Vehicle registration plates of Florida

The U.S. state of Florida first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1918, when the state began to issue plates, becoming the last of the contiguous 48 states to do so.[1][2]

Florida
Current orange blossom license plate
Current series
SloganCounty name
Sunshine State
In God We Trust
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC D12
A12 3BC
12A BCD
123 4AB
AB1 2CD
IntroducedDecember 2003 (2003-12)
Availability
Issued byFlorida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1918 (1918-01-01)
(pre-state plates from 1905 to December 31, 1917)

Plates are currently issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1922 (with the exception of large trucks, which require both front and rear plates).

Passenger baseplates

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1918 to 1974

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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.[3] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Florida license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format(s) Serials issued Notes
No image
1918 White serial on black flat metal plate; vertical "1918" and "FLA" at left and right respectively none 12345-A Coded by horsepower class (A) Horsepower classes were B (25 hp and under), C (26-40 hp) and D (41-60 hp).
No image
1919 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "FLA 1919" at right none 12345-A Coded by horsepower class (A) Horsepower classes were B (22 hp and under), C (23-27 hp), D (28-35 hp) and E (36 hp and over). This continued through 1921.[4]
No image
1920 Embossed red serial on gray plate with border line; "FLA 20" at left none A-12345 Coded by horsepower class (A)
  1921 Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; "FLA 21" at right none 12345-A Coded by horsepower class (A)
C-12-345
1922 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; vertical "FLA" and "22" at right; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom left none C-12-345 C-1 to approximately C-94-000
No image
1923 Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; state outline at right with "FLA 23" below; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom left none 123-456-C 1-C to approximately 123-000-C
123-456-C
1924 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; state outline at right with "FLA 24" below; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom left none 123-456-C 1-C to approximately 156-000-C
123-456-C
1925 Embossed orange serial on green plate with border line; "FLA" within state outline at right with "25" below; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom left none 123-456-C 1-C to approximately 250-000-C
123-456-C
1926 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "FLA" within state outline at right with "26" below none 123-456-C 1-C to approximately 491-000-C
  1927 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA-27" centered at bottom none 123-456-C 1-C to approximately 409-000-C First use of the full state name.
  1928 Embossed yellow serial on maroon plate with border line; "1928 FLORIDA" at bottom none 123-456-C 1-C to approximately 391-000-C
  1929 Embossed yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "19-FLORIDA-29" at bottom none C-123-456 C-1 to approximately C-321-000
123-456
1930 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "FLORIDA–1930" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 324-000
123-456
1931 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "1931–FLORIDA" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 313-000
No image
1932 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA–1932" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 288-000 First use of weight classes: all-numeric serials were used for vehicles weighing 3,000 lb and under, and serials with D prefixes for vehicles 3,001 lb and over.[4]
D12-345 D1 to approximately D75-000
  1933 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "1933–FLORIDA" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 235-000 Weight classes same as 1932, but with D used as a suffix instead of a prefix.
12-345D 1D to approximately 58-000D
No image
1934 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "FLA." centered at top; weight class letter and "34" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively none T12-345
123-456
D12-345
W 1-234
Coded by weight class Weight classes were as follows: T (2,050 lb and under), no letter (2,051 to 3,050 lb), D (3,051 to 4,050 lb) and W (4,051 lb and over). This continued through 1941.[4]
No image
1935 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "FLA." centered at top; weight class letter and "35" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively none T12-345
123-456
D12-345
W12-345
Coded by weight class
No image
1936 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "FLORIDA 1936" at top none T12-345
123-456
D12-345
W12-345
Coded by weight class
  1937 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "1937 FLORIDA" at top none 12-345T
123-456
12-345D
1-234 W
Coded by weight class
  1938 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "38" at top right none T1-1-234
T10-123
1-12-345
10-1-234
D1-12-345
D10-1-234
W1-1-234
W10-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class First use of county codes.
  1939 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "39" at bottom right none 1T-1234
10T-123
1-12345
10-1234
1D12345
10D1234
1W-1234
10W-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1940 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "40" at top right none 1T-123
10T-123
1-12345
10-1234
1D12345
10D1234
1W-1234
10W-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1941 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "41" at bottom right none 1T-123
10T-123
1-12345
10-1234
1D12345
10D1234
1W-1234
10W-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
    1942–43 Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "42" at top right none 1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class Revalidated for 1943 with dark blue tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. Weight classes were as follows: T (<= 2,000 lb / 0.90 t), no letter (2,001 to 2,500 lb / 0.90 - 1.13 t), D (2,501 to 3,500 lb / 1.13 - 1.59 t), W (3,501 to 4,500 lb / 1.59 - 2.04 t) and WW (>= 4,501 lb / 2.04 t); this continued through 1947.[4]
  1944 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "44" at top right none 1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1945 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "45" at bottom right none 1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1946 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "46" at top right none 1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1947 Embossed white serial on forest green plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "47" at bottom right none 1T-123
10T-123
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1948 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "48" at top right none 1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-12345
1-1234A
10-1234
10/12345
1W12345
10W1234
1WW1234
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class Weight classes same as 1942–47, except D used for the 2,001 to 2,500 lb (0.90 - 1.13 t) class and no letter for the 2,501 to 3,500 lb (1.13 - 1.58 t) class. This continued through 1961.[4]
  1949 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "49" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top 1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-12345
1-1234A
10-1234
10-123A
1W12345
10W1234
1WW1234
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class First use of the "Sunshine State" slogan.
  1950 Embossed blue serial on orange plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "50" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-12345
1-1234A
10-1234
10-123A
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1951 Embossed dark green serial on yellow plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "51" at bottom right "KEEP FLORIDA GREEN" centered at top 1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class Plates with eight-character serials (counting the dash, if present) were an inch longer than plates with serials of seven characters or less. This practice continued through 1955.
  1952 Embossed orange serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "52" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1953 Embossed blue serial on orange plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "53" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top 1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1954 Similar to 1952 base, but with "19" at bottom left and "54" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" as on 1952 base 1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1955 Similar to 1953 base, but with "19" at top left and "55" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" as on 1953 base 1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1956 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "56" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW-1234
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class First 6" x 12" plate.
  1957 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "57" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top 1T-1234
10T-1234
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW-1234
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1958 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "58" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW-1234
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1959 Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "59" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top 1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1960 Embossed yellow serial on royal blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "60" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-12345
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1961 Embossed navy blue serial on lemon yellow plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "61" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top 1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  1962 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "62" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class Weight classes same as 1948–61, except D used for all vehicles 2,500 lb (1.13 t) and under. This continued until the cessation of weight classes and county codes in 1977.[4]
  1963 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "63" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  January 1964 – January 1965 Embossed blue serial on orange plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "64" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  February 1965 – February 1966 Embossed gold serial on red plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "65" at top right "400TH ANNIVERSARY" centered at top 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class Commemorated the 400th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously-inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States.
  March 1966 – March 1967 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "66" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  April 1967 – April 1968 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "67" at top left and "68" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  May 1968 – May 1969 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "68" at bottom left and "69" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  June 1969 – June 1970 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "69" at top left and "70" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  July 1970 – June 1971 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "70" at bottom left and "71" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  July 1971 – June 1972 Embossed orange serial on reflective white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "72" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top 1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  July 1972 – June 1973 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "73" at bottom right "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
  July 1973 – June 1974 As 1971–72 base, but with "74" at top right "SUNSHINE STATE" as on 1971–72 base 1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class

1974 to present

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Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format(s) Serials issued Notes
  July 1974 – March 1977 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "75" at top left "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom 1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
10/W-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
10W/W12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class Monthly staggered registration introduced July 1976, with each plate expiring in the same month as the registrant's birthday.[2] Revalidated with stickers until 1980.
  April 1977 – February 1979 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; "FLORIDA" centered at top none ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately FBN 999 Issued only to new registrants. Letters I, O and Q not used in serials. County-name sticker added at bottom in 1978. Revalidated with stickers until 1987.
  February 1979 – February 1984 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; orange state map screened to left of center behind serial; "FLORIDA" centered at top County name centered at bottom BCD 123 FBP 000 to YZZ 999;
AIA 000 to YQZ 999
'M' and 'Z' series in the ABC 123 serial format reserved for dealers and rental vehicles respectively. After YZZ 999 was issued in late 1982, serials with I and Q as the first and/or second letters were issued, before the 123 ABC format was introduced. Revalidated with stickers until 1992.
February 1984 – June
1986
123 ABC 000 AAA to approximately 999 KTG
  June 1986 – November 1991 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; green state map screened to left of center behind serial; "FLORIDA" centered at top County name centered at bottom ABC 12D Exclusively from AAA 00A to approximately JUQ 99Z; intermittently from JUR 00A to approximately KGW 99Z Early plates used a lighter shade of green for the state map, while some plates manufactured during 1988 featured a smaller-size state name. Letter O not used in serials (this practice continues today); 'M' series reserved for dealers and 'Y' and 'Z' series for rental vehicles. Replaced from 1992 through 1996 as part of five-year plate replacement cycle.
  November 1991 – November 1994 As 1979–86 base County name centered at bottom ABC 12D Intermittently from JUR 00A to approximately KGW 99Z; exclusively from KGX 00A to approximately RWV 99Z
November 1994 – July
1997
County name or "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom Exclusively from RWW 00A to approximately XBQ 99Z; intermittently from XBR 00A to approximately XDQ 99Z "Sunshine State" slogan reintroduced on all plates in Dade County.
  July 1997 – February 1998 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; citrus orange graphic over green state map screened in the center; "FLORIDA" screened in orange and yellow centered at top County name or "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in green centered at bottom ABC 12D Intermittently from XBR 00A to approximately XDQ 99Z; exclusively from XDR 00A to XZZ 99Z "Sunshine State" plates issued in Dade County (renamed Miami-Dade County in late 1997); county-name plates in all other counties.
  February 1998 – early 1999 CY1 23D CY0 00X to IZ9 99Z
  I12 34V I00 00V to L99 99Z
  early 1999 – 2000 A12 BCD A00 AAA to approximately B99 FWB
  2000 – December 2003 County name B12 GBC B00 FWC to approximately I99 YXW Issued in all counties except Miami-Dade County.
  "SUNSHINE STATE" T00 AAA to approximately X99 FTJ Issued in Miami-Dade County. First use of a separate serial block for this county.
  December 2003 – August 2004 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; orange blossom graphic over green state map screened in the center; "MYFLORIDA.COM" screened in green centered at top County name I12 ZBC I00 ZAA to approximately K99 AAR Issued in all counties except Miami-Dade County.
  "SUNSHINE STATE" X00 FTN to X99 ZZZ Issued in Miami-Dade County.
  August 2004 – March 2009 County name A12 3BC A00 0AA to N99 9ZZ Issued in all counties except Miami-Dade County. Wider serial dies introduced 2006.
  March 2009 – July
2015
123 MBC 000 MAA to 999 RZZ
  July 2015 – mid-2018 Y12 BCD Y00 AAA to Z99 ZZZ
  mid-2018 –August 2021 IB1 2CD IA0 1AA to IZ9 9ZZ
  August 2021 – Present 12B ACD 01B AAA to 99B AZZ;

01C BAA to 23C JIM (as of 2024-04-15)

  June 2022 – April 2023 CB1 234 CA0 001 to CZ9 999
  August 2004 – late
2009
"SUNSHINE STATE" P12 3BC P00 0AA to X99 9ZZ Issued in Miami-Dade County. Dies changed from narrow set to wider set mid-production.
  123 HBC 000 HAA to 999 LZZ;
000 VAA to 999 YZZ;
000 TAA to 999 TZZ
Issued in Miami-Dade County, as well as alternate choice in all other counties. In 2008 state changes mandatory 5 year license plate replacement to 6 years.
  November 2009 – May 2021;

February 2024 – present

ABC D12 AAA A01 to RZU J90 (as of 2024-11-18)
(except for F and M series; see right)
Issued in Miami-Dade County, as well as alternate choice in all other counties. 'F' series reserved for antique and 'M' series for motorcycles. State changes mandatory 6 year license plate replacement to 10 years.
  May 2021 – May 2022;
June 2022 –August 2022;

July 2023 – February 2024

12A BCD 01A AAA to 99B ZZZ; (except for 01B AAA to 99B AZZ, occupied by county name plates)
01D AAA to 99E MZZ
  May 2022–June 2022 123 4AN 000 1AN to 999 9AZ
  August 2022 –July 2023 AF1 2CD AF0 1AA to AZ9 9ZZ;

BL0 1AA to BZ9 9ZZ

AA to AE series occupied by Apportioned.
  
 
October 1, 2008 – September 2018 "IN GOD WE TRUST" 123 4GB 000 1GA to 999 9YZ Issued in all counties as no-cost alternative issue. Progression of first letter in the 123 4AB serial format: G, H, I, J, B, P, Q, T, U, V, X, Y.
September 2018 –January 2019 123 45Z 000 01Z to 999 99Z
January 2019 –February 2022 Z12 3BC Z00 0AA to Z99 9ZZ; Y00 0AA to Y99 9ZZ
February 2022 –present BC1 2DE BB0 1AA to approx. BH9 9ZZ;

CB0 1AA to CL4 7JG (as of 2024-09-23)

Current spotted high for B series with In God We Trust: BH77SY.

BJ-BK series exists but not sure if they are In God We Trust or Sunshine State. BA series occupied by Apportioned.

County coding, 1938–77

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Florida used numeric county codes on its license plates between 1938 and 1977, with the order of the codes based on the populations of each of the state's 67 counties according to a 1935 census.[2] There was also code 68 on plates ordered from the state tag office in Tallahassee, and code 90 on replacement plates.

Vehicle classes, 1932–77

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Between 1932 and 1977, Florida used letters on its license plates that corresponded to the class of vehicle.

Through 1937, the letters were placed before or after the numeric part of the serial, depending on the year. When county codes (above) were introduced in 1938, the letters were placed before the code (e.g. G10-123 for a commercial truck in Broward County). From 1939 onwards, the letters were placed after the code, but before the rest of the serial (e.g. 10G-123).

Throughout this period, license plates without letters were used on passenger cars. In 1932 and 1933, they were used on cars weighing 3,000 lb and under; from 1934 through 1941, on cars weighing between 2,051 and 3,050 lb; and from 1942 through 1947, on cars weighing between 2,001 and 2,500 lb. From 1948 onwards, they were used on cars weighing between 2,501 and 3,500 lb, as there were now more heavy cars.[2]

Non-passenger plates

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The state issues many non-passenger types of license plates to various vehicle classes and types.

Image Type First issued Serial format(s) Notes
  Amateur Radio FCC call sign
  Antique 123 456
BB1 234
IB1 234
FAC D12
JB1 234
Issued to cars and trucks that are at least 30 years old and under 26,000 lb (11.7 t)

JA6 384 current high

  Antique Motorcycle Q123456
  Apportioned A12 34B

AB1 2CD

Annual plates. Issued in pairs.

"A" denotes the type of vehicle.

Not to confuse with AB1 2CD in regular passenger series, they never share the first two letters.

  City Government 123456
XB1234
"City" legend.

XK0959 current high.

  College 1234
  County Government 123456
TB1234
"County" legend.
  Custom Vehicle 2008 VBC1D
  Dealer MBC 123
MBC 12D

MB1 23C
NB1 23C
PB1 23C

PM9 74T current high

Not to confuse with A12 3BC in the regular series

Not to confuse with MBC D12 motorcycle plates

  Disabled Person 123456  
Y1BCD  
Z1BCD  
YB12C  
ZB12C  
JB12C  
VB1CD  
  Disabled Person – Motorcycle 1234  
WB1C  
XB1C  
  Fleet GBC 123 GGA 535 is the current high
  Former Military Vehicle 00123AB Very obscure, it has been said that FL doesn't even want to issue them.
  Honorary Consul 1
123
  Horseless Carriage 12345
  Horseless Carriage - DMV
  Horseless Carriage - Permanent
  Indefinite YB1 23C
  Manufacturer A12 345 A11 654 current high
  Member of Congress 1
12
Serial is district number.
  Motor Scooter—driver under 21 years old 12ABC
  Motorcycle 12345A
1234AB
MBCD12
E, K, L, N and R used as first letter (A) in the 1234AB serial format. MBCD12 format began 2016.

Current high: MWGT50 (on 2024-01-07).

  Permanent Trailer C12 34B
123 4CB
QB1 2CD
Permanent plates.

Not to confuse with regular plates CB1 234

QA4 6XI is the current high

  Restricted U12 34B

MBC 12A

Not to confuse with MBC D12 motorcycle plates
  Seminole Indian 1234
  Sheriff 12345
ZBC12
ZUZ38 current high
  State police
  Temporary registration P-123456
Q-123456
R-123456
S-123456
ABC1234
DMW3606 current high
  Truck over 5,000 lb (2.26 t) 1986 H12 34B

I12 34B

M12 34B

N12 34B

P12 34B

County name or "SUNSHINE STATE" slogan at bottom. Issued in pairs with the validation sticker placed on the front plate.

Only I00 00A - I99 99U are issued. I..V to I..Z series are passenger plates, not to be confused.

P99 00I current high as of 2024-03-04.

  Transporter G12 34B
   Wrecker D12 34B
E12 34B
"WRECKER" legend.

Personalized plates

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Florida offers personalized license plates for an extra fee, on the standard orange blossom design and on specialty designs (below). On the orange blossom design and specialty designs with centered graphics, combinations can consist of between one and seven characters specified by the registrant, including letters, numbers, spaces and hyphens. On specialty designs with left-aligned graphics, combinations are limited to a maximum of five characters, and on the Motorcycle Specialty plate, they are limited to a maximum of six characters.[5]

Specialty plates

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Florida has offered over 120 specialty license plates to its motorists, most for an extra fee. Some of these plates are no longer issued, while others have been redesigned since they were first issued.[6]

Collegiate

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Image Type First issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s) Notes
  AdventHealth University
(Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences prior to 2012)
2002-10-01 H12 345
  Barry University 1998-07-01 AB12C
  Bethune–Cookman University
(Bethune–Cookman College prior to 2007)
1997-02-15 BB12C
BB1CD
  Eckerd College 2002-10-01 E12 345
  Edward Waters College 2002-10-01 B1BC
  Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University 2002-10-01 K1BC
  Flagler College 2002-10-01
(2018)
C1BC
  Florida A&M University 1987-10-01 M1234
M123B
M12BC
Y12BC
  Florida Atlantic University 1987-10-01 A123B
  Florida College 2002-10-01 L1BC
  Florida Gulf Coast University 1997-11-01 V1234
  Florida Institute of Technology 2002-10-01 Q1BC
  Florida International University 1987-10-01 I1234
I123B
I12BC
  Florida Memorial University 1999-07-01 FBC1D
  Florida Southern College 2002-10-01 D1BC
  Florida State University 1987-10-01 S1234
S123B
S12BC
S1BCD
VB123
WB123
WB12C
  Jacksonville University 2002-10-01 R1BC
  Keiser University 2015 123NB
  Lynn University 2002-10-01 E1BC
  Nova Southeastern University 2002-10-01 S1BC
  Palm Beach Atlantic University 2002-10-01 F1BC
  Ringling School of Art and Design 2002-10-01 U1BC
  Rollins College 2002-10-01 G1BC
  Saint Leo University 2002-10-01 V1BC
  Saint Thomas University 2002-10-01 H1BC
  Southeastern University 2002-10-01 W1BC
  Stetson University 2002-10-01 I1BC
  University of Central Florida 1987-10-01
(2016)
C123B
  University of Florida 1987-10-01
(1997, 2007,

2022)

F1BCD
GBC1D
HBC1D
IBC1D
  University of Miami 1989-10-01 H1234
H123B
H12BC
HBC1D
X12BC
  University of North Florida 1987-10-01 N1234
N123B
N12BC
  University of South Florida 1987-10-01
(2018)
U1234
U123B
U12BC
  University of Tampa 2002-10-01
(2016)
X1BC
  University of West Florida 1987-10-01
(2015)
W1234
W123B
  Warner University
(Warner Southern College prior to 2008)
2002-10-01 J1BC

Environmental/Wildlife

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Image Type First issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s) Notes
  Animal Friend 2004-07-01
(2016)
ABC12
  Aquaculture 2004-07-01 AB1 234
  Conserve Wildlife 1998-07-01 CB123
CB12C
CB1CD
  Discover Florida's Horses 2010-01-10 12DBC
  Discover Florida's Oceans 2004-07-01 DBC12
  Endless Summer 2010 12EBC
12JBC
  Everglades River of Grass 1998-07-01 EB12C
  Fish Florida 2003-10-01 JB1CD
  Go Fishing 1997-03-15 LB12C
LB1CD
  Helping Sea Turtles Survive 1998-02-01 RBC 123
  Indian River Lagoon 1995-02-15 R1234
R123B
R12BC
R1BCD
  Protect Florida Springs 2007-10-01 P12 345
  Protect Florida Whales 2002-07-01 WBC1D
  Protect Our Oceans 2010-10-01 12GAB The "Protect Our Oceans" plate, introduced in the spring of 2015, is a re-design of the original "Catch Me, Release Me" plate.
  Protect Our Reefs 2003-07-01 RBC1D
Protect the Panther 1990-10-15 LBC 123
MBC 123
Original design: white plate with panther in center (serials LAA 001 through LEE 999). Current design: white and orange gradient plate with panther's head in center and grass at bottom (serials LEF 001 and up).
  1993
  Protect Wild Dolphins 1998-07-01 DB12C
DB1CD
DBC1D
  Save Our Seas 2004-07-01 RBC12
SBC12
  Save the Manatee 1990-03-16 HBC 123
IBC 123
Original design: red serial on white, blue and green plate with manatee in center (serials HAA 001 through IBX 999). Current design: black serial on yellow, green and blue plate with manatee in center (serials IBY 001 and up).
  2008
  Save Wild Florida 12FBC Features a Miami blue butterfly at left.
  Sportsmen's National Land Trust / Wildlife Foundation of Florida 2004-07-01
(2014)
VBC12 Both designs feature a white-tailed deer at left.
  State Wildflower 1999-07-01 WBC 123
  Tampa Bay Estuary 1999-06-10 TBC1D
  Trees Are Cool 2007-10-01 12CBC

Special Interest

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Image Type First issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s) Notes
  A State of Vision 2006-07-01 XB123
  Agricultural Education 2006-07-01 JB123
  Agriculture 1997-04-01 VBC 123
  Challenger/Columbia 1987-01-01
(2001, 2005)
ABC 123
BBC 123
TB123
TB1CD
  Choose Life 1999-07-01 CBC1D
  End Breast Cancer 2002-07-01 KBC1D
  Family First 2004-07-01 FB1 234
  Family Values 2004-07-01 VB1 234
  Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches 1998-07-01 RB12C
  Horse Country 2008-10-01 12HBC
  Hospice – Every Day Is a Gift 2003-07-01 123HB
  Imagine 2004-07-01 123 4FB
  In God We Trust 2008-10-01 IBC12
  Invest in Children 1995-05-01 123 CBC
123 DBC
  Keep Kids Drug Free 1998-07-01 KB123
KB12C
  Kids Deserve Justice 2004-07-01 KBC12
  Lauren's Kids 2014 123GB
  Live the Dream 2004-07-01 DB1 234
  Moffitt Cancer Center 2015 123PB
  Parents Make a Difference 2004-07-01 PBC12
  Salutes Firefighters 2002-10-01 YB1CD
  Scouting Teaches Values 1997-02-15 123 SBC
  State of the Arts 1995-02-01 FBC 123
  Stop Child Abuse 2003-07-01 123SB
  Stop Heart Disease 2003-07-01 S12 345
  Support Autism Programs 2009-09-01 12SBC
  Support Education 1994-10-01
(2018)
123 ABC
  Support Homeownership for All 2006-07-01 QB123
 

 

Support Law Enforcement 2002-10-01 PBC1D
  United We Stand 2002-07-01 123 UBC
  Visit Our Lights 2008-10-01 VB12C
  Walt Disney World 2021-09 12DBC

Sports

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Image Type First issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s) Notes
  Florida Panthers 1995-06-01
(2017)
P1234
P123B
  Golf Capital of the World 2002-07-01 JB1 23C
  Jacksonville Jaguars 1995-06-01 J123B
  Miami Dolphins 1995-04-01
(2015)
D123B
  Miami Heat 1995-06-01
(2018)
L123B
  Miami Marlins
(Florida Marlins prior to 2012)
1995-07-01
(2019)
E1234
E123B
E12BC
 

 

NASCAR 2007-10-01
(2015)
12NBC
 

 

Olympic Spirit 1994-01-01 G1234
G123B
G12BC
G1BCD
  Orlando Magic 1995-06-01 K1234
K123B
K12BC
  Play Tennis 2008-10-01 123BB
  Police Athletic League 1997-02-15 PB123
PB12C
  Share the Road 1999-06-10
(2007)
123 EBC
EBC1D
  Special Olympics 1994-01-01 SBC 123
  Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1998-04-01
(2008, 2015)
B1234
B123B
B12BC
B1BCD
  Tampa Bay Lightning 1995-06-01
(2019)
T1234
T123B
T12BC
  Tampa Bay Rays
(Tampa Bay Devil Rays prior to 2008)
1997-03-01
(2008)
Q1234
Q123B
Q12BC
  Tampa Bay Storm 1995-01-01 T123

T12A

Military

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Image Type First issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s) Notes
 

 

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2010 (2014) AB1C Double orange base pictured was replaced in 2014 by updated design.
  Salutes Veterans 1999 SBC1D
  Support Our Troops 2007-10-01 12TBC
National Guard ? ?
  U.S. Air Force 2003-07-01 ABC1D
  U.S. Army 2003-07-01 BBC1D
  U.S. Coast Guard 2003-07-01 123VB
  U.S. Marine Corps 1999-07-01 UBC1D
QBC1D
  U.S. Navy 2003-07-01 NBC1D

Special Military

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Image Type First issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s) Notes
  Disabled Veteran 1234

ABC1

  Ex-Prisoner of War EX-POW 1234 Orange blossom design.
  Gold Star Family 2008-04-01 1GBC
  Pearl Harbor Survivor 1234 Orange blossom design.
  Purple Heart 12345
  U.S. Paratrooper 2003-07-01 123WB

Other

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Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
  Motorcycle Specialty 2003-10-01 Y12345 Red, white and blue design.

Discontinued

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Image Type Dates issued Serial format(s) Notes
  American Red Cross July 1, 2002 – March 2016 123AB
  Clearwater Christian College October 1, 2002 – September 2015 A1BC Discontinued following the college's closure.[6]
  Collectible 1996 - 1999 123456 Discontinued due to abuse of the reduced rate.
  Corrections Foundation October 1, 2007 – 2009 1CBC
  Donate Organs July 1, 2006 – 2016 Y123B
  Girl Scouts GB12C
 
Salutes Veterans October 10, 1989 - 1999 DBC 123 Replaced with the redesigned version.
  Support Soccer July 1, 2004 – 2018 123 4SB
  New College of Florida July 1, 2002 - 2022 N123
N12B

References

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  1. ^ "Old Florida License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Simpers, M. R. (September 18, 2015). "Florida License Plates" (PDF). Antique Automobile Club of Cape Canaveral. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  3. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Tanner, Eric N. "Florida Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  5. ^ "Application for Personalized License Plate" (PDF). Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Florida License Plate History" (PDF). Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. May 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
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