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Vehicle registration plates of Maryland

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Maryland
Current series
NameMaryland Proud
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
Serial format1AB2345
IntroducedSeptember 26, 2016 (2016-09-26)
Availability
Issued byMaryland Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Administration
History
First issuedJuly 1, 1910 (1910-07-01)
(pre-state plates from 1904 to June 30, 1910)

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.[1]

Plates are currently issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration of the Maryland Department of Transportation. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers, as well as classes L (historic, 20+ years and unaltered) and N (street rod, 25+ years and altered) that are at least 50 years old.[2][3][4]

Passenger baseplates

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1910 to 1970

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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.[5] The 1956 (expired March 31, 1957) issue was the first Maryland license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1910 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; vertical "MD" and "1910" at right none 1234 1 to approximately 5000
1911 White serial on black porcelain plate; "MD 1911" at right none 1234 1000 to approximately 8000
1912 Dark blue serial on white porcelain plate; "MD 1912" at right none 12345 1000 to approximately 11000
1913 Yellow serial on black porcelain plate; "MD 13" at right none 12345 2000 to approximately 15000
1914 White serial on green porcelain plate; "MD 14" at right none 12345 2000 to approximately 20500
1915 Embossed white serial on blue plate; "MD 15" at right none 12345 4000 to approximately 32000
1916 Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "MD 16" at left none 12345 8000 to approximately 51000
1917 Embossed dark green serial on white plate; "MD·1917" centered at bottom none 12-345 20-000 to approximately 82-000
1918 Embossed white serial on dark gray plate; "MD·1918" centered at top none 12-345 20-000 to approximately 95-000
1919 Embossed black serial on white plate; "MD·1919" centered at bottom none 123-456 20-000 to approximately 109-000
1920 Embossed white serial on red plate; "MD·1920" centered at top none 123-456 20-000 to approximately 113-000
1921 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "MD·1921" centered at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 138-000
1922 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND·1922" centered at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 151-000 First use of the full state name.
1923 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND·1923" centered at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 185-000
1924 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1924" centered at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 223-000
1925 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1925" centered at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 242-000
1926 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1926" centered at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 275-000
1927 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1927" centered at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 288-000
1928 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1928" centered at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 305-000
1929 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1929" centered at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 325-000
1930 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1930" centered at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 342-000
1931 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1931" centered at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 386-000
1932 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1932" centered at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 389-000
1933 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1933" centered at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 385-000
1934 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top; "1634" at top left and "1934" at top right "TERCENTENARY" centered at bottom 123-456 30-000 to approximately 374-000 Commemorated the 300th anniversary of the settlement of Maryland.
1935 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1935" centered at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 381-000
1936–37 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1936" centered at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 396-000 Valid through March 31, 1937.
1937–38 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1937" centered at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 409-000
1938–39 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-39" at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 508-000
1939–40 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-40" at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 522-000
1940–41 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-41" at top none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 544-000
1941–44 Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "1942" at top right "DRIVE CAREFULLY" centered at bottom 123-456 30-000 to approximately 654-000 Revalidated through March 31, 1943 with yellow tabs, then through March 31, 1944 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944–47 Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "1945" at top right "DRIVE CAREFULLY" centered at bottom 123-456 30-000 to approximately 688-000 Revalidated through March 31, 1946 with silver tabs, then through March 31, 1947 with yellow tabs.
1947–51 Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "48" centered at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 795-000 Revalidated through March 31, 1949 with black tabs, then through March 31, 1950 with red tabs, and finally through March 31, 1951 with black tabs.
1951–53 Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "MARCH 52" centered at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 795-000 Revalidated through March 31, 1953 with white tabs.
1953–54 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "54" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-12-34 AA-10-01 to approximately JF-65-00 For each two-letter series, only the letters A through H, and J, were used.[6]
1954–55 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "55" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB♦12♦34 Letter K added to two-letter series.
1955–56 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "56" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB:12:34
1956–57 Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-57" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-12-34
1957–58 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-58" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-12-34 Letter L added to two-letter series.
1958–59 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-59" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB:12:34
1959–60 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-60" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB♦12♦34
1960–61 Embossed black serial on turquoise plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-61" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB:12:34
1961–62 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-62" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-12-34 AA-10-01 to approximately FY-47-00 Letters M through Z (excluding O, Q and U) added to two-letter series. The practice of not using I, O, Q and U in standard passenger serials continues today.[6]
1962–63 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-63" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB♦12♦34 AA♦10♦01 to approximately FN♦98♦00
1963–64 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-64" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB:12:34 AA:10:01 to approximately FX:92:00
1964–65 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-65" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-1234 AA-1001 to approximately GF-1300
1965–66 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-66" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB♦1234 AA♦1001 to approximately GP♦7800
1966–67 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-67" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB:1234 AA:1001 to approximately GZ:9000
1967–68 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-68" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-1234 AA-1001 to approximately HG-8000
1968–69 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-69" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB♦1234 AA♦1001 to approximately HT♦5900
1969–70 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-70" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB 1234 AA 1001 to approximately JB 9300

1970 to present

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Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
April
1970 – March
1975 		Embossed white serial on blue plate; border line around plate and around sticker spot at bottom right; "MARYLAND" centered at bottom; "71" at bottom left none AB 1234 AA 1001 to approximately SC 4300
April
1975 – March
1980 		Embossed red serial on white plate; border line around plate and around sticker spot at top right; "MARYLAND" centered at top none ABC 123 AAA 001 to approximately HNB 999
April
1980 – January 1986 		Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top none ABC 123 AAA 001 to approximately KHN 999
February 1986 – September 2004 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; shield with design of the state flag screened in the center; "Maryland" screened in black centered at top none ABC 123 NAA 001 to ZZZ 999, then AAA 001 to MZZ 999 (from mid-1992) Modification of the optional 350th Anniversary base introduced in 1983 (see below). Two-year renewals started on July 1, 1992.
September 2004 – February 2005 1AB C23 1AA A01 to 9AK Z99
February 2005 – November 2006 "www.maryland.gov" screened in black centered at bottom 1AL A01 to 9CM Z99
November – December 2006 1CN A01 to 9CN Z99 Manufactured in New Jersey using that state's serial dies, while the plate production facility at the Maryland State Prison was closed for three weeks due to inmate unrest.[7]
December 2006 –
June 13, 2010 		1CP A01 to approximately 4GD J47[8] Identical to 2005–06 plates.
June 14, 2010[9] – September 25, 2016 War of 1812 200th anniversary commemorative design with U.S. flag and Fort McHenry silhouette. Blue on reflective white. State name in blue (with capital-letter sized, but lower-case shaped, "Y"). "War of 1812" text under state name in red. Was to be issued until 2015, but was extended. Commemorates both the Bicentennial, and the anniversary of the writing of the United States' national anthem by Francis Scott Key. www.starspangled200.org 1A/B2345 1M/D0000 to 9M/D9999; 1A/A0000 to approximately 7C/N9999 During the period when the plate was issued, the web address "www.starspangled200.org" belonged to a non-profit commemorating the War of 1812 bicentennial. Afterwards, the address was briefly owned by a gambling site in the Philippines but was reclaimed by the state government and now redirects to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.[10]

Serials issued on passenger vehicles, trucks and multi-purpose vehicles (SUVs and minivans).

September 26, 2016[11] – present Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with state flag screened in bottom half; "Maryland" screened in red centered at top none 1AB2345 8CN0000[12] to 1GG9617 (as of May 19, 2024)[13] Letters E and F are no longer being issued as of late 2023. Plates jumped from approximately 8FR7999 to 1GA0000 following the change.[13]

Optional plates

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Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
December 1975 – February 1977 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; blue graphic screened at top left featuring the Fort McHenry cannons; "MARYLAND" screened in red centered at bottom; "1776" and "1976" screened in blue on either side of state name "BICENTENNIAL" screened in blue centered at top, with a red star on either side 123 ABC 001 AAA to approximately 999 AFH Manufactured by Polyvend Inc. of Arkansas. Last issued February 1977, but remained valid through March 31, 1980.
August 1983 – February 1986 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; shield with design of the state flag screened in the center; "Maryland" screened in black centered at top; "1634" and "1984" screened on either side of state name "350th Anniversary" screened in black centered at bottom 123 ABC 001 AAA to approximately 999 AKE Commemorated the 350th anniversary of the settlement of Maryland. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1984 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Maryland was so honored. Adopted as standard passenger base from 1986 to 2010 (see above).
December 1990 – January 2004 Embossed dark green serial on reflective white plate; blue heron graphic screened in the center and dark green reed graphics at bottom corners; "Maryland" screened in blue centered at top "Treasure the Chesapeake" screened in blue centered at bottom 123 ABC (passenger) 001 BAY to 999 BAY; 001 AAA to 899 BNN
ABC 12D (multi-purpose vehicle) BAY 01A to BAY 99Z; AAA 01A to AEY 99W[8]
January 2004 – October 28, 2018 Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate featuring gradient blue sky, white sea, a heron and reeds at left, and a Chesapeake blue crab on sand at bottom right; "MARYLAND" screened in white centered at top "Treasure the Chesapeake" screened in blue centered at bottom 12345C/A
12345B/Y
1234D/A ♿ 		00001C/B to 99999C/B; 00001B/Y to 99999B/Y; 00001C/A to 99999C/A; 00001C/C to approximately 50000C/H Same serial formats used for passenger and multi-purpose vehicles.
October 29, 2018[14] – present Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate featuring cloudy blue sky, blue sea, seabed, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and a Chesapeake blue crab at left and seagrass at bottom right; "MARYLAND" screened in black centered at top "Protect the Chesapeake" screened in white centered at bottom 12345C/A 50001C/H to 08108C/K (as of January 17, 2021) Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2018 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Maryland was so honored. Same serial formats used for passenger and multi-purpose vehicles.
July 2001 – present Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate featuring orange and yellow gradient sky, green and white rolling hills, and a red farmhouse with a white silo and a green tree; "Maryland" screened in yellow centered at top "Our Farms, Our Future" screened in yellow at bottom right A123456 A000001 to A350180 (as of September 18, 2020) Issued in celebration of Maryland's agricultural heritage. Same serial format used for passenger and multi-purpose vehicles.
January 1 – December 31, 2014 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND" screened in black centered at top "1910 VINTAGE" screened in black centered at bottom VR12345 (passenger car)
VG12345 (antique vehicles)
VR1234♿ (handicapped) 		VR00001 to approximately VR00760 Special reproduction of Maryland's first license plate. Serials VR00300 and up were issued to the general public, while VR00001 to VR00299 were issued by special request.

Non-passenger plates

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Multi-purpose vehicles (such as minivans and sport utility vehicles), as well as pickup trucks and cargo vans, have traditionally been issued separate plate types. However, since June 14, 2010, trucks and multi-purpose vehicles have been issued passenger plates with the same serial format, first on the War of 1812 commemorative base and currently on the "Maryland Proud" base.

Image Type Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Motorcycle 1970–75 White on blue with border line; "71 MD." at bottom none 1234
A123
123A
AB12
12345 		Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid.
1975–80 Red on white with border line; "MD." at bottom none 123456 10000 to approximately 201500
1980–86 Black on white with border line; "MD." at bottom none 123456 10000 to approximately 214000
1986–89 Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top none 12345D 00001D to 99999D
1989–97 1234D5 0000D1 to 9999D9
1997–2003 123D45 000D01 to 999D99
2003–05 123M45 000M01 to approximately 740M00
2005–06 www.maryland.gov 740M01 to 999M99
2006–09 1D2345 0D0001 to 9D9999
2009 – June 13, 2010 D12345 D00001 to approximately D39000
June 14, 2010 – mid 2012 As War of 1812 passenger base www.StarSpangled200.org D39001 to D99999
mid 2012 – September 25, 2016 12345Y 00001Y to approximately 95000Y
September 26 – December 2016 As "Maryland Proud" passenger base none 95001Y to 99999Y
December 2016 – present 123Y45 000Y01 to present
Multi-purpose February 1986 – October 1997 Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top none 123456M 000001M to 999999M
October 1997 – February 2003 M123456 M000001 to M999999
February 2003 – February 2005 123M456 000M001 to 479M999
February 2005 – April
2007 		www.maryland.gov 480M000 to 999M999 895M000 through 909M999 were manufactured in New Jersey using that state's serial dies, while the plate production facility at the Maryland State Prison was closed for three weeks due to inmate unrest.[7]
April
2007 – June 13, 2010 		12345M6 00000M1 to approximately 61999M9
Truck February 1986 – December 1992 As shield passenger base none 123 456 300 001 to 999 999, then 000 001 to 299 999
(from 1989)
December 1992 – February 2005 12A 345 00A 001 to 22R 999
February 2005 – June 13, 2010 www.maryland.gov 23R 000 to approximately 99X 999

Government plates

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Plates issued to local and state government agencies, including police and transit buses operated by a city or county or the state (for City of Baltimore).

Image Type First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Local government-owned vehicle 1986 Black on reflective white with shield as separator in serial none L/G 12345 L/G 00001 to approximately L/G 75000
2005 www.maryland.gov L/G 75001 to L/G 99999
2014 As above, but with shield at left 12345 L/G 00001 L/G to 17397 L/G (as of December 9, 2020)
State government-owned vehicle 1986 Black on reflective white with shield as separator in serial none S/G 12345 S/G 00001 to approximately S/G 22800 Serials S/G 80000 and up used on State Highway Administration vehicles.[15]
2005 www.maryland.gov S/G 22801 to approximately S/G 30500
2014 As above, but with shield at left 12345 S/G 00001 S/G to 07271 S/G (as of December 20, 2020)
Natural Resources Police Screen-printed yellow slogan stacked vertically on black background, state name screen-printed and centered at top in yellow, serial screen-printed and stacked in yellow offset right. NATURAL/RESOURCES/POLICE 1/2/3
State Police[16] 1963–1984, 1997–present[16] Stamped black text on yellow background of galvanized steel with state name stamped centered at top in black; slogan centered in black at top underneath state name with serial stamped centered at bottom in black.[16] STATE POLICE[16] A-12[16]
1995–1996[16] Stamped black text on yellow background of galvanized steel with state name stamped centered at top in black; slogan centered in middle with serial stamped centered at bottom in black.[16]
1989–1995[16] Printed emblem offset left, with state name printed centered at top, slogan printed centered at bottom, with printed serial in black on white silk-screened steel background.[16] State Police[16]
1985–1989[16] Printed emblem offset left, with state name printed centered at top, slogan printed centered at bottom, with printed serial in black on white silk-screened aluminum background.[16] 50th Anniversary[16]

Temporary plates

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Image(s) Type and/or tenure Date(s) issued Design Information imprinting method
Temporary, 20-day 1955 Black on white cardboard Hand-written


1959–1963




Temporary, 30-day 1970–1977

1980s Combination, hand-written and hole-punched
Temporary, 45-day 1998–2000 Green on white cardboard Hand-written

Temporary, 60-day 2002–2003 Blue on white cardboard
2006 Combination, hand-written and machine-printed
Temporary,

60-day

2011–2013[17] Black on white paper[18][19] Computer-printed
2013–present[19] Machine-printed

Organization plates

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Main article: Non-passenger and special vehicle registration plates of Maryland

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Old Maryland License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  2. ^ "General License Plate Information". Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  3. ^ "Custom Car Registration in Maryland". DMV.com. March 9, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "Application for Historic or Street Rod Registration" (PDF). Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  5. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  6. ^ a b Tanner, Eric N. "Maryland Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Kretschmer, Rick. "Current and Recent Maryland License Plates". Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Sage, Kit; Tanner, Eric. "licenseplates.cc Maryland highs page". Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  9. ^ "FAQs for the New Maryland License Plate". Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Maryland reclaims web address linked to Philippines gambling site". The Washington Post. June 9, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "Hogan unveils new, Maryland-flag themed license plates". The Baltimore Sun. August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  12. ^ MDDeptPublicSafety (September 2, 2016). "Maryland Proud License Plate" – via YouTube.
  13. ^ a b "Maryland License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  14. ^ "New Chesapeake Bay License Plate Design Unveiled" (Press release). Annapolis: Chesapeake Bay Trust. PR Newswire. October 18, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  15. ^ Kretschmer, Rick. "Maryland Government Vehicle and Official License Plates". Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Maryland :: State Trooper Plates". www.statetrooperplates.com.
  17. ^ Kretschmer, Rick. "Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives – Maryland Temporary and Special Event Plates". www.ricksplates.com.
  18. ^ "Maryland 3 Y2K". www.plateshack.com.
  19. ^ a b Bellmyer, Jane (March 12, 2013). "MVA now offers better temporary tag for new vehicles".

Further reading

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