Canadian licence plate designs and serial formats
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In Canada, licence plate numbers are usually assigned in ascending order, beginning with a starting point such as AAA-001.
As such, someone familiar with the sequence can determine roughly when the licence plate was issued. After Ontario's transition to an ABCD-123 format in 1997, plates were issued in ascending order starting with AAAA-000. It took close to 10 years to exhaust the supply of plate numbers with A as the first digit. In late 2006, plates with B as the first digit were assigned, and have continued from there sequentially. Plates with C as the first digit started appearing in 2016. The first plates beginning with D were issued in 2023.
The gradual increase in the use of letters in the serials of licence plates has given rise to an increased possibility of unintentional profane or inappropriate words or messages arising from the use of sequential alphanumeric combinations. Thus, numbering sequences generally exclude certain combinations of letters or numbers that would be potentially offensive. Jurisdictions' attention to excluding offensive combinations varies widely, however. In 1986, Waldale, a Canadian licence plate manufacturer, due to a production error, produced an entire batch of New Brunswick plates that began with the letters ASS. The plates were issued, and were unofficially scrapped, but many found their way into the collectors' black market.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
From 1971 to 1975, Manitoba's licence plate bore the slogan "Sunny Manitoba: 100,000 lakes,"[1] but was changed to "Friendly Manitoba," possibly due to conflict with Minnesota's "10,000 lakes" slogan.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Current designs and serial formats
The most recent design or serial format being issued.
Passenger plates
| Province/Territory | First issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 2021 | Red on reflective white | "Wild Rose Country" | ABC-1234 | File:AB3CKZ3449.jpg |
| British Columbia | 2014 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre | "Beautiful British Columbia" | AB1 23C | File:British Columbia 2017 Passenger License Plate CF346E.jpg |
| Manitoba | 2012 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; black bison graphic screened at top right; "Manitoba" screened in blue at top, offset to right, with red maple leaf over the 'i' | "Friendly Manitoba" | ABC 123 | File:Manitoba License Plate 2012.jpg |
| New Brunswick | 2011 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with curved gold and sky blue bands at the top; screened provincial wordmark (red galley graphic with small blue waves and "New" to the left, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below, all in green) on bands, centred above serial | — | ABC 123 | File:Plate NewBrunswick 2016.jpg |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2007–21
2023–present |
Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue below | — | ABC 123 | File:Newfoundland & Labrador 2017 license plate - JEJ 371.jpg |
| Northwest Territories | 2010 | screened nature scene, shaped like a polar bear | "Spectacular Northwest Territories" | 123456 | File:1986 Northwest Territories license plate 331758.jpg |
| Nova Scotia | 2011 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; light blue graphic of the Bluenose screened in the centre; "NOVA SCOTIA" screened in blue centred at top | "Canada's Ocean Playground" | ABC 123 | File:1989 Nova Scotia license plate FRP 490 type II.jpg |
| Nunavut | 2012 | Screened black serial on rectangular plate with night scene featuring polar bear, inuksuk, three sets of northern lights and 25 stars; "Nunavut" screened in black letters and in Inuktitut syllabics (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) centred at bottom | — | 123 456 | |
| Ontario | 1997–2020 2020–present |
Blue on reflective white with screened crown separator; "ONTARIO" screened in blue centred at top | "Yours to Discover" | ABCD-123 | File:2016 Ontario License Plate CBPC-344.jpg |
| "Script error: No such module "Lang"." | File:2008 Ontario license plate BEAD♔712 TANT À DÉCOUVRIR.png | ||||
| Green on reflective white with screened graphic of white trillium; for hydrogen and plug-in electric vehicles[2] | "Green Vehicle" | GVAB 123 | File:2010 Ontario license plate GVAH 823 electric vehicle.png | ||
| "Script error: No such module "Lang"." | VEAB 123 | File:Blank License Plate Shape.svg | |||
| Prince Edward Island | 2022 | Green letters on white baseplate; 'PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND' screened at top & 'CANADA' along bottom. PEI crest in center and small Canadian flag in bottom left. | none | 123 ABC | File:Blank License Plate Shape.svg |
| Quebec | 2023 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Québec" centred at top | "Script error: No such module "Lang"." (I Remember) | ABC 12D | File:Blank License Plate Shape.svg |
| 2011 | green on reflective white with electric vehicle pictogram on the lower left side (for electric vehicles)[3] | Began as B12 VEA, followed by C12 VAB | File:Plaque d'immatriculation du Québec - Véhicule de promenade - Électrique - 12x6in.png | ||
| Saskatchewan | 2009 | Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top | "Land of Living Skies" | 123 ABC | File:Saskatchewan License Plate 2011.jpg |
| Yukon | 1990 | Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottom | "The Klondike" | ABC12 | |
| Department of National Defence - All provinces and territories | dark green on reflective white with "Canada" on top flanked by two red maple leaves | — | 12345 | File:Canada Federal license plate 78579.jpg |
Note: For Ontario and Quebec electric vehicle plates, letters in bold denotes that they are specifically set to identify them, apart from the regular issuance.
Commercial plates
Most provinces issue separate commercial plates for trucks, usually for commercial purposes or over a certain vehicle weight.
| Province/Territory | First issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | none | ||||
| British Columbia | 2008 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag used as separator | "Beautiful British Columbia" | AB 1234 | File:1985 British Columbia license plate CD 7172.jpg |
| Manitoba | 2012 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; black bison graphic screened at top right; "Manitoba" screened in blue at top, offset to right, with red maple leaf over the 'i' | "Friendly Manitoba" | CAB 123 | File:Blank License Plate Shape.svg |
| New Brunswick | 2011 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with curved gold and sky blue bands at the top; screened provincial wordmark (red galley graphic with small blue waves and "New" to the left, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below, all in green) on bands, centred above serial | — | CAB 123 | File:New Brunswick Commercial License Plate 2011.jpg |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2007 | Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue below | — | CA1 234 | File:Newfoundland & Labrador 2018 license plate - CA1-550.jpg |
| Northwest Territories | 2010 | screened nature scene, shaped like a polar bear | "Spectacular Northwest Territories" | C12345 | File:Northwest Territories Commercial License Plate 2011.jpg |
| Nova Scotia | 2012 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "NOVA SCOTIA" and "COMMERCIAL" centred at top and bottom respectively | — | 12-345-A | File:Blank License Plate Shape.svg |
| Nunavut | 2012 | Screened black serial on rectangular plate with night scene featuring polar bear, inuksuk, three sets of northern lights and 25 stars; "Nunavut" screened in black letters and in Inuktitut syllabics (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) centred at bottom | — | C12 345 | File:Blank License Plate Shape.svg |
| Ontario | 2011 | Black on reflective white with screened crown separator | "YOURS TO DISCOVER" | AB 12345 | File:2011 Ontario license plate AJ♔42864 commercial.png |
| "TANT À DÉCOUVRIR" | File:2011 Ontario license plate DA♔12247 commercial TANT À DÉCOUVRIR.png | ||||
| Prince Edward Island | 2013 | Embossed light brown numbers on reflective white with photo of Province House on the left | "Birthplace of Confederation" | C1 234 | File:Blank License Plate Shape.svg |
| Quebec | 2001 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Québec" centred at top | "Je me souviens" | FAB1234 | File:Quebec Commercial License Plate 2007 - FEB1299.jpg |
| Saskatchewan | none | ||||
| Yukon | 1990 | Light Commercial - Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottom | — | C123A | File:Blank License Plate Shape.svg |
| 2009 | Heavy Commercial - Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottom | — | CA123 | File:Blank License Plate Shape.svg | |
Former designs and serial formats still valid
Designs or serial formats that are no longer issued, yet are still valid for use.
| Province/Territory | Dates Issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 1983-92 | red on reflective white | "Wild Rose Country" | ABC-123 | File:Alberta license plate 1987.jpg |
| 1993-2010 | red on non-reflective white | File:AB plate UXM444.jpg | |||
| 2010-19 | red on non-reflective white | ABC-1234 | |||
| 2019-21 | as above, but with newer Alberta government logo | File:AB3CKR0762.jpg | |||
| British Columbia | 1985-2001 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre | "Beautiful British Columbia" | ABC 123 | |
| 2001-14 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre | 123 ABC | File:British Columbia License Plate 820TTE.jpg | ||
| Manitoba | 1997-2012 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; blue bison graphic screened at top right; "Manitoba" screened in blue at top, offset to right, with red maple leaf over the 'i' | "Friendly Manitoba" | ABC 123 | File:2007 Manitoba licence plate.jpg |
| New Brunswick | 2003-09 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; screened provincial wordmark ("New" to the left of the galley, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below) | — | ABC-123 | File:New Brunswick License Plate 2004.jpg |
| 2009-11 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with curved gold and sky blue bands at the top; screened provincial wordmark (red galley graphic with small blue waves and "New" to the left, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below, all in green) on bands, centred above serial | "Be...in this place - Être...ici on le peut'" | ABC 123 | File:New Brunswick Billingual License Plate 2009.jpg | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 1982-93 | red and blue embossed on white | — | ABC-123 | File:Nl passenger issue ADJ-921.jpg |
| 1993-96 | red on reflective white with screened Viking ship graphic | "A World of Difference" | ABC 123 | File:Newfoundland and Labrador license plate 2005.jpg | |
| 1996-97 | red on reflective blue/white with screened Cabot graphic | "Celebrate 500 Years" | ABC 123 | File:NL passenger issue HBC-399.jpg | |
| 1997-2001 | As 1993–96 base | "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" as from 1993–96 | ABC 123 | File:Newfoundland & Labrador 2001 license plate - HDB 251.jpg | |
| 2001-02 | Embossed red serial on white plate; screened provincial flag centred slightly below serial; "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CANADA" screened in red below flag | — | ABC 123 | File:Newfoundland & Labrador 2017 license plate - HFA-566.jpg | |
| 2002-03 | As above, but with "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR" centred at top, and "CANADA" increased in size | — | ABC 123 | File:Newfoundland & Labrador 2010 license plate - HGB 557.jpg | |
| 2003-07 | red on reflective white with screened provincial flag graphic | — | ABC 123 | File:Newfoundland & Labrador 2018 license plate - HMD-926.jpg | |
| 2022-23 | Embossed blue serial on white and teal gradient plate; screened blue graphic of a whale; screened red provincial word mark on top; screened red “COME HOME 2022” on bottom | "COME HOME 2022" | ABC 123 | File:NL-2022-comehomeyear-JRB325.jpg | |
| Northwest Territories | none | ||||
| Nova Scotia | blue on white | "Canada's Ocean Playground" | ABC 123 | File:Nova Scotia CLY137.jpg | |
| Nunavut | none | ||||
| Ontario | 1973–78 | Embossed blue serial with crown separator on white plate with border line; "ONTARIO" centred at top; "73" at bottom left and full sticker box at bottom right | "KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL" | ABC 123 | File:1973 Base Ontario License Plate LVK-827.jpg |
| 1978-82 | As above, but without "73", and with partial sticker box at bottom right | "KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL" | ABC 123 | File:1973 Ontario license plate PTA♔264 type II.jpg | |
| 1982-86 | As above, but with no sticker box | "YOURS TO DISCOVER" | ABC 123 | File:Ontario 1984 License Plate.jpg | |
| 1986-94 | "YOURS TO DISCOVER" | 123 ABC | File:Ontario License Plate 711-HJP.jpg | ||
| 1994–97 | Blue on reflective white with screened crown separator; "ONTARIO" screened in blue centred at top | "YOURS TO DISCOVER" | 123 ABC | File:Ontario 1996 License Plate.jpg | |
| 2020 | white on reflective, two-hue blue with white stylized trillium separator and white crown placed bottom right[4][5] | "A Place to Grow" | ABCD 123 | File:2020 Ontario License Plate 2023-09-23.jpg | |
| Prince Edward Island | 1981-92 | Embossed green serial with provincial shield separator on reflective white plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND" at top and "CANADA" centred at bottom | — | ABC 123 | File:Canada Prince Edward Island license plate 1981 graphic.png |
| 1993–97 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; green and red Anne of Green Gables graphic slightly to left of centre; "PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND" screened in red at top | "Home of Anne of Green Gables" | AB 123 | File:Canada Prince Edward Island license plate 1993 graphic.png | |
| 1997-2007 | Embossed green serial on reflective gradient green, white and blue plate; screened Confederation Bridge graphic at top centre and national flag at bottom left; "Prince Edward Island" screened in green below graphic with green trees, wavy blue underline, and "CANADA" below underline | "Confederation Bridge" | AB 123 | File:Prince Edward Island License Plate 1997.jpg | |
| As above, but with screened Province House graphic at top centre | "Birthplace of Confederation" | AB 123 | File:Prince Edward Island Sample License Plate 2007.jpg | ||
| 2007-09 | Embossed green numbers on reflective white plate with screened photo of windmills | "Canada's Green Province" at bottom | AB 123 | File:Prince Edward Island License Plate 2007.jpg | |
| 2009-12 | 123 AB | ||||
| 2013-22 | Embossed light brown numbers on reflective white with photo of Province House on the left | "Birthplace of Confederation" | 12 3AB | File:Prince Edward Island Passenger Plate 62-1VZ.jpg | |
| "Script error: No such module "Lang"." | File:PEI Berceau de la Confederation Sample License Plate.jpg | ||||
| Québec | 1979–83 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "79" at top left; fleur-de-lys and "Québec" at top right | "Je me souviens" | 123A456 (1979 series only) |
File:1979 Quebec License Plate 999P250.jpg |
| 1983-96 | As above, but with wider serial dies, a darker shade of blue, and fleur-de-lys and "Québec" centred at top | ABC 123 | File:1983 Québec license plate GBR 822.jpg | ||
| 1996-2009 | 123 ABC | File:Quebec License Plate 684-GAN.jpg | |||
| 2009-22 | A12 BCD | File:2009 Québec license plate G12 MCM.jpg | |||
| 2022-23 | 01B ACD | File:Plaque d'immatriculation du Québec - Véhicule de promenade - 2023 - 12x6in.png | |||
| Saskatchewan | 1977-98 | Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; sans-serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top | "Land Of the Living Skies" | ABC 123 | File:1978 Saskatchewan License Plate.jpg |
| 1998-2009 | Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top | 123 ABC | File:Saskatchewan 1998 type license plate.png | ||
| Yukon | none | ||||
See also
References
External links
- Automobile License Plate Collectors' Association
- Current High-Issue License Plates (U.S. and Canada)
- License Plates of North America, 1969-Present
- The Back Bumper
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