Vehicle registration plates of Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1920, while still a British dominion. It became a province of Canada in 1949.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Current series
Size	12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm
Serial format	ABC 123
Introduced	April 2007
Availability
Issued by	Digital Government and Service NL, Motor Registration Division
Manufactured by	Waldale Manufacturing Limited, Amherst, Nova Scotia[1]
History
First issued	1925

In 1956, Canada, the United States, 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 licence 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 (dated 1957) issue was the first Newfoundland licence plate that fully complied with these standards: the issues from 1951 (dated 1952) through 1955 (dated 1956) were all 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.

The last complete re-registration of all registered vehicles in Newfoundland and Labrador was in 1981, with a switch from a numerical system to an alphanumeric system.

All plates issued since 1982 (beginning AAA-001) remain valid today. Plates remain with the vehicle to which they are originally registered, rather than with the owner. Used vehicles with expired plates are issued new licence plates, while used vehicles with valid plates retain their original licence plate.

Since 1985, the province has not used the letters I, Q, U or Y on licence plates,[3] except on plates that use "VO1" (or "VO2" for Labrador) followed by two or three letters. However, the HAY series was issued on the 1996-97 Cabot 500 base, while the TFI series was issued on trailers in 2010. The letter I is skipped because it closely resembles the number 1, while the letter Q is skipped because it closely resembles the letter O (which the province does use) and the number zero.

Since September 1997, the province requires only a rear plate for most registrations, except for B, C, E and G plates (see below). Some older cars still display both front and rear plates. Some early "World of Difference" and Cabot 500 base plates were issued in duplicate for the front and rear.

On Newfoundland licence plates, the first letter (or two letters) designates the registration class of the vehicle. For example, HMT-999 would be assigned to a passenger car, while TZD-019 would be assigned to a trailer.

Vehicle class

First letter(s)	Vehicle type	Notes on use/expiration/issue	Current/last issue
A	Private car	Began at AAA-001 in 1982; ended at AZZ-999 on World of Difference base in 1998. Front and rear plates required until 1997.	AZZ-999
B	Bus	BAx for public-use buses, BPx for private-use buses (e.g. tour buses). Front and rear plates required.	BAJ-736 BPD-893
C	Truck/heavy vehicle	Issued to pickup trucks, SUVs and large vans. Began at CAA-001 in 1982; reached CZZ-999 on pitcher plant base in 2017, followed by CA0 001 onwards. Front and rear plates required. CRx indicates large mobile crane units that are generally overwidth and need special permits and escort on public roadways. Some trucks and vans may now be registered as private cars.	CE8-182
D	Dealer	Issued to auto dealers for test driving and transporting cars.	DAW-146
E	Emergency vehicle	Emergency vehicles (fire trucks or police cars) are registered as provincial or municipal, as private ambulance companies operate in NL. Front and rear plates required. Also used by search and rescue vehicles.	EAD-473
F	Farm vehicle	FAx for farm tractors, FEx for farm equipment, FTx for farm trucks that operate on roads. Infrequently issued.	FAD-638 FEC-654 FTD-273
G	Government vehicle	GMx on municipal vehicles, GPx on provincial, GFx on federal. Front and rear plates required.	GMN-309 GPP-553 GFL-854
H	Private car	Issued as next available letter after 'A' series. Began at HAB-001 on Cabot base in fall of 1996; issued on World of Difference base from 1998; ended at HZZ-999 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013.	HZZ-999
J	Private car	Issued as next available letter after 'H' series. Began at JAA-001 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013.	JNR-902
M	Motorcycle	Began at MCA-001 in 1982.	MEK-031
PR	Apportioned	Issued to transport trucks. Began at PRP-001 in 1982; reached PRZ-999 on pitcher plant base in 2012, followed by PRA-001 onwards.	PRB-961
T	Trailer	Began at TAA-001 in 1982; jumped from TET-999 to TVT-001 when flag base was introduced in 2001; reached TZZ-999 then jumped back to TEV-001 on pitcher plant base in 2008. TXx reserved for taxi plates.	TLD-004
TX	Licensed taxi	Supplemented with a municipal taxi licence sticker.	TXP-359
W	Tow truck	Tow trucks display a second plate (in addition to a 'C' series plate). Infrequently issued.	WAE-535
X	Heavy machinery	Issued to tractors, backhoes, forklifts, etc.	XAW-128

Passenger baseplates

1925 to 1969

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1925	Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; vertical "NFLD" and "1925" at left and right respectively	none	1234	1001 to approximately 2100
	1926	Embossed black serial on cream plate with border line; vertical "NFLD" and "1926" at left and right respectively	none	1234	1001 to approximately 2000
	1927	Embossed white serial on forest green plate with border line; "NFLD 1927" at bottom	none	1234	1001 to approximately 2500
	1928	Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "NFLD 1928" at bottom	none	1234	1001 to approximately 2700
	1929	Embossed white serial on ocean blue plate with border line; "NFLD 1929" at bottom	none	1234	1001 to approximately 3200
	1930	Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-30" at bottom	none	1234	1001 to approximately 3500
	1931	Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-31" at bottom	none	1234	1001 to approximately 3600
	1932	Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-32" at bottom	none	1234	1001 to approximately 3300
	1933	Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-33" at bottom	none	1234	1001 to approximately 2800
	1934	Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-34" at bottom	none	1234	1001 to approximately 3600
	1935	Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-35" at top	none	1234	1001 to approximately 3900
	1936	Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-36" at bottom	none	1234	1001 to approximately 4200
	1937	Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; embossed crown graphic at left; "NEWFOUNDLAND-37" at top	none	1234	1001 to approximately 4800
	1938	Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-38" at bottom	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 5-100
	1939	Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-39" at top	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 4-900
	1940	Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-40" at bottom	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 5-400
	1941	Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-41" at top	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 5-000
	1942	Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-42" at bottom	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 6-500	Reused in 1944 due to metal conservation for World War II.
	1943	Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-43" at top	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 6-100
	1944	As 1942 base, but red on black	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 5-700	Repainted and reused 1942 plates.
	1945	Hand-painted white serial on dark green flat metal plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND-45" at top	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 4-700
	1946	Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-46" at bottom	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 6-400
	1947	Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-47" at top	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 7-200
	1948	Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-48" at bottom	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 8-000
	1949	Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-49" at top	none	1-234	1-001 to approximately 9-000
	1950	Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-50" at top	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 11-500
	1951	Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND 51" at bottom	none	12-345	10-001 to approximately 23-500
	1952	Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-52" at bottom	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 19-000
	1953	Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-53" at top	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 21-000
	1954	Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-54" at top	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 26-500
	1955	Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-55" at bottom	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 28-000
	1956	Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-56" at top	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 36-000
	1957	Embossed yellow serial on sky blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-57" at bottom	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 38-000
	1958	Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-58" at top	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 39-000
	1959	Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-59" at bottom	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 43-000
	1960	Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-60" at top	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 45-000
	1961	Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-61" at bottom	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 49-000
	1962	Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-62" at top	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 55-000
	1963	Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-63" at bottom	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 59-000
	1964	Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-64" at top	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 65-000
	1965	Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND" and "LABRADOR" centred and top and bottom respectively; "19" at top left and "65" at top right	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 70-000
	1966	Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1966" centred at top and bottom respectively	none	12-345	1-001 to approximately 74-000
	1967	Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1967" centred at top and bottom respectively	"CANADA CENTENNIAL" between serial and year	12-345	1-001 to approximately 79-000
	1968	Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" at top; "19" at bottom left and "68" at bottom right	"CANADA'S HAPPY PROVINCE" centred at bottom	12-345	1-001 to approximately 87-000
	1969	Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1969" centred at top and bottom respectively; embossed blue lightning bolts either side of year	"THE MIGHTY CHURCHILL" between serial and year	12-345	1-001 to approximately 88-000

1970 to present

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1970–72	Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1970" centred at top and bottom respectively	none	123-456	1-001 to approximately 136-000
	1973–75	Embossed red serial on white plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1973" centred at top and bottom respectively	none	123-456	1-001 to approximately 165-000
	1976–82	Embossed blue serial on orange plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1976" centred at top and bottom respectively	none	123-456	1-001 to approximately 259-000
	1982 – mid 1993	Embossed blue serial on white plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND" and "AND LABRADOR" in red centred at top and bottom respectively	none	ABC-123	AAA-001 to ASZ-999
	mid 1993 – September 1996	Embossed red serial on white plate; graphic screened at bottom featuring a Viking ship with a red sail against a yellow sunset; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in red at top	"A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" screened in red below and to right of graphic	ABC 123	ATA 001 to AZF 999
	September 1996 – September 1997	Embossed red serial on light blue and white gradient plate; screened red graphic of John Cabot centred at bottom; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in blue at top	"CABOT" screened in blue to right of graphic, and "Celebrate 500 Years" in black to left	ABC 123	HAB 001 to HBC 999	Commemorated the 500th anniversary of Cabot's voyage to Newfoundland.
	September 1997 – October 2001	As 1993–96 base	"A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" as from 1993–96	ABC 123	AZG 001 to AZZ 999; HBD 001 to HEP 999
	October 2001 – July 2002	Embossed red serial on white plate; screened provincial flag centred slightly below serial; "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CANADA" screened in red below flag	none	ABC 123	HER 001 to HFO 999
	July 2002 – September 2003	As above, but with "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR" centred at top, and "CANADA" increased in size			HFP 001 to HGZ 999
	September 2003 – April 2007	As above, but with flag graphic revised and increased in size, "Newfoundland & Labrador" at top, and "CANADA" removed			HHA 001 to HMT 999
	April 2007 – present	Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue below	none	ABC 123	HMV 001 to JNR 902 (as of January 29, 2021)

Non-passenger plates

Image	Type	Dates issued	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	Motorcycle	1982– 2004	Similar design to 1982 passenger base; debossed sticker box at bottom left	M/C A-123	M/C A-001 to M/C X-999
		2004–07	Embossed red serial on white plate; border lines around plate and around sticker box at bottom left; "NEWFOUNDLAND" at top; "& LABRADOR" at bottom right	MBC-123	MDA-001 to MDE-999
		2007– present	Similar design to pitcher plant passenger base; debossed sticker box at bottom left		MDF-001 to MEK-031 (as of June 28, 2019)
	Trailer	1982–94	As 1982 passenger base	TBC-123	TAA-001 to TDE-999
		1994–96	As World of Difference passenger base	TBC 123	TDF 001 to TDR 999
		1996–97	As Cabot passenger base		TDS 001 to TDX 999
		1997–2001	As World of Difference passenger base		TDZ 001 to TET 999
		2001–02	As 2001 flag passenger base		TVT 001 to TVV 999
		2002–03	As 2002 flag passenger base		TVW 001 to TWE 999
		2003–07	As 2003 flag passenger base		TWF 001 to TWZ 999; TZA 001 to TZC 999
		2007– present	As pitcher plant passenger base		TZD 001 to TZZ 999; TEV 001 to TLD 004 (as of September 13, 2020)
	Truck	1982–95	As 1982 passenger base	CBC-123	CAA-001 to CHV-999
		1995–96	As World of Difference passenger base	CBC 123	CHW 001 to CJH 999
		1996–97	As Cabot passenger base		CKL 001 to CKR 999
		1997– 2003	As World of Difference passenger base		CJJ 001 to CKK 999; CKS 001 to CMS 999
		2003–04	As 2001 flag passenger base		CMT 001 to CNE 999
		2004–07	As 2003 flag passenger base		CNF 001 to COS 999
		2007–17	As pitcher plant passenger base		COT 001 to CZZ 999	Series CRA through CRZ reserved for mobile crane units.
		2017–present		CB1 234	CA0 001 to CE8 182 (as of December 30, 2020)

References

1. Drost, Philip (April 19, 2018). "Peel... in this place: Why thousands of licence plates are being recalled". CBC News. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
2. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
3. Tanner, Eric N. "Newfoundland and Labrador Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.

External links

• Newfoundland and Labrador licence plates, 1969–present