Current series | |
---|---|
Slogan | Virginia is for Lovers |
Size | 12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm |
Material | Aluminum |
Serial format | ABC-1234 |
Introduced | March 2014 |
Availability | |
Issued by | Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles |
History | |
First issued | June 1906 |
The U.S. state of Virginia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1906. As of 2022 [update] , plates are issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
As of 2008, the DMV has 7,698,416 active registrations, 1,696,795 (22%) of which are special or personalized plates. [1] One out of every ten personalized license plates in the United States is registered to a Virginia driver. [2] The high take-up of vanity plates in the state is arguably due to the fact that, unlike in many other states, a personalized plate in Virginia costs just $10 more than a randomly-assigned registration plate. In 2008, 1,624,146 pairs of license plates were sold, with 831,361 of them being personalized plates. [3]
In 1956, the United States, Canada, 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 license 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. [4] The first Virginia license plate that complied with these standards was issued eight years beforehand, in 1948.
No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.
Image | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1906–10 | White serial on black porcelain plate; "VA" at right | 1234 | 1 to approximately 4500 | ||
1910 | Red serial on white porcelain plate; "VA. 1910" at right | 1234 | 1 to approximately 2600 | First dated plate. Issued only from June 15 through December 31, 1910. [5] | |
1911 | White serial on blue porcelain plate; "VA. 1911" at right | 1234 | 101 to approximately 4000 | ||
1912 | White serial on green porcelain plate, "VA. 1912" at right | 1234 | 101 to approximately 6000 | ||
1913 | White serial on maroon porcelain plate; "VA 1913" at right | 1234 | 1 to approximately 9000 | ||
1914 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "VA 1914" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 14000 | First embossed plate. | |
1915 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate; "VA 1915" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 21000 | ||
1916 | Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate; "VA 1916" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 35000 | ||
1917 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VA 1917" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 52000 | ||
1918 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "VA 1918" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 71000 | ||
1919 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VA 1919" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 88000 | ||
1920 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "VA 20" at right | 123456 | 1 to approximately 126000 | ||
1921 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "VA 21" at right | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 146-000 | ||
1922 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; white lines at top and bottom borders; "VA 22" at right | 123456 | 1 to approximately 145000 | ||
1923 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate; white lines at top and bottom borders; "VA 23" at right | 123456 | 1 to approximately 189000 | ||
1924 | Embossed white serial on red plate; "VIRGINIA - 24" centered at top | 123456 | 1 to approximately 217000 | Manufactured in New Jersey to the same design as that state's 1924 plates. First use of the full state name. | |
1925 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 1925" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 235-000 | ||
1926 | Embossed golden yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 26" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 273-000 | ||
1927 | Embossed red serial on green plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 27" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 293-000 | ||
1928 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1928" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 317-000 | ||
1929 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1929" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 321-000 | ||
1930 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1930" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 349-000 | ||
1931 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1931" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 368-000 | ||
1932 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1932" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 376-000 | ||
1933 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1933" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 334-000 | ||
1934 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1934" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 337-000 | ||
1935 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1935" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 335-000 | ||
1936 | Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate; "VIRGINIA - 1936" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 360-000 | ||
1937 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1937" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 375-000 | ||
1938 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1938" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 388-000 | ||
1939 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1939" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 402-000 | ||
1940 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1940 - VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 438-000 | ||
1941 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 - VIRGINIA - 41" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 491-000 | ||
| 1942–43 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1942" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 524-000 | Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. |
1944 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "1944 - VA" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 468-000 | ||
1945 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 - VIRGINIA - 45" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 475-000 | ||
1946 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1946" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 524-000 | ||
1947 | Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "19 VIRGINIA 47" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 567-000 | ||
1948 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1948 VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 642-000 | ||
1949 | Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "VIRGINIA 1949" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 698-000 | ||
1950 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1950 VIRGINIA" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 783-000 | ||
| 1951–52 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 51" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | Revalidated for 1952 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War. [6] Plates with serials A100-000 and up used narrower serial dies; this practice continued until 1969. [7] |
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A145-000 | ||||
1953 | Embossed orange serial on blue plate; "19 VIRGINIA 53" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 940-000 | ||
1954 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1954" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 999-999 | ||
1955 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1955 VIRGINIA" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A122-000 | ||||
1956 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 56" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A178-000 | ||||
1957 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1957" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A223-000 | ||||
1958 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1958 VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A232-000 | ||||
1959 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 59" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A259-000 | ||||
1960 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1960" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A240-000 | ||||
1961 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1961 VIRGINIA" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A273-000 | ||||
1962 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 62" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A344-000 | ||||
1963 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1963" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A425-000 | ||||
1964 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1964 VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A504-000 | ||||
1965 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 65" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A545-000 | ||||
1966 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1966" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A626-000 | ||||
1967 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1967 VIRGINIA" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A700-000 | ||||
1968 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 68" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A788-000 | ||||
1969 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1969" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | All plates now used the narrower serial dies introduced on the 1951–52 base. [7] | |
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A857-000 | ||||
1970 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1970 VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A966-000 | ||||
| 1971 | Embossed black serial on white plate, with or without border line; "19 VIRGINIA 71" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | |
A123-456 | A-100 to A999-999 | ||||
ABC 123 | AAA 001 to AAD 999 | ||||
B12-345 | B-1 to approximately B54-000 | ||||
1972 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA 1972" at top | ABC-123 | AAA-001 to DZZ-999 | Letters I, O and Q not used in serials; this practice continues today (except 1988–92). [8] |
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1973–79 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "VIRGINIA" centered at top | none | ABC-123 | AAA-101 to NZZ-999; SAA-101 to SZZ-999 | Revalidated with stickers until 1984. 'P' series of serials reserved for light trucks, and 'R' series for rental cars (the latter practice continued until the late 1990s). [9] | |
1979–92 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Virginia" screened in blue centered at top | none | ABC-123 | AAA-101 to ZZZ-999 (see right) | Still currently revalidated. Serials UAA-101 through ZZZ-999 issued first, followed by AAA-101 through SZZ-999 as 1973–79 plates were invalidated, then (from 1988) all serials with I, O, Q and T as the first letter, and finally (from 1990) all remaining serials with I, O or Q as the second and/or third letters (beginning with AAI-101 and ending with ZZQ-999). [8] | |
1993 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "Virginia" screened in blue centered at top | none | ABC-1234 | ZZZ-9999 to approximately ZXX-1000 | Serials progressed backwards, presumably due to the serials on the optional Scenic plate (see Optional plates below) progressing forward from AAA-1000. | |
1993 – June 2002 | As above, but with state name in all capital letters | ZXW-9999 to approximately XYN-1000 | ||||
July 2002 – early 2003 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "VIRGINIA" screened in blue centered at top | "400th Anniversary" in red centered at bottom, with a red ship graphic between the two words, plus "1607" to the left and "2007" to the right | ABC-1234 | Exclusively from JAA-1000 to JAX-9999; intermittently from JAY-1000 to JDC-9999 | Issued in advance of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. Serials progressed forward from the start of the 'J' series (presumably for Jamestown). The slogan was originally printed on a white sticker, before it started to be screened directly onto the plate at around the JAM series. [8] | |
October 2002 – June 2006 | As above, but with state name in red | Intermittently from JAY-1000 to JDC-9999; exclusively from JDD-1000 to KCW-9999 | ||||
June 2006 – December 2007 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "VIRGINIA" screened in red centered at top; Jamestown 400th Anniversary logo screened at bottom left and "2007" at bottom right | "JAMESTOWN" screened in blue and "AMERICA'S 400TH ANNIVERSARY" in red, both centered at bottom | ABC-1234 | KCX-1000 to KNP-9999 | ||
January 2008 – February 2014 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "VIRGINIA" screened in blue centered at top | none | ABC-1234 | XXP-9999 to approximately WJZ-1000 | Return to 1993 base. Serials progressed backwards as before. | |
March 2014 – present | "VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS" screened in black, plus a red heart for the second 'V', centered at bottom | VAA-1000 to VZZ-9999; UZZ-9999 to TGX-5425 (as of August 2024) | Serials progressed forward through the 'V' series (presumably for Virginia), then backwards through the 'U' and 'T' series. |
Image | Type | First issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Disabled person | 1993 | blue on reflective white with blue screened state name | Embossed International Symbol of Access at left. | |||
Motorcycle | 1975 | Embossed dark blue serial on non-reflective white plate with border line; "VA." embossed in blue centered at top | 123456 | 1 to approximately 370000 | ||
1979 | As above, but reflective | 370001 to approximately 960000 | ||||
1992 | As above, but without border line | 960001 to 999999, then 10001 to 960000 | ||||
2018 | A12345 12345A | Z10001 to Z99999; W10001 to W99999; 10001W to 99999W | ||||
2024 | As above, but "VA" screened in blue centered at top | A12345 | J10001 to J71705 (as of November 10, 2024) |
Virginia offers 333 optional license plates. Most can be personalized for an additional fee.
Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independence Bicentennial | 1975–82 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; blue bust of George Washington and thirteen red stars (representing the original colonies) screened in the center; "Virginia" and "1776 Independence Bicentennial 1976" screened in red centered at top and bottom respectively | 123-456 | 100-001 to 500-000 | Still currently revalidated. | |
Scenic | July 1992 – present | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective graphic plate with pale blue sky, light blue mountains, green fields, yellow sand and light blue sea; "VIRGINIA" screened in blue centered at top | ABC-1234 | AAA-1000 to AFA-4164 (as of July 31, 2023) | ||
Autumn Leaves | May – October 1997 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; ten orange and yellow gradient leaves behind serial; "Virginia" screened in black centered at top | 1234-ABC | 1000-AAA to approximately 9999-AAD | Revised design introduced in response to visibility concerns surrounding the original design. [10] | |
October 1997 – present | As above, but with leaves around edge of plate | 1000-BAA to 1300-BBL (as of January 3, 2019) | ||||
Patriot | May 1997 – present | Similar to passenger base, but with Revolutionary War fifer graphic at right | 123ABC | 101AAA to 199AEK (as of February 7, 2016) | ||
George Washington Bicentennial | 1999 to ? | Dark blue on Flag of the United States with image of Washington. | 1234WB | 1001WB to ? | Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1999 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Virginia has been so honored. |
Code | Prefix | Suffix |
---|---|---|
AA | cardinal | |
AB | cardinal | I'm Animal Friendly |
AC | cardinal | Averett University (Averett College prior to 2001) |
AD | cardinal | |
AE | cardinal | Virginia Aviation |
AG | cardinal | |
AH | cardinal | Antique (blue/yellow) |
AJ | cardinal | |
AK | cardinal | Alpha Kappa Alpha |
Apportioned Permanent | ||
AL | Antique (blue/yellow) | Fight Terrorism (A/L) |
AM | Texas A&M University | |
AN | Fight Terrorism (A/N) | |
AP | Appalachian State University | Alpha Phi Alpha |
Appalachian Trail | ||
AQ | Antique (blue/yellow) | |
AS | National Air and Space Museum | |
AT | Antique (blue/yellow) | Virginians for the Arts |
AU | Auburn University | |
AW | Antique (blue/yellow) | |
AX | Alexandria | |
AY | Antique (blue/yellow) | |
BA | Wildlife Conservationist − bass | |
BB | ||
BC | Bridgewater College | Breast Cancer |
BD | Wildlife Conservationist − bear | |
BE | Protect Pollinators | |
BF | Bluefield College | Tiger Swallowtail - State Insect |
BG | Airborne (173 ABN BDE Sky Soldiers) | |
BH | Tiger Swallowtail - State Insect | |
BI | Share the Road | |
BJ | Protect Wildlife | |
BN | cardinal | Wildlife Conservationist − bluebird |
BQ | Antique (blue/yellow) | |
BR | Blue Ridge Community College | Blue Ridge Parkway |
BT | Wildlife Conservationist − brook trout | |
BU | BoatUS | |
BV | cardinal | |
BW | Bowler | |
BZ | Bronze Star | Bronze Star - Valor |
CB | Chesapeake | |
CC | Commonwealth College | |
CD | I'm Animal Friendly | |
CF | cardinal | Clean Special Fuel |
CG | U.S. Coast Guard | |
CH | Chesterfield County | |
CJ | Virginia Railway Heritage | |
CL | Remember the USS Cole | |
Choose Life | ||
CM | Friends of Coal | |
CN | Combat Infantryman | |
CP | Washington Capitals | |
CR | Credit Unions | |
CT | Clean Special Fuel | |
CU | Clemson University | |
CV | Sons of Confederate Veterans | |
CW | Colonial Williamsburg | |
CX | cardinal | Clean Special Fuel |
CY | Clean Special Fuel | Clean Special Fuel |
CZ | cardinal | |
DB | Drive Out Diabetes | |
DC | Danville Community College | |
DK | Duke University | |
DL | Dabney S. Lancaster Community College | |
DR | Drive Smart | |
DU | Ducks Unlimited | |
DY | cardinal | |
EB | Protect Pollinators | |
EC | Lineman | East Carolina University |
ED | Education Begins at Home | |
EE | Mountain Empire Community College | |
EG | Wildlife Conservationist − bald eagle | |
EH | Wildlife Conservationist − bald eagle | |
EJ | cardinal | |
EM | Eastern Mennonite University | |
EN | cardinal | |
EP | cardinal | |
ER | Germanna Community College | |
ES | Eastern Shore | |
ET | Eastern Shore | |
EW | cardinal | |
EY | cardinal | |
FB | Franchised Motorcycle Dealer | Tiger Swallowtail - State Insect |
FD | Fight Terrorism (F/D) | |
FG | cardinal | Virginia Farms |
FK | cardinal | |
FL | Wildflowers | |
FM | Franchised Motor Home Dealer | |
FP | Fraternal Order of Police | |
FS | Florida State University | |
FT | Fight Terrorism (F/T) | |
FW | Veterans of Foreign Wars | |
FX | Foxhunting | |
FY | cardinal | |
FZ | cardinal | |
GA | cardinal | Greyhound Adoption |
GL | Freemason | |
GM | George Mason University | |
GO | U.S. Army | |
GS | Gold Star (G/S) | |
GT | Georgia Tech | |
GU | Georgetown University | |
GV | cardinal | Stop Gun Violence |
GX | cardinal | |
HA | Virginia Children's Trust Fund — Hand | |
HC | Hollins University (Hollins College prior to 1998) | |
HD | Harley Owners Group | |
HE | Horse Enthusiast | |
HI | Ohio State University | |
HM | In God We Trust | |
HN | Horse Enthusiast | |
HS | Hampden-Sydney | |
HT | Virginia Children's Trust Fund — Heart | |
HV | Horse Enthusiast | |
HZ | In God We Trust | |
IC | Internet Capital | |
ID | Independent Dealer | |
JB | Parrotheads | |
JD | Parrotheads | |
JM | James Madison University — Seal | James Madison University — Athletics |
JR | James River Park System | |
JS | J. S. Reynolds Community College | |
JV | cardinal | |
JY | cardinal | |
KC | Knights of Columbus | |
KF | Kids First | |
KG | Kids First | |
KP | cardinal | |
KV | Korean War Veteran | |
KW | Eyes on the Road | |
KX | cardinal | |
KY | cardinal | |
LB | ||
LC | Lynchburg College | |
LD | Lighthouses | |
LE | General Robert E. Lee | |
LF | Lighthouses | |
LG | Lighthouses | |
LH | Alzheimer's Association | |
LI | Lighthouses | |
LJ | Lighthouses | |
LK | Lighthouses | |
LM | Lighthouses | |
LP | Lighthouses | |
LR | NASA Langley Research Center | |
LT | Lighthouses | |
LU | Liberty University | |
LV | Lions of Virginia | |
LW | Longwood University | Police - Heroes Live Forever |
LX | Lord Fairfax Community College | |
LY | cardinal | |
MA | Lighthouses | |
MC | Virginia Commonwealth University — Seal United We Stand | |
ME | Lighthouses | |
MG | Lighthouses | |
MH | cardinal | University of Michigan |
MI | Lighthouses | |
ML | Marine Corps League | |
MM | Meg's Miles | |
MO | Move Over | |
MP | cardinal | |
MR | US Marine Corps | |
MS | Marshall University | |
MU | cardinal | Marymount University |
MV | Move Over | |
MX | cardinal | |
MY | Support Our Troops | |
NA | Oceana Naval Air Station | |
NB | Natural Bridge | |
NC | cardinal | |
ND | University of Notre Dame | |
NE | Natural Bridge | |
NF | Nurses | |
NH | cardinal | |
NJ | cardinal | |
NK | cardinal | |
NL | cardinal | Donate Life |
NN | cardinal | Northern Neck |
NO | Northern Neck | |
NR | Naval Reserve | National Rifle Association |
NS | Newport News Shipbuilding | |
NT | Washington Nationals | |
NV | Northern Virginia Community College | Naval Aviator |
NX | cardinal | |
NY | cardinal | United States Navy |
NZ | cardinal | |
OD | Old Dominion University | |
PC | Paul D. Camp Community College | Peace Begins at Home |
PD | Fight Terrorism (P/D) | |
PF | Professional Firefighter | Professional Firefighter |
PH | Purple Heart | |
PK | cardinal | |
PL | cardinal | |
PN | Poquoson | |
PO | Poquoson | |
PS | Penn State University | Virginia Community Peacebuilding |
PT | Fight Terrorism (P/T) | |
PV | Piedmont Virginia Community College | |
PZ | In God We Trust | |
RD | Washington Redskins | |
RM | Randolph–Macon College — Seal | |
RN | Ruritan National | |
RU | Radford University | |
RW | Randolph–Macon's Woman College | |
RY | Rotary International | |
SB | Sweet Briar College | |
SC | University of South Carolina | |
SF | US Marine Corps | Surfrider Foundation |
SL | Protect Sea Life Silver Star | |
SM | Smith Mountain Lake | |
SN | Shenandoah National Park | |
SP | Special Forces Association | |
SR | Shriner | |
ST | Virginia Children's Trust Fund — Star | |
SU | Shenandoah University | |
TD | Tidewater Community College | |
TE | Don't Tread on Me | |
TG | Don't Tread on Me | |
TH | Tobacco Heritage | |
TI | Friends of Tibet | |
TJ | Don't Tread on Me | |
TK | Wildlife Conservationist − turkey | |
TM | Don't Tread on Me | |
TN | 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) University of Tennessee | |
TP | Don't Tread on Me | |
TR | Don't Tread on Me | |
TS | Don't Tread on Me | |
TU | Don't Tread on Me | |
TX | Don't Tread on Me | |
UA | cardinal | Unlocking Autism |
UB | War of 1812 | |
UE | Don't Tread on Me | |
UF | University of Florida | |
UG | Don't Tread on Me | |
UH | Don't Tread on Me | |
UJ | cardinal | Don't Tread on Me |
UL | cardinal | Don't Tread on Me |
UM | cardinal | University of Maryland |
UN | University of North Carolina | |
UP | United We Stand | |
UQ | Don't Tread on Me | |
UR | University of Richmond — Spider | University of Richmond — Crest |
US | United We Stand | |
UT | Don't Tread on Me | |
UU | cardinal | Don't Tread on Me |
UV | University of Virginia | |
UW | cardinal | United We Stand |
UX | cardinal | Don't Tread on Me |
UY | cardinal | Don't Tread on Me |
UZ | cardinal | |
VA | Virginians for the Arts | |
VB | Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach |
VE | cardinal | |
VG | cardinal | |
VH | Virginia Highlands Community College | |
VJ | cardinal | |
VM | Virginia Military Institute | |
VP | State Parks | Virginia Tech - Mountains |
VR | Virginia Realtors | |
VT | Virginia Tech | Iraqi Freedom Veteran |
VU | Virginia Union University | |
VV | Vietnam Veterans of America | Vietnam Veteran |
VX | cardinal | |
VY | cardinal | |
VZ | cardinal | |
WA | Williamsburg 300th Anniversary | |
WB | George Washington Bicentennial | |
WD | cardinal | Wildlife Conservationist − white-tailed deer |
WF | Wallops Flight Facility | |
WG | Williamsburg 300th Anniversary | |
WH | cardinal | |
WI | Wildlife Conservationist − white-tailed deer | |
WL | Wildlife Conservationist − mallard | |
WN | cardinal | |
WP | United States Military Academy | |
WZ | cardinal | |
XA | Don't Tread on Me | |
XB | Don't Tread on Me | |
XC | Don't Tread on Me | |
XD | Don't Tread on Me | |
XE | Don't Tread on Me | |
XF | Don't Tread on Me | |
XG | Don't Tread on Me | |
XH | Don't Tread on Me | |
XJ | Don't Tread on Me | |
XK | Don't Tread on Me | |
XL | Don't Tread on Me | |
XM | Don't Tread on Me | |
XN | Don't Tread on Me | |
XP | Don't Tread on Me | |
XR | Don't Tread on Me | |
XS | Don't Tread on Me | |
YJ | Randolph–Macon College — Athletics | |
ZA | cardinal | |
ZD | cardinal | |
ZE | Permanent Trailer | |
ZF | cardinal | |
ZH | cardinal | |
ZK | cardinal | |
ZL | cardinal | |
ZN | cardinal | |
ZP | cardinal | |
ZR | cardinal | |
ZS | cardinal | |
ZT | cardinal | |
ZU | cardinal | |
ZV | cardinal | |
ZW | cardinal | |
ZY | cardinal | |
ZZ | cardinal |
The U.S. state of Mississippi first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1912. Since then, the state has gone through a variety of license plate designs and currently has several different designs for passenger, non-passenger, and optional-issue plates.
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 Maryland first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1904. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1910, when the state began to issue plates.
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).
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 Florida first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1918, when the state began to issue plates, becoming the last of the contiguous 48 states to do so.
Alaska first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1921, while still an organized incorporated territory of the United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 49th state in January 1959.
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 Nevada first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1913. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1916, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of North Carolina first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1913, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of Ohio first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1908, although several cities within the state issued their own license plates from as early as 1902.
The U.S. state of Pennsylvania first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1906, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of South Dakota first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1913, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of Texas first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants provided their own license plates for display, with serial numbers assigned by their county of residence, until the state began to issue plates in 1917.
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. state of Wisconsin first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. Plates are currently issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) 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. 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 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 U.S. state of California first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates. Plates are currently issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.