Vehicle registration plates of Washington (state)

The U.S. state of Washington first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1915, when the state began to issue plates.[2]

Washington
Current series
SloganEvergreen State
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC1234
IntroducedJuly 1998 (1998-07)
Availability
Issued byWashington State Department of Licensing
History
First issuedJune 10, 1915 (1915-06-10)
(pre-state plates from May 1905 through May 31, 1915)[1]

As of 2023, plates are issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

The plates have been manufactured by incarcerated workers managed by the Washington State Department of Corrections since 1923. They are primarily produced at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, with some also made at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Monroe.[3]

Passenger baseplates

1915 to 1949
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1915–16 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; vertical "WN" and "1916" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 45000, with gaps (see right) Single series of all-numeric serials used for all classes of vehicles, including trucks, vehicles for hire and dealer vehicles.[4]
1916–17 Embossed white serial on lavender plate with border line; "WN" at left and vertical "X17" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 64000, with gaps The 'X' indicated the passenger class of vehicles; other letters were used for other classes.[4]
1917–18 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "WN" at left and vertical "X18" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 96000, with gaps
1918–19 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "WN X-19" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 114000 Revalidated through February 29, 1920, with white porcelain tabs.
1919–20 Black serial on yellow and white porcelain plate; "WN X-20" on white section at left none 123456 144001 to approximately 157000, with gaps Both these plates issued only to new registrants.
As above, but fully embossed with border line none 123456 157501 to approximately 194000, with gaps
1920–21 Embossed white serial on green plate; "WN X-21" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 181000, with gaps
1921 Embossed black serial on gray plate; "WN X:21" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 184000, with gaps
1922 Embossed white serial on brown plate; "WN X-22" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 195000, with gaps
1923 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "WN X:23" at left none 123456 1 to 200000; 300001 to approximately 319000
1924 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "WN X:24" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 253000
1925 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "WN X-25" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 282000
1926 Embossed white serial on green plate; "WASHINGTON" at bottom, slightly offset to right; vertical "X26" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 311-000 First use of the full state name.
1927 Embossed green serial on white plate; "WASHINGTON" at bottom, slightly offset to right; vertical "X27" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 326-000
1928 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON-28" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 343-000
1929 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON-29" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 394-000
1930 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "30 WASHINGTON X" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 380-000
1931 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON 31" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 348-000
1932 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "X 32 WASHINGTON" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 381-000
1933 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON 33" at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 359-000
1934 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON 34" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 358-000
1935 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON 35" at bottom none A-12345
123-456
AB-1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)		 First use of county codes, and last use of 'X' to indicate the passenger class. Six-digit all-numeric serials issued in King County following A-99999; this happened again in 1936.[4]
1936 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "19 WASHINGTON 36" at bottom none A-12345
123-456
AB-1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)
1937 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "WASHINGTON 1937" at top none A-123-456
AB-1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)
1938 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "1938 WASHINGTON" at top none A-123-456
AB-1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)
1939 Embossed golden yellow serial on green plate with border line; "STATE OF WASHINGTON" at bottom "1889-GOLDEN JUBILEE-1939" at top A-123-456
AB-1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)		 Commemorated Washington's 50 years of statehood.
1940 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "WASHINGTON 1940" at bottom none A-123-456
AB-1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)
1941 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "WASHINGTON 1941" at top none A-123-456
AB-1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)
1942–44 Embossed green serial on white plate; "WASHINGTON 1942" at bottom none A-123-456
AB-1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)		 Revalidated for 1943 and 1944 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 As 1942 base, but with "WASHINGTON 1944" at bottom none 12345 1 to approximately 89000 Issued only to new registrants.
1945–46 Embossed green serial on white plate; "WASHINGTON 1945" at top none A-123-456
AB-1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)		 Revalidated for 1946 with windshield stickers.
1947–48 Embossed green serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "WASHINGTON 1947" at bottom none A·123·456
AB·1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)		 Revalidated for 1948 with windshield stickers.
1949 Embossed green serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "WASHINGTON 1949" at top none A123·456
AB·1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)

1950 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.[5] The first Washington license plate that complied with these standards was a modification of the 1954 plate, introduced in January 1956.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1950 Embossed green serial on white plate; "WASHINGTON 50" at bottom none A123·456
AB·1234		 County-coded
(A or AB)		 Revalidated for 1951 with silver tabs, for 1952 with windshield stickers, and for 1953 with green tabs.
1951–53 As above, but with "51" instead of "50" Single plate issued only to new registrants. Revalidated for 1952 and 1953 in the same manner as for 1950 plates.
1954–57 Embossed white serial on green plate; "54 WASHINGTON" at bottom none 123-456 A
12-345 AB		 County-coded
(A or AB)		 Revalidated for 1955 with silver tabs, for 1956 with white tabs, and for 1957 with green tabs.
1956–57 As above, but to 6" x 12" size, and with narrower serial dies and border line Validated for 1956 and 1957 in the same manner as for 1954–55 plates.
1958–62 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "WASHINGTON" centered at bottom none ABC 123 County-coded Validated each year with plate stickers.
1963–64 Embossed green serial on non-reflective white plate with border line; "WASH. 63" centered at bottom none ABC 123 County-coded (until 1981)
1965–67 As above, but with "WASHINGTON" centered at bottom
1968–82 As above, but reflective, and with "WASHINGTON" at top, offset to left
1982–85 As above, but with "WASHINGTON" screened rather than embossed Unused 'E', 'G', 'H' and 'L' series
1985–86 As above, but with narrower serial dies ABC-123 Unused 'L' and 'W' series
1987 –
late
1990		 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with light blue Mount Rainier graphic and dark blue border line; "Washington" screened in red centered at top "Centennial Celebration" screened in red centered at bottom 123-ABC 000-AAA to 999-DGP I, O and Q not used as the first letter in this serial format. Seven-year plate replacement schedule phased in between 2001 and 2006.[4]
late
1990 –
July
1998		 none 000-DGQ to 999-JNZ
July
1998 –
December 31, 2009		 As above, but without dark blue border line, and with "WASHINGTON" screened in red at top, offset to left "EVERGREEN STATE" screened in red centered at bottom 000-JOA to 999-ZZZ
January 1, 2010 – present ABC1234 AAA0000 to CKF1705 (as of October 2, 2023)[6] I, O and Q not used as the third letter in this serial format.[4] Seven-year plate replacement schedule discontinued in January 2015.[7]

Non-passenger plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Motorcycle 1968–76 Debossed white on green with border line; "WASHINGTON" at top, offset to left AB-123 AA-000 to approximately KY-999 Validated until 2000.
1976–86 Embossed green on white with border line; "WASHINGTON" at top, offset to left 123456 000001 to approximately 297000 Validated until 2000.
1987–99 Similar to 1987–98 passenger plates, but with "Washington" offset to left and no slogan 123456 400000 to approximately 601999
1999–2008 Similar to current passenger plates, but without slogan 602000 to 999999
2008–present 1A2345 0A0000 to 4K3337 (as of September 16, 2023)[6]
Trailer – large 1987–90 As 1987–90 passenger plates 1234-AB 0000-JA to approximately 9999-KC
1990–99 As 1990–98 passenger plates 0000-KD to approximately 9999-MH
1999–2016 As current passenger plates 0000-MI to 9999-ZZ
2016–present 12345AB 00000AA to 12256AK (as of September 19, 2023)[6]
Truck 1987–90 As 1987–90 passenger plates 12345-A 00000-H to 11999-T
1990–95 As 1990–98 passenger plates 12000-T to 99999-Z
1995–99 A12345B A00000A to A18999E
1999–present As current passenger plates A19000E to D56600D (as of September 14, 2023)[6]

County coding
CountyOne- or two-letter code,
1935–57		Three-letter codes,
1958–81
KingAAAA–AZZ, OAA–OZZ, IAA–IRZ, IUA–IZZ, UCA–UKZ
PierceBBAA–BZZ, TBA–TFZ
SpokaneCCAA–CKZ, CNA–CTZ, CVA–CVK (1963–81), CVL–CZZ, SLA–SMZ
SnohomishDDAA–DRZ, DVA–DVR
YakimaEEAA–EKZ
WhatcomFFAA–FFM
ClarkGGAA–GCZ, GEA–GNP
Grays HarborHHAA–HDW
KitsapIKSA–KUB, KVA–KZF
ThurstonJJAA–JEK
ChelanKKAA–KDH
LewisLLAA–LDG
SkagitMMAA–MDS
CowlitzNNAA–NFP
Walla WallaOWWA–WYZ
WhitmanPPAA–PCF
ClallamQCLA–CMZ, PDA–PDF
BentonRRAA–REU
KittitasSSAA–SBM
LincolnTTAA–TAN
OkanoganUUAA–UBK
PacificVVAA–VAW
StevensWWAA–WBD
MasonXXAA–XAZ
JeffersonYYAA–YAN
KlickitatZZAA–ZBD
AdamsADYYA–YYR
AsotinANZZA–ZZZ, ZYA–ZYL
ColumbiaCOCUA–CUG
DouglasDODSA–DST
FranklinFNFNA–FSF
FerryFYFYA–FYE
GarfieldGAGDA–GDF
GrantGTGTA–GVW
IslandISCVA–CVK (1958–62); ISA–ITZ (1963–81)
Pend OreillePOPEB–PES
SkamaniaSASKA–SKK
San JuanSJSJA–SJK
WahkiakumWAWMA–WMF

Specialty plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
4-H Black serial on gradient white and green plate; 4-H four-leaf clover emblem at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left "4-H For YOUth!" in black at bottom 4/H 12345 4/H 00001 to present
Amateur Radio As standard passenger base, but with black serial "EVERGREEN STATE" in red at bottom FCC call sign
Endangered Wildlife Black serial on graphic plate with ocean and cliffs against a light blue sky and breaching killer whale at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left "Endangered Wildlife" in dark blue at bottom E/W 12345 E/W 00001 to present Vanity variants also issued.
Keep Kids Safe January 3, 2006[8] – present Black serial on pale blue plate with green, pink, blue, yellow and red handprints; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left "Keep Kids Safe" in green at bottom K/S 12345 K/S 00001 to present
Preserve Our National Parks Black serial on graphic plate with North Cascades in mist against a pink and gray sky; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left "Preserve Our National Parks" in black at bottom N/P 12345 N/P 00001 to present Vanity variants also issued.
Share the Road Black serial on graphic plate with Mount Rainier at top, green field in middle, gray road at bottom and cyclist at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left "SHARE THE ROAD" in yellow at bottom B/K 12345 B/K 00001 to present
United States Army Black serial on graphic plate with national flag in background and emblem of the Department of the Army at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left none A/R 12345 A/R 00001 to present
United States Navy Black serial on graphic plate with national flag in background and emblem of the U.S. Navy at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left none N/A 12345 N/A 00001 to present
University of Washington 2006 – December 2013 Black serial on white and gold gradient plate; purple 'W' logo at left and university's seal at right; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left "UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON" in purple at bottom 1234A 0001A to approximately 8700A
December 2013 – present White serial on purple plate; gold 'W' logo at left; "WASHINGTON" in white at top left "UNIVERSITY of WASHINGTON" in gold at bottom 8701A to present
Washington Apple Commission July 1, 2020[9] – present White serial on navy blue plate with state outline at right and Washington Apple Commission logo in red at left; "WASHINGTON" in white at top left "World's Finest Apples" in white at bottom W/A/C 1234 W/A/C 0001 to present
Wildlife – bald eagle Black serial on graphic plate with sunset scene in background and bald eagle at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left "Wild on Washington" in yellow at bottom W/W 12345 W/W 00001 to present

References
  1. "New Car Owners Must Have Short Licenses". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. June 3, 1915. p. 14. The old law, which will be supplanted by the new auto code June 10, made all licenses expire on May 31. The new code, though not yet in effect, provides that on machines licensed up to May 31 no renewal shall be necessary until June 10, when it will be taken out under the schedule of the new code.
  2. "Old Washington License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  3. Zhou, Amanda (August 2, 2021). "Washington state grappling with license-plate shortage as pandemic slows production". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  4. Tanner, Eric N. "Washington Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  5. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  6. "Washington License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  7. Baker, Mike; Berens, Michael J. (December 15, 2014). "Why license plates have cost us so much". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  8. "New Special License Plate Supports the Little Ones". Kitsap Sun. January 2, 2006. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  9. "Washington Apples Specialty License Plates now available". Quad City Herald. June 30, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
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