The U.S. state of New Jersey first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1908, when the state began to issue plates.[1]
As of 2024[update], plates are issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
Validation
In 1999 the state tried re-validating plates with stickers, but that scheme ended in 2004 with stickers issued to expire in 2005. Some non-passenger plates stickers extended to 2010 with stickers issued to expire in 2011 (2014 for trailer plates only). Since then passenger and non-passenger plates have been re-validated with just the registration card issued to the driver.
Passenger baseplates
1908 to 1958
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 first New Jersey license plate that complied with these standards was a modification of the 1952 plate, introduced in 1956.
No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.
Image
First issued
Design
Serial format
Serials issued
Notes
1908
Cream-colored serial digits on individual dark blue flat metal panels inserted into metal frame; "N.J.", lead seal and "08" on single panel inserted at right
12345
38001 to approximately 50500, plus reissues of pre-state serials
1909
White serial on black porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "09" at right
12345
1 to approximately 24000
1910
Black serial on bright orange porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "10" at left
12345
1 to approximately 30000
1911
Red serial on gray porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "11" at right
12345
1 to approximately 38000
1912
Yellow serial on blue porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "12" at left
12345
1 to approximately 44000
1913
Red serial on white porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "13" at right
12345
1 to approximately 50000
1914
White serial on red porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "14" at left
12345
1 to approximately 61000
1915
White serial on green porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "15" at right
12345
1 to approximately 78000
1916
Embossed white serial on brown plate; "NJ 16" at left
12345
1 to 99999
A1234
A1 to approximately A6800
1917
Embossed white serial on blue plate; "NJ 17" at right
12345
1 to 99999
A1234
A, B, N and O series; X1 to approximately X1900
1918
Embossed blue serial on white plate; "N.J.-1918" centered at top
123456
1 to approximately 149500
1919
Embossed white serial on gray plate; "N.J.−1919" centered at top
123456
1 to approximately 175500
1920
Embossed white serial on brick red plate; "N.J.−1920" centered at top
123456
1 to approximately 212500
1921
Embossed white serial on forest green plate; "N.J.−1921" centered at top
123456
1 to approximately 247500
1922
Embossed white serial on black plate; "N.J.−1922" centered at top
123456
1 to approximately 258500
1923
Embossed orange serial on black plate; "N.J.—23" centered at top
123456
1 to approximately 331500
1924
Embossed white serial on red plate; "N.J.−1924" centered at top
123456
1 to approximately 400000
1925
Embossed silver serial on midnight blue plate; "N.J.—25" centered at top
123456
1 to approximately 460500
1926
Embossed white serial on orange plate; "N.J.−1926" centered at top
A12345 1E2345
County-coded
Essex County used E in the second position following E99999; this practice continued through 1930.[3]
1927
Embossed white serial on green plate; "N.J.−27." centered at top
A12345 1E2345 O/N12345
County-coded
Serifs added to letters in serials for better readability. O/N code replaced Q code in Ocean County.
1928
Embossed white serial on light blue plate; "N.J.−1928" centered at top
A12345 1E2345 O/N12345
County-coded
1929
Embossed white serial on black plate; "N.J.−29." centered at top
A12345 1E2345 O/N12345
County-coded
1930
Embossed white serial on gray plate; "N.J.−1930" centered at top
A12345 1E2345 O/N12345
County-coded
1931
Embossed white serial on red plate; "N.J.−31." centered at top
A12345 1/E12345 O/N12345
County-coded
1/E1001 onwards issued in Essex County following E99999; this practice continued through 1938.
1932
Embossed white serial on black plate; "N.J.−1932." centered at top
A12345 1/E12345 O/N12345
County-coded
1933
Embossed orange serial on black plate; "N.J.−'33." centered at top
A12345 1/E12345 O/N12345
County-coded
1934
Embossed light green serial on black plate; "N.J.−1934" centered at top
A12345 1/E12345 O/N12345
County-coded
1935
Embossed silver serial on black plate; "N.J.−'35." centered at top
A12345 1/E12345 O/N12345
County-coded
1936
Embossed bright orange serial on black plate; "N.J.−1936" centered at top
A12345 1/E12345 O/N12345
County-coded
1937
Embossed light green serial on black plate; "N.J.−'37." centered at top
A12345 1/E12345 O/N12345
County-coded
1938
Embossed silver serial on black plate; "N.J.−1938" centered at top
A12345 1/B1234 1/E12345 O/N12345
County-coded
1/B1001 onwards issued in Bergen County following B99999.
1939
Embossed bright orange serial on black plate; vertical "NJ 39" at right
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
For each two-letter code, the numbers 100 to 999 were issued, followed by 10A through 99Z (omitting G, I, O and Q).[3]
1940
Embossed light green serial on black plate; vertical "NJ 40" at right
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1941
Embossed white serial on black plate; "N.J. '41" roughly centered at bottom
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1942
Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "N.J. 1942" roughly centered at bottom
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
Revalidated for 1943 with white-on-black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944
Embossed black serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. '44" roughly centered at bottom
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
Only rear plates issued due to ongoing metal conservation. Issuance of front plates resumed in 1947.
1945
Embossed blue serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. 1945" at bottom, offset to right
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1946
Embossed black serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. '46" centered at top
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1947
Embossed blue serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. 1947" at bottom, offset to right
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1948
Embossed black serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. '48" centered at top
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1949
Embossed straw-colored serial on black plate; "N.J. 1949" at bottom, offset to right
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1950
As 1948 base, but with "N.J. '50" at top
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1951
As 1949 base, but with "N.J. 1951" at bottom
A/B123 A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1952
Embossed orange lettering on black plate with border line; "N. 52 J." embossed at bottom.
A/B 123 A/B 12A A/B A12 A/B 1A2 A/B 1234
Coded by county (A/B)
Revalidated for 1953, 1954 (shown in photo), 1955 and 1956 (also shown in photo) with tabs (Passenger) 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960 with tabs (Non-Passenger).
1957
As above but changed to 6" x 12" size, and with stacked "NJ" embossed at right
A/B 1234
Coded by county (A/B)
Revalidated for 1958 with windshield stickers. The older 1952 plates (by now dated "56") were also validated with windshield stickers.
1959 to present
All passenger plates from 1959 until present are still valid, provided they have been continuously registered. It is also possible to have a serial from an older plate remade on a plate of a newer design.[4]
Image
First issued
Design
Slogan
Serial format
Serials issued
Notes
1959
Embossed black serial on non-reflective buff plate; "N.J." centered at top
"GARDEN STATE" centered at bottom
ABC-123
AAA-100 to RHZ-999
Letter Q not used in serials, and 'D', 'O', 'T' and 'X' series reserved for Dealer, Omnibus, Trailer and Commercial plates respectively.[5] This practice continued until late 1992.
1969
As above, but reflective
RIA-100 to SZZ-999
Experimental plates.
1970
As above, but non-reflective as from 1959–69
UAA-100 to YZZ-999
'Z' series initially reserved for Commercial plates; issued 1985 on blue base (below).[5]
1973
123-ABC
100-AAA to 999-HBZ
1977
As above, but with "NEW JERSEY" centered at top
100-HCA to 999-KZZ
First use of the full state name on passenger plates.
1979
Embossed buff serial with state-shaped separator on non-reflective medium blue plate; "NEW JERSEY" centered at top
"GARDEN STATE" centered at bottom
123-ABC
100-LAA to 999-ZZZ
1985
ABC-123
ZAA-100 to ZZZ-999
1985
ABC-12D
AAA-10A to HZZ-99Z
I and O not used as suffix letters in this serial format (in addition to Q).[3]
late 1992
Embossed black serial on reflective yellow to gradient white plate; "New Jersey" screened in black centered at top; black outlines for registration stickers at top corners
"Garden State" screened in black centered at bottom
ABC1234
AAA1000 to ADJ9999
Letters I, O and Q not used in serials; this practice continues today.[3]
spring 1993
As above, but with state-shaped separator added to serial
AB-123C
BA-100A to ZY-999Z
'D', 'H', 'T' and 'X' series reserved for Dealer, Handicapped, Trailer and Commercial plates respectively, and 'S' series for optional Shore to Please plate.[6] 'A' series used on Apportioned plates from 1996 onwards.
May 1999
ABC-12D
JAA-10A to SZZ-99Z; UAA-10A to VZT-99Z
'T' series reserved for Trailer plates. Between 2001 and 2004, plates used Avery reflective sheeting instead of 3M reflective sheeting.
mid 2007
As above, but without black outlines at top corners
VZU-10A to WZZ-99Z; YAA-10A to ZZZ-99Z
'X' series reserved for Commercial and Farmer plates.
July 2010
As above, but with security threads added to center of plate
As above, but with serial and separator screened rather than embossed
A10-EFF to Z99-SZZ; A10-UAA to D14-VFZ (as of December 22,2024)[8]
'T' series reserved for Trailer plates.
Courtesy plates
Courtesy plates have been issued to individuals with political connections since 1920. The current serial formats on these plates consist of three letters followed or preceded by a number between 1 and 20. On standard courtesy plates the first letter is a county code, the second letter is the first initial of the vehicle owner's name, and the third letter is the initial of the last name of the vehicle owner. Courtesy plates may also be personalized, with all three letters making up the owner's initials.
Courtesy plates can be used on several types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles and historic vehicles. They must be approved by a NJ State Senator from the applicant's election district prior to being submitted to the MVC.[9] The staff for the applicant's senator must also get approval from the state senator from the county that corresponds to the first letter on the plate being requested. The letter Q cannot be used on these plates, and D, O, T, and X cannot be used as the first letter.[3]
Serials XYA-100 through XZZ-999 and XYA-10A through XZZ-99Z reserved for Farmer plates. Current serial format began mid-2012; serials became screened at XCW-A10. Current highest serial seen: XPW-E89 (on June 28, 2024).[11] Vanity variants also issued.
Commercial Motorcycle
1962
XB123
Infrequently issued.
Commuter Van
1982
CV12345
CV-1234
Issued to airport vans and ride-share vehicles.
Dealer Temporary
1953
DL-123 12
Dealer Transporter
c. 1970
DTT-12 12 12 12DTT
Issued to new vehicles being transported from manufacturers to dealers.
Driving School
2019
DS-1234
Equipment In Transit
1949
12-1-AB
A-12-1 AB-12-1
Issued to construction vehicles, in groups of five (each plate in the group is distinguished by the small number in its serial, between 1 and 5). Issued annually through 1962.
Farm Use
1941
GB-12C
F-1234 F-B123 F-B12C FB-12C FB12345
Handicapped
1977
1234H/B
H1234 1234H H/B1234
International Symbol of Access at left. Serials became screened at around H/Z9000. Current highest serial seen: 9871H/K (on June 8, 2024).[11] Vanity variants also issued.
Historic
1964
12345QQ
QQ-A123 123A-QQ QQ-1234 1234-QQ QQ12345
Issued to vehicles that are at least 25 years old and are used for exhibition purposes. Serials became screened at around 29000QQ. Current highest serial seen: 75350QQ (on May 26, 2024).[11] Vanity and Courtesy variants also issued, with serial preceded by stacked Q/Q prefix.
Historic Motorcycle
1976
Q1234
Serials became screened at around Q7000. Current highest serial seen: Q9893 (on May 24, 2023).[11]
Hotel Bus
2014
OH-1234
Issued to small buses transporting passengers to and from hotels.
In Transit Empty
1977
12-ZB
ZB-12
Issued to trucks and trailers that are empty when transported. Serials became screened at 10-ZG. Current highest serial seen: 67-ZJ (on October 9, 2022).[11]
Jitney
July 1, 2014
OJ-1234
Issued to small buses for urban transport. These buses used Omnibus plates prior to July 2014.
Limousine
late 2000
OL1234A
Replaced Livery plate. Serials began at OL1000D and became screened at OL1000K. Current highest serial seen: OL9790K (on May 20, 2024).[11] Vanity variants also issued, with serial of owner's choice preceded by stacked O/L prefix.
Mobility Assistance Vehicle
July 1, 2014
OM-1234
Issued to vehicles transporting handicapped individuals.
Moped
1983
1A2B3
Current highest serial seen: 3G2F2 (on February 11, 2024).[11]
Motorcycle
1912
1ABC2
AB123 123AB A123B A1234 1234A
Issued annually through 1960. Current serial format began 2009; serials became screened at around 2ZFA1. Current highest serial seen: 5VYV5 (on July 12, 2024).[11] Vanity and Courtesy variants also issued.
Motorcycle Dealer
c. 1926
12-1DB
DB12-1
Motorcycle No Fee
1952
1234A
New Car Dealer
1960
DBC-12 12
Series DAA through DKZ used on these plates.
No Fee
1932
NF12345
NF-C123
Issued to vehicles owned by nonprofit organizations. Serials became screened at around NF36600. Current highest serial seen: NF40162 (on April 17, 2024).[11] Courtesy variants also issued.
Non-Conventional Dealer
c. 1965
DN-123 12
Omnibus
1922
OBC1234
OBC-123
Current serial format began 1992 at OXV1000; serials became screened at around OYB5000. Current highest serial seen: OYB8828 (on April 19, 2024).[11]
Omnibus 2
August 2014
O2-1234
Issued to buses owned by private transportation companies.
Paratransit
July 1, 2014
OP-123A
OP-1234
Issued to small buses providing non-emergency medical transport. These buses used Omnibus, Commercial and No Fee plates prior to July 2014. Current highest serial seen: OP-535F (on July 11, 2024).[11]
Passenger Vanity
1959
varies
varies
Alcoholic vanity plates are banned.
School Vehicle I
1977
S1-1234
S1-123A 123A-S1 1234AS1 S1-A123 A123-S1
Issued to full-size school buses (seating 17 or more passengers). Serials became screened at K100-S1. Current highest serial seen: S1-2656 (on February 13, 2024).[11]
School Vehicle II
1977
A123-S2
S2-123A 123A-S2 1234AS2 S2-A123
Issued to small school buses (seating under 17 passengers). Serials became screened at S2-U100. Current highest serial seen: F705-S2 (on July 10, 2024).[11]
Street Rod
1982
R1234
Issued to modified antique automobiles manufactured before 1949.
Taxicab
July 1, 2014
OT-123A
OT-1234
Taxicabs used Omnibus plates prior to July 2014. Current highest serial seen: OT-171K (on June 29, 2024).[11]
Temporary
April 1, 2012
A123456
F, H, J, L, M, R, T, V, W, X, Z and C series of serials issued.
Temporary Motorcycle
June 2015
A123456
Same design as regular Temporary plates, but smaller. J and L series of serials issued.
Serials became screened at TNN-10A. Current serial format began early 2023. Current highest serial seen: F36-TBH (on June 23, 2024).[11]
Used Car Dealer
1960
12-DBC 12
DBC-12 12 12 12DBC
Series DLA through DSZ and DUA through DZZ used on these plates.
Vehicle Converter
c. 1973
DTC-12 12 12 12DTC
Vehicle Manufacturer
1908
DTM-12 12 12 12DTM DTN-12 12 12 12DTN
Discontinued
Image
Type
First issued
Final serial format
Previous serial formats
Notes
Boat
1919
1234 A123
"BL NJ" and last two digits of year embossed at right. Last issued 1962; stickers used for boat registration since at least 1973.
Boat Dealer
by 1959
D12−1
Boat No Fee
by 1953
N/F12
Clam/Oyster Permit
1935
1234
C-1234 O-1234
Issued to vehicles used for the purpose of clam and oyster digging. All-numeric serials used from 1936 onwards. Discontinued sometime after 1938.
Constructor
1951
12345
Issued mainly to construction dump trucks. Discontinued sometime after 1979.
Gasoline License
1928
12345
Replaced by Motor Fuel Dealer in 1932 (below).
Licensed Coal/Fuel Truck
1937
1234
Supplementary plates. Last issued 1973, but revalidated until at least 1980.
Licensed Poultry Truck
by 1948
123
Supplementary plates. Last issued 1973.
Livery
1979
OL1234A
OL-1234 1234-OL OL-123A
Livery vehicles used their own plates from 1917 to 1921, then Omnibus plates from 1922 until 1977 when the PUC LIM plate was introduced (below). Vanity variants also issued, with serial of owner's choice preceded by stacked O/L prefix. Replaced by Limousine in late 2000.
Motor Fuel Dealer
1932
12345
Motorcycle-sized from 1936. Last issued 1942.
Motor Fuel Transport
1936
12345
Motorcycle-sized plates issued to tanker trucks hauling gasoline or other motor fuel. Issued annually through 1972. Last issued 2010.
Features painting of a house in Lambertville, New Jersey by renowned New Jersey artist Harry Devlin. Proceeds go to the Historic License Plate Preservation Fund to save priceless historic buildings, artifacts and documents.
The New Jersey sports plates were introduced in the fall of 2010. They share a common serial format – R/M12AB – and were the first NJ plates to be issued with screened, rather than embossed, serials.
Issued to members of the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association for member identification; the serial number on each plate is the owner's membership number. Current plate design is dark red on white with the slogan "Fighting For Beach Access Since 1954".