Vehicle registration plates of Michigan

The U.S. state of Michigan first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1910, when the state began to issue plates.[1]

Michigan
Current series
SloganPure Michigan
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC 1234
IntroducedApril 2013 (2013-04)
Availability
Issued byMichigan Secretary of State
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1910 (1910-01-01)
(pre-state plates from 1905 to December 31, 1909)

As of 2022, plates are issued by the Michigan Secretary of State. Only rear plates have been required since 1981. For an extra charge, drivers can request a personalized plate serial as well as a second duplicate plate. Since January 1, 2015, drivers have been required to replace their plates every ten years.[2]

Passenger baseplates

1910 to 1970

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 Michigan license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1910 Black on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1910" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 18500 Front and rear plates issued; this practice continued until 1944.
1911 White on black porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1911" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 27500
1912 Black on yellow porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1912" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 40000
1913 White on green porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1913" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 55000
1914 Red on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1914" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 77000
1915 White on blue; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1915" at left none 12345 1 to 99999 First embossed plate. Only letters C and E used in the A1234 serial format.[4]
A1234 C0000 to approximately E6000
1916 Blue on white; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1916" at left none 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A1 to approximately F5000
1917 White on black; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1917" at left none 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A1 to approximately O9000
1918 White on green; aluminum state seal and "MICH 18" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 245000
1919 White on brown; aluminum state seal and "MICH 19" at left none 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A1 to approximately Z9000
1920 Black on orange; stylized "MICH 20" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 414-000
1921 White on black; stylized "MICH 21" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 476-000
1922 White on red; stylized "MICH 22" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 577-000
1923 White on green; stylized "MICH 23" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 730-000
1924 Black on yellow; stylized "MICH 24" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 879-000
1925 Black on gray; stylized "MICH 25" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 996-000
1926 White on black; "MICH 26" at left none 123-456 1 to 999-999 On both these bases, plates with the M123-456 serial format had the 'M' surrounded by a diamond, and are thus informally known as "Diamond M" plates.
M123-456 M1 to approximately M133-000
1927 Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1927" at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
M123-456 M1 to approximately M226-000
1928 White on green; "MICHIGAN 1928" at top none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-116-000
1929 Yellow on black; "MICHIGAN 1929" at bottom none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-234-000
1930 Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1930" at bottom none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-248-000
1931 Red on black; "MICHIGAN 1931" at bottom none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-223-000
1932 White on dark blue; "MICHIGAN 1932" at top none 1-234-567 1 to approximately 1-139-000
1933 Black on white; "MICHIGAN 1933" at bottom none 12-345
A12-345		 Issued in blocks by county
1934 Black on yellow; "19 MICHIGAN 34" at top none 12-345
A 12345		 Issued in blocks by county
1935 Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 35" at bottom none 12-345
A 12345		 Issued in blocks by county
1936 Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 36" at top none 12-345
A 12345		 Issued in blocks by county
1937 Yellow on dark blue; "1937 MICHIGAN" at bottom none 12 345
A 12345		 Issued in blocks by county

1938 Black on light green; "1938 MICHIGAN" or "MICHIGAN 1938" at top none A 12345 Issued in blocks by county
Black on white; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-38" at top none 123456 1 to approximately 552000 Half-year plates issued at lower cost to full-year plates, due to the Depression.
1939 Black on beige; "19 MICH 39" at bottom none A 12345
AB 1234		 Issued in blocks by county
White on dark blue; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-39" at bottom none 123456 1 to approximately 552000 Half-year plate.
1940 Black on silver; "MICH 40" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
White on black; "MICH EXP. 8-31 40" at top none Half-year plate.
1941 White on maroon; "MICH 41" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
Maroon on white; "MICH EXP. 8-31 41" at top none Half-year plate.
1942–43 White on olive green; "MICHIGAN" at top and "42" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded Full and half-year plates revalidated for 1943 with metal tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
As above, but with "EXP. 8-31-42" at bottom none Half-year plate.
1944 White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "44" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded Only rear plates issued for both full-year and half-year plates. For full-year plates, this practice continued until 1957.
Maroon on white; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-44" at top none Half-year plate.
1945 Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at top and "45" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "EXP. 8-31-45" at bottom none Half-year plate.
1946 White on dark olive green; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "46" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-46" at top none Last half-year plate.
1947 Black on golden yellow; "MICHIGAN" at top and "47" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
1948 Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "48" at top none AB-12-34 County coded
1949 White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "49" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
1950 Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "50" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
1951 White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "51" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
1952 Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "52" at top none AB-12-34 County-coded
1953 White on black, "MICHIGAN" at top and "53" at bottom none AB-12-34 County-coded
1954 Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 54" at top Water Wonderland AB-12-34 County-coded
1955 White on green; "19 MICHIGAN 55" at top Water Wonderland AB-12-34 County-coded
1956 Dark green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 56" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded First 6" x 12" plate.
1957 White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 57" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded Front and rear plates issued (as from 1910–43); this practice continued until 1981.
1958 Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 58" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded
1959–61 Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 59" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded Revalidated for 1960 with yellow tabs, and for 1961 with silver tabs.
1962–64 Green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 62" at top Water Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded Revalidated for 1963 with green tabs, and for 1964 with olive tabs.
1965 Yellow on blue; "MICH 65" at top Water-Winter Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded First year using galvanized steel. First year using state school colors: 1965 honored University of Michigan.
1966 Dark blue on buff; "MICH 66" at top Water-Winter Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded
1967 Maize on dark blue; "MICH 67" at top Water-Winter Wonderland AB-1234 County-coded Issued in the colors of the University of Michigan, in honor of its sesquicentennial.
1968 Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 68" at top Great Lake State AB-1234 County-coded
1969 White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 69" at top Great Lake State AB-1234 County-coded
1970 White on light gold; "19 MICHIGAN 70" at top Great Lake State ABC-123 BBB-000 to approximately NGS-999 Issued in the colors of Oakland University, which became independent from Michigan State University in 1970. Vowels and Q not used in serials; this practice continued until 1983.[4]

County coding

Michigan used two-letter county codes from 1940 to 1969, after using county coding blocks from 1933 to 1939. The letters I, O and Q were not used in these codes.

1971 to present
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1971–72 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on maroon plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 71" at top. "GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom ABC-123 BBB-000 to approximately RMH-999 Plates available by mail for the first time. Revalidated for 1972 with stickers.
1973–75 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 73" at top. "GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom ABC-123 BBB-000 to approximately VRM-999 Personalized and disabled plates available for the first time. Some aluminum plates issued. Revalidated for 1974 and 1975 with stickers.
1976–78 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on red and dark blue plate with border line; two embossed flag stripes at bottom and four embossed stars at left; "MICHIGAN" centered at top. none ABC123 BBB000 to approximately XSD999 Commemorated the US Bicentennial. All plates issued were aluminum. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1976 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Michigan was so honored.[6] Revalidated for 1977 and 1978 with stickers.
1979–82 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on black plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 79" at top. "GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom ABC-123 BBB-000 to ZZZ-999 Serials BBB-000 through NVM-999 were issued by county.[4][7] Front and rear plates issued until April 1, 1981; only rear plates have been issued ever since.
1982–83 123-ABC 999-ZZZ to approximately 000-ZMD Serials progressed backwards.
1983–90 Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on blue plate; "MICHIGAN" centered at top. "GREAT LAKES" centered at bottom 123 ABC 000 AAA to 999 ZZZ All variants of this base revalidated with stickers until 2007. Letters I and O not used in serials; this practice continues today.
1990–2001 ABC 123 AAA 000 to UDT 999
2001–04 UDU 000 to ZZZ 999 Narrow serial dies introduced.
2004–06 ABC1234 AAA0000 to AFP8999
2006–07 ABC 1234 AFP 9000 to AJX 1999 Narrower serial dies introduced and space added between letters and digits.
January 1, 2007–
April
2013		 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; blue band screened at top with "MICHIGAN" in white in the center. "www.Michigan.gov" screened in blue centered at bottom ABC 1234 BAA 0000 to approximately CPS 0999 First standard baseplate reissue since 1983.

Validated until April 2023 when renewed at Secretary of State, however kiosks continue to print out new tabs.

April
2013–present		 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; wavy blue band screened at bottom; screened blue Pure Michigan logo centered at top. "michigan.org" screened in white in center of wavy blue band ABC 1234 DAA 0000 to EUS 3778 (as of October 2023)

Optional plates
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1996 Blue serial on background featuring the seal of the American Automobile Centennial Commission and a gold silhouette of an antique automobile outlined in red. World's Motor Capital ABC 12 AAA 00 to ZZZ 99 Validated with sticker until 2015 expiration.[8]
12 ABC 00 AAA to approximately 99 LPZ
1997–December 31, 2006 Blue serial on background featuring a sunset and the Mackinac Bridge. Great Lakes Splendor 1AB C23 0AA A00 to approximately 0GR A99 Validated with sticker until 2017 expiration.[8]
January 1, 2007–December 1, 2021 Black serial on background featuring buildings from the skylines of Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Flint, the forests of Michigan, all five Great Lakes, and the Mackinac Bridge. Spectacular Peninsulas 1AB C23 0HA A00 to approximately 9NB L99 Increment from second character
August 29, 2013–October 12, 2014 Embossed white serial on sunrise scene featuring the Mackinac Bridge, with gradient orange sky and light blue water; screened white rectangle centered at top containing Pure Michigan logo. "The Mackinac Bridge" screened in black centered at bottom ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately AJG 999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2013 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Michigan was so honored.[6]
October 13, 2014–present Embossed black serial on sunrise scene featuring the Mackinac Bridge, with gradient orange and white sky and light blue water; screened Pure Michigan logo centered at top. "THE MACKINAC BRIDGE" screened in black centered at bottom ABC 123 AJH 000 to EAS 001 (as of August 2023) Revision of the original Mackinac Bridge base for better visibility.
December 2, 2021–present Embossed yellow serial on dark blue plate; screened yellow Michigan at top. "Water - Winter Wonderland" screened in yellow centered at bottom 1ABC23 0NBM00 to 1PUM49 (as of June 30, 2023) Reintroduced in 2021 as an homage to the original 1965 Water-Winter Wonderland plate.[9] Carries on serials from Spectacular Peninsulas plates, with increment from second character. Renewal tab is placed in the lower right corner.[10]

Disability plates
Image Base Dates Issued Serial format Serials issued Notes
2007–2013 passenger January 1, 2007–April 2013 1234A5 0000E0 to approximately 9149G9 International Symbol of Access embossed at left
Spectacular Peninsulas January 1, 2007–December 1, 2021 1A2345 0J0000 to 1K7937
Pure Michigan April 2013–present 1234A5 0000J0 to 2468M9 (as of June 2023)
Mackinac Bridge October 13, 2014–present A1234 A7708 to approximately L0003 (as of June 2023)
Water-Winter Wonderland December 2, 2021–present 1K2345 2K0000 to 4K6063 (as of June 2023) International Symbol of Access screened at bottom left

Non-passenger plates
Image Type Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
State Government 2007-2013 passenger base, with "STATE GOVT" at bottom 123456
Pure Michigan logo at top, "STATE GOVT" at bottom
State Police 2013–present passenger base with serial in black; Michigan State Police emblem to left of serial State Police fleet number Front and rear plates on blue marked patrol vehicles; first digit usually corresponds to MSP district number
Commercial Identical to 2007-2013 passenger base CA 12345 CA 00000 to CF 13999
Identical to 2013-present passenger base DA 12345 DA 00000 to DF 18465 (as of October 2023)
Identical to 2014 Mackinac Bridge plate AB 1234 AA 0000 to AD 1458 (as of September 2023)
Dealer Pure Michigan logo at top, "DEALER" at bottom 123 D 45

123 D 456
Historical Maize on dark blue, "HISTORICAL VEHICLE" embossed below. 123 456 000 000 to approximately 077 633 Issued to cars and trucks that are at least 26 years old.
2007—2013 passenger base with "HISTORICAL" at bottom. 123456 078000 to 228983
Pure Michigan logo at top, "HISTORICAL" at bottom. 300000 to 382808 (as of July 2023)
In-Transit Repair Pure Michigan logo at top, "IN-TRANSIT REPAIR" at bottom 12G345

123G456
Manufacturer Pure Michigan logo at top, "MANUFACTURER" at bottom 123M456
Municipal 2007-2013 passenger base, with "MUNICIPAL" at bottom 123 X 456 000 X 000 to ~124 X 000 (as of March 2023) used on almost all government-owned vehicles (including police), except county sheriff's departments and State of Michigan-owned vehicles
Nonprofit 2007-2013 passenger base, with "NONPROFIT" at bottom 123 Y 456 offered at no cost to certain nonprofit organizations (including private schools) to allow them to save funds for their operations
Pure Michigan logo at top, "NONPROFIT" at bottom
Special Equipment 2007-2013 passenger base, with "SPECIAL EQUIPMENT" at bottom 123 S 456
Transporter 2007-2013 passenger base, with "TRANSPORTER" at bottom 123 T 456
Fleet Pure Michigan logo at top, "FLEET" at bottom 12345 RF 00000 RF to 08497 RF (as of July 12, 2023) used on rental vehicles
PF 12345 usually used on utility service trucks & UPS trucks
2007–2013 passenger base, “FLEET” at bottom
Apportioned 2007–2013 passenger base with "APPORTIONED" at bottom RA 12345 RA 00000 to approximately RA 92999 often used on commercial trucks & motorcoaches
Pure Michigan logo at top, "APPORTIONED" at bottom RB 00000 to RC 27961 (as of July 15, 2023)
Truck Pure Michigan logo at top, weight class sticker at bottom AB12345 BA00000 to BD52911 (As of July 2, 2023) front and rear plates on tractor-trailers
Wrecker Pure Michigan logo at top, "WRECKER" at bottom used on tow trucks
Farm Pure Michigan logo at top, "FARM" at bottom
Trailer Pure Michigan logo at top, "PERMANENT TRAILER" screened at bottom A123456 D000000 to E896014 (as of July 2, 2023)
Sheriff's Department 2007-2013 passenger base, with serial in black, gold "SHERIFF" at bottom & Michigan Sheriffs' Association emblem in center 12 345 First two digits county coded alphabetically; for example, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office is assigned "63" as "Oakland" falls 63rd in an alphabetical list of Michigan counties
Black with "SHERIFF" at bottom 12🟌345

Special plates

The Michigan Secretary of State has for many years issued specialized themed vanity license plates, e.g. "Save Our Lights" with White Shoal Light, the block "M" of the University of Michigan, or "Sparty" from Michigan State University. These are available for an extra fee.

References
  1. "Old Michigan License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. Grenke, Nicholas (December 2, 2013). "State law calls for license plates to be replaced at least every 10 years". Huron Daily Tribune. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  3. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  4. Tanner, Eric N. "Michigan Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  5. "License plate letters explained". Hastings Banner. November 27, 1941.
  6. Smith, Jay Scott (March 31, 2014). "Mackinac Bridge license plate designed by Lansing native wins annual 'world's best' award". MLive. Booth Newspapers. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  7. Reback, Brian P. (December 29, 2010). "Michigan - county codes". BPRlicenseplates.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  8. "Renewing at a Branch Office". Michigan Secretary of State. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  9. Huschka, Amy. "Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson brings back popular Michigan license plate". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  10. "SOS - Water-Winter Wonderland Plate". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
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