Vehicle registration plates of Virginia explained

Slogan Label:Slogan
Slogan:Virginia is for Lovers
Size:12x
Material:Aluminum
Serial Format:ABC-1234
Issuer:Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

The U.S. state of Virginia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1906., plates are issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Motor vehicle registration statistics

As of 2008, the DMV has 7,698,416 active registrations, 1,696,795 (22%) of which are special or personalized plates.[1] One out of every ten personalized license plates in the United States is registered to a Virginia driver.[2] The high take-up of vanity plates in the state is arguably due to the fact that, unlike in many other states, a personalized plate in Virginia costs just $10 more than a randomly-assigned registration plate. In 2008, 1,624,146 pairs of license plates were sold, with 831,361 of them being personalized plates.[3]

Passenger baseplates

1906 to 1972

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 6inches in height by 12inches in width, with standardized mounting holes.[4] The first Virginia license plate that complied with these standards was issued eight years beforehand, in 1948.

No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.

ImageDates issuedDesignSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
White serial on black porcelain plate; "VA" at right12341 to approximately 4500
1910Red serial on white porcelain plate; "VA. 1910" at right12341 to approximately 2600First dated plate. Issued only from June 15 through December 31, 1910.[5]
1911White serial on blue porcelain plate; "VA. 1911" at right1234101 to approximately 4000
1912White serial on green porcelain plate, "VA. 1912" at right1234101 to approximately 6000
1913White serial on maroon porcelain plate; "VA 1913" at right12341 to approximately 9000
1914Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "VA 1914" at right123451 to approximately 14000First embossed plate.
1915Embossed white serial on dark green plate; "VA 1915" at right123451 to approximately 21000
1916Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate; "VA 1916" at right123451 to approximately 35000
1917Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VA 1917" at right123451 to approximately 52000
1918Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "VA 1918" at right123451 to approximately 71000
1919Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VA 1919" at right123451 to approximately 88000
1920Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "VA 20" at right1234561 to approximately 126000
1921Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "VA 21" at right123-4561 to approximately 146-000
1922Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; white lines at top and bottom borders; "VA 22" at right1234561 to approximately 145000
1923Embossed white serial on dark green plate; white lines at top and bottom borders; "VA 23" at right1234561 to approximately 189000
1924Embossed white serial on red plate; "VIRGINIA - 24" centered at top1234561 to approximately 217000Manufactured in New Jersey to the same design as that state's 1924 plates. First use of the full state name.
1925Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 1925" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 235-000
1926Embossed golden yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 26" centered at top123-4561 to approximately 273-000
1927Embossed red serial on green plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 27" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 293-000
1928Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1928" centered at top123-4561 to approximately 317-000
1929Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1929" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 321-000
1930Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1930" centered at top123-4561 to approximately 349-000
1931Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1931" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 368-000
1932Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1932" centered at top123-4561 to approximately 376-000
1933Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1933" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 334-000
1934Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1934" at top123-4561 to approximately 337-000
1935Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1935" at top123-4561 to approximately 335-000
1936Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate; "VIRGINIA - 1936" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 360-000
1937Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1937" at top123-4561 to approximately 375-000
1938Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1938" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 388-000
1939Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1939" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 402-000
1940Embossed black serial on white plate; "1940 - VIRGINIA" at top123-4561 to approximately 438-000
1941Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 - VIRGINIA - 41" at top123-4561 to approximately 491-000

1942–43Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1942" at top123-4561 to approximately 524-000Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "1944 - VA" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 468-000
1945Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 - VIRGINIA - 45" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 475-000
1946Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1946" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 524-000
1947Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "19 VIRGINIA 47" at top123-4561 to approximately 567-000
1948Embossed white serial on black plate; "1948 VIRGINIA" at top123-4561 to approximately 642-000
1949Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "VIRGINIA 1949" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 698-000
1950Embossed white serial on black plate; "1950 VIRGINIA" at bottom123-4561 to approximately 783-000

1951–52Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 51" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999Revalidated for 1952 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War.[6] Plates with serials A100-000 and up used narrower serial dies; this practice continued until 1969.[7]
A-100 to approximately A145-000
1953Embossed orange serial on blue plate; "19 VIRGINIA 53" at top123-4561 to approximately 940-000
1954Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1954" at top123-4561 to approximately 999-999
1955Embossed black serial on white plate; "1955 VIRGINIA" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A122-000
1956Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 56" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A178-000
1957Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1957" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A223-000
1958Embossed white serial on black plate; "1958 VIRGINIA" at top123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A232-000
1959Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 59" at top123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A259-000
1960Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1960" at top123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A240-000
1961Embossed black serial on white plate; "1961 VIRGINIA" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A273-000
1962Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 62" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A344-000
1963Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1963" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A425-000
1964Embossed white serial on black plate; "1964 VIRGINIA" at top123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A504-000
1965Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 65" at top123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A545-000
1966Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1966" at top123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A626-000
1967Embossed black serial on white plate; "1967 VIRGINIA" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A700-000
1968Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 68" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A788-000
1969Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1969" at bottom123-4561 to 999-999All plates now used the narrower serial dies introduced on the 1951–52 base.
A123-456A-100 to approximately A857-000
1970Embossed white serial on black plate; "1970 VIRGINIA" at top123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to approximately A966-000

1971Embossed black serial on white plate, with or without border line; "19 VIRGINIA 71" at top123-4561 to 999-999
A123-456A-100 to
A999-999
ABC 123AAA 001 to AAD 999
B12-345B-1 to approximately B54-000
1972Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA 1972" at topABC-123AAA-001 to DZZ-999Letters I, O and Q not used in serials; this practice continues today (except 1988–92).[8]

1973 to present

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
1973–79Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "VIRGINIA" centered at topnoneABC-123AAA-101 to NZZ-999;
SAA-101 to SZZ-999
Revalidated with stickers until 1984. 'P' series of serials reserved for light trucks, and 'R' series for rental cars (the latter practice continued until the late 1990s).[9]
1979–92Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Virginia" screened in blue centered at topnoneABC-123AAA-101 to ZZZ-999 (see right)Still currently revalidated. Serials UAA-101 through ZZZ-999 issued first, followed by AAA-101 through SZZ-999 as 1973–79 plates were invalidated, then (from 1988) all serials with I, O, Q and T as the first letter, and finally (from 1990) all remaining serials with I, O or Q as the second and/or third letters (beginning with AAI-101 and ending with ZZQ-999).
1993Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "Virginia" screened in blue centered at topnoneZZZ-9999 to approximately ZXX-1000Serials progressed backwards, presumably due to the serials on the optional Scenic plate (see Optional plates below) progressing forward from AAA-1000.
1993 – June
2002
As above, but with state name in all capital lettersZXW-9999 to approximately XYN-1000
July
2002 – early
2003
Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "VIRGINIA" screened in blue centered at top"400th Anniversary" in red centered at bottom, with a red ship graphic between the two words, plus "1607" to the left and "2007" to the rightABC-1234Exclusively from JAA-1000 to JAX-9999; intermittently from JAY-1000 to JDC-9999Issued in advance of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. Serials progressed forward from the start of the 'J' series (presumably for Jamestown). The slogan was originally printed on a white sticker, before it started to be screened directly onto the plate at around the JAM series.
October 2002 – June
2006
As above, but with state name in redIntermittently from JAY-1000 to JDC-9999; exclusively from JDD-1000 to KCW-9999
June
2006 – December 2007
Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "VIRGINIA" screened in red centered at top; Jamestown 400th Anniversary logo screened at bottom left and "2007" at bottom right"JAMESTOWN" screened in blue and "AMERICA'S 400TH ANNIVERSARY" in red, both centered at bottomABC-1234KCX-1000 to KNP-9999
January 2008 – February 2014Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "VIRGINIA" screened in blue centered at topnoneABC-1234XXP-9999 to approximately WJZ-1000Return to 1993 base. Serials progressed backwards as before.
March 2014 – present"VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS" screened in black, plus a red heart for the second 'V', centered at bottomVAA-1000 to VZZ-9999; UZZ-9999 to THZ-9064 Serials progressed forward through the 'V' series (presumably for Virginia), then backwards through the 'U' and 'T' series.

Non-passenger plates

ImageTypeFirst issuedDesignSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Disabled person1993blue on reflective white with blue screened state nameEmbossed International Symbol of Access at left.
Motorcycle1975Embossed dark blue serial on non-reflective white plate with border line; "VA." centered at top1234561 to approximately 370000
1979As above, but reflective370001 to approximately 960000
1992As above, but without border line960001 to 999999, then 10001 to 960000
2018A12345
12345A
Z10001 to Z99999; W10001 to W99999; 10001W to 79606W

Optional plates

Virginia offers 333 optional license plates.http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/plate_search.asp Most can be personalized for an additional fee.

ImageTypeDates issuedDesignSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Independence BicentennialEmbossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; blue bust of George Washington and thirteen red stars (representing the original colonies) screened in the center; "Virginia" and "1776 Independence Bicentennial 1976" screened in red centered at top and bottom respectively123-456100-001 to
500-000
Still currently revalidated.
ScenicJuly 1992 – presentEmbossed dark blue serial on reflective graphic plate with pale blue sky, light blue mountains, green fields, yellow sand and light blue sea; "VIRGINIA" screened in blue centered at topAAA-1000 to AFA-4164
Autumn LeavesMay – October 1997Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; ten orange and yellow gradient leaves behind serial; "Virginia" screened in black centered at top1234-ABC1000-AAA to approximately 9999-AADRevised design introduced in response to visibility concerns surrounding the original design.[10]
October 1997 – presentAs above, but with leaves around edge of plate1000-BAA to 1300-BBL
PatriotMay 1997 – presentSimilar to passenger base, but with Revolutionary War fifer graphic at right123ABC101AAA to 199AEK
George Washington Bicentennial1999 to ?Dark blue on Flag of the United States with image of Washington.1234WB1001WB to ?Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1999 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Virginia has been so honored.

Type codes

CodePrefixSuffix
AAcardinal
ABcardinalI'm Animal Friendly
ACcardinalAverett University
(Averett College prior to 2001)
ADcardinal
AEcardinalVirginia Aviation
AGcardinal
AHcardinalAntique (blue/yellow)
AJcardinal
AKcardinalAlpha Kappa Alpha
Apportioned Permanent
ALAntique (blue/yellow)Fight Terrorism (A/L)
AMTexas A&M University
ANFight Terrorism (A/N)
APAppalachian State UniversityAlpha Phi Alpha
Appalachian Trail
AQAntique (blue/yellow)
ASNational Air and Space Museum
ATAntique (blue/yellow)Virginians for the Arts
AUAuburn University
AWAntique (blue/yellow)
AXAlexandria
AYAntique (blue/yellow)
BAWildlife Conservationist − bass
BB
BCBridgewater CollegeBreast Cancer
BDWildlife Conservationist − bear
BEProtect Pollinators
BFBluefield CollegeTiger Swallowtail - State Insect
BGAirborne (173 ABN BDE Sky Soldiers)
BHTiger Swallowtail - State Insect
BIShare the Road
BJProtect Wildlife
BNcardinalWildlife Conservationist − bluebird
BQAntique (blue/yellow)
BRBlue Ridge Community CollegeBlue Ridge Parkway
BTWildlife Conservationist − brook trout
BUBoatUS
BVcardinal
BWBowler
BZBronze StarBronze Star - Valor
CBChesapeake
CCCommonwealth College
CDI'm Animal Friendly
CFcardinalClean Special Fuel
CGU.S. Coast Guard
CHChesterfield County
CJVirginia Railway Heritage
CLRemember the USS Cole
Choose Life
CMFriends of Coal
CNCombat Infantryman
CPWashington Capitals
CRCredit Unions
CTClean Special Fuel
CUClemson University
CVSons of Confederate Veterans
CWColonial Williamsburg
CXcardinalClean Special Fuel
CYClean Special FuelClean Special Fuel
CZcardinal
DBDrive Out Diabetes
DCDanville Community College
DKDuke University
DLDabney S. Lancaster Community College
DRDrive Smart
DUDucks Unlimited
DYcardinal
EBProtect Pollinators
ECEast Carolina University
EDEducation Begins at Home
EEMountain Empire Community College
EGWildlife Conservationist − bald eagle
EHWildlife Conservationist − bald eagle
EJcardinal
EMEastern Mennonite University
ENcardinal
EPcardinal
ESEastern Shore
ETEastern Shore
EWcardinal
EYcardinal
FBFranchised Motorcycle DealerTiger Swallowtail - State Insect
FDFight Terrorism (F/D)
FGcardinalVirginia Farms
FKcardinal
FLWildflowers
FMFranchised Motor Home Dealer
FPFraternal Order of Police
FTFight Terrorism (F/T)
FXFoxhunting
FYcardinal
FZcardinal
GAcardinalGreyhound Adoption
GLFreemason
GMGeorge Mason University
GOU.S. Army
GTGeorgia Tech
GVcardinal
GXcardinal
HCHollins University
(Hollins College prior to 1998)
HDHarley Owners Group
HEHorse Enthusiast
HIOhio State University
HMIn God We Trust
HNHorse Enthusiast
HSHampden-Sydney
HVHorse Enthusiast
ICInternet Capital
IDIndependent Dealer
JBParrotheads
JDParrotheads
JMJames Madison UniversityJames Madison University
JRJames River Park System
JVcardinal
JYcardinal
KCKnights of Columbus
KFKids First
KGKids First
KPcardinal
KVKorean War Veteran
KXcardinal
KYcardinal
LDLighthouses
LEGeneral Robert E. Lee
LFLighthouses
LGLighthouses
LHAlzheimer's Association
LILighthouses
LJLighthouses
LKLighthouses
LMLighthouses
LPLighthouses
LTLighthouses
LVLions of Virginia
LWPolice - Heroes Live Forever
LXLord Fairfax Community College
LYcardinal
MALighthouses
MELighthouses
MGLighthouses
MHcardinal
MILighthouses
MLMarine Corps League
MPcardinal
MRUS Marine Corps
MUcardinal
MVMove Over
MXcardinal
MYSupport Our Troops
NAOceana Naval Air Station
NBNatural Bridge
NCcardinal
NENatural Bridge
NHcardinal
NJcardinal
NKcardinal
NLcardinal
NNcardinalNorthern Neck
NONorthern Neck
NRNational Rifle Association
NTWashington Nationals
NVNorthern Virginia Community CollegeNaval Aviator
NXcardinal
NYcardinalUnited States Navy
NZcardinal
ODOld Dominion University
PDFight Terrorism (P/D)
PFProfessional FirefighterProfessional Firefighter
PHPurple Heart
PKcardinal
PLcardinal
PNPoquoson
POPoquoson
PSPenn State UniversityVirginia Community Peacebuilding
PTFight Terrorism (P/T)
PVPiedmont Virginia Community College
RDWashington Redskins
RNRuritan National
RURadford University
SBSweet Briar College
SFUS Marine CorpsSurfrider Foundation
SLProtect Sea Life
SMSmith Mountain Lake
SNShenandoah National Park
TDTidewater Community College
TEDon't Tread on Me
TGDon't Tread on Me
THTobacco Heritage
TIFriends of Tibet
TJDon't Tread on Me
TKWildlife Conservationist − turkey
TMDon't Tread on Me
TNUniversity of Tennessee
TPDon't Tread on Me
TRDon't Tread on Me
TSDon't Tread on Me
TUDon't Tread on Me
TXDon't Tread on Me
UAcardinalUnlocking Autism
UBWar of 1812
UEDon't Tread on Me
UFUniversity of Florida
UGDon't Tread on Me
UHDon't Tread on Me
UJcardinalDon't Tread on Me
ULcardinalDon't Tread on Me
UMcardinal
UPUnited We Stand
UQDon't Tread on Me
USUnited We Stand
UTDon't Tread on Me
UUcardinalDon't Tread on Me
UVUniversity of Virginia
UWcardinalUnited We Stand
UXcardinalDon't Tread on Me
UYcardinalDon't Tread on Me
UZcardinal
VAVirginians for the Arts
VBVirginia BeachVirginia Beach
VEcardinal
VGcardinal
VHVirginia Highlands Community College
VJcardinal
VPState ParksVirginia Tech - Mountains
VRVirginia Realtors
VTVirginia TechIraqi Freedom Veteran
VUVirginia Union University
VVVietnam Veterans of AmericaVietnam Veteran
VXcardinal
VYcardinal
VZcardinal
WAWilliamsburg 300th Anniversary
WBGeorge Washington Bicentennial
WDcardinalWildlife Conservationist − white-tailed deer
WFWallops Flight Facility
WGWilliamsburg 300th Anniversary
WHcardinal
WIWildlife Conservationist − white-tailed deer
WLWildlife Conservationist − mallard
WNcardinal
WZcardinal
XADon't Tread on Me
XBDon't Tread on Me
XCDon't Tread on Me
XDDon't Tread on Me
XEDon't Tread on Me
XGDon't Tread on Me
XHDon't Tread on Me
XJDon't Tread on Me
XKDon't Tread on Me
XLDon't Tread on Me
XMDon't Tread on Me
XNDon't Tread on Me
ZAcardinal
ZDcardinal
ZEPermanent Trailer
ZFcardinal
ZHcardinal
ZKcardinal
ZLcardinal
ZNcardinal
ZPcardinal
ZRcardinal
ZScardinal
ZTcardinal
ZUcardinal
ZVcardinal
ZWcardinal
ZYcardinal
ZZcardinal

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/general/news/pdf/ActiveVehicleRegistrationsFY08.pdf Special and Personalized License Plates Report
  2. Web site: 2007-11-12 . Va. drivers vainest of them all with their plates . 2024-06-12 . NBC News . en.
  3. http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/general/news/pdf/BusinessProfileFY07.pdf DMV Business Profile
  4. Garrish . Christopher . October 2016 . Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size . Plates . . 62 . 5.
  5. Web site: Taylor . Eric Robert . Virginia Archive . PorcelainPlates.net . July 19, 2017.
  6. Web site: Virginia License Plates from 1906- . Pang . Andrew . licensepl8s.com . July 11, 2015.
  7. Web site: Kretschmer . Rick . Virginia Passenger Cars 1933-1972 . Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives . July 3, 2018.
  8. Web site: Tanner . Eric N. . Virginia Passenger License Plates . allaboutlicenseplates.com . November 10, 2020.
  9. Web site: Kretschmer . Rick . Virginia Passenger Cars 1973-Present . Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives . August 26, 2019.
  10. News: Chernicky . David . September 23, 1997 . Autumn Leaves Fall Into Place On Plate . . Newport News . July 18, 2015.