Current series | |
---|---|
Size | 12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm |
Serial format | ABC 123 |
Introduced | January 12, 2024 |
Availability | |
Issued by | Digital Government and Service NL, Motor Registration Division |
Manufactured by | Waldale Manufacturing Limited, Amherst, Nova Scotia [1] |
History | |
First issued | 1925 |
Newfoundland and Labrador first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1920, while still a British dominion. It became a province of Canada in 1949.
In 1956, Canada, the United States, 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 licence 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 Newfoundland licence plate that fully complied with these standards: the issues from 1951 (dated 1952) through 1955 (dated 1956) were all 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.
The last complete re-registration of all registered vehicles in Newfoundland and Labrador was in 1981, with a switch from a numerical system to an alphanumeric system.
All plates issued since 1982 (beginning AAA-001) remain valid today. Plates remain with the vehicle to which they are originally registered, rather than with the owner. Used vehicles with expired plates are issued new licence plates, while used vehicles with valid plates retain their original licence plate.
Since 1985, the province has not used the letters I, Q, U or Y on licence plates, [3] except on plates that use "VO1" (or "VO2" for Labrador) followed by two or three letters issued to Amateur radio operators. [4] However, the HAY series was issued on the 1996-97 Cabot 500 base, while the TFI series was issued on trailers in 2010. The letter I is skipped because it closely resembles the number 1, while the letter Q is skipped because it closely resembles the letter O (which the province does use) and the number zero.
Since September 1997, the province requires only a rear plate for most registrations, except for B, C, E and G plates (see below). Some older cars still display both front and rear plates. Some early "World of Difference" and Cabot 500 base plates were issued in duplicate for the front and rear.
In 2019 the province announced [5] it would be designing licence plates for electric "green" vehicles.
On Newfoundland licence plates, the first letter (or two letters) designates the registration class of the vehicle. For example, HMT-999 would be assigned to a passenger car, while TZD-019 would be assigned to a trailer.
Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in Canada that does not allow vanity licence plates to be registered.
First letter(s) | Vehicle type | Notes on use/expiration/issue | Current/last issue |
---|---|---|---|
A | Private car | Began at AAA-001 in 1982; ended at AZZ-999 on World of Difference base in 1998. Front and rear plates required until 1997. | AZZ-999 |
AA | Antique Auto | Issued to cars and trucks eligible to be considered antique. Cars must be at least 25 years old to be considered. ‘Antique Auto’ is screened onto the plate on the left of the serial | 4433 |
B | Bus | BAx for public-use buses, BPx for private-use buses (e.g. tour buses). Front and rear plates required. | BAJ-976 BPD-893 |
C | Truck/heavy vehicle | Issued to pickup trucks, SUVs and large vans. Began at CAA-001 in 1982; reached CZZ-999 on pitcher plant base in 2017, followed by CA0 001 onwards. Front and rear plates required. CRx indicates large mobile crane units that are generally overwidth and need special permits and escort on public roadways. Some trucks and vans may now be registered as private cars. | CL7-999 |
D | Dealer | Issued to auto dealers for test driving and transporting cars. | DAW-768 |
E | Emergency vehicle | Emergency vehicles (fire trucks or police cars) are registered as provincial or municipal, as private ambulance companies operate in NL. Front and rear plates required. Also used by search and rescue vehicles. | EAD-692 |
F | Farm vehicle | FAx for farm tractors, FEx for farm equipment, FTx for farm trucks that operate on roads. Infrequently issued. | FAD-638 FEC-654 FTD-273 |
FF | Fire Fighter | Issued to cars and trucks belonging to firefighters. Have the FD crest on the left of the serial. | 6163FF |
G | Government vehicle | GMx on municipal vehicles, GPx on provincial, GFx on federal. Front and rear plates required. | GMO-320 GPR-292 GFM-154 |
H | Private car | Issued as next available letter after 'A' series. Began at HAB-001 on Cabot base in fall of 1996; issued on World of Difference base from 1998; ended at HZZ-999 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013. | HZZ-999 |
J | Private car | Issued as next available letter after 'H' series. Began at JAA-001 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013. | JUH-002 |
M | Motorcycle | Began at MCA-001 in 1982. | MEO-723 |
PR | Apportioned | Issued to transport trucks. Began at PRP-001 in 1982; reached PRZ-999 on pitcher plant base in 2012, followed by PRA-001 onwards. | PRC-228 |
S | Snowmobile | Began at SAA-001. These are decals and older ones can also be 12345 format. Used to all be orange text on white but the current decal is black text on white. | SMN-942 |
T | Trailer | Began at TAA-001 in 1982; jumped from TET-999 to TVT-001 when flag base was introduced in 2001; reached TZZ-999 then jumped back to TEV-001 on pitcher plant base in 2008. TXx reserved for taxi plates. | TMJ-999 |
TX | Licensed taxi | Supplemented with a municipal taxi licence sticker. | TXP-999 |
W | Tow truck | Tow trucks display a second plate (in addition to a 'C' series plate). Infrequently issued. | WAE-592 |
X | Heavy machinery | Issued to tractors, backhoes, forklifts, etc. | XAX-203 |
V (VBC-123) | Off-Road | Issued to quads and UTVs, | VJO-091 |
VO1 (VO1-XXX) | Amateur Radio | Issued to Newfoundland Operators, | VO1-??? |
VO2 (VO2-XXX) | Amateur Radio | Issued to Labrador Operators, | VO2-??? |
V (V1234) | Veteran | Issued to cars and trucks belonging to military veterans | V3223 |
VA (VA123) | Veteran Motorcycle | Issued to motorcycles belonging to military veterans | VA644 |
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1925 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; vertical "NFLD" and "1925" at left and right respectively | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 2100 | ||
1926 | Embossed black serial on cream plate with border line; vertical "NFLD" and "1926" at left and right respectively | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 2000 | ||
1927 | Embossed white serial on forest green plate with border line; "NFLD 1927" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 2500 | ||
1928 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "NFLD 1928" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 2700 | ||
1929 | Embossed white serial on ocean blue plate with border line; "NFLD 1929" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 3200 | ||
1930 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-30" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 3500 | ||
1931 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-31" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 3600 | ||
1932 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-32" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 3300 | ||
1933 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-33" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 2800 | ||
1934 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-34" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 3600 | ||
1935 | Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-35" at top | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 3900 | ||
1936 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-36" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 4200 | ||
1937 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; embossed crown graphic at left; "NEWFOUNDLAND-37" at top | none | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 4800 | ||
1938 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-38" at bottom | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 5-100 | ||
1939 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-39" at top | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 4-900 | ||
1940 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-40" at bottom | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 5-400 | ||
1941 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-41" at top | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 5-000 | ||
1942 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-42" at bottom | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 6-500 | Reused in 1944 due to metal conservation for World War II. | |
1943 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-43" at top | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 6-100 | ||
1944 | As 1942 base, but red on black | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 5-700 | Repainted and reused 1942 plates. | |
1945 | Hand-painted white serial on dark green flat metal plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND-45" at top | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 4-700 | ||
1946 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-46" at bottom | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 6-400 | ||
1947 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-47" at top | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 7-200 | ||
1948 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-48" at bottom | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 8-000 | ||
1949 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-49" at top | none | 1-234 | 1-001 to approximately 9-000 | Joined Canada | |
1950 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-50" at top | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 11-500 | ||
1951 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND 51" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 10-001 to approximately 23-500 | ||
1952 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-52" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 19-000 | ||
1953 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-53" at top | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 21-000 | ||
1954 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-54" at top | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 26-500 | ||
1955 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-55" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 28-000 | ||
1956 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-56" at top | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 36-000 | ||
1957 | Embossed yellow serial on sky blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-57" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 38-000 | ||
1958 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-58" at top | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 39-000 | ||
1959 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-59" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 43-000 | ||
1960 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-60" at top | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 45-000 | ||
1961 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-61" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 49-000 | ||
1962 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-62" at top | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 55-000 | ||
1963 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-63" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 59-000 | ||
1964 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-64" at top | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 65-000 | ||
1965 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND" and "LABRADOR" centred and top and bottom respectively; "19" at top left and "65" at top right | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 70-000 | ||
1966 | Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1966" centred at top and bottom respectively | none | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 74-000 | ||
1967 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1967" centred at top and bottom respectively | "CANADA CENTENNIAL" between serial and year | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 79-000 | ||
1968 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" at top; "19" at bottom left and "68" at bottom right | "CANADA'S HAPPY PROVINCE" centred at bottom | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 87-000 | ||
1969 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1969" centred at top and bottom respectively; embossed blue lightning bolts either side of year | "THE MIGHTY CHURCHILL" between serial and year | 12-345 | 1-001 to approximately 88-000 |
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970–72 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1970" centred at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 1-001 to approximately 136-000 | |||
1973–75 | Embossed red serial on white plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1973" centred at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 1-001 to approximately 165-000 | |||
1976–82 | Embossed blue serial on orange plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1976" centred at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 1-001 to approximately 259-000 | |||
1982 – mid 1993 | Embossed blue serial on white plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND" and "AND LABRADOR" in red centred at top and bottom respectively | none | ABC-123 | AAA-001 to ASZ-999 | |||
mid 1993 – September 1996 | Embossed red serial on white plate; graphic screened at bottom featuring a Viking ship with a red sail against a yellow sunset; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in red at top | "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" screened in red below and to right of graphic | ABC 123 | ATA 001 to AZF 999 | |||
September 1996 – September 1997 | Embossed red serial on light blue and white gradient plate; screened red graphic of John Cabot centred at bottom; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in blue at top | "CABOT" screened in blue to right of graphic, and "Celebrate 500 Years" in black to left | ABC 123 | HAB 001 to HBC 999 | Commemorated the 500th anniversary of Cabot's voyage to Newfoundland. | ||
September 1997 – October 2001 | As 1993–96 base | "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" as from 1993 to 1996 | ABC 123 | AZG 001 to AZZ 999; HBD 001 to HEP 999 | |||
October 2001 – July 2002 | Embossed red serial on white plate; screened provincial flag centred slightly below serial; "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CANADA" screened in red below flag | none | ABC 123 | HER 001 to HFO 999 | |||
July 2002 – September 2003 | As above, but with "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR" centred at top, and "CANADA" increased in size | HFP 001 to HGZ 999 | |||||
September 2003 – April 2007 | As above, but with flag graphic revised and increased in size, "Newfoundland & Labrador" at top, and "CANADA" removed | HHA 001 to HMT 999 | |||||
April 2007 – December 2021 June 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 | none | ABC 123 | HMV 001 to JTW 999 (as of June 28, 2024) [6] | |||
January 2022 – c. June 2023 | 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" screened in red bottom centre | ABC 123 | JRA 001 to JTC 999 | Commemorated the 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Come Home Year. | ||
January 2024 | Embossed black serial on white plate; screened blue and gray graphics of sections of the NL flag; screened red half maple leaf; screened blue “1949 - 2024” on bottom separated by a gold dash; screened provincial wordmark with pitcher plant on top; screened 75 middle | "1949 - 2024 75" screened in bottom & centre | ABC 123 | JUA 001 to JVV 999 | Commemorated the 75th anniversary of Canadian confederation. |
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TBD | Embossed green serial on white plate with; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" logo centred at bottom. | none | ABC 123 | In November 2019, the Newfoundland and Labrador government announced a prototype design for a Green vehicle licence plate. [7] Premier Dwight Ball made the announcement at the Drive Electric NL Electric Vehicle Showcase. As of 2023, this plate design has not yet been made available; electric vehicles simply use plates from the main series. |
A vehicle registration plate, also known as a number plate or license plate or licence plate, is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. All countries require registration plates for commercial road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles, for hire. Whether they are required for other vehicles, such as bicycles, boats, or tractors, may vary by jurisdiction. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric ID that uniquely identifies the vehicle or vehicle owner within the issuing region's vehicle register. In some countries, the identifier is unique within the entire country, while in others it is unique within a state or province. Whether the identifier is associated with a vehicle or a person also varies by issuing agency. There are also electronic license plates.
The U.S. state of Idaho first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913. As of 2024, plates are issued by the Idaho Transportation Department 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.
Vehicle registration plates of Canada, also known as licence plates, are issued by provincial or territorial government agencies. Registration plates in Canada are typically attached to motor vehicles or trailers for official identification purposes. Some Canadian registration plates have unique designs, shapes, and slogans related to the issuing jurisdiction. For example, registration plates issued in the Northwest Territories are shaped like a polar bear. In Alberta, registration plates typically display the words "Wild Rose Country."
The U.S. state of Nebraska first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1915, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of New Jersey first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1908, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of Maine first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2022, plates are issued by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, within the office of the Department of the Secretary of State. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to issue license plates on September 1, 1903, to Frederick Tudor. Plates are currently issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
Hawaii was a sovereign constitutional monarchy until this government was overthrown in January 1893, but many of its laws were already modeled after those of the United States, including registering dogs and issuing metal tags for them since the 1870s. The Republic of Hawaii which replaced the previous government was annexed as a Territory by the United States in August 1898, and the first automobiles to be shipped to the Hawaiian Islands arrived in 1899. Each of Hawaii's four counties registered vehicles completely autonomously starting with the City & County of Honolulu in 1906, and license plates were homemade / owner-provided. The first government-issued plates were used by both Honolulu and the County of Hawaii in 1915. Maui County first issued plates in 1919, while Kauai County retained homemade plates through 1921; this was the last jurisdiction in the United States to do so. All license plates were standardized throughout the Territory of Hawaii for the first time in 1922. Despite its status as a territory, Hawaii's vehicle registration laws and license plates were the same as the rest of the United States. Hawaii was admitted to the Union as the 50th state in August 1959.
The U.S. state of Missouri 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.
The U.S. state of Colorado first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913. As of 2024, plates are issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue 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.
The U.S. state of Alabama first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911.
The U.S. state of Rhode Island first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1904. Plates are currently issued by the Rhode Island Department of Revenue 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.
The U.S. state of Vermont first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2022, plates are issued by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), associated with the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The Canadian province of Alberta first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1906. Registrants provided their own licence plates for display until 1912, when the province began to issue plates. Only rear plates have been required since 1992.
The Canadian province of Saskatchewan first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1906. Registrants provided their own licence plates for display until 1912, when the province began to issue plates.
The Canadian province of British Columbia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1904. Registrants provided their own licence plates for display until 1913, when the province began to issue plates.
The Canadian province of Manitoba first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1911. As of 2022, plates are issued by the Manitoba Public Insurance. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The Canadian province of Quebec first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1906. Registrants provided their own licence plates for display until 1908, when the province began to issue plates. Plates are currently issued by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec.
The Canadian province of New Brunswick first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own licence plates for display until 1911, when the province began to issue plates.
The Canadian territory of Yukon first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1914. Only rear plates have been required since 1990.