Canadian licence plate designs and serial formats

Last updated September 20, 2024

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

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-001. 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/Territory	First issued	Description	Slogan	Serial format
Alberta	2021	Red on reflective white	"Wild Rose Country"	ABC-1234
British Columbia	2014	Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre	"Beautiful British Columbia"	AB1 23C
Manitoba	2012	Embossed 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
New Brunswick	2011	Embossed 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	—	ABC 123
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 below	—	ABC 123
Northwest Territories	2010	screened nature scene, shaped like a polar bear	"Spectacular Northwest Territories"	123456
Nova Scotia	2011	Embossed 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
Nunavut	2012	Screened 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 bottom	—	123 456
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
			"Tant à Découvrir"	ABCD-123
		Green on reflective white with screened graphic of white trillium; for hydrogen and plug-in electric vehicles^[2]	"Green Vehicle"	GVAB 123
			"Véhicule écologique"	VEAB 123
Prince Edward Island	2022	Green letters on white baseplate; 'PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND' screened at top & 'CANADA' along bottom. PEI crest in center and small Canadian flag in bottom left.	none	123 ABC
Quebec	2023	Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Québec" centred at top	" Je me souviens " (I Remember)	ABC 12D
Quebec	2011	green on reflective white with electric vehicle pictogram on the lower left side (for electric vehicles)^[3]	" Je me souviens " (I Remember)	Began as B12 VEA, followed by C12 VAB
Saskatchewan	2009	Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top	"Land of Living Skies"	123 ABC
Yukon	1990	Black 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 territories		dark green on reflective white with "Canada" on top flanked by two red maple leaves	—	12345

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/Territory	First issued	Description	Slogan	Serial format
Alberta		none
British Columbia	2008	Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag used as separator	"Beautiful British Columbia"	AB 1234
Manitoba	2012	Embossed 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
New Brunswick	2011	Embossed 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	—	CAB 123
Newfoundland and Labrador	2007	Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue below	—	CA1 234
Northwest Territories	2010	screened nature scene, shaped like a polar bear	"Spectacular Northwest Territories"	C12345
Nova Scotia	2012	Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "NOVA SCOTIA" and "COMMERCIAL" centred at top and bottom respectively	—	12-345-A
Nunavut	2012	Screened 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 bottom	—	C12 345
Ontario	2011	Black on reflective white with screened crown separator	"YOURS TO DISCOVER"	AB 12345
Ontario	2011	Black on reflective white with screened crown separator	"TANT À DÉCOUVRIR"	AB 12345
Prince Edward Island	2013	Embossed light brown numbers on reflective white with photo of Province House on the left	"Birthplace of Confederation"	C1 234
Quebec	2001	Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Québec" centred at top	"Je me souviens"	FAB1234
Saskatchewan		none
Yukon	1990	Light Commercial - Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottom	—	C123A
Yukon	2009	Heavy Commercial - Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottom	—	CA123

Former designs and serial formats still valid

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

Province/Territory	Dates Issued	Description	Slogan	Serial format
Alberta	1983-92	red on reflective white	"Wild Rose Country"	ABC-123
	1993-2010	red on non-reflective white		ABC-123
	2010-19	red on non-reflective white		ABC-1234
	2019-21	as above, but with newer Alberta government logo		ABC-1234
British Columbia	1985-2001	Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre	"Beautiful British Columbia"	ABC 123
British Columbia	2001-14	Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre	"Beautiful British Columbia"	123 ABC
Manitoba	1997-2012	Embossed 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
New Brunswick	2003-09	Embossed 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	2009-11	Embossed 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
Newfoundland and Labrador	1982-93	red and blue embossed on white	—	ABC-123
	1993-96	red on reflective white with screened Viking ship graphic	"A World of Difference"	ABC 123
	1996-97	red on reflective blue/white with screened Cabot graphic	"Celebrate 500 Years"	ABC 123
	1997-2001	As 1993–96 base	"A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" as from 1993–96	ABC 123
	2001-02	Embossed red serial on white plate; screened provincial flag centred slightly below serial; "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CANADA" screened in red below flag	—	ABC 123
	2002-03	As above, but with "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR" centred at top, and "CANADA" increased in size	—	ABC 123
	2003-07	red on reflective white with screened provincial flag graphic	—	ABC 123
	2022-23	Embossed 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
Northwest Territories		none
Nova Scotia		blue on white	"Canada's Ocean Playground"	ABC 123
Nunavut		none
Ontario	1973–78	Embossed 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
	1978-82	As above, but without "73", and with partial sticker box at bottom right	"KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL"	ABC 123
	1982-86	As above, but with no sticker box	"YOURS TO DISCOVER"	ABC 123
	1986-94	As above, but with no sticker box	"YOURS TO DISCOVER"	123 ABC
	1994–97	Blue on reflective white with screened crown separator; "ONTARIO" screened in blue centred at top	"YOURS TO DISCOVER"	123 ABC
	2020	white on reflective, two-hue blue with white stylized trillium separator and white crown placed bottom right^[4]^[5]	"A Place to Grow"	ABCD 123
Prince Edward Island	1981-92	Embossed 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 bottom	—	ABC 123
	1993–97	Embossed 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
	1997-2007	Embossed 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
	1997-2007	As above, but with screened Province House graphic at top centre	"Birthplace of Confederation"	AB 123
	2007-09	Embossed green numbers on reflective white plate with screened photo of windmills	"Canada's Green Province" at bottom	AB 123
	2009-12		"Canada's Green Province" at bottom	123 AB
	2013-22	Embossed light brown numbers on reflective white with photo of Province House on the left	"Birthplace of Confederation"	12 3AB
	2013-22		"Berceau de la Confédération"	12 3AB
Québec	1979–83	Embossed 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)
	1983-96	As above, but with wider serial dies, a darker shade of blue, and fleur-de-lys and "Québec" centred at top		ABC 123
	1996-2009			123 ABC
	2009-22			A12 BCD
	2022-23			01B ACD
Saskatchewan	1977-98	Green 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
Saskatchewan	1998-2009	Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top	"Land Of the Living Skies"	123 ABC
Yukon		none

Related Research Articles

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

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

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

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

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

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References

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

External links

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[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.

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