Vehicle registration plates of Michigan

Michigan

The current-issue Michigan standard license plate, issued since 2013.
Current series
Slogan	michigan.org
Size	12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm
Serial format	ABC 1234
Introduced	April 2013 (2013-04)
History
First issued	1910 (1910)

The U.S. state of Michigan first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants had to provide their own license plates for display until 1910, when the state began to supply plates.^[1]

Passenger baseplates

1910 to 1970

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 Michigan license plate that complied with these standards.

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1910	Black on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1910" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 18500	Front and rear plates issued; this practice continued until 1944.
	1911	White on black porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1911" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 27500
	1912	Black on yellow porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1912" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 40000
	1913	White on green porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1913" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 55000
	1914	Red on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1914" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 77000
	1915	White on blue; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1915" at left	none	12345	1 to 99999	First embossed plate. Only letters C and E used in the A1234 serial format.[3]
				A1234	C0000 to approximately E6000
	1916	Blue on white; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1916" at left	none	12345	1 to 99999
				A1234	A1 to approximately F5000
	1917	White on black; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1917" at left	none	12345	1 to 99999
				A1234	A1 to approximately O9000
	1918	White on green; aluminum state seal and "MICH 18" at left	none	123456	1 to approximately 245000
	1919	White on brown; aluminum state seal and "MICH 19" at left	none	12345	1 to 99999
				A1234	A1 to approximately Z9000
	1920	Black on orange; stylized "MICH 20" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 414-000
	1921	White on black; stylized "MICH 21" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 476-000
	1922	White on red; stylized "MICH 22" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 577-000
	1923	White on green; stylized "MICH 23" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 730-000
	1924	Black on yellow; stylized "MICH 24" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 879-000
	1925	Black on gray; stylized "MICH 25" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 996-000
	1926	White on black; "MICH 26" at left	none	123-456	1 to 999-999	On both these bases, plates with the M123-456 serial format had the 'M' surrounded by a diamond, and are thus informally known as "Diamond M" plates.
				M123-456	M1 to approximately M133-000
	1927	Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1927" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to 999-999
				M123-456	M1 to approximately M226-000
	1928	White on green; "MICHIGAN 1928" at top	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-116-000
	1929	Yellow on black; "MICHIGAN 1929" at bottom	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-234-000
	1930	Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1930" at bottom	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-248-000
	1931	Red on black; "MICHIGAN 1931" at bottom	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-223-000
	1932	White on dark blue; "MICHIGAN 1932" at top	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-139-000
	1933	Black on white; "MICHIGAN 1933" at bottom	none	12-345 A12-345	Issued in blocks by county
	1934	Black on yellow; "19 MICHIGAN 34" at top	none	12-345 A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
	1935	Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 35" at bottom	none	12-345 A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
	1936	Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 36" at top	none	12-345 A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
	1937	Yellow on dark blue; "1937 MICHIGAN" at bottom	none	12 345 A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
	1938	Black on light green; "1938 MICHIGAN" or "MICHIGAN 1938" at top	none	A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
		Black on white; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-38" at top	none	123456	1 to approximately 552000	Half-year plates issued at lower cost to full-year plates, due to the Depression.
	1939	Black on beige; "19 MICH 39" at bottom	none	A 12345 AB 1234	Issued in blocks by county
		White on dark blue; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-39" at bottom	none	123456	1 to approximately 552000	Half-year plate.
	1940	Black on silver; "MICH 40" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
		White on black; "MICH EXP. 8-31 40" at top	none			Half-year plate.
	1941	White on maroon; "MICH 41" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
		Maroon on white; "MICH EXP. 8-31 41" at top	none			Half-year plate.
	1942–43	White on olive green; "MICHIGAN" at top and "42" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Full and half-year plates revalidated for 1943 with metal tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
		As above, but with "EXP. 8-31-42" at bottom	none			Half-year plate.
	1944	White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "44" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Only rear plates issued for both full-year and half-year plates. For full-year plates, this practice continued until 1957.
		Maroon on white; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-44" at top	none			Half-year plate.
	1945	Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at top and "45" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
		White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "EXP. 8-31-45" at bottom	none			Half-year plate.
	1946	White on dark olive green; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "46" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
		White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-46" at top	none			Last half-year plate.
	1947	Black on golden yellow; "MICHIGAN" at top and "47" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
	1948	Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "48" at top	none	AB-12-34	County coded
	1949	White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "49" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
	1950	Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "50" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
	1951	White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "51" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
	1952	Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "52" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
	1953	White on black, "MICHIGAN" at top and "53" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
	1954	Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 54" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-12-34	County-coded
	1955	White on green; "19 MICHIGAN 55" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-12-34	County-coded
	1956	Dark green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 56" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	First 6" x 12" plate.
	1957	White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 57" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	Front and rear plates issued (as from 1910–43); this practice continued until 1981.
	1958	Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 58" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded
	1959–61	Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 59" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	Revalidated for 1960 with yellow tabs, and for 1961 with silver tabs.
	1962–64	Green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 62" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	Revalidated for 1963 with green tabs, and for 1964 with olive tabs.
	1965	Yellow on blue; "MICH 65" at top	Water-Winter Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	First year using galvanized steel. First year using state school colors: 1965 honored University of Michigan.
	1966	Dark blue on buff; "MICH 66" at top	Water-Winter Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded
	1967	Maize on dark blue; "MICH 67" at top	Water-Winter Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	Issued in the colors of the University of Michigan, in honor of its sesquicentennial.
	1968	Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 68" at top	Great Lake State	AB-1234	County-coded
	1969	White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 69" at top	Great Lake State	AB-1234	County-coded
	1970	White on light gold; "19 MICHIGAN 70" at top	Great Lake State	ABC-123	BBB-000 to approximately NGS-999	Issued in the colors of Oakland University, which became independent from Michigan State University in 1970. Vowels and Q not used in serials; this practice continued until 1983.[3]

1971 to present

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1971–72	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white numbers on maroon plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 71" at top	"GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom	ABC-123	BBB-000 to approximately RMH-999	Plates available by mail for the first time. Revalidated for 1972 with stickers.
	1973–75	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 73" at top	"GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom	ABC-123	BBB-000 to approximately VRM-999	Personalized and disabled plates available for the first time. Some aluminum plates issued. Revalidated for 1974 and 1975 with stickers.
	1976–78	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white numbers on red and dark blue plate with border line; two embossed flag stripes at bottom and four embossed stars at left; "MICHIGAN" centered at top	none	ABC123	BBB000 to approximately XSD999	Commemorated the US Bicentennial. All plates issued were aluminum. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1976 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Michigan was so honored.[4] Revalidated for 1977 and 1978 with stickers.
	1979–82	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white numbers on black plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 79" at top	"GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom	ABC-123	BBB-000 to ZZZ-999	Serials BBB-000 through NVM-999 were issued by county.[3][5] Front and rear plates issued until April 1, 1981; only rear plates have been issued ever since.
	1982–83			123-ABC	999-ZZZ to approximately 000-ZMD	Serials progressed backwards.
	1983–90	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white numbers on blue plate; "MICHIGAN" centered at top	"GREAT LAKES" centered at bottom	123 ABC	000 AAA to 999 ZZZ	All variants of this base revalidated with stickers until 2007. Letters I and O not used in serials; this practice continues today.
	1990–2001			ABC 123	AAA 000 to UDT 999
	2001–04				UDU 000 to ZZZ 999	Narrow dies introduced.
	2004–06			ABC1234	AAA0000 to AFP8999
	2006–07			ABC 1234	AFP 9000 to approximately AJX 1999	Narrower dies introduced and space added between letters and digits.
	January 2007 – April 2013	Embossed blue numbers on reflective white plate; blue band screened at top with "MICHIGAN" in white in the center	"www.Michigan.gov" screened in blue centered at bottom	ABC 1234	BAA 0000 to approximately CPS 0999	First standard baseplate reissue since 1983.
	April 2013 – present	Embossed blue numbers on reflective white plate; wavy blue band screened at bottom; screened blue Pure Michigan logo centered at top	"michigan.org" screened in white in center of wavy blue band	ABC 1234	DAA 0000 to DZF 9999 (as of October 5, 2018)

Optional plates

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1996	Blue serial on background featuring the seal of the American Automobile Centennial Commission and a gold silhouette of an antique automobile outlined in red.	World's Motor Capital	ABC 12	AAA 00 to ZZZ 99	Validated with sticker until 2015 expiration.[6]
				12 ABC	00 AAA to approximately 99 LPZ
	1997–2007	Blue serial on background featuring a sunset and the Mackinac Bridge	Great Lakes Splendor	1AB C23 A12 34B	0AA A00 to approximately 0GR A99	Validated with sticker unless the plate is more than 10 years old.[6]
	2007–present	Black serial on background featuring buildings from the skylines of Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Flint, the forests of Michigan, all five Great Lakes, and the Mackinac Bridge	Spectacular Peninsulas	1AB C23	0HA A00 to 2MJ D99 (as of September 16, 2018)	Plate still available as of September 16, 2018.[7]
	2013–14	Embossed white numbers on sunrise scene featuring the Mackinac Bridge, with gradient orange sky and light blue water; screened white rectangle centered at top containing Pure Michigan logo	"The Mackinac Bridge" screened in black block letters centered at bottom	ABC 123	AAA 000 to approximately AJG 999	Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2013 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Michigan was so honored.[4]
	2014–present	Embossed black numbers on sunrise scene featuring the Mackinac Bridge, with gradient orange and white sky and light blue water; screened Pure Michigan logo centered at top	"THE MACKINAC BRIDGE" screened in black block letters centered at bottom	ABC 123	AJH 000 to CKS 999 (as of September 16, 2018)	Revision of the original Mackinac Bridge base for better visibility.

Special plates

The Michigan Secretary of State has for many years issued specialized themed vanity license plates, e.g. "Save Our Lights" with White Shoal Light, the block "M" of the University of Michigan, or "Sparty" from Michigan State University. These are available for an extra fee.

References

External links

• Michigan license plates 1969-present
• Michigan License Plate Website
• "License plate fact sheet" (PDF). Michigan Secretary of State.