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. [1]
As of 2022 [update] , plates are issued by Saskatchewan Government Insurance. Only rear plates have been required since June 30, 2004. [2]
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. [3] The 1954 (dated 1955) issue was the first Saskatchewan licence plate that complied with these standards.
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1912 | White on black porcelain; vertical "SASK" and "1912" at left and right respectively | none | 1234 | 1 to approximately 4500 | ||
1913 | Black on white porcelain; vertical "SASK" and "1913" at left and right respectively | none | 1234 | 1 to approximately 6500 | ||
1914 | Dark blue on yellow porcelain; vertical "SASK" and "1914" at left and right respectively | none | 1234 | 1 to approximately 9000 | ||
1915 | Black on orange flat metal; vertical "SASK" and "1915" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 13500 | ||
1916 | Navy blue on ivory flat metal; vertical "SASK" and "1916" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 18500 | ||
1917 | Red on white flat metal; vertical "SASK" and "1917" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 33000 | ||
1918 | White on green flat metal; vertical "SASK" and "1918" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 54000 | Some later plates embossed. | |
1919 | White on black porcelain; "SASK", provincial shield and "1919" at left | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 60000 | Revalidated for 1920 with yellow tabs, for 1921 with red tabs, and for 1922 with green tabs. | |
1920 | As above, but without provincial shield and year | 60001 to approximately 67000 | Validated in the same manner as for 1919 plates. | |||
1921 | As above, but metal rather than porcelain | 67001 to approximately 82000 | ||||
1922 | 12-345 | 82-001 to approximately 97-000 | ||||
1923 | Black on yellow; vertical "SASK" and "1923" at left and right respectively | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 62-000 | ||
1924 | White on dark blue; vertical "SASK" and "1924" at left and right respectively | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 65-000 | ||
1925 | Black on grey; vertical "SASK" and "1925" at left and right respectively | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 68-000 | ||
1926 | White on red; diagonal "SASK" and "1926" at left | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 87-000 | ||
1927 | White on black; "1927" and diagonal "SASK" at right | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 98-000 | ||
1928 | White on green; "1928" centred at top and "SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 104-000 | First use of the full province name. | |
1929 | Black on golden yellow; "1929" centred at top with "SASKATCHEWAN" below | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 109-000 | ||
1930 | White on maroon; "SASKATCHEWAN" at top and "1930" centred at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 120-000 | ||
1931 | White on purple; "SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom and vertical "1931" at right | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 92-000 | ||
1932 | White on blue; vertical "1932" at left and "SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 89-000 | ||
1933 | Black on golden yellow; "SASKATCHEWAN–33" at top | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 65-000 | ||
1934 | White on red; "34–SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 75-000 | ||
1935 | White on brown; "35 SASKATCHEWAN" at top | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 77-000 | ||
1936 | Black on orange; "SASKATCHEWAN–36" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 82-000 | ||
1937 | Black on white; "SASKATCHEWAN–37" at top | "CORONATION YEAR" at bottom | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 87-000 | Commemorated the coronation of King George VI. | |
1938 | White on red; "38–SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 89-000 | ||
1939 | Black on orange; "39 SASKATCHEWAN" at top | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 92-000 | ||
1940 | Red on white; "SASKATCHEWAN-40" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 95-000 | ||
1941 | White on red; "SASKATCHEWAN -41" at top | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 96-000 | ||
1942 | Black on orange; "42–SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 94-000 | ||
1943–44 | Black on white; "SASK.–43" centred at top | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 89-000 | Revalidated for 1944 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II. | |
1945 | Red on white; "SASKATCHEWAN–45" at top | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 98-000 | ||
1946 | White on red; "46–SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 98-000 | ||
1947 | Black on orange; "SASKATCHEWAN–47" at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 98-000 | ||
1948 | Black on silver; "SASKATCHEWAN 1948" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 114-000 | ||
1949 | White on brown; "SASKATCHEWAN 1949" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 130-000 | ||
1950 | Black on orange; "SASKATCHEWAN 50" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 137-000 | ||
1951 | Black on beige; "SASKATCHEWAN 51" at bottom | "WHEAT PROVINCE" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 141-000 | ||
1952 | Beige on black; "52 SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | "WHEAT PROVINCE" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 156-000 | ||
1953 | Green on beige; "SASKATCHEWAN 53" at bottom | "WHEAT PROVINCE" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 163-000 | ||
1954 | Beige on maroon; "54 SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | "WHEAT PROVINCE" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 168-000 | ||
1955 | Dark green on white; "SASKATCHEWAN" at top | "GOLDEN JUBILEE 1955" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 193-000 | Commemorated Saskatchewan's 50 years of provincehood. | |
1956 | White on dark green; "SASKATCHEWAN 56" at top | "WHEAT PROVINCE" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 192-000 | ||
1957 | Dark blue on beige; "57 SASKATCHEWAN" at top | "WHEAT PROVINCE" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 195-000 | ||
1958 | Red on reflective light grey; "SASKATCHEWAN 58" at top | "WHEAT PROVINCE" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 1-000 | Experimental plates. | |
As above, but non-reflective | 1-001 to approximately 201-000 | |||||
1959 | Black on reflective light grey; "59 SASKATCHEWAN" at top | "WHEAT PROVINCE" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 1-000 | Experimental plates. | |
As above, but non-reflective | 1-001 to approximately 218-000 | |||||
1960 | Light grey on black; "SASKATCHEWAN 60" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 239-000 | ||
1961 | Dark blue on white; "SASKATCHEWAN 61" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 248-000 | ||
1962 | White on dark blue; "62 SASKATCHEWAN" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 248-000 | ||
1963 | Dark blue on orange; "63 SASKATCHEWAN" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 261-000 | ||
1964 | Green on white; "64 SASKATCHEWAN" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 277-000 | ||
1965 | White on green; "65 SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | "DIAMOND JUBILEE" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 287-000 | Commemorated Saskatchewan's 60 years of provincehood. | |
1966 | Green on white; "66 SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 291-000 | ||
1967 | Brown on yellow; "SASKATCHEWAN 1967" at top | "CANADA CENTENNIAL" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 304-000 | ||
1968 | Green on white; "19" at top left, "68" at top right and "SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 311-000 | ||
1969 | White on green; "SASKATCHEWAN 1969" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 313-000 | ||
1970 | Green on reflective white; "SASKATCHEWAN 1970" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 308-000 | ||
1971 | Red on reflective white; "SASKATCHEWAN 1971" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 325-000 | ||
1972 | Blue on reflective white; "72 SASKATCHEWAN" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 315-000 | ||
1973 | Red on reflective white; "73 SASKATCHEWAN" at top | "HOME OF THE RCMP" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 316-000 | ||
1974 | Green on reflective white; "74 SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 339-000 | ||
1975 | Red on reflective white; "75 SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 365-000 | ||
1976 | Blue on reflective white; "76 SASKATCHEWAN" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 383-000 |
As of 2021 [update] , Saskatchewan is one of five provinces/territories in which decals are not used to show that the vehicle has valid registration (the others being Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories).
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1977 – May 1998 | Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; sans-serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top | none | ABC 123 | HBB 100 to SZZ 999, then random blocks (see right) | 'H', 'J', 'K', 'M', 'N' and 'S' series of serials issued first, followed by random blocks from 1991 onwards. Letters I, O, Q, U and V not used; this practice continued until 2009. [4] | |
May 1998 – early 2009 | As above, but with smaller wheat graphic, and serif "Saskatchewan" centred at top | "Land of Living Skies" screened in green centred at bottom | 123 ABC | 100 AAA to 999 MZZ | Front and rear plates required until June 30, 2004; only rear plates required since. [2] The change occurred in the early 'E' series of serials. | |
early 2009 – present | 001 MNB to 156 MRJ (as of May 28, 2022) | Manufactured on aluminium rather than steel, and with former South Dakota serial dies. Letters I, Q, U and V and numbers 001 through 099 added to serials. [4] The stickers on today's plates were deprecated in October 2012 to maximize efficiency. [5] |
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.
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 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.
The U.S. state of Minnesota first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1909, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of Montana first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913. As of 2024, plates are issued by the Montana Department of Justice through its Motor Vehicle Division. 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 New Hampshire first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2022, plates are issued by the New Hampshire Department of Safety 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. 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.
The U.S. state of South Carolina first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1917. As of 2023, plates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1975.
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 U.S. unincorporated territory of the United States Virgin Islands first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1917.
The U.S. state of West Virginia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2023, plates are issued by the West Virginia Department of Transportation through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1944.
The U.S. federal district of Washington, D.C., first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1907, when the district began to issue plates. Plates are issued by the District of Columbia Department 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 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.
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.
The Canadian province of Nova Scotia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants provided their own licence plates for display until 1918, when the province began to issue plates.
The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1913; only rear licence plates have been required since 1976.
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.
The Canadian territory of Northwest Territories first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1941. As of 2022, plates are issued by the Northwest Territories Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since June 1, 1993 and have been required thereafter.
The U.S. state of Arkansas first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911. Prior to 1911, plates were issued by cities.