United States license plate designs and serial formats

US License Plate Serial Formats

2007 Alaska License Plate

American Samoa license plate 2011 5504

United States License Plate Designs and Serial Formats

In the United States, vehicle registration plates—commonly known as license plates—are issued by each state, the District of Columbia, and certain U.S. territories. Each jurisdiction has its own distinctive design and serial format for license plates, which can vary widely.

History

The first license plates in the United States were issued in the early 1900s. The state of New York was the first to require vehicles to display a license plate in 1901. These early plates were made of leather, wood, or metal and were often handcrafted by the vehicle owner.

Design

License plate designs in the United States are often reflective of the state's identity, featuring state symbols, slogans, and colors. For example, California plates often feature the state's name in a distinctive red script, while Texas plates may include the state's iconic lone star.

Standard Plates

Most states issue a standard plate design that is used for the majority of vehicles. These plates typically include the state's name, a serial number, and sometimes a state slogan or image.

Specialty Plates

Many states offer specialty plates for an additional fee. These can include plates for specific causes, organizations, or interests, such as environmental conservation, military service, or collegiate affiliations.

Vanity Plates

Vanity plates allow vehicle owners to choose their own combination of letters and numbers, subject to availability and state regulations. These plates often carry a higher fee than standard plates.

Serial Formats

The serial format of a license plate refers to the combination of letters and numbers used to uniquely identify a vehicle. These formats can vary significantly between states.

Numeric Formats

Some states use purely numeric formats, such as California's 1ABC234 format.

Alphanumeric Formats

Many states use a combination of letters and numbers. For example, New York uses a 1AB2345 format.

County Codes

In some states, the license plate includes a code that indicates the county of registration. For example, Georgia uses a numeric code at the beginning of the plate to denote the county.

Registration and Renewal

Vehicle owners are required to register their vehicles with the state and renew their registration periodically. This process typically involves paying a fee and may include an inspection of the vehicle.

Related Pages

• Vehicle registration plates of the United States
• Vehicle registration plates of California
• Vehicle registration plates of New York
• Vehicle registration plates of Texas
• Vehicle registration plates of Georgia