Vehicle registration plates of Nunavut

Last updated

Nunavut
Nunavut License Plate 2012.jpg
Current series
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
Serial format123 456
Introduced2012 (2012)
History
First issued1999 (1999)

The Canadian territory of Nunavut was formed in April 1999, by the splitting of the Northwest Territories.

Contents

At the time of division, the governments of both territories agreed to Nunavut continuing to use the NWT's polar bear-shaped licence plates, which had been in use since 1970. Although the design of the plates was shared, the government of the NWT held the copyright. Nunavut's version of the plate differed from the NWT's in the name of the jurisdiction at the bottom and the presence of an 'N' suffix in the serial.

In 2010, the government of the NWT decided to update its version of the polar bear-shaped plate. In turn, the government of Nunavut opted to go with a new plate design. [1] On 3 August 2011, Nunavut announced that a contest would be held to create the new plates. [2]

The contest was entered by 123 people, who between them submitted 200 designs. On 6 March 2012, Iqaluit resident Ron Froese was named the winner. His design consisted of a night scene featuring a polar bear, an inuksuk, three sets of northern lights to represent the three regions of Nunavut (Kitikmeot, Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk), and 25 stars to represent the communities of the territory. This design was first made available to motorists in July 2012. [3] [4] [5]

In 2024 the Government of Nunavut announced it would be returning to the polar bear shape, which it would be using under an agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Aside from the shape, the plate design would be different from the design used in the NWT. [6]

Passenger baseplates 1999 to present

ImageFirst issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Nunavut license plate 1999 bear design.jpg April 1999Embossed blue serial on polar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottom"EXPLORE CANADA'S ARCTIC" at top12345N10000N to approximately 22500NOnly single plates issued.
Nunavut License Plate 2012.jpg July 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 bottomNone123 456000 001 to 017 043 (as of November 28, 2024)

Non-passenger plates

ImageTypeFirst issuedDesignSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Quad/Snowmobile1999Orange polar bear plate12345A
Blank License Plate Shape.svg ATV 2012As 2012 passenger baseA12 345A00 001 to A05 604 (As of September 12th 2022)Replaced the Snowmobile plate.
Nunavut Commerical License 2011.jpg Commercial 1999Embossed blue serial on polar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottomC1234N
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2012As 2012 passenger baseC12 345C00 001 to C05 114 (As of September 12th 2022)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Dealer2012As 2012 passenger baseD12 345D00 001 to D00 223 (As of September 12th 2022)
Government2012As 2012 passenger baseG12 345G00 001 to G02 059 (As of September 12th 2022)
Public Service2012As 2012 passenger baseP12 345P00 001 to P01 739 (As of September 12th 2022)Used on taxis.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Rental Vehicle1999Embossed blue serial on polar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottomRE123N
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2012As 2012 passenger baseR12 345R00 001 to R00 632 (As of September 12th 2022)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Motorcycle 1999Embossed blue serial on polar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottom12345N
Nunavut Motorcycle Sample License Plate 2012.jpg 2012As 2012 passenger baseM12 345M00 001 to M00 546 (As of September 12th 2022)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Trailer 1999Embossed blue serial on polar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottomT12345
Nunavut license plate 2014 T00 277 trailer.png 2012As 2012 passenger baseT12 345T00 001 to presentValidated annually. [7]

References

  1. "Nunavut could lose polar bear-shaped licence plates". CTV News . August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  2. "Nunavummiut are encouraged to tap into their creativity and enter a contest to design the territory's new licence plate". The Nunavut Echo. August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on August 26, 2011.
  3. "Nunavut has a new Licence Plate". Government of Nunavut Department of Economic Development & Transportation. 2012-06-03. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014.
  4. "Nunavut unveils new licence plate". CBC News . March 7, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  5. "GN launches new licence plate". Nunatsiaq Online. March 6, 2012. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  6. "Polar bear licence plates coming back to Nunavut". Nunatsiaq News . 8 November 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  7. "Motor Vehicles Act, Consolidated, R.S.N.W.T. 1988,c.M-16" (PDF). Government of Nunavut. Territorial Printer for Nunavut. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2015.