Vehicle registration plates of Massachusetts

Massachusetts vehicle license plates

Massachusetts

Current series
Slogan| The Spirit of America
Size| 12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
Material| Aluminum
Introduced| 1987 (1987) (vanity plates and some non-passenger types; used as standard passenger base from 1993 onwards)
Availability
Issued by| Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Registry of Motor Vehicles
History
First issued| September 1, 1903 (1903-09-01), to Frederick Tudor

* v
* t
* e

Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to issue license plates on September 1, 1903, to Frederick Tudor.[1] Plates are currently issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).

On November 12, 2019, Massachusetts became the final state to issue temporary license plates (designated as type PAS, subtype TP), which can be printed at home & put in the RMV sleeve & affixed to the back of the vehicle. Temporary plates are initially good for 20 days but can be renewed once after 17 days if permanent plates haven't arrived yet.

All plates since 1978 are currently valid. Prior to 1993, only rear plates were required; since the first "Spirit of America" plate was issued in 1986, front and rear plates have been required since. As such, the 1978-1993 issues continue to only require the rear plate, while the "Spirit of America" issues since 1986 require front and rear plates.

## Passenger baseplates

[edit]

### 1903 to 1966

[edit]

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico 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 Massachusetts license plate that complied with these standards.

Image  | Dates issued  | Design  | Serial format  | Serials issued  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

| 1903–07 | White serial on blue porcelain plate; "MASS. AUTOMOBILE REGISTER" at top  | 12345  | 1 to 26207[1] |
| 1908  | Blue serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1908" at left and right respectively  | 12345  | 1 to approximately 17500  | First dated plate.
| 1909  | White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1909" at left and right respectively  | 12345  | 1 to approximately 23500  |
| 1910  | Blue serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1910" at left and right respectively  | 12345  | 1 to approximately 29000  |

12345

| 1911  | White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1911" at left and right respectively  | 12345  | 1 to approximately 33000  |
| 1912  | Blue serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1912" at left and right respectively  | 12345  | 1 to approximately 41000  |
| 1913  | White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1913" at left and right respectively  | 12345  | 1 to approximately 54500  |
| 1914  | Blue serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1914" at left and right respectively  | 12345  | 1 to approximately 62000  |
| 1915  | White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1915" at left and right respectively  | 12345  | 1 to approximately 79500  |
| 1916  | Dark blue serial on cream flat metal plate; vertical "MASS" and "1916" at left and right respectively  | 123456  | 1 to approximately 102000  |

123,456

| 1917  | Cream serial on dark blue flat metal plate; "MASS. 1917" centered at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 127,000  |
| 1918  | Dark blue serial on cream flat metal plate; "MASS. 1918" centered at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 142,000  |

123,456

| 1919  | Cream serial on dark blue flat metal plate; "MASS. 1919" centered at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 177,000  |
| 1920  | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "MASS. 1920" centered at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 219,000  | First embossed plate.
| 1921  | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "MASS. 1921" centered at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 260,000  |

123,456

| 1922  | As 1920 base, but with "MASS. 1922" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 321,000  |

123,456

| 1923  | As 1921 base, but with "MASS. 1923" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 402,000  |
| 1924  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS. 1924" centered at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 473,000  |

123,456

| 1925  | Embossed white serial on black plate; "MASS. — 1925" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 546,000  |

123,456

| 1926  | Embossed white serial on blue plate; "1926 — MASS" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 598,000  |
| 1927  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS — 1927" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 624,000  |
| 1928  | Embossed white serial on green plate; "1928", cod fish graphic and "MASS" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 644,000  |
| 1929  | Embossed white serial on blue plate; "MASS — 1929" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 712,000  |
| 1930  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "1930 — MASS" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 749,000  |

123,456

| 1931  | Embossed white serial on green plate; "MASS — 1931" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 792,000  |

123,456

| 1932  | As 1930 base, but with "1932 — MASS" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 740,000  |

123,456

| 1933  | As 1931 base, but with "MASS — 1933" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 759,000  |

123,456

| 1934  | As 1930 base, but with "MASS — 1934" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 749,000  |
| 1935  | As 1931 base, but with "1935 — MASS" at bottom  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 734,000  |

123,456

| 1936  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 36" centered at top  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 729,000  |

123,456

| 1937  | Embossed white serial on green plate; "37 MASS" centered at top  | 123,456  | 1 to approximately 755,000  |
| 1938  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 38" centered at bottom  | 123·456  | 1 to approximately 751·000  |

123·456

| 1939  | Embossed white serial on green plate; "39 MASS" centered at bottom  | 123·456  | 1 to approximately 771·000  |
| 1940  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 40" centered at top  | 123·456  | 1 to approximately 779·000  |
| 1941  | Embossed white serial on green plate; "41 MASS" centered at bottom  | 123·456  | 1 to approximately 852·000  |
| 1942–44  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 42" centered at bottom  | 123·456  | 1 to approximately 828·000  | Revalidated for 1943
and 1944 with wind-
shield stickers, due to metal conservation
for World War II.

123·456

| As above, but green rather than maroon  | 828·001 to approximately 855·000
| 1945  | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "45 MASS" at top  | 123·456  | 1 to approximately 799·000  |
| 1946  | Embossed white serial on black plate; "46 MASS" at bottom  | 123·456  | 1 to approximately 843·000  |
| 1947  | Embossed white serial on dark green plate; "MASS 47" within embossed white bar centered at top  | 123·456  | 1 to approximately 897·000  |
| 1948  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "48 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at bottom  | 123·456  | 1 to approximately 948·000  |

No image

| 1949–50  | Embossed white serial on black plate; "49 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at top  | 123·456  | 1 to 999·999  | Revalidated for 1950
with windshield sticker.
A12·345  | K, H and J series
| 1951–52  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 51" within embossed white bar centered at bottom  | 123·456  | 1 to 999·999  | Revalidated for 1952
with windshield sticker.
A12·345  | K, H, E and P series
| 1953–54  | Embossed white serial on black plate; "MASS 53" within embossed white bar centered at top  | 123·456  | 1 to 999·999  | Revalidated for 1954
with windshield sticker.

A12·345  | K, H, E, P and L series

No image

| 1955–56  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "55 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at bottom  | 123·456  | 1 to 999·999  | Revalidated for 1956
with windshield sticker.
A12·345  | K, H, E, P, L, N and X series
| 1957–58  | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MASS 57" within embossed white bar centered at top  | 123·456  | 1 to 999·999  | First 6" x 12" plate. Revalidated for 1958
with windshield sticker.
A12·345  | K, H, E, P, L, N, X and U series
| 1959–60  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "59 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at top  | 123·456
A12·345  |  | Revalidated for 1960
with windshield sticker.
| 1961–62  | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "MASS 61" within embossed white bar centered at top  | 123·456
A12·345  |  | Revalidated for 1962
with windshield sticker.
| 1963  | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "63 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at top  | 123·456
A12·345  |  |
| 1964–65  | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "MASS 64" within embossed white bar centered at top  | 123·456
A12·345  |  | Revalidated for 1965
with windshield sticker.
| 1966  | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "66 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at top  | 123·456
A12·345  |  |

### 1967 to present

[edit]

Massachusetts implemented a monthly staggered registration system in 1969. Since then, serials on passenger plates have been coded by the month of expiration of the registration, determined by the last number in the serial (1 for January, 2 for February and so on up to 0 for October). From 1969 through 1977, serials with 'X' suffixes were used for November and 'Y' suffixes for December expirations respectively. Registrants are issued plates expiring the last day of the previous month (e.g. a motorist registering a vehicle in June will be issued May plates). If a vehicle is registered in December or January (so that November and December plates would be called for), leftover plates are issued from other months with manufacturing overruns.

Two-year registrations are mandatory, with the exception of vehicles initially registered during December or January. Vanity plates and motorcycle plates must be renewed annually. All apportioned plate registrations expire on June 30, all trailer and "Spirit of America" vanity plate registrations expire on November 30, and all motorcycle, commercial, and single letter passenger reserved plate registrations expire on December 31.

Currently, the Livery plate is the only common license plate in Massachusetts that is allowed to have more than six characters in its serials. All Livery plate serials start with the letters "LV", even if not stamped.

Because the RMV utilizes "Plate Type" to describe the type of registration, it is theoretically possible to have two plates issued with seemingly the same serial. Some of the plate types, and their three-letter codes, are listed below:

* PAN - Passenger: Normal
* PAR - Passenger: Reserved
* PAS - Passenger: Specialty (Antique, Veteran, Environmental, Sports, Spay & Neuter, Breast Cancer, United We Stand, etc.)
* PAV - Passenger: Vanity
* PAY - Passenger: Year of Manufacture (Antique plate with year stamped; AN gets added to the beginning of plate number on registration)
* CON - Commercial: Normal (plates starting SR are for snow removal; HR for Hearse)
* COR - Commercial: Reserved
* COV - Commercial: Vanity
* MCN - Motorcycle: Normal
* MCR - Motorcycle: Reserved
* MCS - Motorcycle: Specialty
* MCV - Motorcycle: Vanity
* AHN - Camper: Normal
* AHR - Camper: Reserved
* AHV - Camper: Vanity
* AMN - Ambulance: Normal (includes Animal Ambulance)
* AMR - Ambulance: Reserved
* LVN - Livery: Normal
* LVR - Livery: Reserved
* LVV - Livery: Vanity
* SPN - School Pupil: Normal
* TAN - Taxi: Normal
* TAR - Taxi: Reserved
* TRN - Trailer: Normal (not used on Camper trailers)
* TRR - Trailer: Reserved
* VPN - Van Pool: Normal
* SBN - School Bus: Normal
* SBR - School Bus: Reserved
* BUN - Bus: Normal
* BUR - Bus: Reserved
* BUV - Bus: Vanity

Image  | Dates issued  | Design  | Serial format  | Serials issued  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

| 1967–68 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MASSACHUSETTS" centered at top  | 123·456  | 100·001 to 999·999  | Revalidated with windshield stickers through the end of 1969, then coded by month of expiration (see above) and revalidated with plate stickers.
A12·345  | E10·001 to Y99·999
1969–71  | 123·45A  | Coded by month of expiration  | Revalidated with plate stickers. All plates replaced 1972–73.
| 1972–78  | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MASSACHUSETTS" centered at bottom  | 1A·2345
12A·340
123·456
A12·345
123·45A  | Coded by month of expiration  | 12A·340 serial format used only on plates expiring in October.[3] Issued in alternating weeks from 1977, following the introduction of the green-on-white base (below), until supplies were exhausted. Replaced 1982–83.
| 1977–93  | Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MASSACHUSETTS" centered at top  | 123·ABC  | 100·AAA to 999·VZZ (see right)  | Only rear plates issued (except for reserved and non-passenger plates). On all plates, the last digit corresponded to the month of expiration, with November and December expirations discontinued except on non-passenger plates and on red-and-white plates until 1980–81. All-numeric plates were generally issued to holders of the same serials on the red-on-white base. Still currently revalidated.
1983–93  | 123·456  | 100·000 to 999·999 (see right)

| 1993–present  | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "Massachusetts" and "The Spirit of America" screened in blue centered at top and bottom respectively  | 123·ABC  | 999·ZZZ to 100·WAA (reverse issue)  | This base was first issued in 1987 for vanity plates and some non-passenger types, before becoming the standard passenger base in 1993. On all standard passenger plates, the last digit corresponds to the month of expiration. Letters Q and U never used. Letters I and O used in 123·ABC and 1234 AB formats (IA-IZ, OA-OZ were skipped)
1234 AB  | 1000 AA to 9999 AA, then 1000 AB through 9999 AZ and so on through 9999 ZZ (January issued only through 9991 TZ, February issued only through 9992 YZ)[4]
12A B34  | 10A A00 to 99A A09, then 10A B00 through 99A Z09, then 10B A00 through 99Z Z09 and so on through 99Z Z99 (May issued only through 99Z Z85, June issued only through 99Z Z86)
123 AB4  | 111 AA0 to 999 AA9, then 111 AB0 through 999 AZ9 and so on through 999 ZZ9 (October issued only through 999 NZ0 to avoid any further confusion with the previous 123·ABO format)
1AB 234  | 1AA 110 to 9ZZ 999
1ABC 23  | As of March 4, 2025:

* 1AAA 11 to at least 6MVB 51 (as of February 21, 2025)
* 1AAA 12 to at least 5PJE 22 (as of March 4, 2025)
* 1AAA 13 to 4MLZ 93 (as of November 9, 2024)
* 1AAA 14 to 5RZZ 94 (as of July 14, 2024)
* 1AAA 15 to 5GLZ 95 (as of November 6, 2024)
* 1AAA 16 to 5ADK 76 (as of February 22, 2025)
* 1AAA 17 to 6GLZ 97 (as of January 25, 2025)
* 1AAA 18 to 6KZZ 98 (as of November 4, 2024)
* 1AAA 29 to 6SZZ 99 (as of December 1, 2024)
* 1AAA 10 to 9RZZ 90 (9SAA 10 to 9ZZZ 90 were not used and October was moved on to the below formats in November 2018)

12A 340  | 11A 100 to 99Z 990 (October only)
123 A40  | 111 A10 to 479 Z90 (October only)

## Current passenger baseplates

[edit]

Currently, both the 1977 green-on-white base and the 1987 "Spirit" base are valid for registration. On the 1977 base, only rear plates were issued for most types (except for Reserved, Commercial and Taxi, for which front plates were also issued and must also be displayed today), whereas on the current "Spirit" base, both front and rear plates are issued. Registrants with 1977 plates have the option of replacing these with "Spirit" plates at no charge (though a different number will be used); however, most choose to keep their 1977 plates as a point of pride. In many cases, the 1977 plates are worn and illegible; legally per M.G.L. Chapter 90, a car with an illegible plate (regardless of age or color) must fail the state's annually required vehicle safety inspection. This is a safety fail, which under Massachusetts law prohibits operation of the vehicle until the issue is corrected.

Image  | First year of issue  | Description  | Serials previously issued  | Current serial format  | Notes

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|
|
|
|

| 1987  | Red on reflective white base with screened state name and slogan in blue  | Coded with n by month of expiration (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October):

* 123·45n
* 12n·ABC
* 123n AB
* 12A B3n
* 123 ABn
* 1AB 23n
* 1ABC 20 (October expirations, although other months are currently following)
* 12A 340 (October expirations only, although other months might follow)

| Coded with n by month of expiration (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October):

* 1ABC 2n (January through September expirations)
* 123 A40 (October expirations only, although other months might follow)

| Letters Q and U never used. Letters I and O used in 123·ABC and 1234 AB formats (IA-IZ, OA-OZ were skipped)

## Reserved plates

[edit]

"Spirit of America" low-number reserve plate.

In addition to the standard serial formats, Massachusetts also issues "reserve" plates. Reserve plates permit the plate holder to receive the same serial number when new plate styles are issued, or to transfer the serial number to family members. These plates are either all-numeric (1 through 99999) or consist of a single letter followed or preceded by a number (A 1 through Z 9999 and 1 A through 9999 Z). Reserve serials may also be of the forms A (expires on December 31), A#A, A##A, #A#, and #AA#, where # represents any number, and A represents any letter. Low-number reserve plates – now called "Lottery Plates" by the RMV – are of the forms A, #, ##, ###, ####, A #, A ##, # A, and ## A only. When a registrant cancels a low-number reserve registration, the number is placed in an annual lottery.[5] Registration for the lottery generally begins each June, and the drawing must be held by September 15. Prior to the institution of this annual lottery[when?], low-number reserve plates were issued only to well-connected individuals, and it is widely believed that drivers with low registration numbers were given preferential treatment by law enforcement. The annual lottery was instituted in response to complaints about the politics behind the issuance of low-number registrations.[citation needed] As with standard registration plates, the final digit on low-number reserve plates indicates the month of expiration.

Image  | First year of issue  | Description  | Serial formats  | Notes

|
|
|
|

| 1987  | Low-number reserve: Red on reflective white base with screened state name and slogan in blue  | Coded with n by month of expiration (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October):

* A (expires on December 31).
* n
* 1n
* 12n
* 123n
* 1234n*
* A n**
* A 1n**
* A 12n*
* A 123n*
* n A***
* 1n A***
* 12n A*
* 123n A*
* AnB*
* A1nB*
* 1An*
* 1ABn*

| * No longer available via lottery.[6]

** No longer uses the letter O.[6]

*** Never used the letter O.[6]

## Vanity plates

[edit]

1966 vanity plate. Serials featuring the names of alcoholic beverages are no longer permitted. Image  | First year of issue  | Design  | Allowed serial formats  | Notes

|
|
|
|

| 1987  | Red on reflective white base with screened state name and slogan in blue  |

* AB
* AB 1
* AB 12
* AB 123
* AB 1234
* ABC
* ABC 1
* ABC 12
* ABC 123
* ABCD
* ABCD 1
* ABCD 12
* ABCDE
* ABCDE 1
* ABCDEF

| All passenger vanity plates expire on November 30.

## Specialty Plates

[edit]

In general, Massachusetts specialty plates follow the formats of X/X 1234, progressing to X/X 123A, X/X 12AB, X/X AB12, X/X A123

Specialty Plates generally cost $40 per year and the fee goes to the organization on the plate [7]

Image  | Type  | Dates issued  | Design  | Serial Prefix  | Serials issued  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

| ALS One  |  | As 1993 Passenger base, "Care & A Cure For ALS" screened in blue at bottom  | L/G  |  |
| Atlantic White Shark  |  | As 1993 Passenger base, shark graphic screened at left, "Atlantic White Shark Conservancy" screened in black at bottom  | W/S  |  |
| Basketball Hall of Fame  |  | As 1993 Passenger base, basketball hall of fame graphic screened at left, "BIRTHPLACE OF BASKETBALL" screened in blue at bottom  | B/B  |  |
| Blackstone Valley  |  | Embossed Red Serial on blue and white plate with watermill graphic at left, "Massachusetts screened in blue at top, "Preserve the Trust" screened in blue at bottom  | B/V  |  |
| Boston Celtics  | 1987-1998  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "The Spirit of America" screened in blue at bottom, "CELTICS" screened in red at left  |  |  |
| 1998-Present  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate with Boston Celtics logo at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "17-Time World Champions" screened in green at bottom left, "Boston Children's" screened in black at bottom  | C/S  |  |
| Boston Bruins  | 1987-1998  | Embossed black serial in yellow plate, "Massachusetts" screened in black at top, "BRUINS" screened in black at left  |  |  |
| 1998-Present  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate with Boston Bruins logo at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Invest in Youth Hockey" screened in black at bottom  | B/R  |  |
| Cape Ann  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "LOVECAPEANN.COM" screened in blue at bottom  | C/A  |  |
| Cape and Islands  | 1996-2006  | Embossed Red Serial on blue and white plate with lighthouse graphic at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Cape Cod & Islands" screened in blue at bottom  | C/I  |  | $50 annual fee
| 2006-2024  | I/C
| 2024-Present  | C/P
| Choose Life  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, mother and child graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Choose Life" screened in black at bottom  | C/L  |  |
| Conquer Cancer  | 2006-Present  | As 1993 Passenger base, blue tear drop and yellow sunset screened at left, "Conquer Cancer" screened in blue at bottom  | C/C  |  |
| Cure Breast Cancer  | 2006-Present  | As 1993 Passenger base, with pink breast cancer ribbon screened at left, "Cure Breast Cancer" screened in blue at bottom  | B/C  |  |
| Dr Seuss  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, cat in the hat graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "SeussinSpringfield.org" screened in black at bottom  | D/R  |  |
| Electric Vehicle  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, green EV graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Electric Vehicle" screened in blue at bottom  | E/V  |  | Optional for electric and hybrid vehicles
V/E  |
| Fallen Heroes  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, Massachusetts Fallen Heroes graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Honor Their Sacrifice" screened in blue at bottom  | F/H  |  |
| Firefighters Memorial  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, Firefighter graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Firefighters Memorial" screened in red at bottom  | F/F  |  |
| Fish and Wildlife  |  | Embossed Red Serial on blue and white plate with fish graphic at left, "Massachusetts screened in purple at top, "Preserve the Trust" screened in white at bottom  | F/W  |  |
| Freemasonry  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, Freemason graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Freemasonry" screened in blue at bottom  | M/M  |  |
| Fresh and Local  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, Pumpkin graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Choose Fresh and Local" screened in blue at bottom  | A/G  |  |
| Habitat and Heritage  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, deer graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Habitat and Heritage" screened in black at bottom  | S/L  |  |
| Invest in Children  | 1998-Present  | Embossed Red Serial on white and blue plate, children graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Invest in Children" screened in white at bottom  | T/C  |  |
| Martha's Vineyard  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, ferry graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Martha's Vineyard" screened in blue at bottom  | M/V  |  |
| Mass Animal Coalition  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, dog and cat graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "I'm Animal Friendly" screened in blue at bottom  | S/N  |  |
| Nantucket  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, Nantucket and whale graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Nantucket Island" screened in blue at bottom  | N/I  |  |
| New England Patriots  | 1996-2017  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "New England Patriots Charitable Foundation" screened at bottom  | N/E  |  |
| 2017-2022  |  |
| 2022-Present  |  |
| Olympic Spirit  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white and blue plate, USA Olympics graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Olympic Spirit" screened in white at bottom  | O/S  |  |
| Pan-Mass  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, Pan-Mass logo screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Share the Road" screened in blue at bottom  | P/M  |  |
| Plymouth 400  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, mayflower graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "An American Story, A National Legacy" screened in blue at bottom  | P/L  |  |
| Red Sox  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, Red Sox Logo screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "The Jimmy Fund" screened in blue at bottom  | R/S  |  |
|  | J/F  |  |
| Registered Nurse  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, Registered Nurse graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Advancing Health" screened in blue at bottom  | R/N  |  |
| Right Whale  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white and blue plate, whale graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Preserve the Trust" screened in blue at bottom  | R/W  |  |
| Roseate Tern  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white and blue plate, whale graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Preserve the Trust" screened in blue at bottom  | R/T  |  |
| State Police Association  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, state trooper hat graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Protect and Serve" screened in blue at bottom  | P/S  |  |
| Striped Bass  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, striped bass graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Striped Bass Conservation" screened in blue at bottom  | S/C  |  |
| UMass  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, UMass graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "You were. You are. UMASS." screened in red at bottom  | U/M  |  |
| United We Stand  |  | Embossed Red Serial on American flag background, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "United we Stand" screened in blue at bottom  | U/S  |  |
| Welcome Home  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, house graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Welcome Home" screened in blue at bottom  | W/H  |  |
| Zoo New England  |  | Embossed Red Serial on white plate, Zoo New England graphic screened at left, "Massachusetts" screened in blue at top, "Zoo New England" screened in blue at bottom  | Z/N  |  |

## Non-passenger plates

[edit]

Image  | Type  | Dates issued  | Design  | Serial format  | Serials issued  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

| Commercial  | 1987–1991 | As "Spirit of America" base, but with embossed "COMMERCIAL" in place of slogan  | 123·456  | 1 to 999·999  | All Commercial plates expire on December 31.
1991–1993 | A 1234
A12·345  | A 1000 to C99·999
1993–2007 | As above, but with embossed "DEC" at top left  | D 1000 to approximately M63·800
2007–2019  | As above, but with "DEC" screened rather than embossed  | M63·801 to approximately V43·499
2019–present | As above, but with "COMMERCIAL" screened rather than embossed  | V43·500 to at least Y48·645 (as of February 12, 2025)
| Trailer  | 1987–2004  | As "Spirit of America" base, but with embossed "TRAILER" in place of slogan  | 123·456  | 1 to 999·999  | All Trailer plates expire on November 30.
2004–2008  | A 1234  | A 1000 to Z 9999
2008–2021  | A12·345  | A10·000 to approximately F99·999
2021–2024  | TZ 12345  | TZ 10000 to TZ 99999
2024-present  | TZ 1234A  | TZ 1000A to at least TZ 8949C (as of February 12, 2025)
| Apportioned  | 1987–2018  | As "Spirit of America" base, but with screened "APPORTIONED" in place of slogan  | 12345  | 10000 to 99999  | All Apportioned plates expire on June 30.
2018–2021  | 1234 A  | 1000 A to 9999 B
2021–present  | 1AB 23C  | 1AA 10A to at least 1AK 98C (as of July 22, 2024)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "History of the Plate". Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Archived from the original on January 4, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
2. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5\. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
3. ^ Tanner, Eric N. "Massachusetts License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
4. ^ Sage, Kit; Tanner, Eric. "licenseplates.cc Massachusetts highs page". Retrieved June 24, 2009.
5. ^ 2011 Low Plate Lottery Announcement
6. ^ a b c "Passenger Plates Booklet" (PDF). massDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles Division. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. July 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
7. ^ "Apply for a special license plate". Mass.gov. Archived from the original on 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-03-19.

## External links

[edit]

* Massachusetts license plates 1969–present
* Passenger Plates Booklet July 2014. Registry of Motor Vehicles (MassDOT). Retrieved 2014-07-02.

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