittance agents.[38]
A revised permit form and new codes were used beginning in 1986. The primary change to the form was the expiration date went from being the same size as most of the text on the form to becoming the prominent feature with characters at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size. The acronym 'EXP' (expires) immediately proceeded the Month, Day, and Year boxes at the top of the form. This change provided much better visibility of when a temporary permit expired. The revised codes were CUR for currency exchanges; DLR for Illinois vehicle dealers; MVS for agents of the Secretary of State; and REM for licensed remittance agents. The code and the unique serial number continued to appear at the bottom of the form.[39]
By 1993 this system had been changed to an orange Temporary Registration Permit that showed both a large expiration date and a large temporary registration number. This paper tag was three inches wide by eight inches long, and it was supposed to be displayed in the back window of the vehicle. Problems with this permit, as well as the previous blue permit, were that they could easily be altered, their small size made them difficult to read, the numbers were not entered into police databases of plate numbers, and with the increased popularity of tinted windows the orange permits were often nearly invisible to other motorists, pedestrians, and the police.[40][41][42] Originally these permits were valid for 60 days, but circa 1998 the length of time they could be used was extended to 90 days.[43]
In June 1998 it was announced that new Temporary Registration Permits would begin to be issued in March 1999. Stickers, the size of regular license plates, were to be placed in the same location as normal plates. They were designed to be difficult to alter, would shred if moved, and therefore could not be transferred to another vehicle.[42] This system was never implemented, and it wasn't until June 2001 that the orange temporary permitting form was replaced with an entirely revised permitting system.[44] The last of the orange permits did not expire until December 31, 2001.[45]
2001 to present[edit]
2004 temporary registration permit
'Responding to complaints that temporary vehicle tags help criminals escape detection, Secretary of State Jesse White announced a $2 million program [on] Tuesday [June 19, 2001] to introduce tamper-proof temporary license plates that will allow police to know the identity of vehicle owners.'[44] He also called the black on yellow permit design, 'One of the finest devised by man.'[46] These tags were the size of regular license plates, they incorporated a hologram in a strip across the entire plate, they had numbers the same size as a regular license plate, and they were immediately entered into law enforcement databases upon being issued. The expiration date was under a clear film to make them tamper-proof. Plates were valid for 90 days, which was the same length as the old system, and only a single permit for the rear of the vehicle was issued. The first day of issue was June 12, 2001 with these earliest permits being distributed to drivers license facilities, auto dealers, and currency exchanges.[44]
The main problem with the new temporary permit, which remain in use today and are colloquially known as a temporary plate, is that the cardboard plate easily darkens when it gets wet, usually from rain, snow, or car washes, and consequently many begin to look old when left attached to a vehicle for as few as 30 days. Changes to the design since being issued include the format of the serial number being updated (see below), the plates red lettering has been revised, the state seal has been removed, and the boxes that indicate the month of expiration have been separated into four different groups. Regular updates to the year boxes are necessary to keep the plates current. All vehicle types use this temporary registration permit with the exception of motorcycles and mopeds which use a smaller permit with a slightly modified format than the standard permit.
Initially the format used for the permit was the same as that of a passenger car license plate: three numbers followed by a space and then four more numbers (123 4567). For motorcycles and mopeds the format was three numbers followed by a space and then three more numbers (123 456). This led to there sometimes being the same number on both a permanent registration and a temporary registration. Eventually the inevitable mix-up happened, and a person with a permanent plate was pulled over for having the serial number of a temporary plate which was being looked for by the police. The proliferation of vanity plates and specialty plates, like the Environmental and Prevent Violence plates, some of which also carried the same serial number sequence as regular passenger plates, was also of concern.[47][48][49]
The confusion caused by duplicate serial numbers led to a format change on the permits. As early as the spring of 2003 the permits were revised to have three numbers followed by a letter and three more numbers (123 T 456). Motorcycle and moped plates were changed to have two leading characters followed by a letter and then three more numbers (12 T 345). At the same time the permit configuration was updated, the red Illinois State Seal that was between the sets of characters was removed from the plate. The letters in the center of the plates have progressed through the following sequence: T, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, and U. The sequence for motorcycles has been: T, A, B, and C.
Passenger baseplates[edit]
Pre-state plates[edit]
Image | Dates issued | Description | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1907–11 | Black on white; vertical 'ILL' at right | 12345 A12 | 1 to approximately 38300 A1 to Z20 | Front and rear plates provided by vehicle owner. Most were made of metal or leather. The serial number matched that on the aluminum disc provided to the owner by the state. Requests for low numbers caused the state to issue discs with letter prefixes in 1907 - 1909. These discs had a single letter followed by either one or two digits. No more than 20 discs were issued for each letter, and the letter 'I' was not used.[50][51][52] |
1911 to 1978[edit]
Image | First issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1911 | Black on white; vertical 'ILL' at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 38100 | Issued only from July 1 through December 31, 1911. | |
1912 | White on black; 'ILL 1912' at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 67200 | First dated plate. Front plates were perforated in order to allow air to pass through to the vehicle's radiator, while rear plates were solid. | |
1913 | Front: White with border and no background; 'ILL 13' at right Rear: White on dark blue; 'ILL 13' at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 94100 | Front plates were stencil-like, again to facilitate passage of air to the vehicle's radiator. | |
1914 | Green on white; 'ILL 14' at right | none | 12345 | 1 to 99999 | Front plates had vertical slits between the characters of the serial; this practice continued through 1918. Letters H, K, P and R used in the A1234 serial format. | |
A1234 | H0001 to approximately R1000 | |||||
1915 | Dark blue on yellow; 'ILL 15' at right | none | 12345 | 1 to 99999 | Letters H, K, P, R, T, U, X and Y used in the A1234 serial format.[53] | |
A1234 | H0001 to approximately Y9999 | |||||
1916 | Black on silver with border line; 'ILL 16' at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 249000 | ||
1917 | White on black with border line; 'ILL 17' at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 339000 | Last year in which aluminum dashboard discs were required. | |
1918 | Blue on gray with border line; 'ILL 18' at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 387000 | This was the last year that the front plates had vertical slits between the characters to allow better airflow to the vehicle radiator. | |
1919 | White on brown with border line; 'ILL 19' at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 473000 | ||
1920 | Black on orange with border line; 'ILL 20' at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 494000 | ||
1921 | White on black with border line; 'ILL 21' at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 579000 | ||
1922 | Black on gray with border line; 'ILL 22' at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 681-000 | ||
1923 | White on green with border line; 'ILL 23' at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 841-000 | ||
1924 | Deep yellow on black with border line; 'ILL 24' at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 977-000 | ||
1925 | White on brown with border line; 'ILL 25' at right | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-102-000 | ||
1926 | White on dark blue with border line; 'ILL 26' at right | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-180-000 | ||
1927 | Black on orange with border line; embossed state shape at right containing debossed 'ILL 27' in orange | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-249-000 | ||
1928 | White on maroon with border line; 'ILL 28' at right | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-313-000 | ||
1929 | Red on black with border line; 'ILL 29' at right | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-411-000 | ||
1930 | White on black with border line; 'ILL 30' at right | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-418-000 | ||
1931 | Black on light green with border line; 'ILL 31' at right | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-411-000 | ||
1932 | Golden yellow on dark blue with border line; 'ILL 32' at right | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-301-000 | ||
1933 | White on dark blue with border line; 'ILL 33' at right | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-277-000 | ||
1934 | Yellow on black with border line; 'ILL-34', 'ILLINOIS-34' or 'ILLINOIS-1934' at bottom (see right) | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-285-000 | Plates with serials 1 through 999 had 'ILL-34' at the bottom; plates with serials 1000 through 9999 had 'ILLINOIS-34'; and plates with serials 10-000 and up had 'ILLINOIS-1934'. The latter two groups were the first plates to feature the full state name. | |
1935 | Blue on white with border line; 'ILL-35', 'ILLINOIS-35' or 'ILLINOIS-1935' at top | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-351-000 | Plates with serials 1 through 999 had 'ILL-35' at the top; plates with serials 1000 through 9999 had 'ILLINOIS-35'; and plates with serials 10-000 and up had 'ILLINOIS-1935'. | |
1936 | White on black with border line; 'ILL-36', 'ILL-1936' or 'ILLINOIS-1936' at bottom | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-475-000 | Plates with serials 1 through 999 had 'ILL-36' at the bottom; plates with serials 1000 through 9999 had 'ILL-1936'; and plates with serials 10-000 and up had 'ILLINOIS-1936'. | |
1937 | Black on yellow with border line; '19 - ILLINOIS - 37' at top | none | 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-569-000 | ||
1938 | White on green; 'ILLINOIS 38' at bottom | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1579 000 | ||
1939 | Yellow on black; 'ILLINOIS 39' at top | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1639 000 | ||
1940 | Cream on brown; 'ILL 1940' or 'ILLINOIS 1940' at bottom | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1723 000 | ||
1941 | Black on golden yellow; 'ILL 1941' or 'ILLINOIS 1941' at top | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1827 000 | ||
1942 | Golden yellow on black; 'ILL 1942' or 'ILLINOIS 1942' at bottom | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1750 000 | ||
1943 | Cream on green fiberboard; 'ILL. 43' or 'ILLINOIS 43' at top | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1639 000 | Manufactured on fiberboard due to metal conservation for World War II. Plates continued to be manufactured in this manner until 1948. | |
1944 | Cream on brown fiberboard; 'ILL. 44' or 'ILLINOIS 1944' at bottom | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1515 000 | ||
1945 | Orange on black fiberboard; 'ILL. 45' or 'ILLINOIS 1945' at top | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1513 000 | ||
1946 | White on maroon fiberboard; 'ILL. 46' or 'ILLINOIS 1946' at bottom | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1610 000 | ||
1947 | Off-white on green fiberboard; 'ILL. 47' or 'ILLINOIS 1947' at top | none | 1234-567 | 1 to approximately 1747-000 | ||
1948 | Black on orange fiberboard; 'ILL. 48' or 'ILLINOIS 1948' at bottom | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 1949 000 | Last fiberboard plate. | |
1949 | Canary yellow on dark blue;[54] 'ILL 49' or 'ILLINOIS 1949' at top | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 2079 000 | First steel plate since 1942. | |
1950 | Ivy green on off-white;[55] 'ILL 1950' at bottom | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 2287 000 | First aluminum plate. | |
1951 | Maroon on unpainted aluminum;[56] 'ILL 1951' at top | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 2403 000 | ||
1952 | Midnight blue on burnt orange;[57] 'ILL 1952' at bottom | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 2462 000 | ||
1953 | Ruby red on buff;[58] 'ILL 1953' at top | none | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 2580 000 | License plates placed under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State. | |
1954 | White on kelly green; '19 ILLINOIS 54' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 2700 000 | First use of the 'Land of Lincoln' slogan.[59] | |
1955 | Orange lettering on blue base; '19 ILLINOIS 55' at top | Land of Lincoln | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 2849 000 | Issued in the colors of the University of Illinois.[60] | |
1956 | Ivy green lettering on powder gray base;[61] '19 ILLINOIS 56' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 2980 000 | First 6' x 12' plate. It is unconfirmed if this plate was issued to honor Illinois Wesleyan University, whose colors are actually green and white, as no period reference has been found. | |
1957 | White lettering on red base; '19 ILLINOIS 57' at top | Land of Lincoln | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 3075 000 | Issued in the colors of Illinois State University, in honor of its centennial.[62] | |
1958 | Purple lettering on white base; '19 ILLINOIS 58' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 3104 000 | Issued in the colors of Northwestern University.[63] | |
1959 | White lettering on brown base; '19 ILLINOIS 59' at top | Land of Lincoln | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 3224 000 | Issued in the colors of Quincy College, in honor of its centennial.[64] | |
1960 | Gold lettering on royal blue base; '19 ILLINOIS 60' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 1234 567 | 1 to approximately 3307 000 | Issued in the colors of Augustana College and Wheaton College, in honor of their respective centennials.[65] | |
1961 | White lettering on red base; '19 ILLINOIS 61' at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | Issued in the colors of North Central College, in honor of its centennial.[66] Letters I, O, Q and Z not used in the AB 1234 serial format.[53] | |
AB 1234 | AA 1000 to approximately NP 7000 | |||||
1962 | White lettering on orange base; '19 ILLINOIS 62' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | The orange base was specifically chosen for its visibility, but police officers complained that they could not read the white serials, especially at night.[67] | |
AB 1234 | AA 1000 to approximately PH 8000 | |||||
1963 | Yellow lettering on dark green base; '19 ILLINOIS 63' at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | Issued in the colors of Moline-based Deere & Company, in honor of its 125th anniversary.[68] | |
AB 1234 | AA 1000 to approximately RD 6000 | |||||
1964 | White lettering on purple base; '19 ILLINOIS 64' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | Issued in the colors of McKendree College and Rockford College, the two oldest colleges in Illinois.[69] | |
AB 1234 | AA 1000 to approximately SD 7000 | |||||
1965 | Green on white; '19 ILLINOIS 65' at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | The colors were used to honor Secretary of State Charles Carpentier, who died in office on April 3, 1964.[70] T and U not used as first letters in the AB 1234 serial format; this practice continued until 1969.[53] | |
AB 1234 | AA 1000 to approximately VE 5000 | |||||
1966 | Red on reflective white; '19 ILLINOIS 66' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | First reflective plate. | |
AB 1234 | AA 1000 to approximately WG 3000 | |||||
1967 | Black on reflective white; '19 ILLINOIS 67' at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | ||
AB 1234 | AA 100 to approximately SK 2000 | |||||
1968 | Red on reflective white; '19 ILLINOIS 68' at bottom; '18' at top corners | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | Commemorated Illinois' 150 years of statehood. | |
AB 1234 | AA 1 to approximately SW 9000 | |||||
1969 | Dark blue on reflective orange; '19 ILLINOIS 69' at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | T added as first letter in the AB 1234 serial format. | |
AB 1234 | AA 1 to approximately TP 4000 | |||||
1970 | Red on reflective yellow with border line; '19 ILLINOIS 70' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | ||
AB 1234 | AA 1 to approximately TW 6000 | |||||
1971 | Black on reflective white with border line; '19 ILLINOIS 71' at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | ||
AB 1234 | AA 1 to approximately VT 8000 | |||||
1972 | Blue on reflective white with border line; '19 ILLINOIS 72' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | ||
AB 1234 | AA 1 to approximately WX 1000 | |||||
1973 | Green on reflective white with border line; '19 ILLINOIS 73' at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | U added as first letter in the AB 1234 serial format following WY 9999.[53] Total passenger plates issued exceeds five million for the first time. | |
AB 1234 | AA 1 to WY 9999; UA 1 to approximately UX 2000 | |||||
1974 | Red on reflective white with border line; '19 ILLINOIS 74' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | Three-letter serials used for the first time on a trial basis.[71][72] | |
AB 1234 | AA 1 to WY 9999; UA 1 to UY 9999 | |||||
ABC 123 | AAA 100 to approximately AML 500[53] | |||||
1975 | Black on reflective yellow with border line; '19 ILLINOIS 75' at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 AB 1234 ABC 123 | *Issued in the colors of Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc., in honor of its 50th anniversary.[73][74] *Three-letter prefix program expanded from about 800 combinations in 1974 to 2,851.[75][76] | ||
1976 | Blue on reflective white with red and blue United States Bicentennial graphics | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 AB 1234 ABC 123 | ? remakes of previously issued serials | Design chosen following a statewide grade and high school contest; the winner was 10-year-old Kelley Jordan of Normal, Illinois.[77] | |
1977 | Green on reflective white; '19 ILLINOIS 77' at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 AB 1234 ABC 123 | ? remakes of previously issued serials | Plates issued reach the six million mark. | |
1978 | Black on reflective white with border line; '19 ILLINOIS 78' at bottom | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 AB 1234 ABC 123 | ? remakes of previously issued serials | Last single-year plate, and last year that all license plates in the state expire on the same date. |
1979 to present[edit]
Image | First issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | Dark blue on reflective white; state name screened in dark blue at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | First multi-year base, and first to feature monthly staggered registration. Manufactured in Texas using that state's serial dies, and issued in the colors of Illinois College in honor of its sesquicentennial.[78]Vanity plates introduced 1980.[79] Replaced 1984–86. | |
AB 1234 | AA 1 to ZZ 9999 | |||||
1982 | ABC 123 | XAA 1 to ZZZ 999 | ||||
1984 | Dark blue on reflective white with light and dark blue stripes; state name screened in dark blue at top left | Land of Lincoln | ABC 123 | AAA 1 to ZZZ 999 | Seven letter vanity plates become available on January 1, 1984.[80] | |
123 456 AB 1234 | Reissues of 1979–82 serials | |||||
1995 | A 12 345 | B 1 to Z 99 999 (see right) | Letters B, C, D, F, J, S, T, Y and Z used in this serial format. | |||
1996 | A 123 456 | B 100 000 to approximately Y 677 000 (see right) | Narrower dies. Letters B, C, D, F, J, T and Y used in this serial format. All plates on this base replaced 2001–02. | |||
July 2001 | Reflective gradient white-to-blue fade with Abraham Lincoln graphic at center; state name screened in blue at top | Land of Lincoln | 123 4567 | 100 0001 to 999 9999 | Design selected by voters on the state's web site. | |
123 456 AB 1234 ABC 123 A12 345 A12 3456 | Reissues of 1979–2001 serials | |||||
2006 | A12 3456 | A10 0001 to Z99 9999 (see right) | Letter progressed as follows: G, X, A, H, K, L, N, P, R, S, V, E, Y (70 0000 to 99 9999), Z and Q. I and O were not used, while M, U and W were reserved for Municipal, State Owned and Disabled plates respectively. | |||
2016 | AB1 2345 | ZZ1 1001 to approximately ZU9 3000 (see right) | Two-letter series progressed as follows: ZX, ZZ, ZY, ZV and ZU. This was to avoid conflicting with serials of the same format on the upcoming 2017 base (below). | |||
January 2017 | Reflective gradient blue-to-white with white Chicago and Springfield skyline and gray Abraham Lincoln graphic at far left; state name screened in black at top | Land of Lincoln | AB1 2345 | AA1 1001 to AF9 9999 | Mandatory ten-year plate replacement to be phased in with this base.[81] I and O not used in two-letter series. | |
AB 12345 | AG 11001 to AP 99999 | Portions of the new design are expected to be revised because of the difficulty in reading characters over the face of Lincoln.[82] | ||||
AQ 11001 to BT 86195 (as of September 17, 2019) | Lincoln's portrait was faded from black and dark gray to light gray in order to improve the readability of the plate. Issue started circa January 2018. |
Non-passenger plates[edit]
Image | Type | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1923 Truck | White on green with border line; 'TRUCK' embossed vertically at left; 'ILL' over '23' embossed at right | 111-119 | 1 to 72726 | Format used 1922 - 1929 | |
1951 B Truck (Rear Plate) | Maroon on Aluminum; 'ILL' and '1951' at top center; 'REAR' embossed vertically at left | B 123 B1234 B12 345 B123 456 | B 1 to ? | Front plate similar. | |
1984 B Truck | Red on reflective white with red stripes; state name screened in red at top left; 'B TRUCK' embossed vertically at right | 12 345 123 456 123 AB 1234 AB | various | Replaced in 2003 | |
2003 B Truck | Dark blue on reflective white with light blue Abraham Lincoln graphic at center; state name screened in red at top; 'B TRUCK' screened vertically at right | 1234 A 12 345 A 1234567 | various, plus remakes of previous issued serials | Will be replaced soon[83] | |
2003 Motorcycle | Similar to 2001 Abraham Lincoln passenger base | AB 1234 | AA 101 to DV 9999 | Letters I, O and Q not used. |
Special plates[edit]
Image | Type | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1987 Midwest Governor's Conference | White on pale blue | Used for 30–60 days. | |||
1992 LPGA Chicago Challenge | Black on yellow | Used for 30–60 days. |
References[edit]
- ^Balsamo, George; Williams, Daryl (June 1992). 'Illinois - Land of Lincoln'. ALPCA Newsletter. Vol. 38 no. 3. Columbus, Ohio: Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. p. 72.
- ^Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). 'Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size'. Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
- ^'7 Anti-Crime Bills Drawn Up by Commission'. Chicago Tribune. October 13, 1966. p. 18.
- ^Howard, Robert (March 4, 1967). '5-Year Auto Plate Plan Is Hit By Powell'. Chicago Tribune.
- ^'Powell Tells Opposition to 5-Year Plates'. Chicago Tribune. April 19, 1967. p. 11.
- ^Foust, Hal (October 27, 1958). 'U. of I. Study Asks Changes In Auto Licenses'. Chicago Tribune. p. C10.
- ^Howard, Robert (April 15, 1969). 'Powell Seeks 2-Year Basis on Car Plates'. Chicago Tribune. p. 14.
- ^'Uniform fee urged in auto plate study'. Chicago Tribune. January 2, 1975. p. 2.
- ^'Multiyear car plate system is studied'. Chicago Tribune. May 8, 1975. p. A3.
- ^Elmer, John (September 2, 1975). 'Howlett seeks 5-year plates'. Chicago Tribune. p. A8.
- ^'Long-term license plate plan sails toward OK'. Chicago Tribune. March 17, 1977. p. 3.
- ^'Time for five-year plates'. Chicago Tribune. March 20, 1977. p. A4.
- ^Elmer, John; Locin, Mitchell (March 30, 1977). 'State House votes in favor of multiyear license plates'. Chicago Tribune. p. B3.
- ^'License plate bill'. Chicago Tribune. April 29, 1977. p. B6.
- ^'1978 auto tags to go on sale'. Chicago Tribune. November 25, 1977. p. C1.
- ^Elmer, John (August 5, 1977). 'State OKs multiyear car plates'. Chicago Tribune. p. 3.
- ^ ab'Multiyear Car License Switch Set'. Chicago Sunday Tribune. July 4, 1978. p. 10.
- ^Mateja, James (August 23, 1977). 'Five-year life expected for new car license plates'. Chicago Tribune. p. B11.
- ^'Illinois Drivers Due To Get New Plates Starting In July'. Chicago Tribune. February 12, 2001. p. 2C.1.
- ^Bolen, William P. (July 12, 2001). 'New license plates hit the roads'. Chicago Tribune. p. 2C.3.
- ^'Too much on its plate, state enlists Canadian aid'. Chicago Tribune. May 2, 2001. p. 3.
- ^'New Illinois license plate design revealed'. The State Journal-Register. Springfield, Illinois. November 15, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- ^Dragon, Richard E. (February 2017). 'Notes from the states'. Plates. Montezuma, Iowa: Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. p. 21.
- ^Kamin, Blair (November 22, 2016). 'New Illinois plate is busy and banal'. Chicago Tribune. p. 4.
- ^'Illinois' new license plate is a mashup of indiscernible clip art'. Chicago Tribune. March 23, 2017.
- ^'Autoists Given New Warning'. Chicago Tribune. May 1, 1914. p. 7.
- ^'Struck By Unlicensed Car'. Chicago Tribune. August 16, 1915. p. 2.
- ^'Bandits Slay Saloon Man And Rob Him Of $300'. Chicago Tribune. April 22, 1917. p. 11.
- ^Reader, A (July 26, 1920). 'Motor Licenses'. Chicago Tribune. p. 6.
- ^Foust, Hal (December 25, 1932). 'Drivers Have One More Week To Get Plates'. Chicago Tribune. p. A10.
- ^''Nerts to All Policemen' Sign Brings a $10 Fine'. Chicago Tribune. July 13, 1932. p. 10.
- ^Foust, Hal (July 15, 1933). 'City And Park Police Wink At Unlicensed Cars'. Chicago Tribune. p. 2.
- ^Hofmann, H. R. (July 30, 1971). 'License Plate Loophole'. Chicago Tribune. p. 10.
- ^Soll, Rick (July 10, 1973). 'Teen shot - bad payment for a good life'. Chicago Tribune. p. 2.
- ^'Action Line'. Chicago Tribune. November 23, 1980. p. A8.
- ^Jim Edgar (1983). 1983 License Plate Handbook (Report). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 18.
- ^Jim Edgar (1987). Illinois License Plate Guide (Report). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 21.
- ^Jim Edgar (1984). 1984 License Plate Handbook (Report). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 18.
- ^Jim Edgar (1986). 1986 Calendar License Plate Handbook (Report). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 21.
- ^'Police and fire report'. Chicago Tribune. July 27, 1993.
- ^'Activists, Ryan To Discuss Car Stickers'. Chicago Tribune. November 19, 1997. p. 2C.
- ^ ab'Temporary Vehicle IDs To Be Crook Unfriendly'. Chicago Tribune. June 12, 1998. p. 7.
- ^'Licenses That Endanger Cops'. Chicago Tribune. November 25, 2000. p. 24.
- ^ abcHolt, Douglas (June 20, 2001). 'State takes temporary licenses off the window'. Chicago Tribune. p. 2C.3.
- ^'Orange tags now off street'. Chicago Tribune. January 4, 2002. p. 3.
- ^Warren, Ellen; Armour, Terry (June 20, 2001). 'For these `Bums,' names changed to protect baseball'. Chicago Tribune. p. 2.
- ^'Tag mix-up shows flaw in Illinois system'. Chicago Tribune. September 14, 2002. p. 11.
- ^'State will study changes to temporary license tags'. Chicago Tribune. September 20, 2002. p. 3.
- ^'Selling out safety in Illinois'. Chicago Tribune. September 23, 2002. p. 14.
- ^Rose, James (1908). List of Automobile Licenses(to November 30, 1907). Springfield, Illinois: Phillips Brothers.
- ^Rose, James (1908). List of Automobile Licenses (From November 30, 1907 to December 1, 1908). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Journal Co.
- ^Rose, James (1909). List of Automobile Licenses (From December 1, 1908 to July 1, 1909). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Journal Co.
- ^ abcde'Illinois License Plates'. allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^'Mail Out First Auto License Plates'. Christopher Progress. Christopher, IL. December 16, 1948. p. 1.
The plates were made of steel this year instead of the substitute materials used during the war years. They have a dark blue background and canary yellow numerals.
- ^'Auto License Plates Go On Sale Tomorrow'. Chicago Tribune. August 25, 1949. p. 23.
The 1950 Illinois license plates will have ivy green numerals on an off-white base . . . . Passenger car plates will be made of rust resistant aluminum, said [State Secretary] Barrett.
- ^'Illinois License Plates For 1951, Maroon on Silver'. The Daily Register. Harrisburg, IL. September 29, 1950. p. 6.
Secretary of State Edward J. Barrett announced today that 1951 Illinois license plates will feature maroon numbers on an unpainted aluminum background, which is silverish in color.
- ^'Auto License Plates Go On Sale Tomorrow'. Chicago Tribune. December 3, 1951. p. E7.
The Illinois plates for 1952 will be of midnight blue on a burnt orange background.
- ^'Illinois Auto Plates In '53 To Be Red On Buff'. Chicago Tribune. May 26, 1952. p. 2.
Illinois' 1953 auto license plates will be ruby red figures on a buff background, Secretary of State Edward J. Barrett announced yesterday.
- ^'Order Lincoln Slogan on '54 License Plates'. Chicago Tribune. July 22, 1953. p. 1.
- ^''55 State Auto Plates To Be Blue, Orange'. Chicago Tribune. August 3, 1954. p. 6.
The plates will have a navy blue background with orange numerals. Samples of materials used for Illini football uniforms were provided by Coach Ray Eliot of the University of Illinois so the plates can be of matching colors.
- ^'1956 Auto Tag Color Scheme: Gray and Green'. Chicago Tribune. August 10, 1955. p. 12.
Illinois' 1956 automobile license plates will be powder gray with ivy green numerals.
- ^'1957 Illinois Licenses Make Artists See Red'. Chicago Tribune. December 17, 1956. p. 18.
He said, there was nothing to prevent a combination of red lettering on a white background, but that the university preferred white on red.
- ^'Purple And White Auto Plates For Illinois in 1958'. Chicago Tribune. August 16, 1957. p. 1.
As a tribute to Northwestern University the 1958 automobile license plates will have purple numbers on a white background.
- ^'Quincy College'. Chicago Tribune. August 20, 1958. p. 20.
Secretary of State Carpentier's recent announcement that the 1959 motor vehicle license plates will honor Quincy College is a fine outward expression of the realization by our legislators and citizens of the importance and quality of the many small colleges in our state.
- ^'Illinois Auto Tags For 1960 Will Be Gold, Royal Blue'. Chicago Tribune. July 14, 1959. p. B7.
Royal blue and gold, in honor of Augustana and Wheaton Colleges will be the color combination of Illinois motor vehicle license plates, the secretary of state's office announced Monday.
- ^'North Central Colors To Be On Licenses'. Chicago Tribune. June 6, 1960. p. 16.
The colors are those of North Central [College], and were chosen in honor of that school's centennial. Illinois license plates each year carry the colors of a college or university in the state.
- ^'White, Orange To Be License Colors In 1962'. Chicago Tribune. July 25, 1961. p. B5.
The secretary of state's office said the color combination was chosen from a list of 22 recommended by the University of Illinois engineers who prompted the change this year to the numeral-letter system. . . . The colors are not those of a college or university as has been the custom of recent years. No college or university requested its colors be used in 1962.
- ^'New Hues For Illinois Auto Plates'. Chicago Tribune. November 9, 1962. p. 1.
Birgitte Lundstrom, blue-eyed beauty from Sweden, displays yellow and green Illinois license plates for 1963. Colors were chosen to honor John Deere Farm Machinery Company, which is observing 125th anniversary this year.
- ^'Our Town: New License Plates Are Pretty Purple - but on Orange Cars?'. Chicago Tribune. December 15, 1963. p. A1.
The purple license plates with white lettering were chosen by the secretary of state to honor Illinois' oldest colleges. They are McKendree college, Lebanon, founded in 1828, and Rockford college, Rockford, founded in 1847.
- ^'Here Is an Exclusive Look at the Midwest's Official License Plate for Next Year'. Chicago Tribune. September 7, 1964. p. C14.
- ^'Put your name on plate'. Dolton Pointer. Dolton, IL. July 17, 1974. p. 14.
- ^'Three-Letter Prefix Plates Now Available'. The Herald. Harvard, IL. August 7, 1974. p. 2.
- ^'Caterpillar 50 Years Old'. The Morris Daily Herald. Morris, IL. February 7, 1975. p. 2A.
- ^'License Plate Mailing Under Way'. Star-Tribune. Harvey, IL. November 14, 1974. p. 39.
- ^'Drivers Can Write Own License Plates for '75'. Register-Mail. Galesburg, Illinois. July 20, 1974. p. 5.
- ^Manning, Mary Lou (December 20, 1974). 'Special licenses play number game'. The Daily Gazette. Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois. p. 4.
- ^Soencer, Sandy (June 27, 1974). 'Normal girl submits winning license design'. The Pantagraph. Bloomington, IL. p. 3.
- ^'Blue-white license plate color honors I. C.'. Jacksonville Courier. Jacksonville, IL. December 22, 1978. p. 3.
- ^'Auto plate plan, Vanity gets boost here'. Chicago Tribune. September 25, 1979. p. 3.
- ^'State law extends drivers license 1 yr'. Chicago Tribune. February 16, 1984. p. J2.
- ^'Illinois Launches License Plate Replacement Program After Rusting Issue'. CBS Chicago. November 15, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^Robbins, Brian (April 15, 2017). 'Revisions already coming to new Illinois license plates'. Peoria Journal Star. Gatehhouse Media. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
The fact is, the ink on some of them that are out there now should have been darker. That was actually a manufacturer’s error, and the cost is going to be picked up on that.
- ^http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/news/2016/november/161115d1.pdf
External links[edit]
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