The Canadian territory of Northwest Territories first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1941. As of 2022 [update] , plates are issued by the Northwest Territories Department of Infrastructure through its Driver and Vehicle Services branch. Only rear plates have been required since June 1, 1993. [1]
In 1970, to celebrate the centennial of the territory, a unique polar bear-shaped plate was introduced. The basic bear shape has been retained ever since, and the plate is now a registered trademark of the Government of the Northwest Territories. [2]
The current design, which consists of graphic and material updates, was rolled out on July 1, 2010. The blue-and-white plates prior to the update were made of steel and lack graphic sheeting technology that would make them visible in the dark. Current plates are made with aluminum and incorporated visual updates as well as a new slogan. [3]
In April 1999, the territory of Nunavut was created from the eastern part of the Northwest Territories. The new territory adopted a virtually identical bear-shaped licence plate, following an agreement between the governments of the two territories. In 2011, the Government of Nunavut decided to discontinue the bear shape and replace it with a conventional rectangular design, which was introduced in July 2012.
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. [4] The first Northwest Territories licence plate that complied with these standards was issued five years beforehand, in 1951. The current bear-shaped plates feature the standard mounting holes.
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 | 1945 | White on blue | none | 123 | 1 to approximately 180 | |
37 | 1946 | Orange on black | none | 123 | 1 to approximately 290 | |
277 | 1947 | Black on silver | none | 123 | 1 to approximately 400 | |
38 | 1948 | White on blue | none | 123 | 1 to approximately 590 | |
72 | 1949 | White on green | none | 123 | 1 to approximately 460 | |
727 | 1950 | Black on orange | none | 1234 | 651 to approximately 1350 | |
1722 | 1951 | Orange on black | none | 1234 | 1351 to approximately 2100 | First 6" x 12" plate. |
76 | 1952 | White on blue | none | 123 | 100 to approximately 650 | |
76 | 1953 | Black on orange | none | 123 | 100 to approximately 760 | |
378 | 1954 | Orange on black | Canada's Northland | 123 | 100 to approximately 870 | |
723 | 1955 | Black on orange | Canada's Northland | 123 | 100 to approximately 1300 | |
273 | 1956 | Orange on black | Canada's Northland | 1234 | 100 to approximately 1100 | |
762 | 1957 | Black on orange | Canada's Northland | 1234 | 100 to approximately 1400 | |
237 | 1958 | Orange on black | Canada's Northland | 1234 | 100 to approximately 2200 | |
27 | 1959 | Black on orange | Canada's Northland | 1234 | 100 to approximately 2300 | |
763 | 1960 | Orange on black | Canada's Northland | 1234 | 100 to approximately 2400 | |
1961 | Black on orange | Canada's Northland | 1234 | 100 to approximately 3400 | ||
1962 | Orange on black | Canada's Northland | 1234 | 100 to approximately 4100 | ||
287 | 1963 | Black on orange | Canada's Northland | 1234 | 100 to approximately 3900 | |
723 | 1964 | Orange on black | Canada's Northland | 1234 | 100 to approximately 4200 | |
1965 | White on light green | Canada's Northland | 1-234 | 100 to approximately 4-900 | ||
1966–69 | Black on reflective orange; territorial shield at left | Canada's Northland | 12-345 | 100 to approximately 11-500 | Revalidated for 1967 with white-on-blue tabs, for 1968 with red-on-white tabs, and for 1969 with green-on-white tabs. | |
1970 | Bear-shaped; white on blue | Centennial | 1-234 | 1 to approximately 7-500 | First bear-shaped plate. Awarded inaugural "Plate of the Year" for best new licence plate of 1970 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. | |
1971 | Bear-shaped; blue on white | none | 1-234 | 1 to approximately 8-500 | ||
1972 | Bear-shaped; white on blue | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 10-500 | ||
1973 | Bear-shaped; dark blue on white with yellow slogan, date, and border | RCMP Centennial | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 11-000 | ||
1974 | Bear-shaped; red on white | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 11-500 |
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1975–76 | Bear-shaped; turquoise on white | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 18-000 | Revalidated for 1976 with stickers. | |
1977–78 | Bear-shaped; red on white | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 21-500 | Revalidated for 1978 with stickers. | |
1979–80 | Bear-shaped; turquoise on white | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 21-500 | Revalidated for 1980 with stickers. | |
1981–82 | Bear-shaped; red on white | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 21-000 | Revalidated for 1982 with stickers. | |
1983–85 | Bear-shaped; blue on white | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 30-500 | Last dated plate. Revalidated for 1984 and 1985 with stickers. | |
1986–2010 | Bear-shaped; blue on white | Explore Canada's Arctic | 123456 | 1 to approximately 126000 | Monthly staggered registration introduced 1990. Front and rear plates issued through May 31, 1993 (serials 1 through 51700); only rear plates issued thereafter. [1] | |
2010–present | Bear-shaped; nature scene | Spectacular | 123456 | 300000 to 366499 (as of June 3, 2022) |
The U.S. state of Idaho first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913. As of 2022, 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.
In Canada, registration plates are issued by an agency of the provincial or territorial government.
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 so-called 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 North Dakota first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911. As of 2022, plates are issued by the North Dakota Department of Transportation 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 Oregon first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1911, when the state began to issue plates.
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.
The U.S. state of South Carolina first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1917. As of 2022, plates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1975.
The U.S. state of Tennessee 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 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 2022, 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 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 Manitoba first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1911. As of 2022, plates are issued by 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 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 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 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 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. 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. 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.