Vehicle registration plates of Maryland

Current Maryland standard license plate

The U.S. state of Maryland first required its residents to register their vehicles and display license plates in 1910.

Passenger plates 1910 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Association that fixed the size for license plates for vehicles, except those for motorcycles, at six inches in height by twelve inches in width, with standardized mounting holes. 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 Black on yellow, and Green on yellow Willard plates none 1234 Two Willard 1910 plates are shown, one with the green numbers on yellow plate, and one with the original black numbers on yellow plate.
1911 White on black none 1234
1912 Blue on white none 1234
1913 Yellow on black none 12345
1914 White on green none 12345
1915 White on blue none 12345
1916 Yellow on blue none 12345
1917 Green on white none 12-345
1918 White on blue none 12-345
1919 Black on white none 12-345
1920 White on red none 12-345
1921 Red on white none 123-456
1922 White on black none 123-456
1923 Black on yellow none 123-456
1924 Orange on black none 123-456
1925 White on dark green none 123-456
1926 White on black none 123-456
1927 Black on white none 123-456
1928 White on medium blue none 123-456
1929 Bright blue on white none 123-456
1930 White on green none 123-456
1931 White on red none 123-456
1932 Red on white none 123-456
1933 White on blue none 123-456
1934 Yellow on black none 123-456 1634 on left MARYLAND in middle 1934 on right TERCENTENARY on bottom
1935 Blue on white none 123-456

1936 White on black none 123-456 For some reason "19" was stamped on the left MARYLAND stayed in the middle and "36" was stamped on the right
1937 Black on white none 123-456
1938–39 Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-39" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456
1939–40 Embossed green numbers on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-40" embossed in green block letters at bottom none 123-456
1940–41 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-41" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456
1941–44 Embossed black numbers on silver plate with border line; "MARYLAND" embossed in black block letters centered at top; "3-31" embossed in top left corner and "1942" in top right corner "DRIVE CAREFULLY" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom 123-456 30-000 to approximately 647-000 Revalidated until March 31, 1943 with yellow tabs, and then until March 31, 1944 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944–47 Embossed silver numbers on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" embossed in silver block letters centered at top; "3-31" embossed in top left corner and "1945" in top right corner "DRIVE CAREFULLY" embossed in silver block letters centered at bottom 123-456 30-000 to approximately 688-000 Revalidated until March 31, 1946 with silver tabs, and then until March 31, 1947 with yellow tabs.
1947–51 Embossed black numbers on silver plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "48" embossed in black block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 795-000 Revalidated until March 31, 1949 with black tabs, then until March 31, 1950 with red tabs, and finally until March 31, 1951 with black tabs.
1951–53 Embossed silver numbers on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "MARCH 52" embossed in silver block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 795-000 Revalidated until March 31, 1953 with white tabs.
1953–54 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "54" embossed in yellow block letters 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.
1954–55 Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "55" embossed in black block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none AB♦12♦34 Letter K added to two-letter series.
1955–56 Embossed red numbers on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "56" embossed in red block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none AB:12:34
1956–57 Embossed dark green numbers on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-57" embossed in dark green block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-12-34
1957–58 Embossed white numbers on dark green plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-58" embossed in white block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-12-34 Letter L added to two-letter series.
1958–59 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-59" embossed in blue block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none AB:12:34
1959–60 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-60" embossed in white block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none AB♦12♦34
1960–61 Embossed black numbers on turquoise plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-61" embossed in black block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none AB:12:34
1961–62 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-62" embossed in blue block letters 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.
1962–63 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-63" embossed in white block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none AB♦12♦34 AA♦10♦01 to approximately FN♦98♦00
1963–64 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-64" embossed in blue block letters centered at top and bottom respectively none AB:12:34 AA:10:01 to approximately FX:92:00
1964–65 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-65" embossed in white block letters centered at bottom and top respectively none AB-1234 AA-1001 to approximately GF-1300
1965–66 Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-66" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom and top respectively none AB♦1234 AA♦1001 to approximately GP♦7800
1966–67 Embossed golden yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-67" embossed in golden yellow block letters centered at bottom and top respectively none AB:1234 AA:1001 to approximately GZ:9000
1967–68 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-68" embossed in blue block letters centered below and above numbers respectively none AB-1234 AA-1001 to approximately HG-8000
1968–69 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-69" embossed in white block letters centered at bottom and top respectively none AB♦1234 AA♦1001 to approximately HT♦5900
1969–70 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-70" embossed in blue block letters centered at bottom and top respectively none AB 1234 AA 1001 to approximately JB 9300
March
1970 – March
1975
Embossed white numbers on blue plate; border line around plate and around sticker spot in bottom right corner; "MARYLAND" embossed in white block letters centered at bottom; "71" embossed in bottom left corner none AB 1234 AA 1001 to approximately SC 4300
March
1975 – March
1980
Embossed red numbers on white plate; border line around plate and around sticker spot in top right corner; "MARYLAND" embossed in red block letters centered at top none ABC 123 AAA 001 to approximately HNB 999
March
1980 – January 1986
Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" embossed in black block letters centered at top none ABC 123 AAA 001 to approximately KHN 999
February 1986 – September 2004 Embossed black numbers on white plate; shield with design of the state flag screened in the center; "Maryland" screened in black italic serifed letters 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 in July 1992.
September 2004 – February 2005 1AB C23 1AA A01 to 9AK Z99
February 2005 – November 2006 "www.maryland.gov" screened in black italic serifed letters centered at bottom 1AL A01 to 9CM Z99
November – December 2006 1CN A01 to 9CN Z99 Manufactured in New Jersey using that state's number dies, while the plate production facility at the Maryland State Prison was closed for three weeks due to inmate unrest.[1]
December 2006 
June 13, 2010
1CP A01 to approximately 4GD J47[2] Identical to 2005–06 plates.
June 14, 2010[3]– 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 has been 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
B
2345
1M
D
0000 to 9M
D
9999,

then 1A
A
0000 to approximately 7C
N
9999

Same serial format used for passenger cars (class A), trucks (class E), and multi-purpose vehicles (class M; SUVs and minivans).
September 26, 2016[4]– present Embossed black numbers on white plate; state flag screened in bottom half; "Maryland" screened in red italic serifed letters centered at top none 1AB2345 8CN0000[5] to present

Optional types

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
December 1975 – February 1977 Embossed blue numbers on white plate; blue graphic screened in top left corner featuring the Fort McHenry cannons; "MARYLAND" screened in red serifed letters centered at bottom; "1776" and "1976" screened in blue italic serifed characters on either side of state name "BICENTENNIAL" screened in blue serifed letters centered at top, with a red star on either side 123 ABC 001 AAA to approximately 999 AFH Last issued February 1977, but remained valid until March 31, 1980.
August 1983 – February 1986 Embossed black numbers on white plate; shield with design of the state flag screened in the center; "Maryland" screened in black italic serifed letters centered at top; "1634" and "1984" screened in black block characters on either side of state name "350th Anniversary" screened in black italic serifed letters 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 and, to date, only time Maryland has been so honored. Adopted as standard passenger base from 1986 onwards (see above).
December 1990 – January 2004 Embossed dark green numbers on white plate; blue heron graphic screened in the center and dark green reed graphics at bottom corners; "Maryland" screened in blue serifed letters centered at top "Treasure the Chesapeake" screened in blue block letters 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[2]
January 2004 – present Embossed black numbers on graphic plate featuring gradient blue sky, white sea, a heron and reeds at far left, and a Chesapeake blue crab on sand in bottom right corner; "MARYLAND" screened in white serifed letters centered at top "Treasure the Chesapeake" screened in blue italic block letters centered at bottom 12345 C
A

12345 B
Y 
;

1234D
A
 

00001 C
B
to 99999 C
B
;

00001 B
Y
to 99999 B
Y
;

00001 C
A
to 99999 C
A
;

00001 C
C
to present

Same serial formats used for passenger and multi-purpose vehicles.
July 2001 – present Embossed black numbers on 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 italic serifed letters centered at top "Our Farms, Our Future" screened in two lines of yellow italic serifed letters in bottom right corner A123456 A000001 to present 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 numbers on yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND" screened in black block letters centered at top "1910 VINTAGE" screened in black block letters centered at bottom VR12345 (passenger car) VG12345 (antique vehicles/hot rods) VR1234♿ (handicapped) VR00001 to approximately VR00760. VR00300 and up were issued to the general public, VR00001 to VR00299 were issued by special request Special reproduction of Maryland's first license plate.

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, as of June 14, 2010, trucks and multi-purpose vehicles are being issued the "War of 1812" 200th anniversary commemorative design plate (see passenger table above) with the same serial format.

Image Type Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Motorcycle 1986–89 Similar to shield passenger base, but without shield 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 – present 12345Y 00001Y to present
Multi-Purpose February 1986 – October 1997 Similar to shield passenger base, but without shield 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 number dies, while the plate production facility at the Maryland State Prison was closed for three weeks due to inmate unrest.[1]
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 state and local 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 black on reflective white www.maryland.gov L
G
12345
State Government-owned vehicle black on reflective white www.maryland.gov S
G
12345

Organization plates

References

  1. 1 2 "Current and Recent Maryland License Plates". Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Sage, Kit; Tanner, Eric. "licenseplates.cc Maryland highs page". Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  3. "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.
  4. "Hogan unveils new, Maryland-flag themed license plates". The Baltimore Sun. August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  5. Maryland Proud License Plate, from Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services

External links

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