Vehicle registration plates of Alaska

Current Alaska license plate

Alaska first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1921, while still an organized incorporated territory of the United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 49th state in January 1959.

State law requires two license plates, one on the front and one on the rear, to be displayed on a motor vehicle, with the exception of motorcycles and trailers. Only the rear plate is required to be stickered.[1]

Passenger baseplates

1921 to 1952

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

Image Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
1921 Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top, "AUTO LICENSE" at bottom and vertical "1921" at left and right 123 1 to approximately 350
1922 Embossed orange numbers on black plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1922" at bottom right 123 1 to approximately 500
1923 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1923" at bottom right 123 1 to approximately 850
1924 Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1924" at bottom right 123 1 to approximately 999
1925 Embossed white numbers on red plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1925" at bottom right 1234 0001 to approximately 1200
1926 Embossed black numbers on green plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1926" at bottom right 123 1 to approximately 999
1927 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1927" at bottom right 1234 101 to approximately 1250
1928 Embossed red numbers on light yellow plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1928" at bottom right 1234 101 to approximately 1350
1929 Embossed white numbers on maroon plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1929" at bottom right 1234 101 to approximately 1600
1930 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1930" at bottom right 1234 101 to approximately 1800
1931 Embossed black numbers on gray plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1931" at bottom right 1234 1 to approximately 2000
1932 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate; "ALASKA – 1932" at bottom 1234 301 to approximately 3100
1933 Embossed white numbers on red plate; "ALASKA – 1933" at bottom 1234 301 to approximately 3000
1934 Embossed white numbers on green plate; "ALASKA – 1934" at bottom 1234 101 to approximately 3200
1935 Embossed black numbers on orange plate; "ALASKA – 1935" at bottom 1234 101 to approximately 3100
1936 Embossed dark blue numbers on white plate with border line; "ALASKA – 1936" at bottom 1234 1001 to approximately 4300
1937 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA – 1937" at bottom 1234 1001 to approximately 4300
1938 Embossed red numbers on white plate; "ALASKA – 1938" at bottom 1234 1001 to approximately 5100
1939 Embossed black numbers on silver plate; "ALASKA – 1939" at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 4800
1940 Embossed black numbers on orange plate; "ALASKA – 1940" at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 5200
1941 Embossed white numbers on green plate; "ALASKA – 1941" at bottom 1234 1 to 6000; 7001 to approximately 7900
1942 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "ALASKA – 1942" at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 7900
1943–44 Embossed white numbers on blue plate; "ALASKA – 1943" at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 7800 Revalidated for 1944 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1945 White numbers on green fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1945" centered at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 7800 Fiberboard plates manufactured due to ongoing metal shortage; this continued until 1948.
1946 White numbers on maroon fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1946" centered at top 1234 1 to approximately 8300
1947 Yellow numbers on dark blue fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1947" centered at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 11300
1948 Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1948" at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 15000
1949 Embossed blue numbers on white plate; blue lines at top and bottom borders; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1949" at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 20000
1950 Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1950" at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 26500
1951 Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1951" at top 12345 1 to approximately 35000
1952 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1952" at top 12345 1 to approximately 35000

1953 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces 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 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Alaska license plate that complied with these standards.

All plates issued since 1981 remain valid with proper validation.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1953–55 Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "53" at top right none 12345 1 to approximately 96000 Revalidated for 1954 with white tabs, and for 1955 with black tabs.
1956–57 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "56" at top right none 12345 1 to approximately 63000 First 6" x 12" plate. Revalidated for 1957 with red tabs.
1958–59 Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial/state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "58" at top right none 12345 1 to approximately 74000 Revalidated for 1959 with white tabs.
1960–61 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "60" at top right none 12345 1 to approximately 93000 Revalidated for 1961 with blue tabs.
1962–65 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at bottom; "62" at bottom right none 12345 1 to 99999 Revalidated for 1963 with blue tabs, and for 1964 and 1965 with stickers.
A-1234 A-1000 to approximately E-3250
1966–67 Embossed yellow numbers on blue plate with border line; embossed eagle totem pole graphic at left; stylized "ALASKA" centered at top; yellow box at top right containing debossed "66" "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom, with "1867" to the left and "1967" to the right 12345 1 to 99999 Commemorated the centennial of the Alaska Purchase. Revalidated for 1967 with stickers.
1968–69 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; blue box at top right containing debossed "68" "THE GREAT LAND" centered at bottom 12345 1 to 99999 Revalidated for 1969 with stickers.
B1234 B1000 to approximately B7250
1970 Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA–U.S.A." centered at top; blue box at top right containing debossed "70" "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom 12345 1 to 99999 All plates were valid without stickers until the end of the year of issue, then revalidated with stickers until the end of 1975.
A1234 A1 to approximately A5200
1971 As above, but with additional blue box at top left containing debossed "71" B1 to approximately E1100
1972–73 As above, but with box at top right containing debossed "72" instead of "70" G1 to G9999; K1 to approximately M9999
(1973) Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate; border line around plate and around revalidation sticker spot at top left; embossed state flag in the center; "ALASKA" centered at top; "73" at top right none ABC 123 AAA 100 to AAD 999 Not issued; considered prototypes (see 1973 plate controversy section below).
1974 As 1970–73 plates, but with "ALASKA" centered at top, border line around revalidation sticker spot at top left, and "74" at top right "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" as on 1970–73 plates AB123 AA100 to DB699
1975 As above, but with "75" at top right DB700 to ED999
1976–81 Embossed red numbers on reflective white plate; standing brown Kodiak bear screened in the center, with pale brown mountain and forest landscape in the background; "ALASKA" embossed in red centered at top none ABC 123 AAA 100 to ASZ 999 Letters I, O and Q not used in this serial format.[3]
1981–97 Embossed blue numbers on reflective golden yellow plate; screened state flag in the center; "ALASKA" screened in blue centered at top; indented top corners for revalidation stickers "The Last Frontier" screened in blue centered at bottom ABC 123 BAA 100 to DJX 999
1997 – October 2004 Embossed black numbers on reflective graphic plate featuring a blue sky, yellow rising sun, white mountains fading to golden yellow at the bottom, and black silhouettes of gold prospectors from the top center to the bottom left; "ALASKA" screened in golden yellow centered at top, with mining equipment for the second 'A' "Gold Rush" screened in golden yellow offset to right below state name; "Centennial" screened in black at bottom, also offset to right ABC 123 DJY 100 to ERT 999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new standard-issue license plate of 1998 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Alaska was so honored. Co-recipient with Idaho.
October 2004 As 1981–97 base, but without indented top corners "The Last Frontier" as on 1981–97 base ABC 123 ERU 100 to approximately ERV 489 Serials stamped on leftover 1981–97 blanks, before production of all-embossed variants began (below).
October 2004 – July
2005		 As above, but with embossed state name and flag "THE LAST FRONTIER" embossed in blue centered at bottom ABC 123 ERV 490 to EUB 999
July 2005 – December 31, 2007 As above, but with larger stars in flag EUC 100 to FGE 999
January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2009[1][4][5] Embossed dark blue numbers on reflective graphic plate featuring a yellow sky, gradient orange sunburst and white mountains fading to blue at the bottom; Alaska 50 logo (featuring the state flag) screened at left; "ALASKA" screened in dark blue centered at top "CELEBRATING STATEHOOD 1959-2009" screened in red on white section of mountains, offset to right ABC123 FGF100 to FUW999 Also used for vanity plates.
January 1, 2010 – present As 2005–07 base "THE LAST FRONTIER" as from 2004–07 ABC 123 FUZ 100 to FUZ 999; GAA 100 to GZZ 999; KAA 100 to KDK 999 (as of September 16, 2018) FUZ series issued in error.

Alternative passenger plates

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
May 7, 2015[6] – present Embossed red numbers on reflective graphic plate featuring a standing brown Kodiak bear in the center against a light blue sky, orange sunset and white mountains; "ALASKA" screened in dark blue centered at top none ABC 123 JAA 100 to JMX 999 (as of October 5, 2018) Based on the 1976–81 bear plate. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2015 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Alaska was so honored.

1973 plate controversy

A new plate design was to have been introduced in 1973, featuring the state flag in the center of the plate and a new ABC 123 serial format. During 1972, nine thousand pairs of these plates were produced, but before they could be issued they were rejected by Governor William A. Egan, who objected to the use of dots rather than stars in the state flag. The plates were instead considered prototypes, with their elements being used on future plates: the revalidation sticker box in the top left corner was used on the 1974 and 1975 versions of the 1970 plate; the ABC 123 serial format was adopted in 1976; and the "Last Frontier" plates issued since 1981 have the state flag in the center (with stars).

These prototype plates are common enough to be easily found among license plate collectors.

Non-passenger and optional types

Alaska offers a variety of optional plates that motorists may display upon the payment of an additional fee as well as non-passenger plate types that are displayed on vehicles for specialized uses.[1]

Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
Alaska State Trooper 123 AST
Amateur Radio call sign
Charitable/Church Exempt XYx 123
YYx 123
Children's Trust KID 012
123 KID		 KID-prefixed sequence started with 001.
Collector's Car HA 123
Disabled Person HAB 123
Disabled Veteran DAV 123
Ex-Prisoner of War POW 012 Started with 001.
Farm Vehicle 1234 FA "Farm" legend.
Gold Star Family Personalized
Historic Vehicle HA 123
Iditarod IDT 123 or personalized
I Support Our Veterans 2007 Personalized
Low-Speed Vehicle 2007 LSV 012 Started with 001.
Motorcycle 1234 Mx, 1234 Rx, 1234 Tx Same plates also issued to small trailers.
National Guard VAB 123
Pearl Harbor Survivor P/H 123 "PH" is stacked vertically and in center of plate.
Personalized - Passenger Six alphanumeric characters. Three different designs.
Prince William Sound College PWS 123
Purple Heart VPH 123
Support Our Troops! 2008 Available in personalized format.
University of Alaska Anchorage UAA 123
UAA123		 Two styles; newer style available in personalized format.
University of Alaska Fairbanks UAF 123 Two styles; newer style available in personalized format.
University of Alaska Southeast UAS 123
Veteran - Air Force VAB 123
Veteran - Army VAB 123
Veteran - Coast Guard VAB 123
Veteran - Marine Corps VAB 123
Veteran - Navy VAB 123

References

  1. 1 2 3 http://www.state.ak.us/dmv/plates/index.htm Alaska DMV License Plates
  2. ↑ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. ↑ "Alaska License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  4. ↑ http://www.akplates.org Royce's Alaskan License Plates
  5. ↑ LicensePlates.cc: The license plate collector’s portal Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Herz, Nathaniel (June 2, 2015). "State says it's a roaring start for Alaska grizzly bear license plates". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
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