Vehicle registration plates of Kansas

Current Kansas license plate

The U.S. state of Kansas first required its residents to register their vehicles and display license plates in 1913.

Passenger baseplates

1913 to 1975

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.^[1] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Kansas license plate that complied with these standards.

Image	Dates issued	Description	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1913	Embossed black numbers on white plate; diagonal "KAN" at right	none	12345	1 to approximately 39000
	1914	Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate; "KAN" at right	none	12345	1 to approximately 59000
	1915	Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; diagonal "KAN" at right	none	12345	1 to approximately 86000
	1916	Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "KAN" monogram at right	none	123456	1 to approximately 140000
	1917	Embossed black numbers on light green plate with border line; vertical "KAN" at left	none	123456	1 to approximately 183000
	1918	Embossed green numbers on white plate with border line; vertical "KAN" at right	none	123456	1 to approximately 205000
	1919	Embossed dark blue numbers on light green plate with border line; vertical "KAN" at right	none	123456	1 to approximately 260000
	1920	Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; vertical "KAN" at left	none	123456	1 to approximately 290000
	1921	Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; "KAN 21" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 274-000	First dated plate.
	1922	Embossed golden yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "KAN 22" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 304-000
	1923	Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; vertical "KAN" and "1923" at left and right respectively	none	123456	1 to approximately 350000
	1924	Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; vertical "KAN" and "24" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 369-000
	1925	Embossed white numbers on red plate with border line; "KAN 25" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 409-000
	1926	Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "KAN 26" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 442-000
	1927	Embossed black numbers on gray plate with border line; vertical "1927" and "KAN" at left and right respectively	none	123-456	1 to approximately 459-000
	1928	Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "KAN 28" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 472-000
	1929	Embossed black numbers on yellow plate; black lines at top and bottom borders; "KANSAS 1929" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to approximately 507-000	First use of the full state name.
	1930	Embossed white numbers on black plate; white lines at top and bottom borders; "KANSAS - 1930" at top	none	1C12345 10C1234 100C123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)	First base to use numeric county codes.
	1931	Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "KAN 31" at right	none	1-12345 10-1234 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1932	Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; "KAN 32" at left	none	1-12345 10-1234 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1933	Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "KAN 33" at right	none	1-12345 10-1234 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1934	Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "KAN 34" at left	none	1-12345 10-1234 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1935	Embossed orange numbers on black plate with border line; "KAN 35" at right	none	1-12345 10-1234 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1936	Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; "KAN 36" at left	none	1-12345 10-1234 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1937	Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "KAN 37" at right	none	1-12345 10-1234 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1938	Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "KAN. '38" centered at bottom	none	1-12345 10-1234 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1939	Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "'39 KAN." centered at top	none	1-12345 10-1234 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1940	Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "KANSAS '40" centered at bottom	none	1-12345 10-12345 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1941	Embossed yellow numbers on dark red plate with border line; "41 KANSAS" centered at bottom	none	1-12345 10-12345 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1942–43	Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "KANSAS '42" centered at bottom; sunflower decals at bottom corners	none	1-12345 10-12345 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)	Revalidated for 1943 with zinc tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
	1944	Embossed red numbers on white plate with border line; "KANSAS-44" at top	none	1-12345 10-12345 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1945	Embossed black numbers on white plate; "KANSAS-45" centered at top	none	1-12345 10-12345 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1946	Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate; "KANSAS-46" centered at top	none	1-12345 10-12345 100-123	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1947	Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "19 KANSAS 47" at top	none	1-12345 10-12345 100-1234	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1948	Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "19 KANSAS 48" at top	none	1-12345 10-12345 100-1234	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1949	Embossed black numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "19 KANSAS 49" at top	"THE WHEAT STATE" at bottom	1-12345 10-12345 100-1234	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1950	Embossed green numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "KANSAS 50" centered at top	"THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom	1-12345 10-12345 100-1234	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100)
	1951–53	Embossed white numbers on dark blue state-shaped plate with border line; "KANSAS 51" centered at top	"THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)	First base to use two-letter county codes. Revalidated for 1952 with white tabs, and for 1953 with yellow tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War.
	1954	Embossed black numbers on white state-shaped plate with border line; "KANSAS 54" centered at top	"THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1955	Embossed white numbers on black state-shaped plate with border line; "KANSAS 55" centered at top	"THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1956	Embossed black numbers on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 56" centered at top	"THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1957	Embossed red numbers on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 57" centered at top	"THE WHEAT STATE" at bottom, offset to right	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1958	Embossed yellow numbers on blue plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 58" centered at top	"THE WHEAT STATE" at bottom, offset to right	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1959	Embossed blue numbers on yellow plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 59" centered at top	"THE WHEAT STATE" at bottom, offset to right	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1960	Embossed blue numbers on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 60" centered at top	"CENTENNIAL 1961" at bottom, offset to right	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)	Both this and the 1961 base commemorated Kansas' 100 years of statehood.
	1961	Embossed brown numbers on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 61" centered at top	"CENTENNIAL 1961" at bottom, offset to right	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1962	Embossed white numbers on green plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 62" centered at top	none	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1963	Embossed green numbers on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 63" centered at top	none	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1964	Embossed white numbers on blue plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 64" centered at top	none	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1965	Embossed white numbers on red plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 65" centered at top	"MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1966	Embossed white numbers on black plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 66" centered at top	"MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1967	Embossed white numbers on Columbia blue plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 67" centered at top	"MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1968	Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 68" centered at top	"MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1969	Embossed white numbers on black plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 69" centered at top	"MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1970	Embossed white numbers on pale green plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 70" centered at top	"MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom	A/B-12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B)
	1971	Embossed white numbers on red plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS" and month of expiration centered at top and bottom respectively	none	A/B 12345 A/B C12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B) and month of expiration (C)	Staggered registration introduced, with the month of expiration determined by the initial letter of the registrant's surname. These plates expired from July 31 through December 31, 1971; the A/B 12345 serial format was used only on plates expiring on July 31.
	1971–72	Embossed white numbers on black plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS" and month of expiration centered at top and bottom respectively	none	A/B C12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B) and month of expiration (C)	Plates expired from February 29 through December 31, 1972.
	1972–73	Embossed gold numbers on green plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS" and month of expiration centered at top and bottom respectively	none	A/B C12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B) and month of expiration (C)	Plates expired from February 28 through December 31, 1973.
	1973–74	Embossed white numbers on red plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS" and month of expiration centered at top and bottom respectively	none	A/B C12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B) and month of expiration (C)	Plates expired from February 28 through December 31, 1974. The first "KANSAS 74" plates expired on July 31, 1974, and the first "Wheat Centennial" plates on August 31, 1974.
		As above, but with "KANSAS 74" at top, and without month of expiration
			"WHEAT CENTENNIAL" centered at bottom
	1974–75	Embossed white numbers on green plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 75" centered at top	"WHEAT CENTENNIAL" centered at bottom	A/B C12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B) and month of expiration (C)	Plates expired from February 28 through December 31, 1975. The first plates without the slogan expired on August 31, 1975.
			none

1975 to present

Image	Dates issued	Description	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1975–80	Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 76" centered at top	none	A/B C12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B) and month of expiration (C)
	1980–82	Embossed white numbers on blue plate; yellow stalk of wheat screened at left; "KANSAS" screened in yellow centered at top	none	A/B C12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B) and month of expiration (C)	Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1980 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Kansas was so honored.
	1982–88	Embossed blue numbers on white plate; gold sunflower screened at top left; "KANSAS" screened in blue centered at top	none	A/B C12345	Coded by county of issuance (A/B) and month of expiration (C)	Issued only to new registrants. Serials in each county, for each month, continued from where the 1980–82 plates left off.[2]
	1988–90	Embossed dark blue digits on white plate; brown stalk of wheat screened in the center; pale yellow band screened across top containing stylized "KANSAS" in the center and three dark blue stripes on either side	none	ABC 123	AAA 000 to approximately DVD 999
	1990–93				DVE 000 to approximately GRR 999	State name made more legible.
	1994– January 2001	Embossed blue numbers on light blue, white and light yellow gradient plate; yellow stalk of wheat screened in the center; "KANSAS" screened in blue centered at top	none	ABC 123	GRS 000 to approximately PAZ 999; SMA 000 to approximately SVB 999	Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1994 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Kansas was so honored.
	January 2001 – April 2007	Embossed black digits on sky blue plate; State Capitol screened in the center surrounded by clouds; fading gold band screened at bottom with gold wheat stalks at left; "KANSAS" screened in black centered at top	none	ABC 123	PBA 000 to approximately SLZ 999; TAA 000 to approximately XUY 499
	April 2007 – present	Embossed dark blue numbers on light blue plate; top half of state seal screened in white at bottom right; "KANSAS" screened in dark blue centered at top. Starting August 15, 2018, serials are printed digitally in black.	none	123 ABC	000 AAA to 999 LKT (as of August 31, 2018)	'I' not used as first letter in serials.[2]

County coding

Kansas has a system of county codes used for identification of the home county of a state resident or company on license plates and state tax forms.^[3]

The codes are two letters based on the first letter of and another letter in the name of the county. There is no true convention for the selection of the letters; for example, Bourbon County is the only county that begins with "BO," yet its code is "BB." In most cases, but not all, as noted above, the only county that begins with two particular letters gets those letters. Exceptions are Decatur, Dickinson, Hodgeman, Leavenworth, Logan, McPherson (MC is used for Mitchell), Norton (NO is used for Neosho), Pawnee, and Pottawatomie.

The two-letter code began appearing on Kansas license plates in 1951. From 1930 to 1950, the code was a number based on the order a county ranked in terms of population based on the 1920 United States Census. From 1951 until 1988, the two letters were stamped on the license plate on the far left side, one letter on top of the other. Since then, the letters are on a sticker applied to the upper-left corner of the plate.

There is also a place on the address form of Kansas tax forms to place the county code.

Optional plates

Image	Type	Dates issued	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	Personalized motorcycle	2006 to 2010 registration years	Brown on tan with brown buffalo.	various	various
	Personalized passenger	2006 to 2010 registration years	Brown on tan with brown buffalo and embossed brown border in shape of state reminiscent of historical Kansas license plates and "Home On The Range" slogan.	various	various	Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2005 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the third time Kansas was so honored.
	Personalized passenger	2010 to 2015 registration years	Orange with yellow windmills and grass and "America's Heartland" slogan.	various	various

Non-passenger plates

Image	Type	Dates issued	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	Motorcycle	1988–94	Embossed dark blue numbers on white plate; "KANSAS" and "CYCLE" at top and bottom respectively	ABC12	AAA00 to approximately CNA99
		1994–2001	Embossed blue numbers on white plate; "KANSAS" and "CYCLE" at top and bottom respectively	ABC12	CWY00 to approximately EAR99; LBK00 to approximately MBP99
		2001–07	As State Capitol passenger base; "CYCLE" screened at bottom	ABC12	OAA00 to approximately QPD99
		2007–present	As state seal passenger base; "CYCLE" screened at bottom	12ABC	00AAA to present

References

External links

• Kansas license plates 1969-present