- Vehicle registration plates of New Jersey
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The U.S. state of New Jersey first issued license plates in 1908. Plates are currently issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
All bases of all classes of plates from 1959 to present are still valid for display in New Jersey. Since 2004, passenger plates have no requirement to display proof of valid registration, using only the registration card issued to the driver, which is stored in the glove box or on the person. New Jersey issues both front and rear license plates.
Contents
Issuance and validation
Passenger plates were issued in pairs 1908 to present except for 1944, 1945, and 1946. New plates were issued every year until 1943 due to wartime restrictions. From 1943 until 1952 plates were issued yearly. Between 1953 to 1956 metal tabs were issued for revalidation of plates. In 1956 revalidation began with front windshield stickers. In 1999 the state tried revalidating plates with stickers, but that scheme ended in 2004 with stickers issued to expire in 2005. Since then passenger plates have been revalidated with just the registration card issued to the driver.
Passenger baseplates 1913 to present
Image First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes 
1913 Red lettering and white background painted on porcelain-coated steel base None 12345 unknown Steel registration seal on right side between "N.J." and "13" 
1933 Orange lettering embossed on black base None A12345 unknown County letter code at left 
1952-56 Orange lettering embossed on on black base None AB1234; ABC123 unknown Tab for subsequent years inserted over original date 
1959 black on buff, non-reflective, N.J. embossed in wide block font above numbers GARDEN STATE embossed in plain block letters below numbers ABC-123 AAA-100 to RHZ-9991, 2 
1969 black on buff, non-reflective, N.J. embossed in wide block font above numbers GARDEN STATE embossed in plain block letters below numbers ABC-123 RIA-100 to SZZ-9991, 2, 5 black on buff, non-reflective, N.J. embossed in wide block font above numbers GARDEN STATE embossed in plain block letters below numbers ABC-123 UAA-100 to YZZ-9991, 2, 5 
1973 black on buff, non-reflective, N.J. embossed in wide block font above numbers GARDEN STATE embossed in plain block letters below numbers 123-ABC 100-AAA to 999-HBZ1, 2, 5 
1977 black on buff, non-reflective, NEW JERSEY embossed in plain block font above numbers GARDEN STATE embossed in plain block letters below numbers 123-ABC 100-HCA to 999-KZZ1, 2, 5 
1979 yellow on blue, non-reflective, NEW JERSEY embossed in plain block font above numbers GARDEN STATE embossed in plain block letters below numbers 123-ABC; New Jersey state icon used as dash 100-LAA to 999-ZZZ1, 2, 5 
1985 yellow on blue, non-reflective, NEW JERSEY embossed in plain block font above numbers GARDEN STATE embossed in plain block letters below numbers ABC-123; New Jersey state icon used as dash ZAA-100 to ZZZ-9992, 3, 5 
1985 yellow on blue, non-reflective, NEW JERSEY embossed in plain block font above numbers GARDEN STATE embossed in plain block letters below numbers ABC-12D; New Jersey state icon used as dash AAA-10A to HZZ-99Z2, 3, 5 
1992 black embossed numbers on yellow to white gradient, reflective; New Jersey screened in black plain serifed font above numbers; black outlines for registration stickers at top corners Garden State screened in black plain block letters below numbers ABC1234; New Jersey state icon used as dash AAA1000 to ADJ99993, 4, 5 
1993 black embossed numbers on yellow to white gradient, reflective; New Jersey screened in black plain serifed font above numbers; black outlines for registration stickers at top corners Garden State screened in black plain block letters below numbers AB-123D; New Jersey state icon used as dash BA-100A to ZZ-999Z 3, 4, 5 
1999 black embossed numbers on yellow to white gradient, reflective; New Jersey screened in black plain serifed font above numbers; black outlines for registration stickers at top corners Garden State screened in black plain block letters below numbers ABC-12D; New Jersey state icon used as dash JAA-10A to VZT-99Z 3, 4, 5 
2007 black embossed numbers on yellow to white gradient, reflective; New Jersey screened in black plain serifed font above numbers Garden State screened in black plain block letters below numbers ABC-12D; New Jersey state icon used as dash VZU-10A to ZZZ-99Z 3, 4, 5 Security threads added to vertical center of plate somewhere in the Z series V40-AAB (current highest series known: U91-BBR) 2010 black embossed numbers on yellow to white gradient, reflective; New Jersey screened in black plain serifed font above numbers; security threads added to plate Garden State screened in black plain block letters below numbers A12-ABC[1]; New Jersey state icon used as dash A10-AAA to present 4, 5 Notes
- 1 Plates did not use the letters D, T, X, or Z in the first position;
- 2 Plates did not use the letter Q in any position;
- 3 Plates did not use the letters D, T, or X in the first position;
- 4 Plates did not use the letters I, O, Q in any position;
- 5 Plus remakes of serials issued on previous bases
Courtesy plates
New Jersey Courtesy License Plate
Courtesy Plates are issued to individuals with political connections. The plates are in an ABC 1/ABC 12 or 1 ABC/12 ABC format and range from 1 to 20. Courtesy plates may also be personalized with the owners 3 initials appearing before the number of 20 or less. If not personalized, then the individual is issued a standard Courtesy Plate, where the first letter is a county code, the second letter is the first initial of the vehicle owner's name, and the second letter is the initial of the last name of the vehicle owner.
Courtesy plates must be approved by a State Senator from the county that corresponds to the first letter on the plate being requested. Plates starting with the letter T can be approved by any senator, while those starting with D, O, Q or X are not available.[2]
Courtesy plate county codes 1959 to present
Letter County A Atlantic B Bergen C Camden E Essex F Ocean G Gloucester H Hudson I Hunterdon J Salem K Middlesex L Morris M Monmouth N Burlington P Passaic R Mercer S Somerset U Union V Sussex W Warren Y Cumberland Z Cape May Current plate types
All plates issued since 1959 are still valid for use.[3]
Non-Passenger
Image Type First Issued Current Serial Format Previous Serial Formats Notes 
Apportioned AB-123C Commercial XAB-12C XA-123B Commercial Vanity varies varies Commuter Van CV12345 Constructor 12345 
Courtesy ABC1, ABC 12
1 ABC, 12 ABCEquipment In Transit 12-1-AB Farm Use FA-1234 Handicapped HA1234 H1234, 1234H Historic QQ12345 QQ-A123, 123A-QQ, QQ-1234, 1234-QQ Historic Motorcycle Q1234 In Transit Empty ZA-12 Limousine OL1234A Limousine Vanity OLABCDEF Livery OL1234A Withdrawn and replaced with Limousine plates. Livery Vanity varies varies Moped 1A2B3 Motorcycle 1ABC2 A123B, AB123, 123AB, A1234, 1234A Motorcycle Courtesy Motorcycle Dealer DA-12-1 New Car Dealer DAB-12 1 NJ Transit 1234=NJ no longer in use No Fee NF12345 NF=A123 Non-Conventional Dealer Omnibus OXA1234 Passenger Vanity varies varies PUC-LIM OL-1234 School Vehicle I S1-A123 (as of 10/10, approaching end of series) S1-123A, 123A-S1, 1234AS1 School Vehicle II S2-A123 S2-123A, 123A-S2, 1234AS2 Street Rod R1234 Temporary A000000 Temporary Temporary Rental/Lease Tractor TA-0000 Trailer TAB-12C 1234TAB, T12-A3B, TAB-123, T123-AB, 123-TAB, T1A-234 Transporter Used Car Dealer DLB-12 1 Vehicle Converter Vehicle Manufacturer Governmental
Image Type First Issued Current Serial Format Previous Serial Formats Notes Assembly AV1 Letters at left are assemblyman's initials Cabinet (numeric) County Government CG12345 Department of Transportation TD12345 TD-1234 Former Assembly Former Senator Governor 1 Highway Authority HA-A123 No longer issued, as the Garden State Parkway is now under the purview of the Turnpike Authority. Mayor AB1CD The first two letters are a code signifying the municipality, and the last two letters are the mayor's initials. Mayor Emeritus ME1234 Municipal Government MG12345 MG-A123, MG-123A, MG-1234, 1234-MG, 123MG-A, MG-12AB Municipal No Fee Municipal Government Motorcycle Senate AB Letters indicate senator's initials. State Government SG12345 SG-A123, SG-A12B State Police SPA123B SP-A123 State Senate Majority Leader Turnpike Authority TPA1234 TP-A123 U.S. Congress U.S. Senate 1 or 2 (depending on seniority), flanked by state seals Professional
Image Type First Issued Current Serial Format Previous Serial Formats Notes Chiropractor 1 DC 234 Dentist DMD 123, DDS 123 EMT-A EM1234 Farmer XYA-12B XYA-100 Farmer plates begin with either XY or XZ Firefighter A1-2B 1A-B2 Firemen's Benevolent Association FF1234 First Aider F1234 Fraternal Order of Police FP1234 New Jersey Press NJP-123 New York Press 1234NYP NYP-123, 123-NYP Newark Firefighter FD1234 Operating Engineer OE1234 Patrolmens Benevolent Association PB1234 Physician MD-1234 12MD A, MDA-123 Podiatrist DPM-123 Society of Professional Engineers PE1234 Organizational
Image Type First Issued Current Serial Format Previous Serial Formats Notes Amateur Radio (call sign) Freemason MB1234 Honor Legion PD1234 Knights of Columbus (Columbianism) KC1234 Rotary International RI1234 Square Dancer SD1234 Teamsters IB1234 Telephone Pioneer PA1234 United Bowhunters UB1234 Military and Veteran
Image Type First Issued Current Serial Format Previous Serial Formats Notes Air Force Auxiliary CP1234 Air Force Reserve CF1234 Air Force Retired RA1234 Air Guard NGA 123 The letter appearing after the N/G is the first letter of the plate owner's last name. Airborne AB1234 American Legion AL1234 Amvets AV1234 Army Guard NGA 123 The letter appearing after the N/G is the first letter of the plate owner's last name. Army Reserve AR1234 Coast Guard Auxiliary CA1234 Coast Guard Reserve CR1234 Combat Veteran CI1234 Combat Wounded PH1234 Disabled American Veteran WD1234 DAV-123 Disabled Veteran DV1234 Gold Star Family 2011 MH1234 Leatherneck ML1234 Merchant Marine MM1234 Navy Cross NC1234 Navy Lakehurst LK1234 Navy League NL1234 Navy Reserve NR1234 Pearl Harbor '41 1234PH Prisoner of War P1234 Silver Star 1234SS Silent Service SS1234 Tin Can Sailors DD1234 U.S. Army Retired GI1234 Veterans of Foreign Wars WV1234 VFW-123 Vietnam Veteran VV1234 College and University Optionals
Image Type First Issued Current Serial Format Previous Serial Formats Notes New Jersey Institute of Technology JT1234 "Highlanders" Notre Dame ND1234 Penn State Alumni PS1234 Rutgers RU1234, 1234RU New graphic features Rutgers' red "R" and numbers-first format. Seton Hall SH1234 Base revised in 2007 - rim is no longer embossed and has updated Pirates logo Stevens Tech ST1234 Temple University UN1234 University of Delaware UD1234 University of Michigan UM1234 West Point WP1234 Optional
Image Type First Issued Current Serial Format Previous Serial Formats Notes Animal Friendly 1995 IM1234, IM123A, IM12AB (ended at ...99CZ) No longer issued but still valid Animal Friendly (Mutts) 2002 IM12EA Plate features characters from Patrick McDonnell's comic strip Battleship 1996 BB12AB BB1234, 1234BB Features an image of Battleship New Jersey Baymens Heritage 1998 BH12AB BH1234 Sports an image of the Tucker's Island Lighthouse Center for Food Action CF1234 No longer being issued (see below) Choose Life 2011 CF1234 Uses same prefix as previously issued Center for Food Action plates, of which less than 100 were registered. Conquer Cancer 1998 A123CC CC1234, CC12AB Conserve Wildlife 1994 CW12AB CW1234, CW123A Conserve Wildlife 1997 WC123A Deborah Heart & Lung 2000 DH1234 Discover NJ History 1997 ZZ1234 Liberty State Park 1999 1234LS LS1234 Meadowlands 2001 MC1234 New Jersey Agriculture 2001 1234GS GS1234 NJPF Safe Cop PF1234 Olympic Spirit 1995 1234 US US1234 Organ Donors Save Lives 2002 DL1234 Pinelands 1998 PL12AB PL1234 Price of Honor 2002 LE12AB LE1234, 1234LE Shore to Please 1993 SR123A SA1234,SA123A, SC123A, SE123A, SF123A, SJ123A, SK123A, SL123A, SN123A Treasure Our Trees 1998 WE123A, XA123WE (commercial) WE1234 United We Stand 2004 1234UW UW1234 Sports
The New Jersey sports bases all share the same numbering system and are the first NJ plates to be issued in a flat, non-embossed format.
Image Type First Issued Current Serial Format Previous Serial Formats Notes NASCAR 2010 RM12AB Different bases will be available for drivers Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, Martin Truex, Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kasey Kahne and a generic NASCAR base. NBA 2010 RM12AB Different bases will be available for New Jersey Nets New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers[4] NHL 2010 RM12AB Only a New Jersey Devils base as been announced so far.[5] MLB 2010 RM12AB New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies.[6] NFL 2010 RM12AB New York Jets, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles.[7] References
- ^ http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20090710_N_J__license_plates_to_get_slightly_different_look.html
- ^ Cichowski, John. "Road Warrior: N.J. drivers spared Real ID license hassles for now", The Record (Bergen County), April 2, 2008. Accessed April 3, 2008.
- ^ Jim Moini's License Plates
- ^ NBA License Plates, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ NHL License Plates, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ MLB License Plates, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ NFL License Plates, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
External links
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Categories:- Vehicle registration plates of the United States
- Transportation in New Jersey
- New Jersey-related lists
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