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]
Current series | |
---|---|
Slogan | County name Sunshine State In God We Trust |
Size | 12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm |
Material | Aluminum |
Serial format | ABC D12 A12 3BC 12A BCD 123 4AB AB1 2CD |
Introduced | December 2003 |
Availability | |
Issued by | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
History | |
First issued | January 1, 1918 (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
edit1918 to 1974
editIn 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
editImage | 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
editFlorida 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.
Code | County |
---|---|
1 | Dade |
2 | Duval |
3 | Hillsborough |
4 | Pinellas |
5 | Polk |
6 | Palm Beach |
7 | Orange |
8 | Volusia |
9 | Escambia |
10 | Broward |
11 | Alachua |
12 | Lake |
13 | Leon |
14 | Marion |
15 | Manatee |
16 | Sarasota |
17 | Seminole |
18 | Lee |
19 | Brevard |
20 | St. Johns |
21 | Gadsden |
22 | Putnam |
23 | Bay |
24 | St. Lucie |
25 | Jackson |
26 | Osceola |
27 | Highlands |
28 | Pasco |
29 | Columbia |
30 | Hardee |
31 | Suwannee |
32 | Indian River |
33 | Santa Rosa |
34 | DeSoto |
35 | Madison |
36 | Walton |
37 | Taylor |
38 | Monroe |
39 | Levy |
40 | Hernando |
41 | Nassau |
42 | Martin |
43 | Okaloosa |
44 | Sumter |
45 | Bradford |
46 | Jefferson |
47 | Citrus |
48 | Clay |
49 | Hendry |
50 | Washington |
51 | Holmes |
52 | Baker |
53 | Charlotte |
54 | Dixie |
55 | Gilchrist |
56 | Hamilton |
57 | Okeechobee |
58 | Calhoun |
59 | Franklin |
60 | Glades |
61 | Flagler |
62 | Lafayette |
63 | Union |
64 | Collier |
65 | Wakulla |
66 | Gulf |
67 | Liberty |
68 | State Tag Office |
90 | Replacements |
Vehicle classes, 1932–77
editBetween 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]
Letter | Vehicle class |
---|---|
B | Boat trailer |
BB | Private trailer, 501 to 1050 lb |
C | City bus |
CV | Commercial vehicle over 2000 lbs |
D | Passenger car, 3001 lb and over (1932–33) Passenger car, 3051 to 4050 lb (1934–41) Passenger car, 2501 to 3500 lb (1942–47) Passenger car, 2001 to 2500 lb (1948–61) Passenger car, 2500 lb and under (from 1962) |
E | Taxi cabs, rental cars or limousines |
FHP | Florida Highway Patrol vehicle |
FO | Trailer for hire over 4001 lbs (half years plates with an expiration date) |
G | Truck, 4000 lb and under (1932–33) Commercial truck, 2050 lb and under (from 1934) |
GF | Truck for hire |
GFH | Truck for hire (until 1939) |
GH | Private truck, 2051 to 3050 lb (from 1934) |
GK | Private truck, 3051 to 5050 lb (from 1934) |
GL | Private truck, 5051 lb and over (1934–66) |
GW | Private truck over 5051 lbs (from 1967) |
H | Truck, 4001 lb and over (1932–33) Half-year plate (1938 to early 1950s) |
HF | Truck for hire over 4051 lbs |
HFH | Half year for hire vehicle |
HT | House trailer |
K | Ambulance |
KA | Fractional Ambulance (1949) |
L | Semi-trailer |
M | Dealer (1932–65) |
MC | Member of Congress |
MF | Franchised dealer (from 1966) |
MH | Mobile home |
MI | Independent dealer (from 1966) |
MT | Truck dealer (from 1966) |
N | Rental trailer, 2001 lb and over |
NN | Rental trailer, 2000 lb and under |
O | Semi-trailer for hire |
P | Off-road vehicle |
Q | Antique passenger car |
RB | Ringling Brothers (circus vehicles) |
RP | Real property (for Mobile Homes that had been converted to a fixed asset) |
RV | Recreational vehicle |
S | Bus for hire |
T | Passenger car, 2050 lb and under (1934–41) Passenger car, 2000 lb and under (1942–61) |
TA | Truck tractor |
TAF | Half year truck tractor |
TD | Truck tractor |
TDF | Half year truck tractor |
TE | Truck tractor |
TEF | Half year truck tractor |
V | Private trailer, 500 lb and under |
W | Passenger car, 4051 lb and over (1934–41) Passenger car, 3501 to 4500 lb (from 1942) |
WW | Passenger car, 4501 lb and over (from 1942) |
X | Tax exempt |
Non-passenger plates
editThe 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.
| ||
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 |
PM9 74T current high
| ||
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.
QA4 6XI is the current high | ||
Restricted | U12 34B
MBC 12A |
|||
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
editFlorida 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
editFlorida 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
editImage | 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
editImage | 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
editImage | 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
editImage | 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
editImage | 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
editImage | 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
editImage | Type | First issued | Serial format | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Motorcycle Specialty | 2003-10-01 | Y12345 | Red, white and blue design. |
Discontinued
editImage | 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
edit- ^ "Old Florida License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Simpers, M. R. (September 18, 2015). "Florida License Plates" (PDF). Antique Automobile Club of Cape Canaveral. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
- ^ a b c d e f Tanner, Eric N. "Florida Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ "Application for Personalized License Plate" (PDF). Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "Florida License Plate History" (PDF). Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. May 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2020.