Canadian licence plate designs and serial formats

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In Canada, licence plate numbers are usually assigned in ascending order, beginning with a starting point such as AAA-001.

Contents

As such, someone familiar with the sequence can determine roughly when the licence plate was issued. After Ontario's transition to an ABCD-123 format in 1997, plates were issued in ascending order starting with AAAA-000. It took close to 10 years to exhaust the supply of plate numbers with A as the first digit. In late 2006, plates with B as the first digit were assigned, and have continued from there sequentially. Plates with C as the first digit started appearing in 2016. The first plates beginning with D were issued in 2023.

The gradual increase in the use of letters in the serials of licence plates has given rise to an increased possibility of unintentional profane or inappropriate words or messages arising from the use of sequential alphanumeric combinations. Thus, numbering sequences generally exclude certain combinations of letters or numbers that would be potentially offensive. Jurisdictions' attention to excluding offensive combinations varies widely, however. In 1986, Waldale, a Canadian licence plate manufacturer, due to a production error, produced an entire batch of New Brunswick plates that began with the letters ASS. The plates were issued, and were unofficially scrapped, but many found their way into the collectors' black market.[ citation needed ]

From 1971 to 1975, Manitoba's licence plate bore the slogan "Sunny Manitoba: 100,000 lakes," [1] but was changed to "Friendly Manitoba," possibly due to conflict with Minnesota's "10,000 lakes" slogan.[ citation needed ]

Current designs and serial formats

The most recent design or serial format being issued.

Passenger plates

Province/TerritoryFirst issuedDescriptionSloganSerial formatImage
Alberta 2021Red on reflective white"Wild Rose Country"ABC-1234 AB3CKZ3449.jpg
British Columbia 2014Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre"Beautiful British Columbia"AB1 23C British Columbia 2017 Passenger License Plate CF346E.jpg
Manitoba 2012Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; black bison graphic screened at top right; "Manitoba" screened in blue at top, offset to right, with red maple leaf over the 'i'"Friendly Manitoba"ABC 123 Manitoba License Plate 2012.jpg
New Brunswick 2011Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with curved gold and sky blue bands at the top; screened provincial wordmark (red galley graphic with small blue waves and "New" to the left, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below, all in green) on bands, centred above serialABC 123 Plate NewBrunswick 2016.jpg
Newfoundland and Labrador 2007–21

2023–present

Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue belowABC 123 Newfoundland & Labrador 2017 license plate - JEJ 371.jpg
Northwest Territories 2010screened nature scene, shaped like a polar bear "Spectacular Northwest Territories"123456 1986 Northwest Territories license plate 331758.jpg
Nova Scotia 2011Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; light blue graphic of the Bluenose screened in the centre; "NOVA SCOTIA" screened in blue centred at top"Canada's Ocean Playground"ABC 123 1989 Nova Scotia license plate FRP 490 type II.jpg
Nunavut 2012Screened black serial on rectangular plate with night scene featuring polar bear, inuksuk, three sets of northern lights and 25 stars; "Nunavut" screened in black letters and in Inuktitut syllabics (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) centred at bottom123 456
Ontario 1997–2020
2020–present
Blue on reflective white with screened crown separator; "ONTARIO" screened in blue centred at top"Yours to Discover"ABCD-123 2016 Ontario License Plate CBPC-344.jpg
"Tant à Découvrir" 2008 Ontario license plate BEAD712 TANT A DECOUVRIR.png
Green on reflective white with screened graphic of white trillium; for hydrogen and plug-in electric vehicles [2] "Green Vehicle"GVAB 123 2010 Ontario license plate GVAH 823 electric vehicle.png
"Véhicule écologique"VEAB 123 Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Prince Edward Island 2022Green letters on white baseplate; 'PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND' screened at top & 'CANADA' along bottom. PEI crest in center and small Canadian flag in bottom left.none123 ABC Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Quebec 2023Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Québec" centred at top" Je me souviens " (I Remember)ABC 12D Blank License Plate Shape.svg
2011green on reflective white with electric vehicle pictogram on the lower left side (for electric vehicles) [3] Began as B12 VEA, followed by C12 VAB Plaque d'immatriculation du Quebec - Vehicule de promenade - Electrique - 12x6in.png
Saskatchewan 2009Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top"Land of Living Skies"123 ABC Saskatchewan License Plate 2011.jpg
Yukon 1990Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottom"The Klondike"ABC12
Department of National Defence - All provinces and territoriesdark green on reflective white with "Canada" on top flanked by two red maple leaves12345 Canada Federal license plate 78579.jpg

Note: For Ontario and Quebec electric vehicle plates, letters in bold denotes that they are specifically set to identify them, apart from the regular issuance.

Commercial plates

Most provinces issue separate commercial plates for trucks, usually for commercial purposes or over a certain vehicle weight.

Province/TerritoryFirst issuedDescriptionSloganSerial formatImage
Alberta none
British Columbia 2008Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag used as separator"Beautiful British Columbia"AB 1234 1985 British Columbia license plate CD 7172.jpg
Manitoba 2012Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; black bison graphic screened at top right; "Manitoba" screened in blue at top, offset to right, with red maple leaf over the 'i'"Friendly Manitoba"CAB 123 Blank License Plate Shape.svg
New Brunswick 2011Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with curved gold and sky blue bands at the top; screened provincial wordmark (red galley graphic with small blue waves and "New" to the left, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below, all in green) on bands, centred above serialCAB 123 New Brunswick Commercial License Plate 2011.jpg
Newfoundland and Labrador 2007Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue belowCA1 234 Newfoundland & Labrador 2018 license plate - CA1-550.jpg
Northwest Territories 2010screened nature scene, shaped like a polar bear"Spectacular Northwest Territories"C12345 Northwest Territories Commercial License Plate 2011.jpg
Nova Scotia 2012Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "NOVA SCOTIA" and "COMMERCIAL" centred at top and bottom respectively12-345-A Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Nunavut 2012Screened black serial on rectangular plate with night scene featuring polar bear, inuksuk, three sets of northern lights and 25 stars; "Nunavut" screened in black letters and in Inuktitut syllabics (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) centred at bottomC12 345 Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Ontario 2011Black on reflective white with screened crown separator"YOURS TO DISCOVER"AB 12345 2011 Ontario license plate AJ42864 commercial.png
"TANT À DÉCOUVRIR" 2011 Ontario license plate DA12247 commercial TANT A DECOUVRIR.png
Prince Edward Island 2013Embossed light brown numbers on reflective white with photo of Province House on the left"Birthplace of Confederation"C1 234 Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Quebec 2001Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Québec" centred at top"Je me souviens"FAB1234 Quebec Commercial License Plate 2007 - FEB1299.jpg
Saskatchewan none
Yukon 1990Light Commercial - Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottomC123A Blank License Plate Shape.svg
2009Heavy Commercial - Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottomCA123 Blank License Plate Shape.svg

Former designs and serial formats still valid

Designs or serial formats that are no longer issued, yet are still valid for use.

Province/TerritoryDates IssuedDescriptionSloganSerial formatImage
Alberta 1983-92red on reflective white"Wild Rose Country"ABC-123 Alberta license plate 1987.jpg
1993-2010red on non-reflective white AB plate UXM444.jpg
2010-19red on non-reflective whiteABC-1234
2019-21as above, but with newer Alberta government logo AB3CKR0762.jpg
British Columbia 1985-2001Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre"Beautiful British Columbia"ABC 123
2001-14Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre123 ABC British Columbia License Plate 820TTE.jpg
Manitoba 1997-2012Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; blue bison graphic screened at top right; "Manitoba" screened in blue at top, offset to right, with red maple leaf over the 'i'"Friendly Manitoba"ABC 123 2007 Manitoba licence plate.jpg
New Brunswick 2003-09Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; screened provincial wordmark ("New" to the left of the galley, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below)ABC-123 New Brunswick License Plate 2004.jpg
2009-11Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with curved gold and sky blue bands at the top; screened provincial wordmark (red galley graphic with small blue waves and "New" to the left, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below, all in green) on bands, centred above serial"Be...in this place - Être...ici on le peut'"ABC 123 New Brunswick Billingual License Plate 2009.jpg
Newfoundland and Labrador 1982-93red and blue embossed on whiteABC-123 Nl passenger issue ADJ-921.jpg
1993-96red on reflective white with screened Viking ship graphic"A World of Difference"ABC 123 Newfoundland and Labrador license plate 2005.jpg
1996-97red on reflective blue/white with screened Cabot graphic"Celebrate 500 Years"ABC 123 NL passenger issue HBC-399.jpg
1997-2001As 1993–96 base"A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" as from 1993–96ABC 123 Newfoundland & Labrador 2001 license plate - HDB 251.jpg
2001-02Embossed red serial on white plate; screened provincial flag centred slightly below serial; "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CANADA" screened in red below flagABC 123 Newfoundland & Labrador 2017 license plate - HFA-566.jpg
2002-03As above, but with "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR" centred at top, and "CANADA" increased in sizeABC 123 Newfoundland & Labrador 2010 license plate - HGB 557.jpg
2003-07red on reflective white with screened provincial flag graphicABC 123 Newfoundland & Labrador 2018 license plate - HMD-926.jpg
2022-23Embossed blue serial on white and teal gradient plate; screened blue graphic of a whale; screened red provincial word mark on top; screened red “COME HOME 2022” on bottom"COME HOME 2022"ABC 123 NL-2022-comehomeyear-JRB325.jpg
Northwest Territories none
Nova Scotia blue on white"Canada's Ocean Playground"ABC 123 Nova Scotia CLY137.jpg
Nunavut none
Ontario 1973–78Embossed blue serial with crown separator on white plate with border line; "ONTARIO" centred at top; "73" at bottom left and full sticker box at bottom right"KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL"ABC 123 1973 Base Ontario License Plate LVK-827.jpg
1978-82As above, but without "73", and with partial sticker box at bottom right"KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL"ABC 123 1973 Ontario license plate PTA264 type II.jpg
1982-86As above, but with no sticker box"YOURS TO DISCOVER"ABC 123 Ontario 1984 License Plate.jpg
1986-94"YOURS TO DISCOVER"123 ABC Ontario License Plate 711-HJP.jpg
1994–97Blue on reflective white with screened crown separator; "ONTARIO" screened in blue centred at top"YOURS TO DISCOVER"123 ABC Ontario 1996 License Plate.jpg
2020white on reflective, two-hue blue with white stylized trillium separator and white crown placed bottom right [4] [5] "A Place to Grow"ABCD 123 2020 Ontario License Plate 2023-09-23.jpg
Prince Edward Island 1981-92Embossed green serial with provincial shield separator on reflective white plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND" at top and "CANADA" centred at bottomABC 123 Canada Prince Edward Island license plate 1981 graphic.png
1993–97Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; green and red Anne of Green Gables graphic slightly to left of centre; "PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND" screened in red at top"Home of Anne of Green Gables"AB 123 Canada Prince Edward Island license plate 1993 graphic.png
1997-2007Embossed green serial on reflective gradient green, white and blue plate; screened Confederation Bridge graphic at top centre and national flag at bottom left; "Prince Edward Island" screened in green below graphic with green trees, wavy blue underline, and "CANADA" below underline"Confederation Bridge"AB 123 Prince Edward Island License Plate 1997.jpg
As above, but with screened Province House graphic at top centre"Birthplace of Confederation"AB 123 Prince Edward Island Sample License Plate 2007.jpg
2007-09Embossed green numbers on reflective white plate with screened photo of windmills"Canada's Green Province" at bottomAB 123 Prince Edward Island License Plate 2007.jpg
2009-12123 AB
2013-22Embossed light brown numbers on reflective white with photo of Province House on the left"Birthplace of Confederation"12 3AB Prince Edward Island Passenger Plate 62-1VZ.jpg
"Berceau de la Confédération" PEI Berceau de la Confederation Sample License Plate.jpg
Québec 1979–83Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "79" at top left; fleur-de-lys and "Québec" at top right"Je me souviens"123A456
(1979 series only)
1979 Quebec License Plate 999P250.jpg
1983-96As above, but with wider serial dies, a darker shade of blue, and fleur-de-lys and "Québec" centred at topABC 123 1983 Quebec license plate GBR 822.jpg
1996-2009123 ABC Quebec License Plate 684-GAN.jpg
2009-22A12 BCD 2009 Quebec license plate G12 MCM.jpg
2022-2301B ACD Plaque d'immatriculation du Quebec - Vehicule de promenade - 2023 - 12x6in.png
Saskatchewan 1977-98Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; sans-serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top"Land Of the Living Skies"ABC 123 1978 Saskatchewan License Plate.jpg
1998-2009Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top123 ABC Saskatchewan 1998 type license plate.png
Yukon none

See also

References

  1. Manitoba License Plays, 1969-Present
  2. "Ontario gets new green licence plates". CBC. 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  3. "Electric Vehicles". SAAQ. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  4. "Ontario's new licence plates hit the road: Here's what you need to know". toronto.ctvnews.ca. February 3, 2020.
  5. "Accueil véhicules". Ministère des Transports (in French). Le gouvernement de l'Ontario. Retrieved 12 February 2020.