Vehicle registration plates of New Mexico

The U.S. state of New Mexico first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1912. As of 2023, plates are issued by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department through its Motor Vehicle Division. Only rear plates have been required since 1961.

New Mexico
Current series
SloganYucca, turquoise and chile plates:
Land of Enchantment
Chile plate only:
Chile Capital of the World
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatYucca: 123-ABC
Turquoise: ABC-123
Chile: ABCD12
IntroducedYucca: 1991 (1991)
Turquoise: 2010 (2010)
Chile: July 2017 (2017-07)
Availability
Issued byNew Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, Motor Vehicle Division
Manufactured byWaldale Manufacturing Limited, Amherst, Nova Scotia
History
First issuedJune 8, 1912 (1912-06-08)

New Mexico is the only state that specifies "USA" on its license plates, so as to avoid confusion with the country Mexico, which it borders to the southwest.

Passenger baseplates

1912 to 1960

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.[1] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first New Mexico license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1912–13 Embossed green serial on white plate; diagonal "NM" at right none 1234 1 to approximately 2100
1914 Embossed white serial on green plate; vertical "N M 14" at right none 1234 1 to approximately 3100 First dated plate.
1915 Embossed white serial on red plate; vertical "N M 15" at right none 1234 1 to approximately 4700
1916 Embossed silver serial on dark blue plate; vertical "N M 16" at right none 1234 1 to approximately 8300
1917 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; vertical "N M 17" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 14500
1918 Embossed light blue serial on gray plate with border line; vertical "N M 18" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 19000
1919 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; vertical "N M 19" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 17500
1920–23 Dark blue serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "NM" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 49000 Revalidated for 1921 with red diamond-shaped tabs, for 1922 with silver octagonal tabs, and for 1923 with yellow star-shaped tabs.
1924 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "N.M. 1924" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 39-000

1925 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "N.M. 1925" centered at bottom; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 47000 Issued in pairs, for the front and the rear of the vehicle respectively.
1926 Embossed red serial on gray plate with border line; vertical "NM" and "26" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 51000
1927 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "27" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 55-000 First use of the full state name and Zia sun symbol.
1928 Embossed beige serial on dark blue plate with border line; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "28" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 65-000
1929 Embossed red serial on light yellow plate with border line; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "29" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 75-000
1930 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "30" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 71-000
1931 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "31" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 70-000
1932 Embossed white serial with Zia sun symbol separator on green plate; "NEW MEX 32" at left "SUNSHINE STATE" at bottom, offset to right 12-345 1 to approximately 65-000
1933 Embossed red serial on golden yellow plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "33" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 65-000
1934 Embossed yellow serial on red plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "34" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 67-000
1935 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "35" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 76-000
1936 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "36" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 86-000
1937 Embossed maroon serial on turquoise plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "37" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 91-000
1938 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "38" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 92-000
1939 Embossed black serial on orange plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "39" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 93-000
1940 Embossed yellow serial on red plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "1540" above and "1940" below; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "CORONADO CUARTO CENTENNIAL" at top 12-345 1 to approximately 96-000 Commemorated the 400th anniversary of the expedition of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado.
1941 Embossed red serial on golden yellow plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "41" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 12-345 1 to approximately 99-000 First use of the "Land of Enchantment" slogan.
1942–43 Embossed black serial on white plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "42" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 12-345
123456		 1 to approximately 102000 Revalidated for 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 Embossed white serial on black plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "44" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 12-345 1 to approximately 79-000
1945 Embossed white serial on blue plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "45" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 12-345 1 to approximately 88-000
1946 Embossed red serial on yellow plate; embossed Zia sun symbol at left with "46" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 12-345 1 to approximately 94-000
1947 Embossed yellow serial on maroon plate; embossed Zia sun symbol used as separator with "47" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1948 Embossed white serial on azure plate; embossed Zia sun symbol used as separator with "48" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1949 Embossed azure serial on waffle-textured white plate; embossed Zia sun symbol used as separator with "49" in the center; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1950 As 1948 base, but with "50" in the center of the Zia sun symbol "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1951 As 1949 base, but on smooth metal, and with narrower dies and "51" in the center of the Zia sun symbol "THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1952 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on white plate; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom; "52" at top left "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top, offset to right 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1953 Embossed white serial with Zia sun symbol separator on red plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom; "53" at top left "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top, offset to right 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1954 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on white plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom; "54" at top left "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top, offset to right 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1955 Embossed golden yellow serial with Zia sun symbol separator on maroon plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom; "55" at top left "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top, offset to right 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1956 Embossed white serial with Zia sun symbol separator on maroon plate with border line; "56 NEW MEXICO 56" at bottom "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" centered at top 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1957 Embossed green serial with Zia sun symbol separator on white plate with border line; "57 NEW MEXICO 57" at bottom "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" centered at top 1-12345
10-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1958 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on golden yellow plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom; "58" at bottom right "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
1/0-1234		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0) One-digit county plates had the slogan centered, while two-digit county plates had the slogan offset to the right. This practice continued through 1971. One-digit county plates additionally had "19" embossed at the bottom left.

 1959–60 Embossed golden yellow serial with Zia sun symbol separator on maroon plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom; "59" at bottom right "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
2-A1234
1/0-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0) One-digit county plates additionally had "19" embossed at the bottom left. One-letter, four-digit serials issued in Bernalillo County after 2-99999 was reached. Revalidated for 1960 with white stickers on maroon tabs.

1961 to present
Image(s) Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1961–64 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on white plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
2-A1234
1/0-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)

1965–69 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on yellow plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
2-A1234
1/0-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0) One-digit county plates had "65" embossed at the bottom left.
1969–71 As above, but with "NEW MEXICO USA" at bottom One-digit county plates initially had "19" embossed at the bottom left.
1972–74 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on white steel plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO USA" centered at bottom; "72" at bottom left "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" centered at top ABC-123 AAA-001 to BCT-999 Letters I, O, Q, U and V not used in serials from 1973 onwards.[2]
1974 Red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on white paper plate; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom; "74" at bottom right BCW-001 to BFC-999 Temporary plates issued due to steel shortage.
As 1972–74 plates, but aluminum rather than steel, and with "74" at bottom left Replacements for paper plates.
1974–76 As 1972–74 plates, but aluminum rather than steel BFD-001 to BTM-999
1976–78 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on white plate; "NEW MEXICO" centered at bottom; "72" at bottom left; stamped indentation at top center for county-name sticker "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" centered between serial and state name ABC-123 BTN-001 to CCW-999
1978–82 As above, but yellow rather than white, and without "72" CCX-001 to EGZ-999
1982 – mid
1988		 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on yellow plate; "New Mexico" screened in red centered below serial; stamped indentation at top center for county-name sticker "Land of Enchantment" screened in red centered at bottom ABC-123 EHA-001 to KAJ-999 'F' series not used.[2]
mid 1988 – late
1990		 As above, but with "USA" added after state name KAK-001 to LKL-999
late 1990 – early 1991 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on yellow plate; light blue yucca graphic screened at bottom left and Native American zigzag bands screened at top corners; "New Mexico USA" screened in red centered below serial; stamped indentation at top center for county-name sticker "Land of Enchantment" screened in light blue centered at bottom ABC-123 LKM-001 to approximately LLL-999 Replaced all 1972–90 plates. Letter E not used in 123-ABC serial format (in addition to I, O, Q, U and V).[2] County-name stickers discontinued sometime after 1996.
early 1991 – mid
1997		 123-ABC 001-AAA to approximately 999-KFG
mid – late
1997		 As above, but without yucca graphic and slogan none 123-ABC 001-KFH to approximately 999-KHM Erroneously made on trailer base.
late 1997 – early 1999 As 1990–97 plates "Land of Enchantment" as on 1990–97 plates 123-ABC 001-KHN to approximately 999-LRK
early 1999 – present As above, but with smaller dies and no stamped indentation at top center 001-MAA to 700-XDB (as of September 16, 2023)[3]

Alternative passenger plates

The letters E, I, O, Q, U and V are not used in the serials on these plates.[2]

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1999–2010 Embossed red serial on white, yellow and orange gradient plate; green, yellow, orange and red hot air balloon graphic screened at left with red Zia sun symbol on yellow section; "NEW MEXICO USA" screened in yellow centered at bottom "Land of Enchantment" screened in yellow centered above state name NM1234 NM0001 to NM9999
1NM234 0NM001 to 9NM999
12NM34 00NM01 to 99NM99
123NM4 000NM1 to 999NM9
1234NM 0001NM to 9999NM
AB 123 AA 001 to BZ 999
ABC123 CAA001 to LGP999
2010–16 Embossed yellow serial on turquoise plate with border line; yellow and red Zia sun symbol embossed in the center; "NEW MEXICO" screened in white centered below serial "CENTENNIAL 1912-2012" screened in white centered at top; "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" screened in yellow centered at bottom ABC-123 LGR-001 to NZT-499 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2010 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time New Mexico was so honored.
2016–present As above, but with "NEW MEXICO USA" below serial, and without Centennial slogan "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" as above, but at top NZT-500 to RSN-716 (as of June 23, 2023)[3]
July 2017 – present Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; green and red chili peppers screened at left; "New Mexico USA" screened in red centered below serial "CHILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD" screened in yellow centered at top; "Land of Enchantment" screened in green centered at bottom ABCD12 AAAA01 to BPGX74 (as of September 16, 2023)[3] Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2017 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time New Mexico was so honored. 'W' series of serials used on mail-order plates.

Optional plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Support Our Troops c. 2007 – present Embossed blue serial on graphic plate with national flag at left, bald eagle in center, and state flag at right; "New Mexico USA" screened in blue centered at bottom "Support Our Troops" screened in blue centered between serial and state name 12345U/S 0001U/S to 94785U/S (as of June 21, 2023)[3] Officially known as the Patriot plate.

Non-passenger plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Trailer 1971–74 Embossed white serial with Zia sun symbol separator on reflective pale green plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO USA" at bottom "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top T-12345 T-1 to approximately T-64500 "Trailer" and "Rec. Vehicle" printed on stickers.
1975–77 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on reflective yellow plate with border line; "N.M." at top left; "75" at bottom right "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at bottom, offset to left TB-1234 TA-0001 to
TF-9999
1977–78 As 1978–82 passenger plates, but with "75" at bottom left "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" as on 1978–82 passenger plates TG-0001 to
TG-9999
1978–82 As 1978–82 passenger plates, without "75" TH-0001 to
TM-7000
1982–87 As 1982–88 passenger plates, with "New Mexico" below serial "Land of Enchantment" as on 1982–90 passenger plates TM-7001 to
TW-9999;
TY-0001 to
TZ-9999
1987–90 T/R C-1234 T/R A-0001 to approximately T/R D-9999
1990 As 1988–90 passenger plates, with "New Mexico USA" below serial T/R E-0001 to approximately T/R E-5000
Truck 1961–63 Embossed green serial with Zia sun symbol separator on reflective white plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" at bottom "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
1/0-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1964–65 Embossed black serial with Zia sun symbol separator on reflective yellow plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" at bottom "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
1/0-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1966–70 Embossed navy blue serial with Zia sun symbol separator on reflective white plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO" at bottom "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
1/0-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1971–74 Embossed white serial with Zia sun symbol separator on reflective pale green plate with border line; "NEW MEXICO USA" at bottom "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at top 1-12345
1/0-12345		 Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
1975–77 Embossed red serial with Zia sun symbol separator on reflective yellow plate with border line; "N.M." at top left; "75" at bottom right "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at bottom, offset to left AB-1234 AA-0001 to CA-5000
1977–78 As 1978–82 passenger plates, but with "75" at bottom left "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" as on 1978–82 passenger plates CA-5001 to CJ-9999
1978–82 As 1978–82 passenger plates, without "75" CK-0001 to GD-9999
1982–88 As 1982–88 passenger plates, with "New Mexico" below serial "Land of Enchantment" as on 1982–90 passenger plates GE-0001 to approximately KT-9999
1988–90 As 1988–90 passenger plates, with "New Mexico USA" below serial KW-0001 to approximately MG-4000 Truck plates discontinued 1991; passenger plates issued to trucks since.
State police 2017–present Black base.

County coding, 1947–74

New Mexico established a numeric county-code system for its passenger and truck plates in 1947. Santa Fe County was assigned code 1, while the remaining counties were assigned codes 2 through 31 in order of the number of registered vehicles in the county. Following shifts in these numbers, codes 2 through 31 were re-allocated in 1948, after which they remained constant.[2] Los Alamos County was created in 1949, and subsequently assigned code 32.

The codes were discontinued on passenger plates in 1972, and on truck plates in 1975. From 1976 until sometime after 1996, the county of issuance was displayed on a sticker at the top of the plate.

County19471948–74
Santa Fe11
Bernalillo22
Eddy73
Chaves34
Curry55
Lea46
Doña Ana67
Grant88
Colfax109
Quay1110
Roosevelt911
San Miguel1312
McKinley1213
Valencia1514
Otero1415
San Juan1816
Rio Arriba1917
Union1718
Luna1619
Taos2120
Sierra2221
Torrance2022
Hidalgo2423
Guadalupe2724
Socorro2525
Lincoln2626
De Baca2327
Catron2828
Sandoval2929
Mora3130
Harding3031
Los Alamos–32

Cibola County was created in 1981, after the codes had been discontinued.

References
  1. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  2. Tanner, Eric N. "New Mexico Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  3. "New Mexico License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
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