Vehicle registration plates of Arizona
The U.S. state of Arizona first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1912. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates.
 | |
| Current series | |
|---|---|
| Slogan | Grand Canyon State |
| Size | 12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Serial format | 7-character alphanumeric combinations |
| Introduced | 1996 |
| Availability | |
| Issued by | Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division |
| History | |
| First issued | January 1, 1914 (pre-state plates from 1912 to December 31, 1913) |
Plates are currently issued by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) through its Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). Only rear plates have been required since 1989.
In Arizona, the license plate belongs to the vehicle owner. This allows for the transfer of a plate from one vehicle to another.[1]
The current design was introduced in 1996 and was designed by Walter Punzmann.[2]
Passenger baseplates
1914 to 1955
| Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1914 | Embossed white serial on blue plate; "ARIZ 1914" at right | none | 1234 | 1 to approximately 5000 | |
 |
1915 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "ARIZ 1915" at right | none | 1234 | 1 to approximately 7500 | |
|
1916 | Embossed black serial on copper plate with border line; vertical "ARIZ" and "1916" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 12500 | |
 |
1917 | Embossed white serial on black plate; embossed steer head graphic at left with "ARIZ" above and "1917" below | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 20000 | |
 |
1918 | Embossed dark blue serial on olive-gray plate; "1918 ARIZ" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 24000 | |
 |
1919 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "ARIZ 1919" at left | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 29000 | |
 |
1920 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; vertical "ARIZ" and "1920" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 35000 | |
 |
1921 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; stylized "ARIZ" and "21" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 36000 | |
 |
1922 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; vertical "ARIZ" and "1922" at left and right respectively | none | 1-12345 10-1234 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) | |
 |
1923 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; stylized vertical "ARIZ" and "23" at left | none | 1-12345 10-1234 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) | |
 |
1924 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "24" and stylized vertical "ARIZ" at left | none | 1-12345 10-1234 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) | |
 |
1925 | Embossed black serial on copper plate with border line; "ARIZONA" at bottom, offset to left; vertical "1925" at right | none | 1-12345 10-1234 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) | First use of the full state name. |
|
1926 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "ARIZONA" at bottom, offset to left; vertical "1926" at right | none | 1-12345 10-1234 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) | |
 |
1927 | Embossed black serial on copper plate with border line; "ARIZONA" at bottom, offset to left; vertical "1927" at right | none | 1-12345 10-1234 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) | |
 |
1928 | Embossed red serial on copper plate with border line; "ARIZONA" at bottom, offset to right; vertical "1928" at left | none | 1-12345 10-1234 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) | |
 |
1929 | Embossed slanted orange serial on black plate with border line; slanted "19 ARIZ 29" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | Issued in blocks by county | |
 |
1930 | Embossed slanted black serial on white plate; slanted "ARIZONA" and "1930" centered at top and bottom respectively; letter at top left denoting county of issuance | none | 12-34-56 | Issued in blocks by county | |
|
1931 | Embossed slanted black serial on orange plate; slanted "1931" and "ARIZONA" centered at top and bottom respectively; letter at top left denoting county of issuance | none | 12-34-56 | Issued in blocks by county | |
 |
1932 | Embossed slanted white serial on copper plate; slanted "ARIZONA-1932" at top | none | 1AB1 1A1B AA12 A1A2 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or A) | |
 |
1933 | Debossed slanted copper serial within embossed black rectangle on copper plate; slanted "ARIZONA-1933" at bottom | none | 1AB1 1A1B AA12 A1A2 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or A) | |
 |
1934 | Debossed slanted copper serial within embossed light blue rectangle on copper plate; slanted "ARIZONA-1934" at top | none | 1AB1 1A1B AA12 A1A2 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or A) | |
 |
1935 | Embossed slanted black serial within black rectangular outline on copper plate; slanted "ARIZONA-1935" at bottom | none | 1AB1 1A1B AA12 A1A2 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or A) | |
 |
1936 | Embossed black serial on copper plate; vertical "ARIZ" and "1936" at left and right respectively; county name centered at bottom | none | 1A B1 1A 1B AA 12 A1 A2 |
Coded by county of issuance (1 or A) | |
 |
1937 | Embossed black serial on copper plate with border line; "ARIZONA-37" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively | none | A1-234 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | |
 |
1938 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "ARIZONA-38" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively | none | A1234 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | |
 |
1939 | Embossed black serial on copper plate; "ARIZONA" centered at top; vertical "1539" and "1939" at left and right respectively | "MARCOS DE NIZA" centered at bottom | A12345 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | Commemorated the 400th anniversary of the expedition of Fray Marcos de Niza. |
|
1940 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "ARIZONA-40" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" at bottom | A12345 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | First use of the "Grand Canyon State" slogan. |
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1941 | Embossed black serial on copper plate; "ARIZONA-41" centered at bottom | "GRAND CANYON STATE" at top | A12345 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | |
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1942–44 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "42-ARIZONA" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" at bottom | A123 1A234 12A345 |
Coded by county of issuance (A) | Revalidated for 1943 and 1944 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II. |
|
1945–46 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "ARIZ. 45" centered at top | none | A1234 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | Revalidated for 1946 with windshield stickers. |
 |
1947 | Embossed red serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "ARIZ. 47" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | A/B 1234 | Coded by county of issuance (A/B) | |
 |
1948 | Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "ARIZ. 48" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | A/B 1234 | Coded by county of issuance (A/B) | |
 |
1949 | Embossed green serial on waffle-textured unpainted aluminum plate; "ARIZONA 49" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | A-12345 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | |
 |
1950–51 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "ARIZONA 50" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | A-12345 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | Revalidated for 1951 with aluminum tabs. |
  |
1952–53 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "ARIZONA 52" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | A-12345 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | Revalidated for 1953 with black tabs. |
 |
1954–55 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "ARIZONA 54" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | A-12345 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | Revalidated for 1955 with aluminum tabs. |
1956 to present
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.[3] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Arizona license plate that complied with these standards.
| Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1956–58 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "ARIZONA 56" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | A-12345 | Coded by county of issuance (A) | Revalidated for 1957 and 1958 with stickers. |
 |
1959–60 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "ARIZONA 59" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | ABC-123 | AAA-001 to approximately BDY-999 | Revalidated for 1960 with stickers. Letters I, O and Q not used in serials; this practice continued through 1965.[4] |
 |
1961–63 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "ARIZONA 61" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | ABC-123 | CAA-001 to approximately DMC-999 | Revalidated for 1962 and 1963 with stickers. |
 |
1964–65 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "ARIZONA 64" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | ABC-123 | EAA-001 to approximately FMJ-999 | Revalidated for 1965 with stickers. |
 |
1966–68 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "ARIZONA 66" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | ABC-123 | HAA-001 to JZZ-999; NAA-001 to approximately NEF-999 |
Revalidated for 1967 and 1968 with stickers. Letters I, O, Q and U not used in serials; this practice continues today.[4] |
 |
1969–72 | Embossed black serial on reflective yellow plate with border line; "ARIZONA 69" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | ABC-123 | KAA-001 to MZZ-999; YAA-001 to approximately YDF-999 |
Revalidated for 1970, 1971, and 1972 with stickers. |
 |
1973–80 | Embossed green serial on reflective pale orange plate with border line; "ARIZONA 73" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | ABC-123 | PAA-001 to approximately WNJ-999 | Revalidated with stickers until 1990. |
 |
1980–96 | Embossed reflective white serial with saguaro cactus separator on maroon plate with border line; "ARIZONA" centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" centered at bottom | ABC-123 | AAA-001 to approximately NXG-200 | Front and rear plates issued until around the ETT series (1989); rear plates only thereafter. Still currently revalidated. |
|
1996 – January 2008 | Embossed dark green serial on reflective graphic plate with desert scene featuring turquoise, white, and orange gradient sky, white setting sun and purple mountains and cacti; "ARIZONA" screened in turquoise, with white outlines, centered at top | "GRAND CANYON STATE" screened in dark green below serial, offset to right | 123·ABC | 001·AAA to 999·ZZZ | Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1996 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Arizona was so honored. |
| January 2008[5] – April 2020 | As above, but with serial screened and security threads added to center of plate | ABC1234 | AAA0001 to approximately CZZ9999 | |||
|
April 2020 – January 2021 | Various [lower-alpha 1] | AAA0AAA to approximately SXA6DTA (as of August 19, 2021) | Also called "Alphabet Soup" plates, this switch occurred after ADOT introduced a new computer coding system for plates, the old system having dated from the mid-1980s.[6][7] These were reported as "random" combinations but actually increment in a non-standard order. Except for the fourth digit in each plate, which is always a number, all other positions can be either letters or numbers; each position uses the letters A–Z followed by the numbers 0–9. | ||
| February 2021 – present | Various formats, including ABC 1DE[lower-alpha 2] | AAA 0AA to C3A 5AF (as of December 7, 2021) |
County coding
| County | 1922-23 | 1924-28 | 1930-31 | 1932-36 | 1937-38 | 1939-44 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa | 1 | 1 | A | 1-7 | A-E | A |
| Cochise | 2 | 2 | B | 8, 9 | G | C |
| Pima | 3 | 3 | C | A-E | J, K | B |
| Gila | 4 | 4 | D | F, G | M | F |
| Yavapai | 5 | 5 | E | H, J, K | N | D |
| Yuma | 6 | 6 | F | L, N | R | E |
| Pinal | 7 | 7 | G | P, R | S | G |
| Graham | 8 | 8 | H | S | T | K |
| Santa Cruz | 9 | 9 | J | T | U | N |
| Mohave | 10 | 10 | K | U | V | L |
| Coconino | 11 | 11 | L | V | W | H |
| Navajo | 12 | 12 | M | X | X | J |
| Apache | 14 | 14 | N | Y | Y | P |
| Greenlee | 13 | 15 | P | Z | Z | R |
Note: La Paz County was not formed until 1983, by which time the county-coding policy had ended.
Non-passenger plates
1997 to present
| Image | Type | First issued | Design | Serial format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alternative Fuel – Government | Blue on sky and clouds graphic | GA·12345 | ||
 |
Alternative Fuel – Passenger | April 1997 | Blue on sky and clouds graphic | AF·1234 AF·123A AF·12A3 AF12A3 AF1A23 1A23AF |
Early plates had a lighter-colored background. Serials became screened at around AF·00P1, and lost the separator at around AF00S1. Current high: 7M77AF (on April 22, 2020). |
|
Alternative Fuel – hybrid vehicle | 2008 | Blue on sky and clouds graphic | 12L N34 123 LN4 |
Issuance ceased at 99L N99. |
|
Amateur Radio | As passenger base. Starting in 1955, a radio tower graphic appears to the left of the serial, and "GRAND CANYON STATE" is replaced with "AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR" | FCC call sign | One of the earliest special plates that is still available as February 2013. | |
|
Apportioned | As passenger base, but with "APPORTIONED" in place of slogan | AB·12345 AB12345 |
Began at AA·00001. AC series reserved for optional It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Child plate, and AF series skipped to avoid confusion with Alternative Fuel passenger plates. Serials became screened midway through the AD series, and lost the separator at the start of the AH series. Current high: AK19982 (on November 9, 2020). | |
|
Commercial | October 1997 | As passenger base | CB·12345 CB12345 |
Began at CA·00001. Serials became screened early in the CF series, and lost the separator at the start of the CK series. Current high: CN65743 (on June 22, 2022). |
|
Disabled Person | 1996 | As passenger base | -1ABC | Large wheelchair embossed to left of serial with hyphen. First series used older dies. |
|
Disabled Person | 1997 | As passenger base | ABC12 | Small wheelchair embossed to left of serial. First series used older dies. |
 |
Historic Vehicle | 1977 | All-embossed red on copper | 12A 1A2 1234 ABC1 12AB 123A 12A3 1A23 |
Dated-1977 base issued continuously through the present. Current serial is 12AB. |
|
Manufacturer | As passenger base | MT-1234 | ||
|
Motorcycle | 1996 | Similar to passenger base | M/C ABC1 M/C 1ABC M/C AB1C M/C A1BC M/C 1A2B M/C A12B |
|
|
Trailer | 1997 | As passenger base | A-12345 12345-A |
Letters J through Y (excluding O, Q and U) were used in the A-12345 format. Serials became screened late in the T series. |
|
Transporter | As passenger base | XP-123A |
1980 to 1996
| Image | Type | Design | Serial format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Apportioned | As passenger base, but with "APPORTIONED" in place of slogan | 12A-345 | |
|
Commercial | As passenger base | 1AB-234 | |
|
Trailer | As passenger base, but with "TLR." to left of state name | A-12345 | Letters D, E, F and G were used. |
Optional plates
Arizona offers its motorists a number of optional issue designs that are available upon the payment of an additional fee. Below is a partial list.
| Image | Type | First issued | Serial format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Arizona Agriculture | 2010 | 1AG2345 | |
| Arizona Centennial | October 30, 2011 | A1234Z A1234C |
Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2011 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Arizona was so honored. | |
|
Arizona Diamondbacks | April 4, 2007 | DB12345 | Redesigned in 2016. |
|
Arizona Highways Magazine | early 2009 | 1AH2345 | |
|
Arizona Historical Society | June 2007 | AH123 | Redesigned in 2020. |
|
Arizona Science Center | 2018 | 12345SC | |
|
Arizona State University | 1989 | A1234C1234 (series halted early for Pet plates)D1234F1234 | Redesigned in 2010 and 2018. |
|
Choose Life | early 2009 | 12CL34 | |
|
Conserving Wildlife | 2002 | W/A12345 | Redesigned in 2010. |
|
Curing Childhood Cancer | 2012 | 12345CR | |
|
Donate Life/Be an Organ Donor | approx 2005 | B1ABC | |
|
Early Detection Saves Lives | March 26, 2006 | JK1234 | |
|
Ending Hunger | 2011 | 12345HR | |
| Environmental | October 1, 1992 | E12341234E123E412E341E234EA·1234 (counting up from EV) | Originally had yellow serial; this was changed to black due to poor visibility.[8] Redesigned version available December 27, 1994. | |
|
Former Prisoner of War | A12 | ||
|
Fraternal Order of Police | L/E1234 | ||
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Freedom | January 14, 2007 | 1FR2345 | |
|
Gold Star Family | May 2009 | B123 | Serials are surface-printed. |
|
Historic Route 66 | December 19, 2016[9] | RT1234 | Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2016 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the third time Arizona was so honored. |
|
Home of the Apache | March 2007 | C123E4 | San Carlos Apache |
|
Honoring Fallen Officers | November 2007 | FP12345 | Serials are surface-printed. Red starburst design removed after FP05500 to improve visibility. |
|
It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Child | AC·12345 | ||
|
It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Child – Disabled Person | AC·1234 | Wheelchair embossed to left of serial | |
|
Keep It Beautiful | 2013 | A1234B | |
|
Live the Golden Rule | November 2007 | LM12345 | Serials are surface-printed. Colors changed after LM09000 to improve visibility. Serial changed from black to white. |
 |
Medal of Honor | 123 | ||
|
National Guard | N1234 | ||
|
Navajo Nation | September 2003 | B/A1234 | |
|
Northern Arizona University | 1989 | V1234 | Redesigned in 2010 and 2020. A 1999 centennial variation was also available. |
| Pets Enrich Our Lives | May 2005 | C1234 1234C |
||
|
Phoenix Suns | May 5, 2009 | 1PS2345 | Serials are surface-printed. Redesigned in 2014. Updated Suns logo in 2021. |
|
Professional Fire Fighters | F/F1234 | ||
|
Purple Heart | 1234 | ||
|
Special Olympics Arizona | December 19, 2016[10] | $25 fee, of which $17 benefits local Special Olympics programs. | |
|
A State of Good Character | September 2005 | A12B34 | |
|
Supporting Public Safety | 2016 | RF12345 | |
|
Veteran | V/T1234 | ||
|
Veteran – Disabled Person | V/T123 | Wheelchair embossed to left of serial. | |
|
University of Arizona | 1989 | P1234 S1234 |
Redesigned in approx 2008 and 2012. |
|
University of Phoenix | F/A1234 | ||
|
White Mountain Apache | November 2007 | WM123 123WM |
Serials are surface-printed. |
Notes
- Because of the non-standard nature of the serials, sixty-four serial formats were available, though only eight were used. Read from left to right in a conventional format:
- ABC1DEF
- A1B2CDE
- ABC1D2E
- A1B2C3D
- 1AB2CDE
- 12A3BCD
- 1AB2C3D
- 12A3B4C
- Because of the non-standard nature of the serials, thirty-two serial formats are available.
References
- "Selling Your Vehicle". Arizona Department of Transportation. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
- "Here's how the Arizona license plate got its look". 29 October 2020.
- Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
- Tanner, Eric N. "Arizona Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- Faherty, John (April 30, 2008). "Ariz. plates get extra character". The Arizona Republic.
The change in the number of characters happened when the Arizona Department of Transportation ran out of combinations when it issued plate 999 ZZZ in mid-January.
- Randazzo, Ryan (June 17, 2020). "Arizona has made a subtle but significant change to its license plates. Have you noticed?". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- Staff (June 17, 2020). "Your Eyes Don't Deceive You, New License Plates Numbers Are Different". Arizona Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- Carson, Ron; Northup, John (June 1, 1997). "Arizona Non-Passenger Plates". ALPCA Newsletter 43. pp. 138–139.
- Ricca, Aaron (December 29, 2016). "Arizona gives Route 66 a license plate". The Kingman Daily Miner. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- "New license plate helps Special Olympics". Eastern Arizona Courier. Safford, AZ. December 20, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
External links
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