Vehicle registration plates of Mississippi

Current Mississippi license plate[1]

The U.S. state of Mississippi first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1912. Since then, the state has gone through a variety of license plate designs and currently has several different designs for passenger, non-passenger, and optional-issue plates.

Passenger baseplates

1912 to 1976

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 first Mississippi license plate that complied with these standards was issued 22 years beforehand, in 1934.

Image Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
1912 Embossed black on white; vertical "1912" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 1234 First state issue. Local municipalities had issued license plates earlier.
1913 As 1912 base, but with "1913" at right 1234
1914–18 Embossed black on white; vertical "MISS" at right 12345 1 to approximately 44500
1919 Embossed light green on black; vertical "1919" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 60000
1920 Embossed white on maroon with border line; vertical "1920" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 65000
1921 Embossed red on white with border line; vertical "1921" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 64500
1922 Embossed black on light green with border line; vertical "1922" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 77000
1923 Embossed yellow on black with border line; vertical "1923" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 123456 1 to approximately 107000
1924 Embossed white on dark blue with border line; vertical "1924" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 123456 1 to approximately 133000
1925 Embossed black on golden yellow with border line; vertical "1925" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 177-000
1926 Embossed white on dark green with border line; vertical "1926" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 207-000
1927 Embossed yellow on navy blue with border line; "MISS. 1927" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 235-000
1928 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISS. 1928" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 249-000
1929 Embossed white on maroon with border line; "MISS-1929" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 279-000
1930 Embossed red on dark blue with border line; "MISS-1930" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 283-000
1931 Embossed white on orange with border line; "MISS 1931" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 245-000
1932 Embossed golden yellow on black with border line; "MISS-1932" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 221-000
1933 Embossed white on dark green with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter and "33" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 120-000
1934 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter and "34" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 149-000
1935 Embossed orange on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; "35" and tax code letter stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 152-000
1936 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter and "36" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 164-000
1937 Embossed white on green with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter at top left and "37" at top right 123-456 1 to approximately 170-000
1938 Embossed white on dark blue with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter at top left and "38" at top right 123-456 300-001 to approximately 491-000 Issued only from January 1 through October 31, 1938.
1938–39 Embossed black on yellow with border line; "MISS." centered at top; "19" at top left and "39" at top right 123-456 300-001 to approximately 506-000
1939–40 Embossed yellow on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; "19" at top left and "40" at top right 123-456 700-001 to approximately 892-000
1940–41 Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-41" at top 123-456 100-001 to approximately 318-000 First to use county name
1941–42 Embossed yellow on dark blue with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-42" at top 123-456 400-001 to approximately 643-000
1942–43 Embossed orange on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-43" at top 123-456 600-001 to approximately 815-000 Due to wartime metal shortages, some 1943 plates were over-stamped on previously-used license plates, and the old embossed letters and numbers are still partially visible under the new paint.
1943–44 Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-44" at top 123-456 700-001 to approximately 898-000 Due to wartime metal shortages, some 1944 plates were over-stamped on previously-used license plates, and the old embossed letters and numbers are still partially visible under the new paint.
1944–45 Embossed yellow on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-45" at top 123-456 500-001 to approximately 700-000 Due to wartime metal shortages, some 1945 plates were over-stamped on previously-used license plates, and the old embossed letters and numbers are still partially visible under the new paint.
1945–46 Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-46" at top 123-456 200-001 to approximately 411-000
1946–47 Embossed yellow on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-47" at top 123-456 500-001 to approximately 735-000
1947–48 Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-48" at top 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1948–49 Embossed orange on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-49" at top 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1949–50 Embossed black on yellow with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-50" at top 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1950–51 Embossed yellow on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county First use of the full state name.
1951–52 Embossed white on dark green with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1952–53 Embossed maroon on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1953–54 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1954–55 Embossed white on blue with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1955–56 Embossed yellow on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1956–57 Embossed white on dark green with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1957–58 Embossed black on golden yellow with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1958–59 Embossed dark green on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1959–60 Embossed red on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1960–61 Embossed black on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
1961–62 Embossed maroon on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively A/1 12345
A/10 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1962–63 Embossed blue on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 12-3456
A-12345
1963–64 Embossed red on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 12-3456
1964–65 Embossed white on blue with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 12-3456
1965–66 Embossed blue on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 12-3456
1966–67 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 12-3456
1967–68 Embossed black on beige with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 12-3456
12A 345
1968–69 Embossed white on brown with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1969–70 Embossed blue on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1970–71 Embossed green on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1971–72 Embossed green on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1972–73 Embossed red on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1973–74 Embossed blue on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively ABC 123
123 ABC		 Coded by weight class (A) The 123 ABC serial format was used in the five largest counties (Hinds, Harrison, Jackson, Washington and Lauderdale); this practice continued until the cessation of weight classes in 1976.
1974–75 Embossed red on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively ABC 123
123 ABC		 Coded by weight class (A)
1975–76 Embossed maroon on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively ABC 123
123 ABC		 Coded by weight class (A)

1976 to present

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1976–81 Embossed red numbers on reflective white plate with border line; green magnolia graphic screened in the center; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in green italic serifed letters centered at top; county name embossed in red block letters centered at bottom The Hospitality State ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county First graphic plate; staggered registration also introduced. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1977 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Mississippi was so honored. Some plates had the magnolia graphic in a darker shade of green.
1981–87 Embossed dark blue numbers on reflective white plate; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in red stylized serifed letters centered at top; county name embossed in dark blue block letters centered at bottom none ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county Wide dies.
1987–92 1ABC123 1AAA001 to approximately 1FNJ999 Narrow dies reintroduced. The initial '1' indicated the passenger class of vehicles. Letters I, O, Q and U and number 666 not used in serials.[3]
1992–97 Embossed dark blue numbers on reflective gradient sky blue and white plate; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in blue stylized serifed letters centered at top; county name embossed in dark blue block letters centered at bottom none ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1992 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Mississippi was so honored.
1997 – September 30, 2002 Embossed dark green numbers on reflective gradient yellow, white and green plate; magnolia graphic screened in the center; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in dark green stylized serifed letters centered at top; county name embossed in dark green block letters centered at bottom none ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county
October 1, 2002 – September 30, 2007 Retained the script "Mississippi" design in use since the 1980s, and set it in dark green against a background of trees and water, which represent the large wooded areas of the state and the location of Mississippi on the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Like the preceding issue, it also displayed a magnolia in the center of the license plate, visible between the "123 ABC" registration scheme of numbers and letters. The registration and the county name were embossed in dark green. none 123 ABC Issued in blocks by county Letter O and number 666 not used in serials; this practice continues today.[3]
October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2012 Featuring an image of the Biloxi Lighthouse at the center of the plate, on a multicolored background depicting a yellow sunrise behind the lighthouse. none ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2007 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the third time Mississippi was so honored.
October 1, 2012 – present Featuring an image of a guitar, white background with blue lines from the bottom of the plate. State name printed at the top in blue, county name stamped at the bottom. Continues use of the classic "Mississippi" design that has been in use since the 1980s. Birthplace of America's Music / Celebrating Mississippi's Creative Culture ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county
2018 – present ABC 1234

County coding

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
County Letter blocks beginning with
1976–87 1992–97 1997–2002 2002–07 2007–present
Adams AA, AB AA WN AD AD, AE
Alcorn AH-AJ WG, WJ AN, AP AL, AC
Amite AM, AN WD AM AM
Attala AT AT WA AT AT, AA
Benton BA VY BE BE
Bolivar BF VS BL, BM BR, BV (Cleveland)
BL (Rosedale)
Calhoun BL BL VN CA CA, CN
Carroll BP, BT BP VK, VL CR CR
Chickasaw BV BV, BX CH CH
Choctaw CA CT
Claiborne CC TZ CB
Clarke CD TV, TW CK CK, CL
Clay CH TM CY CY
Coahoma CK, CL CL TG CM CM
Copiah CS CP CP, CQ
Covington CX SV CV CV, CW
DeSoto DB, DC DB, DD SM, SN, SP DA-DH DA-DZ
Forrest DK, DL DK, DL RY-SA, SC FM, FS, FT FR-FT
Franklin DX FN
George DY GE GE, GF
Greene EE EB RM GR GR
Grenada EG RK GN GN, GA
Hancock EX EH, EJ RC HA, HB KA-KD
Harrison FA, FB, FP EM, ER, FD PD-PR, PV HR-HZ HA-HH (Gulfport)
HI-HK (Biloxi)
Hinds GA, GG, GH HA, HC NJ, NS, NV HC, HG-HJ HN-HW (Jackson)
HX-HZ (Raymond)
Holmes HL
Humphreys HW HJ MZ HM HM
Issaquena MX IS IS
Itawamba IT MP IT IT, IW
Jackson JA-JE HS, HT, HX LW, LY, MJ JG-JM JG-JM
Jasper LV JA (Paulding)
JB (Bay Springs)
Jefferson LP JF
Jefferson Davis JT LM JD JD
Jones JW LC, LD, LJ JP JN (Ellisville)
JP-JR (Laurel)
Kemper KJ KE LA KM KM
Lafayette KL KG KW LX-LZ LX-LZ
Lamar KL, KM KP, KR LL, LM LL-LN
Lauderdale KV-KY KR-KV KG-KK LA-LD LA-LD
Lawrence LE LW LW
Leake LJ KB LJ, LK
Lee LN-LP LK, LM JW, JY LE-LH LE-LH
Leflore LX MA LR LR, LS
Lincoln MD JH, JJ LI, LJ LI, LP, LQ
Lowndes MJ, MK MN JA, JB, JD LN, LP, LQ LT-LV
Madison MS MW, MY HM, HV, HW MA-MD MA-MF
Marion NC HJ, HK MN MN, MP
Marshall ND NF HE-HG MQ-MS
Monroe NG-NI NK, NL GZ, HA MF MJ-ML
Montgomery NM, NN NR MT MT
Neshoba NP NT, NV GS NE, NF NE, NF
Newton NV GN NW NV, NW
Noxubee NZ PA GL NX NX
Oktibbeha OK, OL PD, PE GG, GH KT, KU KT, KU
Panola PA PH, PJ, PL GB PA, PB, PF PA, PB (Batesville)
PC (Sardis)
Pearl River PG PP, PR FR, FS, FV PR-PT PR-PU
Perry PK PV FN PE PE
Pike PN PX FG PK, PL PK-PM
Pontotoc PV RC FB PC PN, PP, PQ
Prentiss PW, PX RF EX PN, PP PW, PX
Quitman RA RJ EV QT QT
Rankin RK, RP RL, RM, RS EE-EL RA-RG RA-RZ
Scott SB DZ, EA SC SC, SD
Sharkey SF SG DX SH
Simpson SH SJ DP, DR SP, SQ SP, SR
Smith SM DH SM SM, SN
Stone SP SP DD ST, SU
Sunflower SS SS, ST CX, CY SF SF, SG
Tallahatchie TE TA CS, CV TL TL
Tate TG CN, CP TA, TB TA, TB
Tippah TJ TK CJ, CK TP, TQ TP, TQ
Tishomingo TN TP CE TS TS, TT
Tunica BY TN
Union UN VA BW UN, UP UN, UP
Walthall WA BP WL WL, WM
Warren WC, WD VG, VH, VJ BH WA, WB WA-WD
Washington WJ WB, WC AZ, BB WS, WT WS-WW
Wayne WV WN AW WY WY, WZ
Webster WY WS AT WE WE
Wilkinson AN WK
Winston XW WX WN WN, WP
Yalobusha YJ YC AG YL YL
Yazoo YT, YV AA YZ YZ, YA
Rental car AR, AS WR, WS WR WR

Non-passenger plates

Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Disabled As current passenger base D/B 12345
Motorcycle Similar to current passenger base M/C 12345 M/C 1001 to present
Truck As current passenger base AB1 234 Issued in blocks by county

Optional plates

Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Mississippi University for Women 12W34
Antique Car 123
1234
12345
123456
A12345 (current)		 No renewal necessary, one-time registration fee.
The vehicle has to be at least 25 years of age.

References

  1. ↑ WTOK (2018). "'In God We Trust' will be on new Mississippi license plate". Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  2. ↑ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. 1 2 "Mississippi License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
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