Vehicle registration plates of Texas
The U.S. state of Texas first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants had to provide their own license plates for display, with serial numbers assigned by their county of residence, until the state began to supply plates in 1917.[1]
Passenger baseplates
1917 to 1974
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 Texas license plate that complied with these standards was a modification of the 1955 plate, introduced towards the end of that year.
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
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1917–22 | Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; vertical "TEX" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 767000 | Validated for 1917, 1918 and 1919 with round seals, and for 1920, 1921 and 1922 with rectangular seals. | |
1923–24 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on black plate with border line; vertical "TEXAS" at both left and right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 999-999 | Validated for 1924 with rectangular seals. | |
1925 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on maroon plate with border line; vertical "TEXAS" and "1925" at left and right respectively | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 935-000 | First dated plate. | |
1926 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on gray plate with border line; vertical "TEX-26" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 997-000 | ||
1927 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on green plate with border line; vertical "1927" and "TEXAS" at left and right respectively | none | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 |
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A12-345 | A00-000 to approximately A69-000 | |||||
1928 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on dark brown plate with border line; vertical "TEX-28" at right; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left | none | 123-456 1-234-567 |
1 to approximately 1-114-000 | ||
1929 | Embossed orange numbers and star separator on black plate with border line; "TEXAS–1929" centered at bottom; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left | none | 123-456 1-234-567 |
1 to approximately 1-195-000 | ||
1930 | Embossed dark blue numbers and star separator on golden yellow plate with border line; "TEXAS–1930" centered at top; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left | none | 123-456 1-234-567 |
1 to approximately 1-358-000 | ||
1931 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on black plate with border line; vertical "TEX" and "31" at right | none | 1-2345 | 1 to 9-9999 | ||
A1-2345 | A0-0000 to approximately P5-0000 | |||||
1932 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on green plate with border line; "TEXAS–1932" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
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1933 | Embossed orange numbers and star separator on white plate with border line; "TEXAS–1933" centered at top | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
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1934 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on orange plate with border line; "TEXAS – 1934" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
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1935 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on maroon plate with border line; "TEXAS–1935" centered at top | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
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1936 | Embossed dark blue numbers on lemon yellow plate with border line; vertical "TEX" used as separator; "19" at bottom left and "36" at bottom right | "CENTENNIAL" centered at bottom | 123-456 A12-345 |
Commemorated the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Republic of Texas. | ||
1937 | Embossed ivory numbers and star separator on black plate with border line; "TEXAS–1937" centered at top | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
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1938 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on white plate with border line; "TEXAS–1938" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
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1939 | Embossed dark purple numbers and star separator on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS 1939" at top | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
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1940 | Embossed dark purple numbers and star separator on white plate; "19 TEXAS 40" at top | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
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1941 | Embossed golden yellow numbers and star separator on black plate; "TEXAS 1941" at top | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
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1942–44 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS-42" at bottom | none | 123-456 A12-345 |
Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, and for 1944 with green tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. | ||
1945 | Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS-45" at top, offset to right | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to approximately H/L4000 | ||
1946 | Embossed cream numbers on black plate; "TEXAS-46" at top, offset to right | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to approximately J/B7000 | ||
1947 | Embossed white numbers on black plate; "TEXAS-47" at bottom, offset to right | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to approximately J/U7000 | ||
1948 | Embossed golden yellow numbers on black plate; "TEXAS-48" at top, offset to right | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to approximately K/U7000 | ||
1949 | Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS-49" at bottom, offset to right | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to approximately L/Y8000 | ||
1950 | Embossed golden yellow numbers on black plate; "TEXAS-50" at top, offset to right | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to L/Z9999; U/A10 to approximately U/E3000 | ||
1951 | Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS-51" at top, offset to right | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to L/Z9999; U/A10 to approximately U/R8000 | ||
1952 | As 1950 base, but with "TEXAS 52" at top | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to approximately P/J2000 | ||
1953 | As 1951 base, but with "TEXAS 53" at top | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to approximately P/J4000 | ||
1954 | As 1950 base, but with "TEXAS 54" at top | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to approximately P/X9000 | ||
1955 | As 1951 base, but with "TEXAS 55" at top | none | A/B1234 | A/A10 to approximately R/E9999 | ||
As above, but to 6" x 12" size, and with "TEXAS 55" centered at top | AB1234 | RF10 to approximately SD3000 | ||||
1956 | Embossed golden yellow numbers on black plate; "TEXAS 56" centered at top | none | AB1234 | AA10 to approximately SV6000 | ||
1957 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on white plate; "TEXAS 57" centered at top | none | AB-1234 | AA-10 to approximately UR-3000 | ||
1958 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on black plate; "TEXAS 58" centered at top | none | AB-1234 | AA-10 to approximately TT-6000 | ||
1959 | As 1957 base, but with "TEXAS 59" centered at top | none | AB-1234 | AA-10 to approximately UK-3000 | ||
1960 | As 1958 base, but with "TEXAS 60" centered at top | none | AB-1234 | AA-10 to approximately UN-7000 | ||
1961 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on white plate; "TEXAS" centered at top; "61" at top right | none | AB-1234 | AA-10 to approximately UY-9000 | ||
1962 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on black plate; "TEXAS" centered at top; "62" at top right | none | AB-1234 | AA-10 to approximately VZ-4000 | ||
1963 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on white plate; "TEXAS" and "1963" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-1234 | AA-10 to approximately WS-7000 | ||
1964 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on black plate; "TEXAS" and "1964" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-1234 | AA-10 to approximately YT-1000 | ||
1965 | Embossed black numbers on white plate; "19 TEXAS 65" at top | none | ABC 123 | BBB 10 to approximately PHG 999 | Vowels and Q not used in serials; this practice continued until 1975.[3] | |
1966 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on black plate; "19 TEXAS 66" at top | none | ABC-123 | BBB-10 to approximately PYK-999 | ||
1967 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on white plate; "19 TEXAS 67" at top | none | ABC-123 | BBB-10 to approximately RKN-999 | ||
1968 | Embossed white numbers and star separator on black plate; "TEXAS" centered at top; "68" at bottom left and bottom right | "HEMISFAIR" centered at bottom | ABC-123 | BBB-10 to approximately RSM-999 | ||
1969 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 69" at top | none | ABC-123 | BBB-10 to approximately RWV-999 | ||
1970 | Embossed blue numbers and star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 70" at top | none | ABC-123 | BBB-10 to approximately SDN-999 | ||
1971 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on reflective white plate; "TEXAS 71" at top, offset to right | none | ABC-123 | BBB-10 to approximately SWD-999 | ||
1972 | Embossed green numbers and star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 72" at top | none | ABC-123 | BBB-10 to approximately TKK-999 | ||
1973 | Embossed black numbers and star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 73" at top | none | ABC-123 | BBB-10 to approximately VDD-999 | ||
1974 | Embossed red numbers and star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 74" at top | none | ABC-123 | BBB-10 to approximately VMG-999 |
1975 to present
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1975 | Black on reflective white, star separator | none | ABC-123 | AAA-10 to approximately MMV-500 | Letters I and O not used in serials; this practice continued until 1990. Staggered registration introduced 1978. | |
1976–81 | As above, but with state-shaped separator | MMV-501 to ZZZ-999 | ||||
1982–84 | 123-ABC | 001-AAA to 999-HEW | ||||
1985–86 | Dark blue on reflective white, screened red state-shaped separator | Sesquicentennial | 123-ABC | 001-HEX to 974-PAY | Commemorated the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Republic of Texas. | |
1986–89 | As above, but with bolder state name | none | 975-PAY to 999-ZZZ | |||
1990 | ABC-12D | BBB-01B to BKW-99Z | Vowels and Q not used in serials (as from 1965–74); this practice continues today. | |||
1990–91 | Dark blue and red on reflective white, state flag screened to left of state name | none | ABC-12D | BKX-01B to GTX-99Z | ||
1992–94 | The Lone Star State | GTY-01B to VJL-99J | ||||
1995–96 | State outline within abstract graphic. | 150 Years of Statehood | ABC-12D | VJL-01K to WSJ-99F | Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new standard-issue license plate of 1995 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Texas has been so honored. Co-recipient with Pennsylvania. | |
1996–97 | As 1990–95 base | The Lone Star State | ABC-12D | WSJ-01G to ZZZ-99Z | Some late 'Z' series plates made on next series' graphic sheeting, with state flag to right of state name. | |
1998 | As above, but with state flag to right of state name | A12-BCD | B01-BBB to J99-GPZ | Some early 'B' series plates made on previous series' graphic sheeting, with state flag to left of state name. | ||
1999–2003 | Dark blue numbers on reflective plate with graphic scene featuring a cowboy, oil fields, a Space Shuttle, stars and the moon; screened red state-shaped separator | The Lone Star State | A12-BCD | J01-GRB to Z99-ZZZ | ||
2004–05 | 123-ABC | 001-BBB to 999-HWL | ||||
2005–06 | As above, but with a slightly smaller cowboy, the state flag added within the state-shaped separator, the national flag added to the Space Shuttle, and seven larger stars above the shuttle | 001-HWM to 999-ZZZ | The seven larger stars honored the astronauts killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster of 2003, which occurred over Texas. | |||
2007 – June 2009 |
ABC-123 | BBB-001 to approximately VLX-999 | ||||
July 2009 – June 2012 |
First standard-issue non-embossed license plate issued in Texas; features the Davis Mountains against a sky backdrop, with a lone star and streaks of red and blue in the upper-left corner; state motto is retained on the bottom | The Lone Star State | AB1-C234 | BB0-B001 to DZ9-Z999 | ||
July 2012 – present |
New "Texas Classic" black lettering on white sheeting design with double security thread in the sheeting | The Lone Star State | ABC-1234 | BBB-0001 to LGT-9999 (as of September 16, 2018) | Serials issued on both passenger vehicles and trucks. |
Non-passenger plates
Image | Type | First issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Disabled | 1986 | Embossed dark blue on reflective white; "TEXAS" in red centered at top | none | 1AB |
1BB 1WS |
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2005 | Screened dark blue on reflective white; state flag within state shape at top right; "TEXAS" in blue centered at top | The Lone Star State | 1WW 1YP | ||||
2007 | |||||||
2012 | As "Texas Classic" passenger base | The Lone Star State | |||||
Truck | 1985 | As 1985 Sesquicentennial passenger base; "TRUCK" between state name and numbers | Sesquicentennial | 123-4AB | 000-1CR to 299-9KK | ||
1986 | As above, but without slogan and years | none | 300-0KK to 999-9ZZ | ||||
1991 | AB1-234 | AA0-001 to ZZ9-999 | |||||
1997 | 1AB-C23 | 1BB-B01 to 4LL-Z99 | |||||
2000 | As Space Shuttle passenger base; "TRUCK" between state name and numbers | The Lone Star State | 4LM-B01 to 9ZZ-Z99 | ||||
2004 | 12A-BC3 | 01B-BB1 to 99L-XZ3 | |||||
2005 | As revised Space Shuttle passenger base; "TRUCK" between state name and numbers | 01L-YB3 to 99Z-ZZ9 | |||||
2009 | 123-4AB | 000-1AA to approximately 500-0BF | |||||
2009 | As sky passenger base; "TRUCK" between state name and numbers | The Lone Star State | AB1-2345 | AA0-0001 to approximately CB1-0000 |
Optional plates
Image | Type | First issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
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4-H | |||||||
A Fine Cause | |||||||
Adopt-A-Beach | |||||||
Air Force Association | |||||||
Animal Friendly |
References
- ↑ "Old Texas License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ↑ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
- ↑ "Texas License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
Further reading
- The History of Texas License Plates – 80th Anniversary Edition (PDF). Austin, Texas: Texas Department of Transportation. 1999. Retrieved January 13, 2010. An extensive history and catalog of Texas license plates.