Vehicle registration plates of the Canal Zone

The Canal Zone
Current series
Slogan	Funnel For World Commerce
Size	12 in × 6 in; 30 cm × 15 cm
Material	Aluminum
Serial format	12345
Introduced	January 1, 1979
Availability
Issued by	U.S. Canal Zone Territorial Government
History
First issued	1910;113 years ago
Last issued	December 31, 1979;43 years ago
	v ; t ; e ;

Last updated December 25, 2023

The former U.S. territory of the Canal Zone first issued license plates in 1910, and this continued until the Canal Zone was returned to Panama in 1979.^[1] A single plate was issued for all years. The country of Panama also issued Canal Zone license plates for United States citizens that lived in Panama but worked in the Canal Zone, but these plates have the country name "Panama" clearly showing on them.^[2] Since reciprocity for license plates between the Canal Zone and Panama did not exist until 1950, old photos often show local vehicles with two different license plates mounted on the vehicle.^[3]

Passenger baseplates

1910 to 1955

Image	Date	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
123	1910	White on dark blue	None	123	1 to ?	Plates started at number one and continued sequentially.
123	1911	Dark blue on white	None	123		Plate numbers are believed to have continued sequentially from where they left off in 1910. The 1910 plate numbers issued were not reused. This scheme continued through 1916.
123	1912	White on dark blue	None	123
123	1913	Dark blue on white	None	123
123	1914	White on dark blue	None	123
123	1915	Dark blue on white	None	123
1234	1916	White on dark blue	None	123 and 1234		Some four digit plates are known, but the numbers are too high to fit into the sequence of plates issued.
1234	1917	Black on yellow	None	1234		All previous plates were cancelled and renumbering started at number one.
1234	1918	Black on white	None	1234
1234	1919	White on dark blue	None	1234
	1920	Black on dark yellow	None	1234
	1921	Black on gray-green	None	1234
1234	1922	White on black	None	1234
1234	1923	Black on yellow	None	1234
1234	1924	Yellow on dark blue	None	1234
1234	1925	White on dark blue	None	1234
1234	1926	Black on yellow	None	1234
1234	1927	Red on white	None	1234		First year that "Canal Zone" is spelled out.
1234	1928	Black on light orange	None	1234
1234	1929	Red on white	None	1234
1234	1930	Black on yellow	None	1234
1234	1931	Red on white	None	1234
1234	1932	Black on yellow	None	1234
1234	1933	Red on white	None	1234
1234	1934	White on medium blue	None	1234
1234	1935	Medium blue on yellow	None	1234
1234	1936	Red on white	None	1234
12345	1937	White on dark green	None	12345
12345	1938	White on red	None	12345
12345	1939	Black on yellow	None	12345
	1940	Yellow on dark green	None	12345
12345	1941	Black on yellow	None	12345
	1942-44	White on dark blue	None	12345		1942: Base plate only
						1943: Round black on yellow validation tab with "43" at top and serial number below
						1944: Rectangular black on red validation tab with serial number followed by "44"
12345	1945	Black on orange	None	12345
12345	1946	Yellow on black	None	12345
	1947	White on black	None	12345
	1948	Dark blue on white	None	12345
	1949	Off white on blue	None	12345
12345	1950	White on maroon	None	12345
12345	1951	White on dark green	None	12345
12345	1952	Dark green on yellow	None	12345
12345	1953	Maroon on white	None	12345
12345	1954	White on orange	None	12345
12345	1955	Yellow on black	None	12345

1956 to 1979

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]

Image	Date	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Notes
12345	1956	Black on yellow	None	12345
12345	1957	Yellow on black	None	12345
12345	1958	Black on yellow	None	12345
	1959	Yellow on black	None	12345
	1960	Black on yellow	None	12345
12345	1961	Yellow on black	Funnel For World Commerce^[5]	12345
12345	1962	Black on yellow	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1963	Yellow on black	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1964	Black on yellow	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1965	Yellow on black	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1966	Black on yellow	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1967	Yellow on black	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1968	Black on yellow	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
	1969	Yellow on black	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1970	Black on yellow	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1971	Yellow on black	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1972	Green on white	Funnel For World Commerce	12345	First year for reflective background.
12345	1973	Blue on white	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1974	Green on white	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1975	Blue on white	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
12345	1976	Green on white	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
	1977	Blue on white	Funnel For World Commerce	12345
	1978–79	Green on white	Funnel For World Commerce	12345	1978: Base plate only
	1978–79	Green on white	Funnel For World Commerce	12345	1979: Rectangular black on red validation sticker with small "Canal Zone" at top, "79" in center, and small "No" and serial number at bottom

Non-passenger plates

Image	Type	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1971 Motorcycle	Yellow on black with border line	M-123
	1979 Trailer	Green on white with border line	T-123		Sticker on 1978 base

Miniature automobile license plate

Miniature automobile license plates were included in boxes of Wheaties cereal in 1953, and they are oftentimes called bicycle license plates. Included in one of the sets issued by General Mills was a Canal Zone license plate. Other plates in this set included the following locations: Alaska, District of Columbia, Dominican Republic, Guam, Hawaii, Italy-Military, Philippines, Virgin Islands, and the Maharajah plate with a golden double headed eagle.^[6] Note that all of the license plates issued for each state, province, territory, or country had the same serial number (Canal Zone plates all have the W3966 serial number).

Related Research Articles

The Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) is the largest such organization in the world. Founded in Rumney Depot, New Hampshire, United States, in 1954 and holding its first meeting/convention in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 1955. It serves as a way for license plate collectors to trade plates, distribute news, and provide historic information to members.

The U.S. state of Georgia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1910. Plates are currently issued by the Motor Vehicle Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue. Only rear plates have been required since 1942.

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.

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

The U.S. state of Arizona first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1912. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates.

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 Kentucky first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1910. Plates are currently issued by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet through its Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing. Only rear plates have been required since 1944.

The U.S. state of Louisiana first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1915. As of 2023, plates are issued by the Public Safety Services division of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections, through the division's Office of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1952.

The U.S. state of Montana first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913. As of 2023, 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. unincorporated territory of Guam first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1916.

The U.S. unincorporated territory of American Samoa first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1924.

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

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 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 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 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 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.

Each of the 48 states of the United States of America plus several of its territories and the District of Columbia issued individual passenger license plates for 1956.

Each of the 48 states of the United States of America plus several of its territories and the District of Columbia issued individual passenger license plates for 1957.

At this early point in the history of license plates in the United States of America, none of the 45 states, territories, or the District of Columbia, was issuing its own plates. The state of New York remained the only state that required vehicle owners to register their automobiles. The system of using the owner's initials as the registration number, begun in 1901, remained in effect. This would change in 1903 when a number was assigned to each owner to display on their vehicle. Across the country the increases in the number of automobiles was being noticed, and there were many cities, like Chicago, that had already begun to require their owners to register their vehicles.

References

↑ Fox, James K. (April 1984). "License Plates of the Canal Zone and Panama". ALPCA Newsletter. Vol. 30, no. 2. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. pp. 81–88.
↑ Sentiford, Tim (April 2002). "A Graphic History of Panama". The ALPCA Register. Vol. 48, no. 2. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. p. 40-41.
↑ Sentiford, Tim (June 2005). "Puente del Mundo". Plates. Vol. 51, no. 3. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. pp. 37–43.
↑ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
↑ Sentiford, Time (June 1997). "World View". ALPCA Newsletter. Vol. 43, no. 3. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. p. 131.
↑ "Wheaties License Plates". hobby db. Retrieved January 9, 2019.

External links

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[1] Fox, James K. (April 1984). "License Plates of the Canal Zone and Panama". ALPCA Newsletter. Vol. 30, no. 2. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. pp. 81–88.

[2] Sentiford, Tim (April 2002). "A Graphic History of Panama". The ALPCA Register. Vol. 48, no. 2. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. p. 40-41.

[3] Sentiford, Tim (June 2005). "Puente del Mundo". Plates. Vol. 51, no. 3. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. pp. 37–43.

[4] Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.

[5] Sentiford, Time (June 1997). "World View". ALPCA Newsletter. Vol. 43, no. 3. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. p. 131.

[6] "Wheaties License Plates". hobby db. Retrieved January 9, 2019.

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v t e Vehicle license plates of the United States
States	Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Federal district	Washington, D.C.
Insular areas	American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands
Other registration plates	Canal Zone Native American tribes Designs and serial formats
By year	1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

v t e Vehicle registration plates of North America
Sovereign states	Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Canada Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Mexico Nicaragua Panama Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago United States
Dependencies and other territories	Anguilla Aruba Bermuda Bonaire British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Curaçao Greenland Guadeloupe Martinique Montserrat Puerto Rico Saint Barthélemy Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saba Sint Eustatius Sint Maarten Turks and Caicos Islands United States Virgin Islands