Vehicle registration plates of Maryland
The U.S. state of Maryland first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1904. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1910, when the state began to issue plates.[1]
Current series | |
---|---|
Name | Maryland Proud |
Size | 12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm |
Serial format | 1AB2345 |
Introduced | September 26, 2016 |
Availability | |
Issued by | Maryland Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Administration |
History | |
First issued | July 1, 1910 (pre-state plates from 1904 to June 30, 1910) |
Plates are currently issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration of the Maryland Department of Transportation. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
Passenger baseplates
1910 to 1970
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.[2] The 1956 (expired March 31, 1957) issue was the first Maryland license plate that complied with these standards.
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1910 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; vertical "MD" and "1910" at right | none | 1234 | 1 to approximately 5000 | ||
1911 | White serial on black porcelain plate; "MD 1911" at right | none | 1234 | 1000 to approximately 8000 | ||
1912 | Dark blue serial on white porcelain plate; "MD 1912" at right | none | 12345 | 1000 to approximately 11000 | ||
1913 | Yellow serial on black porcelain plate; "MD 13" at right | none | 12345 | 2000 to approximately 15000 | ||
1914 | White serial on green porcelain plate; "MD 14" at right | none | 12345 | 2000 to approximately 20500 | ||
1915 | Embossed white serial on blue plate; "MD 15" at right | none | 12345 | 4000 to approximately 32000 | ||
1916 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "MD 16" at left | none | 12345 | 8000 to approximately 51000 | ||
1917 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate; "MD·1917" centered at bottom | none | 12-345 | 20-000 to approximately 82-000 | ||
1918 | Embossed white serial on dark gray plate; "MD·1918" centered at top | none | 12-345 | 20-000 to approximately 95-000 | ||
1919 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "MD·1919" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 20-000 to approximately 109-000 | ||
1920 | Embossed white serial on red plate; "MD·1920" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 20-000 to approximately 113-000 | ||
1921 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "MD·1921" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 138-000 | ||
1922 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND·1922" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 151-000 | First use of the full state name. | |
1923 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND·1923" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 185-000 | ||
1924 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1924" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 223-000 | ||
1925 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1925" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 242-000 | ||
1926 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1926" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 275-000 | ||
1927 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1927" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 288-000 | ||
1928 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1928" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 305-000 | ||
1929 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1929" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 325-000 | ||
1930 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1930" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 342-000 | ||
1931 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1931" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 386-000 | ||
1932 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1932" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 389-000 | ||
1933 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1933" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 385-000 | ||
1934 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top; "1634" at top left and "1934" at top right | "TERCENTENARY" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 374-000 | Commemorated the 300th anniversary of the settlement of Maryland. | |
1935 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1935" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 381-000 | ||
1936–37 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1936" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 396-000 | Valid through March 31, 1937. | |
1937–38 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1937" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 409-000 | ||
1938–39 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-39" at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 508-000 | ||
1939–40 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-40" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 522-000 | ||
1940–41 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-41" at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 544-000 | ||
1941–44 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "1942" at top right | "DRIVE CAREFULLY" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 654-000 | Revalidated through March 31, 1943 with yellow tabs, then through March 31, 1944 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. | |
1944–47 | Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "1945" at top right | "DRIVE CAREFULLY" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 688-000 | Revalidated through March 31, 1946 with silver tabs, then through March 31, 1947 with yellow tabs. | |
1947–51 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "48" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 795-000 | Revalidated through March 31, 1949 with black tabs, then through March 31, 1950 with red tabs, and finally through March 31, 1951 with black tabs. | |
1951–53 | Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "MARCH 52" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 795-000 | Revalidated through March 31, 1953 with white tabs. | |
1953–54 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "54" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-12-34 | AA-10-01 to approximately JF-65-00 | For each two-letter series, only the letters A through H, and J, were used.[3] | |
1954–55 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "55" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦12♦34 | Letter K added to two-letter series. | ||
1955–56 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "56" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:12:34 | |||
1956–57 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-57" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-12-34 | |||
1957–58 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-58" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-12-34 | Letter L added to two-letter series. | ||
1958–59 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-59" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:12:34 | |||
1959–60 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-60" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦12♦34 | |||
1960–61 | Embossed black serial on turquoise plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-61" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:12:34 | |||
1961–62 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-62" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-12-34 | AA-10-01 to approximately FY-47-00 | Letters M through Z (excluding O, Q and U) added to two-letter series. The practice of not using I, O, Q and U in standard passenger serials continues today.[3] | |
1962–63 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-63" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦12♦34 | AA♦10♦01 to approximately FN♦98♦00 | ||
1963–64 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-64" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:12:34 | AA:10:01 to approximately FX:92:00 | ||
1964–65 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-65" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-1234 | AA-1001 to approximately GF-1300 | ||
1965–66 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-66" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦1234 | AA♦1001 to approximately GP♦7800 | ||
1966–67 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-67" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:1234 | AA:1001 to approximately GZ:9000 | ||
1967–68 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-68" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-1234 | AA-1001 to approximately HG-8000 | ||
1968–69 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-69" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦1234 | AA♦1001 to approximately HT♦5900 | ||
1969–70 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-70" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB 1234 | AA 1001 to approximately JB 9300 |
1970 to present
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
April 1970 – March 1975 |
Embossed white serial on blue plate; border line around plate and around sticker spot at bottom right; "MARYLAND" centered at bottom; "71" at bottom left | none | AB 1234 | AA 1001 to approximately SC 4300 | ||
April 1975 – March 1980 |
Embossed red serial on white plate; border line around plate and around sticker spot at top right; "MARYLAND" centered at top | none | ABC 123 | AAA 001 to approximately HNB 999 | ||
April 1980 – January 1986 |
Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top | none | ABC 123 | AAA 001 to approximately KHN 999 | ||
February 1986 – September 2004 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; shield with design of the state flag screened in the center; "Maryland" screened in black centered at top | none | ABC 123 | NAA 001 to ZZZ 999, then AAA 001 to MZZ 999 (from mid-1992) | Modification of the optional 350th Anniversary base introduced in 1983 (see below). Two-year renewals started on July 1, 1992. | |
September 2004 – February 2005 | 1AB C23 | 1AA A01 to 9AK Z99 | ||||
February 2005 – November 2006 | "www.maryland.gov" screened in black centered at bottom | 1AL A01 to 9CM Z99 | ||||
November – December 2006 | 1CN A01 to 9CN Z99 | Manufactured in New Jersey using that state's serial dies, while the plate production facility at the Maryland State Prison was closed for three weeks due to inmate unrest.[4] | ||||
December 2006 – June 13, 2010 |
1CP A01 to approximately 4GD J47[5] | Identical to 2005–06 plates. | ||||
June 14, 2010[6] – September 25, 2016 | War of 1812 200th anniversary commemorative design with U.S. flag and Fort McHenry silhouette. Blue on reflective white. State name in blue (with capital-letter sized, but lower-case shaped, "Y"). "War of 1812" text under state name in red. Was to be issued until 2015, but was extended. Commemorates both the Bicentennial, and the anniversary of the writing of the United States' national anthem by Francis Scott Key. | www.starspangled200.org | 1A/B2345 | 1M/D0000 to 9M/D9999; 1A/A0000 to approximately 7C/N9999 | Serials issued on passenger vehicles, trucks and multi-purpose vehicles (SUVs and minivans). | |
September 26, 2016[7] – present | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with state flag screened in bottom half; "Maryland" screened in red centered at top | none | 1AB2345 | 8CN0000[8] to 1EM1504 (as of January 8, 2021) |
Optional plates
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 1975 – February 1977 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; blue graphic screened at top left featuring the Fort McHenry cannons; "MARYLAND" screened in red centered at bottom; "1776" and "1976" screened in blue on either side of state name | "BICENTENNIAL" screened in blue centered at top, with a red star on either side | 123 ABC | 001 AAA to approximately 999 AFH | Manufactured by Polyvend Inc. of Arkansas. Last issued February 1977, but remained valid through March 31, 1980. | |
August 1983 – February 1986 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; shield with design of the state flag screened in the center; "Maryland" screened in black centered at top; "1634" and "1984" screened on either side of state name | "350th Anniversary" screened in black centered at bottom | 123 ABC | 001 AAA to approximately 999 AKE | Commemorated the 350th anniversary of the settlement of Maryland. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1984 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Maryland was so honored. Adopted as standard passenger base from 1986 to 2010 (see above). | |
December 1990 – January 2004 | Embossed dark green serial on reflective white plate; blue heron graphic screened in the center and dark green reed graphics at bottom corners; "Maryland" screened in blue centered at top | "Treasure the Chesapeake" screened in blue centered at bottom | 123 ABC (passenger) | 001 BAY to 999 BAY; 001 AAA to 899 BNN | ||
ABC 12D (multi-purpose vehicle) | BAY 01A to BAY 99Z; AAA 01A to AEY 99W[5] | |||||
January 2004 – October 28, 2018 | Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate featuring gradient blue sky, white sea, a heron and reeds at left, and a Chesapeake blue crab on sand at bottom right; "MARYLAND" screened in white centered at top | "Treasure the Chesapeake" screened in blue centered at bottom | 12345C/A 12345B/Y 1234D/A ♿ |
00001C/B to 99999C/B; 00001B/Y to 99999B/Y; 00001C/A to 99999C/A; 00001C/C to approximately 50000C/H | Same serial formats used for passenger and multi-purpose vehicles. | |
October 29, 2018[9] – present | Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate featuring cloudy blue sky, blue sea, seabed, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and a Chesapeake blue crab at left and seagrass at bottom right; "MARYLAND" screened in black centered at top | "Protect the Chesapeake" screened in white centered at bottom | 12345C/A | 50001C/H to 08108C/K (as of January 17, 2021) | Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2018 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Maryland was so honored. Same serial formats used for passenger and multi-purpose vehicles. | |
July 2001 – present | Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate featuring orange and yellow gradient sky, green and white rolling hills, and a red farmhouse with a white silo and a green tree; "Maryland" screened in yellow centered at top | "Our Farms, Our Future" screened in yellow at bottom right | A123456 | A000001 to A350180 (as of September 18, 2020) | Issued in celebration of Maryland's agricultural heritage. Same serial format used for passenger and multi-purpose vehicles. | |
January 1 – December 31, 2014 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND" screened in black centered at top | "1910 VINTAGE" screened in black centered at bottom | VR12345 (passenger car) VG12345 (antique vehicles) VR1234♿ (handicapped) |
VR00001 to approximately VR00760 | Special reproduction of Maryland's first license plate. Serials VR00300 and up were issued to the general public, while VR00001 to VR00299 were issued by special request. |
Non-passenger plates
Multi-purpose vehicles (such as minivans and sport utility vehicles), as well as pickup trucks and cargo vans, have traditionally been issued separate plate types. However, since June 14, 2010, trucks and multi-purpose vehicles have been issued passenger plates with the same serial format, first on the War of 1812 commemorative base and currently on the "Maryland Proud" base.
Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Motorcycle | 1970–75 | White on blue with border line; "71 MD." at bottom | none | 1234 A123 123A AB12 12345 |
Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | ||
1975–80 | Red on white with border line; "MD." at bottom | none | 123456 | 10000 to approximately 201500 | |||
1980–86 | Black on white with border line; "MD." at bottom | none | 123456 | 10000 to approximately 214000 | |||
1986–89 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | none | 12345D | 00001D to 99999D | |||
1989–97 | 1234D5 | 0000D1 to 9999D9 | |||||
1997–2003 | 123D45 | 000D01 to 999D99 | |||||
2003–05 | 123M45 | 000M01 to approximately 740M00 | |||||
2005–06 | www.maryland.gov | 740M01 to 999M99 | |||||
2006–09 | 1D2345 | 0D0001 to 9D9999 | |||||
2009 – June 13, 2010 | D12345 | D00001 to approximately D39000 | |||||
June 14, 2010 – mid 2012 | As War of 1812 passenger base | www.StarSpangled200.org | D39001 to D99999 | ||||
mid 2012 – September 25, 2016 | 12345Y | 00001Y to approximately 95000Y | |||||
September 26 – December 2016 | As "Maryland Proud" passenger base | none | 95001Y to 99999Y | ||||
December 2016 – present | 123Y45 | 000Y01 to present | |||||
Multi-purpose | February 1986 – October 1997 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | none | 123456M | 000001M to 999999M | ||
October 1997 – February 2003 | M123456 | M000001 to M999999 | |||||
February 2003 – February 2005 | 123M456 | 000M001 to 479M999 | |||||
February 2005 – April 2007 |
www.maryland.gov | 480M000 to 999M999 | 895M000 through 909M999 were manufactured in New Jersey using that state's serial dies, while the plate production facility at the Maryland State Prison was closed for three weeks due to inmate unrest.[4] | ||||
April 2007 – June 13, 2010 |
12345M6 | 00000M1 to approximately 61999M9 | |||||
Truck | February 1986 – December 1992 | As shield passenger base | none | 123 456 | 300 001 to 999 999, then 000 001 to 299 999 (from 1989) |
||
December 1992 – February 2005 | 12A 345 | 00A 001 to 22R 999 | |||||
February 2005 – June 13, 2010 | www.maryland.gov | 23R 000 to approximately 99X 999 |
Government plates
Plates issued to local and state government agencies, including police and transit buses operated by a city or county or the state (for City of Baltimore).
Image | Type | First issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Local government-owned vehicle | 1986 | Black on reflective white with shield as separator in serial | none | L/G 12345 | L/G 00001 to approximately L/G 75000 | ||
2005 | www.maryland.gov | L/G 75001 to L/G 99999 | |||||
2014 | As above, but with shield at left | 12345 L/G | 00001 L/G to 17397 L/G (as of December 9, 2020) | ||||
State government-owned vehicle | 1986 | Black on reflective white with shield as separator in serial | none | S/G 12345 | S/G 00001 to approximately S/G 22800 | Serials S/G 80000 and up used on State Highway Administration vehicles.[10] | |
2005 | www.maryland.gov | S/G 22801 to approximately S/G 30500 | |||||
2014 | As above, but with shield at left | 12345 S/G | 00001 S/G to 07271 S/G (as of December 20, 2020) |
Temporary plates
Image(s) | Type and/or tenure | Date(s) issued | Design | Information imprinting method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Temporary, 20-day | 1955 | Black on white cardboard | Hand-written | |
1959–1963 | ||||
Temporary, 30-day | 1970–1977 | |||
1980s | Combination, hand-written and hole-punched | |||
Temporary, 45-day | 1998–2000 | Green on white cardboard | Hand-written | |
Temporary, 60-day | 2002–2003 | Blue on white cardboard | ||
2006 | Combination, hand-written and machine-printed | |||
Temporary | 2011–2013[11] | Black on white paper[12][13] | Computer-printed | |
2013–present[13] | Machine-printed |
Organization plates
References
- "Old Maryland License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
- Tanner, Eric N. "Maryland Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- Kretschmer, Rick. "Current and Recent Maryland License Plates". Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
- Sage, Kit; Tanner, Eric. "licenseplates.cc Maryland highs page". Retrieved January 3, 2011.
- "FAQs for the New Maryland License Plate". Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- "Hogan unveils new, Maryland-flag themed license plates". The Baltimore Sun. August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- MDDeptPublicSafety (September 2, 2016). "Maryland Proud License Plate" – via YouTube.
- "New Chesapeake Bay License Plate Design Unveiled" (Press release). Annapolis: Chesapeake Bay Trust. PR Newswire. October 18, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- Kretschmer, Rick. "Maryland Government Vehicle and Official License Plates". Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- Kretschmer, Rick. "Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives - Maryland Temporary and Special Event Plates". www.ricksplates.com.
- "Maryland 3 Y2K". www.plateshack.com.
- [email protected], Jane Bellmyer. "MVA now offers better temporary tag for new vehicles".
Further reading
- "Maryland license plates, 1969–present" (June 16, 2017), by David Nicholson, Christopher Jackson, and Jeff Ellis, License Plates of North America, 1969–present
External links
- Media related to Vehicle registration plates of Maryland at Wikimedia Commons