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Vehicle registration plates of Virginia

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Bluebird207 (talk | contribs) at 23:10, 1 February 2016 (Update; also expanded the descriptions of the 1924, 1925 and 1926 bases and pointed out the serials issued on each; other bits of tidying up). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The U.S. state of Virginia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1906. Plates are currently issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Motor vehicle registration statistics

As of 2008, the DMV has 7,698,416 active registrations, 1,696,795 (22%) of which are special or personalized plates.[1] In 2008, 1,624,146 pairs of license plates were sold, with 831,361 of them being personalized plates.[2]

Passenger baseplates 1906 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Association that fixed the size for license plates for road motor vehicles, except those for motorcycles, at six inches in height by twelve inches in width, with standardized mounting holes.[citation needed] The first Virginia license plate that complied with these standards was issued eight years beforehand, in 1948.

Image First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1906-09 White on black none 1234 unknown
1910 Red on white none 1234 unknown
1911 White on blue none 1234 unknown
1912 White on green none 1234 unknown
1913 White on red none 1234 unknown
1914 Blue on white none 1234 unknown
1915 White on green none 1234 unknown
1916 Dark blue on orange none 1234 unknown
1917 Yellow on black none 12345 unknown
1918 Black on white none 12345 unknown
1919 White on black none 12345 unknown
1920 White on green none 12345 unknown
1921 Dark blue on orange none 12345 unknown
1922 White on black none 12345 unknown
1923 White on green none 12345 unknown
1924 Embossed white numbers on red plate; "VIRGINIA - 24" embossed in white block letters centered at top none 123456 1 to approximately 217000 Made in New Jersey using that state's dies and design. First use of the full state name.
1925 Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 1925" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 235-000
1926 Embossed golden yellow numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 26" embossed in golden yellow block letters centered at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 273-000
1927 Embossed red numbers on green plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 27" embossed in red block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 293-000
1928 Embossed orange numbers on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1928" embossed in orange block letters centered at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 317-000
1929 Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1929" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 321-000
1930 Embossed orange numbers on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1930" embossed in orange block letters centered at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 349-000
1931 Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1931" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 368-000
1932 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1932" embossed in white block letters centered at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 376-000
1933 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1933" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 334-000
1934 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1934" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 337-000
1935 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1935" embossed in black block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 335-000
1936 Embossed orange numbers on dark blue plate; "VIRGINIA - 1936" embossed in orange block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 360-000
1937 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1937" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 375-000
1938 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1938" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 388-000
1939 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1939" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 402-000
1940 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "1940 - VIRGINIA" embossed in black block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 438-000
1941 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "19 - VIRGINIA - 41" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 491-000
1942 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1942" embossed in black block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 524-000 Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate; "1944 - VA" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 468-000
1945 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "19 - VIRGINIA - 45" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 475-000
1946 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1946" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 524-000
1947 Embossed black numbers on aluminum plate; "19 VIRGINIA 47" embossed in black block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 567-000
1948 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "1948 VIRGINIA" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 642-000
1949 Embossed black numbers on aluminum plate; "VIRGINIA 1949" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 698-000
1950 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "1950 VIRGINIA" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 783-000
1951 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 51" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999 Revalidated for 1952 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War.[3]
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A145-000
1953 Embossed orange numbers on blue plate; "19 VIRGINIA 53" embossed in orange block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 940-000
1954 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1954" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 999-999
1955 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "1955 VIRGINIA" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A122-000
1956 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 56" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A178-000
1957 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1957" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A223-000
1958 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "1958 VIRGINIA" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A232-000
1959 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 59" embossed in black block letters at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A259-000
1960 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1960" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A240-000
1961 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "1961 VIRGINIA" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A273-000
1962 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 62" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A344-000
1963 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1963" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A425-000
1964 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "1964 VIRGINIA" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A504-000
1965 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 65" embossed in black block letters at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A545-000
1966 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1966" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A626-000
1967 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "1967 VIRGINIA" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A700-000
1968 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 68" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A788-000
1969 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1969" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A857-000
1970 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "1970 VIRGINIA" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A123-456 A-100 to approximately A966-000
1971 Embossed black numbers on white plate, with or without border line; "19 VIRGINIA 71" embossed in black block letters at top none 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 numbers on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA 1972" embossed in white block letters at top none ABC-123 AAA-001 to DZZ-999
1973 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "VIRGINIA" embossed in blue block letters centered at top none ABC-123 AAA-101 to SZZ-999 Revalidated with stickers until 1984.
1979 Similar to 1973 base, but reflective and with wider dies, and "Virginia" screened in blue serifed letters none ABC-123 AAA-101 to ZZZ-999 (see right) Still currently revalidated. Serials started at UAA-101 and ran to ZZZ-999, followed by AAA-101 through SZZ-999 as 1973 plates were invalidated; letters I, O and Q not used until 1988, when all series with these letters in the first position were issued, followed by all series with T in the first position, and finally all remaining series with I, O or Q in the second and/or third positions (ending with ZZQ-999).[4]
1993 Embossed dark blue numbers on reflective white plate; "Virginia" screened in blue serifed letters centered at top none ABC-1234 ZZZ-9999 to approximately ZXX-1000 Serials progress backwards.
1993 As above, but with state name in all capital letters ZXW-9999 to approximately XYN-1000
2002 Embossed dark blue numbers on reflective white plate; "VIRGINIA" screened in blue serifed letters centered at top "400th Anniversary" in red block letters 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. The slogan was originally printed on a white sticker, before it started to be screened directly onto the plate at around the JAM series.[4]
2003 As above, but with state name in red Intermittently from JAY-1000 to JDC-9999; exclusively from JDD-1000 to KCW-9999
2006 Embossed dark blue numbers on reflective white plate; "VIRGINIA" screened in red serifed letters centered at top; Jamestown 400th Anniversary logo screened in bottom left corner and "2007" in bottom right corner "JAMESTOWN" screened in blue block letters and "AMERICA'S 400TH ANNIVERSARY" in red serifed letters, both centered at bottom ABC-1234 KCX-1000 to KNP-9999
2008 Embossed dark blue numbers on reflective white plate; "VIRGINIA" screened in blue serifed letters centered at top none ABC-1234 XXP-9999 to approximately WLM-1000 Return to 1993 base. Serials progress backwards as before.
2014 "VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS" screened in black block letters, plus a red heart for the second 'V', centered at bottom VAA-1000 to VLX-9999 (as of February 1, 2016)[5]

Non-passenger types

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.

Optional types

Virginia offers over 200 optional license plates.[1] Most can be personalized for an additional fee.

Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Independence Bicentennial 1975–82 Embossed blue numbers on 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 serifed letters centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 100-001 to 500-000 Still currently revalidated.
Autumn Leaves 1997–98 Embossed dark blue numbers on white plate; ten orange and yellow gradient leaves behind numbers; "Virginia" screened in black handwritten font centered at top 1234-AAB 1000-AAA to approximately 9999-AAD Revised design introduced in response to visibility concerns surrounding the original design.[6]
1998 to present As above, but with leaves around edge of plate 1234-BAB 1000-BAA to present
Patriot 1997 to present Similar to passenger base, but with a graphic of a Revolutionary War fifer at the far right 123ABC 101AAA to present
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.

Type codes

Code Prefix Suffix
AA cardinal
AB I'm Animal Friendly
AC cardinal Averett College
Averett University
AE cardinal Virginia Aviation
AG cardinal
AJ cardinal
AK Alpha Kappa Alpha
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
BF Bluefield College Tiger Swallowtail - State Insect
BG Airborne (173 ABN BDE Sky Soldiers)
BH Tiger Swallowtail - State Insect
BI Share the Road
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

References

  1. ^ Special and Personalized License Plates Report, accessed March 29, 2009
  2. ^ DMV Business Profile, accessed March 29, 2009
  3. ^ Pang, Andrew. "Virginia License Plates from 1906-". licensepl8s.com. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Virginia License Plates". licenseplates.tropikordia.com. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  5. ^ "Virginia License Plates". LicensePlates.cc. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  6. ^ Chernicky, David (September 23, 1997). "Autumn Leaves Fall Into Place On Plate". Daily Press. Newport News. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
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