Automobile License Plate Collectors Association

Last updated

Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, Inc. (ALPCA)
Company typeMembership driven
IndustryHistory, Research
FoundedDecember 22, 1954;69 years ago (December 22, 1954) in Rumney Depot, New Hampshire, U.S., incorporated December 1957
FoundersDr. Cecil George, Asa P. Colby
Headquarters
United States of America
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Cyndi McCabe (President and Chairman of the Board)
ProductsMemberships, magazine, archives, conventions, annual Best Plate Award
Website Official website OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) is the largest such organization in the world. [1] Founded in Rumney Depot, New Hampshire, United States, in 1954 and holding its first meeting/convention in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 1955. It serves as a way for license plate collectors to trade plates, distribute news, and provide historic information to members. [2]

Contents

Overview

ALPCA Souvenir license plate ALPCA License Plate.jpg
ALPCA Souvenir license plate

ALPCA currently has approximately 2,800 registered members and over 14,000 registered member numbers, [1] although many of the earlier—and therefore lower-numbered—members are now deceased or are no longer members. When an individual joins, he or she is assigned a membership number, which started with #1 in 1954, and are currently being issued in the 14000s. Members treasure their "ALPCA number" and often are known as much by the time period in which they joined than by name or geographic home. The club hosts an annual convention each June or July that attracts several hundred members, and regional meets take place in a number of states, provinces, and countries throughout the year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 convention, originally scheduled for Tulsa, Oklahoma from July 8–11, 2020, was cancelled. The next convention, open to members only, was scheduled for Covington, Kentucky, from August 4 to 7, 2021.[ needs update ] [3] [4]

Members come from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, as well as nineteen countries. Most members reside in the United States, followed by Canada, Germany, and Australia. Members receive the bi-monthly full-color publication "Plates;" have full access to the organization's web-based license plate archives for every country around the world; access to back issues of all publications; and can attend both regional meets and the annual convention. [5]

Despite the club's name, many members also collect and exchange license plates from vehicles other than automobiles. Antique vehicle, bus, camper, farm, military, motorcycle, trailer, and truck plates are just a few of the hundreds of other plate types that have been issued and are now collected by members. [6] [7]

Since 1972 ALPCA has annually presented a "Best Plate Award" to an American state or Canadian province. [8] To better educate the public regarding genuine license plates the association provides a "Guide to Deceptive and Misleading Plates" for free on its website. [9]

Many ALPCA members maintain their own interests and websites, sometimes overlapping, and sometimes going way beyond the confines of license plate collectors. A subset of them are "Extra-Miler Club" members, who seek to visit every county in the United States, often while picking antique shops and other venue for old tags. One member keeps track of the "highest numbers" issued in each state, and his website records what combinations are the latest to be issued. [10]

ALPCA members often consult the media for stories on issues in automobilia. [11] [12] [13]

Membership

The ALPCA has approximately 2,800 current members. Members choose whether their membership lasts one, two, three, four, or five years. Junior memberships, for those members less than 18 years of age, are also available. The organization's magazine, "Plates," is mailed to all members, and all members in good standing are entitled to vote for officers and the Best Plate Award. Members can research plates with the association's online archives which have been extensively expanded and updated in recent years. Members may also display the ALPCA logo (shield) for personal use. [14]

Executive Board

The ALPCA is run by a seven member Executive Board composed of the President, Vice-President, and five Directors. All members serve two year terms. The President and three of the Directors terms expire in even numbered years, and the Vice-President and two Directors terms expire in odd numbered years. The Administrative Staff, composed of the Secretary, Treasurer, Plates Editor, Webmaster, Regional Meet Coordinator, Complaint Chairman, and Legal Counsel, are appointed by the Executive Board, Similarly, the Project Staff, consisting of the Convention Planner, Convention Administrator, Archivist, Hall of Fame Coordinator, and Best Plate Coordinator, are also appointed by the Executive Board. The President also serves as the Chairman of the Executive Board. Note that prior to the 1977 election of board members there were multiple other elected offices which are not shown here. [15] [16]

Executive Board Members
PositionNameLocationTerm Ending
PresidentCyndi McCableElyria, OHJuly 19, 2022
Vice-PresidentDick YourgaAmherst, MAJune 22, 2021
DirectorJohn NorthupLogan, UTJuly 19, 2022
DirectorBill DickersonManchester, NHJune 22, 2021
DirectorJoel KimmetCincinnati, OHJune 22, 2021
DirectorAndrew PangArlington, VAJuly 19, 2022
DirectorStephen TudayWoodstock, GAJuly 19, 2022

List of ALPCA Presidents

The ALPCA presidents' term of office has changed two times. From 1955 until 1961 their term was two years, from 1961 until 2004 the term was one year, and since 2004 the term is once again two years. To simplify the following chart multiple terms served consecutively are combined in one row. The following list of ALPCA Presidents was compiled from the ALPCA Newsletter, ALPCA Register, and Plates Magazine. [15]

List  of  ALPCA  Presidents
No.NameDatesTermsNotes
1Dr. Cecil W. George1955–19571Member #1; Granted life membership in 1988 [17]
2Ralph Perkins1957 – July 4, 19581Resigned
3Frank SpinneyJuly 5, 1958 – 19591Appointed
4Roy A. Carson1959–19611
5Asa P. Colby1961–19621
6Clarence Titus1962–19631
7Carl Sweiven1963–19641
8Harvey Parkes1964–19662
9Andrew Young1966–19671
10Ernie Wilson1967–19681
11Joe Oliver1968–19691
12Frank German1969–19723
13Paul M. Maginnity1972–19731
14Willie Stahl1973–19741
15Earl Jenson1974–19751
16Edward Dietz1975–19761
17Dick Pack1976–19771
18Arthur D. Currie1977–19792
19James A. Crilly1979–19812
20Robert M. Crisler1981–19832
21 James K. Fox 1983–19852
22Robert M. Crisler1985–19872
23Jeffrey C. Minard1987–19892
24James A. Crilly1989–19912
25Michael C. Wiener1991–19932
26James K. Fox1993–19952
27Dale W. Blewett1995–19972
28Richard Yourga1997–20003
29Barney Schukraft2000–20011
30Michael R. Naughton2001–20064Three single year terms and one two year term.
31Jeff Francis2006–20102
32Michael Liscio2010 – May 30, 20111Resigned
33Stephen TudayJune 1, 2011 – July 20111Resigned
34Greg GibsonJuly 2011 – 20163
35Cyndi McCabe2016 –2

Events

International conventions

The ALPCA has held annual conventions since 1955. The four earliest conventions were held at the host members' home. Since 1959 the annual conventions have been held in a larger private or public venue, and those held since 1984 have been at a convention center or other similarly large public venue. Conventions include three days of selling and trading of plates on the convention floor, an auction of license plates donated by members and individual states' department of motor vehicles, member displays that are judged and presented awards in many categories, committee and membership meetings, and social activities. Newly elected Executive Board members are installed just prior to the convention start. Conventions are only open to members and their guests. [18]

List  of  ALPCA  International  Conventions
No.YearVenueLocation
11955Property of Cecil GeorgeNo. Attleboro, MA [18]
21956Property of Cecil GeorgeNo. Attleboro, MA [18]
31957Property of Robert OliverSetauket, NY
41958Property of Frank SpinneyBristol, NH [19]
51959Yorklyn Gun ClubYorklyn, DE
61960Odd Fellows HallAdamsburg, PA
71961Giroux Motor CompanyPhillipsburg, NJ [20]
81962American Legion HallNorth East, MD
91963American Legion HallCanastota, NY
101964Grange Hall, Hancock County Fair GroundsFindlay, OH [21] [22]
111965Natural Bridge HotelNatural Bridge, VA [23] [24]
121966Campus Center, Otterbein CollegeWesterville, OH [24]
131967Franklin County Fair GroundsGreenfield, MA [25]
141968Merchants Building, Hancock County Fair GroundsFindlay, OH [26]
151969Memorial Gymnasium, Juniata CollegeHuntingdon, PA [27]
161970Kane County FairgroundsSt. Charles, IL
171971Youth Center, Ohio State FairgroundsColumbus, OH
181972Utah National Guard ArmorySalt Lake City, UT
191973Lakeside Gardens, Britannia ParkOttawa, ONT, CAN [28]
201974Hoover Community Building, Garfield Fair GroundsEnid, OK [29]
211975Acadia Community HallCalgary, ALB, CA [30]
221976Juniata CollegeHuntingdon, PA
231977Salem Community High SchoolSalem, IL
241978Lehigh Resort MotelLehigh Acres, FL
251979Lakeland Community CollegeMentor, OH
261980Oklahoma State FairgoundsOklahoma City, OK [31]
271981Central Cabarrus High SchoolConcord, NC
281982Lake Michigan CollegeBenton Harbor, MI
291983Dulaney Senior High SchoolTimonium, MD [32]
301984Rushmore Plaza Civic CenterRapid City, SD
311985Asheville Civic CenterAshville, NC [33]
321986Springfield Convention CenterSpringfield, IL [33]
331987Abuquerque Convention CenterAlbuquerque, NM
341988Arthur Ashe CenterRichmond, VA
351989Riverside Convention CenterRochester, NY
361990Rapid City Convention CenterRapid City, SD
371991Kansas City Market CenterKansas City, MO
381992Peoria Civic CenterPeoria, IL
391993Hammons Trade Center, AuroraDenver, CO [34]
401994Chattanooga/Hamilton County Conv. & Trade Ctr.Chattanooga, TN
411995Sea Gate Convention CentreToledo, OH
421996Peoria Civic CenterPeoria, IL
431997Tucson Convention CenterTucson, AZ
441998Niagara Falls Convention and Civic CenterNiagara Falls, NY
451999Chattanooga/Hamilton County Conv. & Trade Ctr.Chattanooga, TN
462000Hammons Trade Center, AuroraDenver, CO
472001Peoria Civic CenterPeoria, IL
482002Niagara Falls Convention and Civic CenterNiagara Falls, NY
492003Tucson Convention CenterTucson, AZ
502004Rhode Island Convention CenterProvidence, RI
512005Sioux Falls Convention CenterSioux Falls, SD
522006Ontario Convention CenterOntario, CA
532007Von Braun CenterHuntsville, AL
542008Salt Palace Convention CenterSalt Lake City, UT
552009Bayfront Convention CenterErie, PA
562010Arlington Convention CenterArlington, TX
572011Charleston Convention CenterCharleston, WV [35]
582012Iowa Events CenterDes Moines, IA
592013Grand Sierra ResortReno, NV
602014Rochester Riverside Convention CenterRochester, NY
612015Northwest Arkansas Embassy SuitesRogers, AR
622016Grand Wayne Convention CenterFort Wayne, IN [36]
632017Ontario Convention CenterOntario, CA
642018Valley Forge Casino ResortValley Forge, PA
652019Knoxville Convention CenterKnoxville, TN
----2020Cox Business CenterTulsa, OK (cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic) [37]
662021Northern Kentucky Convention CenterCovington, KY [38]
672022Hampton Roads Convention CenterHampton, VA
682023Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention CenterDenver, CO

Regional meets

Regional meets provide the opportunity for members to sell, trade, or barter plates with other members between annual conventions. The dates for officially sanctioned meets are published in the organization's magazine "Plates." These meets often include auctions, regional meetings, awards, and a social event such as a lunch meal. Like the annual conventions, regional meets are only open to members and invited guests. The number of regional meets varies each year, but recent years have seen 15 – 25 regional meetings. Some regional groups hold a single meeting, while others may host quarterly meetings. A list of upcoming regional meetings is also maintained at the ALPCA website. [39] [40]

Independent meets

Although these meets are not sponsored by ALPCA they provide some of the same collecting opportunities that the ALPCA annual convention and officially sanctioned regional meets provide. The independent meets also allow the general public a way to meet ALPCA members, help members learn about plates by talking to sellers, and begin or add to their collections of license plates. A list of upcoming independent meetings is maintained at the ALPCA website. [41]

Publications

From its inception ALPCA has distributed a publication to all active members. Unofficially, the primary publication was titled the ALPCA Newsletter, but it was many years before this was formalized. The name first appeared on the masthead in April 1972, but the name had appeared in the newsletter itself many times before this date. The ALPCA Newsletter changed names in February 2000 to the ALPCA Register, and since December 2004 has been known as Plates Magazine or informally as Plates. Back issues of these publications are available to active members on the association's website. [42] [43] [44]

Plates Magazine

Plates Magazine is full color and regularly features articles relating the history of a topic, such as an individual state, province, or country's plates; provides information about newly issued plate; convention, regional, and independent meet details; photo histories of plates and related ephemera, such as validation stickers or tabs; topical histories such as motorcycle, special event, ham radio, personalized plates; articles on individual collectors or collections; annual base plate information for North American jurisdictions; etc. [45] [46] [47] [48]

Archives

The online archives provide members an extensive research tool for information regarding the year a license plate was issued, serial numbers issued, colors, dates issued, slogans, plate material, and other plate characteristics. Originally relatively static, the archives have been greatly expanded, become an online database that is much easier to search, sort, and provides much improved photos over the original archives. [49]

Book

For the 50th anniversary of ALPCA two members wrote a book detailing the associations history. This publication, "A Moving History, 50 Years Of ALPCA, 100 Years of License Plates" was written by Jeff Minard & Tim Stentiford, and published by Turner Communications. In addition to the ALPCA history the book details 100 years of license plate history, and over 275 profiles of a cross section of ALPCA members. [50] [51]

Best Plate Award

Since 1972 members have voted each year to name one United States or Canadian license plate design, and in some years two such designs, introduced during the previous year as the "Best Plate." [52] The first award went to Pennsylvania for their early Bicentennial plate which featured the Liberty Bell in the center. [52] The award to the 1970 Northwest Territories for their polar bear-shaped license plate was made by Executive Board action between December 1973 and February 1974. [53]

Members votes are based on both the plate's legibility and its aesthetics. For 1995, 1997, and 1998, the club recognized one standard-issue plate and one optional-issue plate, while in 1985 and 1989, two jurisdictions' designs tied for first place. [8] The presentation of the award each year is usually covered by media outlets in the state that wins the award. [54] [55]

ALPCA  Best  Plate  Award  Winners
ImageYearJurisdictionTimes
won
DesignType
NWT-1970.jpg 1970 Northwest Territories 1Centennialgeneral
1971 Pennsylvania license plate ATC-347.jpg 1971 Pennsylvania 1Bicentennial Stategeneral
1972 Wyoming license plate.jpg 1972 Wyoming 1Bucking Bronco general
1973 Prince Edward Island license plate 75-921.jpg 1973 Prince Edward Island 1The Place To Be ... In 73general
South Dakota 1974 1-32334.jpg 1974 South Dakota 1 Mount Rushmore general
1975 Colorado license plate - Number YF 2076.jpg 1975 Colorado 1Centennialgeneral
1976 Sample Michigan License Plate.jpg 1976 Michigan 1Bicentennial [56] general
Mississippi license plate, 1976-1981 series with March 1981 sticker.png 1977 Mississippi 1 The Hospitality State general
Wyoming license plate, 1980.png 1978 Wyoming 2Wooden Fence general
Indiana 1980 45X6497.jpg 1979 Indiana 11779 George Rogers Clark general
Kansas 1981 license plate.jpg 1980 Kansas 1 Wheat general
1986 SD.jpg 1981 South Dakota 2 Mount Rushmore general
1981 North Carolina license plate DXT-4752.jpg 1982 North Carolina 1 First in Flight general
California Golden State license plate 1982-1987 2GAT123.png 1983 California 1The Golden Stateoptional
Maryland 1986 license plate.jpg 1984 Maryland 1350th Anniversary [32] optional
Nevada sample license plate, 1984-2000 series with May 1992 sticker.png 1985 Nevada 1 Bighorn Sheep general
Blank License Plate Shape.svg North Dakota 1 Theodore Roosevelt general
Utah license plate, 1985-1990 series with August 2001 sticker.png 1986 Utah 1Greatest Snow on Earth general
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1987 Idaho 1Centennialoptional
Oregon License Plate3.jpg 1988 Oregon 1 Fir tree general
Nova Scotia CLY137.jpg 1989 Nova Scotia 1Canada's Ocean Playgroundgeneral
Oklahoman license plate, 1989-1994 series with August 1992 sticker.png Oklahoma 1OK!general
1991 South Carolina license plate ADJ 630.jpg 1990 South Carolina 1 Wren [57] general
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1991 Idaho 2Famous Potatoes [58] general
1992 Mississippi license plate KVK 763.jpg 1992 Mississippi 2Blue Gradientgeneral
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1993 North Dakota 2Discover the Spiritgeneral
Kansas Standard License Plate 1994-2001.jpg 1994 Kansas 2 Wheat [59] general
1995 Texas license plate VYM 93S 150 Years of Statehood.jpg 1995 Texas 1150 Years of Statehood [60] general
2012 Pennsylvania license plate Flagship-Niagara-Governor.jpg Pennsylvania 2 Flagship Niagara optional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1996 Arizona 1 Grand Canyon Stategeneral
2007 Manitoba licence plate.jpg 1997 Manitoba 1Friendlygeneral
WI SESQ 1997.jpg 1997 Wisconsin 1Sesquicentennialoptional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1998 Alaska 1 Gold Rush Centennialgeneral
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Idaho 3 Wildlifeelk optional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1999 Virginia 1 George Washington Bicentennialoptional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2000 Wyoming 3 Devils Tower general
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2001 Arkansas 1Game and Fish — Hummingbird optional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2002 Oregon 2 Crater Lake Centennialoptional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2003 Kentucky 1It's That Friendly [61] general
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2004 Oklahoma 2 State ParksPavilion optional
Kansas Vanity License Plate 2005-2010.jpg 2005 Kansas 3 Home on the Range optional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2006 South Dakota 3Great Faces. Great Places.general
MSlighthouseplate.jpg 2007 Mississippi 3 Biloxi Light general
Delaware 2009 Centennial license plate-.jpg 2008 Delaware 1Centennial Plate 1909–2009 [62] [63] optional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2009 Oklahoma 3 Sacred Rain Arrow [64] [65] general
NM Cenn 2010.jpg 2010 New Mexico 1Centennial 1912–2012 [66] [67] general
AZCentennial.jpg 2011 Arizona 21912 Centennial 2012 [68] [69] optional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2012 Nebraska 1 Union Pacific Railroad Museum [70] [71] optional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2013 Michigan 2The Mackinac Bridge [72] [73] optional
Alberta 2014 license plate.jpg 2014 Alberta 1 Support Our Troops [74] optional
Alaska Bear Plate.png 2015 Alaska 2 Grizzly bear [75] [76] general
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2016 Arizona 3 Historic Route 66 [77] [78] optional
NM Chile 2017.jpg 2017 New Mexico 2 Chile Capital of the World [79] general
Maryland license plate, protect the Chesapeake.jpg 2018 Maryland 2 Protect The Chesapeake optional
Oregon smokey bear optional license plate.jpg 2019 Oregon 3 Smokey Bear optional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2020 Oklahoma 4Save the Monarchs optional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2021 Delaware 2Support Pollinatorsoptional
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2022 Hawaii 1 Polynesian Voyaging Society optional

Hall of Fame

The ALPCA Hall of Fame was approved by the Board of Directors in 2002, but it did not officially induct any members until 2004. "The goal of the Hall of Fame is [to] provide a vehicle to learn about our founding fathers and the legacy of leaders throughout the years who have embodied the fraternal spirit of our hobby." [80]

"To be considered for the Hall of Fame, candidates must have served the club or hobby unselfishly for the good of all without concern for praise, compensation, or reward; promoted membership; provided guidance to fellow members; and taught others the value of collecting." [80] Any member in good standing may nominate any ALPCA member for induction into the hall that they feel is deserving of the honor. The Hall of Fame Committee reviewes all initial nominations, and the past presidents of the association vote to determine who on the list would be inducted in the Hall of Fame. [80]

Hall of Fame Members
  • 2004
  • Roy Carson
  • Asa Colby
  • Cecil George

  • 2005
  • Conrad Hughson
  • Gary Brent Kinkade
  • Don Merrill

  • 2006
  • James A. Crilly
  • Dr. Roy Kotz, Jr.
  • Paul Maginnity

  • 2007
  • Rich Dragon
  • Jeff Minard
  • G. B. Moore

  • 2008
  • Bob Crisler



  • 2009
  • Earl Jenson
  • Robert Ward
  • Verdon Rustine

  • 2010
  • James Fox
  • Keith Marvin
  • Richard Yourga

  • 2011
  • Roger Haynes
  • Stephen Raiche


  • 2012
  • Ned Flynn
  • Jim Finley


  • 2013
  • Corb Moister
  • George Sammeth
  • Rick Schofield
  • 2014
  • Chuck Sakryd
  • Ted Cline
  • Marty Mozille

  • 2015
  • Mick Naughton
  • Dick Pack


  • 2016
  • Eric Tanner



  • 2017
  • Tom Boyd
  • Leo Good
  • Dave Kuehn

  • 2018
  • John Boal



  • 2019
  • Neil Parker
  • Jeff Francis


  • 2020
  • Roy Rich
  • Jim Graves

Notable members

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Georgia (U.S. state)</span> Georgia vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Georgia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1910. Plates are currently issued by the Motor Vehicle Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue. Only rear plates have been required since 1942.

The U.S. state of Iowa first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1904. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1911, when the state began to issue plates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Arizona</span> Arizona vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Arizona first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1912. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Alabama</span> Alabama vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Alabama first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Puerto Rico</span> Puerto Rico vehicle license plates

The U.S. commonwealth of Puerto Rico first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1906. Only rear plates have been required since 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Wisconsin</span> Wisconsin vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Wisconsin first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. Plates are currently issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of California</span> California vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of California first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates. Plates are currently issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of the Canal Zone</span> Canal Zone vehicle license plates

The former U.S. territory of the Canal Zone first issued license plates in 1910, and this continued until the Canal Zone was returned to Panama in 1979. A single plate was issued for all years. The country of Panama also issued Canal Zone license plates for United States citizens that lived in Panama but worked in the Canal Zone, but these plates have the country name "Panama" clearly showing on them. Since reciprocity for license plates between the Canal Zone and Panama did not exist until 1950, old photos often show local vehicles with two different license plates mounted on the vehicle.

Each of the 48 states of the United States of America plus several of its territories and the District of Columbia issued individual passenger license plates for 1956.

In 1910 the Canal Zone, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, and New York joined the list of states and territories providing license plates to vehicle owners, and no new states entered the prestate era. There were now 19 states and 2 territories that were issuing license plates and 14 other states requiring owners to provide their own license plates.

In 1911 Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, and Oregon joined the list of states and territories providing license plates to vehicle owners, and no new states entered the prestate era. There were now 26 states and 2 territories that were issuing license plates and 10 other states requiring owners to provide their own license plates.

In 1912 Mississippi, New Mexico, and Puerto Rico joined the list of states and territories providing license plates to vehicle owners, and no new states entered the prestate era. There were now 28 states and 3 territories that were issuing license plates and 9 other states requiring owners to provide their own license plates.

In 1914 Arizona and California joined the list of states and territories providing license plates to vehicle owners, and no new states entered the prestate era. There were now 37 states and 3 territories that were issuing license plates and 7 other states requiring owners to provide their own license plates.

In 1916 Guam and Nevada joined the list of states and territories providing license plates to vehicle owners, and no new states entered the prestate era. There were now 45 states and 4 territories that were issuing license plates and 1 other state requiring owners to provide their own license plates.

In 1917 South Carolina, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands joined the list of states and territories providing license plates to vehicle owners, and no new states entered the prestate era. There were now 47 states and 5 territories that were issuing license plates and 1 other state requiring owners to provide their own license plates.

Massachusetts became the first state to officially issue vehicle license plates in 1903. New York continued to require their residents to register their vehicles with the state, but the owner had to supply their own license plate. Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia all began to require vehicle registration with the vehicle owners also supplying their own plate. Each of the other states of the United States of America plus several of its territories did not require or issue license plates during 1903.

In 1904 Rhode Island became the second state, joining Massachusetts, to issue its own license plates, and the states of Iowa and Maryland began to require owners to provide their own license plates.

In 1908 Delaware, New Jersey and Ohio joined the list of states and territories providing license plates to vehicle owners, and no new states entered the prestate era. There were now 14 states and territories that were issuing license plates and 16 other states requiring owners to provide their own license plates.

In 1909 Minnesota joined the list of states and territories providing license plates to vehicle owners, and North Carolina and Utah entered the prestate era. There were now 15 states and territories that were issuing license plates and 17 other states requiring owners to provide their own license plates.

At this early point in the history of license plates in the United States of America, none of the 45 states, territories, or the District of Columbia, was issuing its own plates. The state of New York remained the only state that required vehicle owners to register their automobiles. The system of using the owner's initials as the registration number, begun in 1901, remained in effect. This would change in 1903 when a number was assigned to each owner to display on their vehicle. Across the country the increases in the number of automobiles was being noticed, and there were many cities, like Chicago, that had already begun to require their owners to register their vehicles.

References

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