Canadian licence plate designs and serial formats
(Redirected from Canadian license plate numbering and lettering)
In Canada, licence plate numbers are usually assigned in ascending order, beginning with a starting point such as AAA-001.
As such, someone familiar with the sequence can determine roughly when the licence plate was issued. After Ontario's transition to an ABCD-123 format in 1997, plates were issued in ascending order starting with AAAA-001. It took close to 10 years to exhaust the supply of plate numbers with A as the first digit. In late 2006, plates with B as the first digit were assigned, and have continued from there sequentially. Plates with C as the first digit started appearing in 2016. The first plates beginning with D were issued in 2023.
The gradual increase in the use of letters in the serials of licence plates has given rise to an increased possibility of unintentional profane or inappropriate words or messages arising from the use of sequential alphanumeric combinations. Thus, numbering sequences generally exclude certain combinations of letters or numbers that would be potentially offensive. Jurisdictions' attention to excluding offensive combinations varies widely, however. In 1986, Waldale, a Canadian licence plate manufacturer, due to a production error, produced an entire batch of New Brunswick plates that began with the letters ASS. The plates were issued, and were unofficially scrapped, but many found their way into the collectors' black market.[citation needed]
From 1971 to 1975, Manitoba's licence plate bore the slogan "Sunny Manitoba: 100,000 lakes,"[1] but was changed to "Friendly Manitoba," possibly due to conflict with Minnesota's "10,000 lakes" slogan.[citation needed]
Current designs and serial formats
editThe most recent design or serial format being issued.
Passenger plates
edit| Province/Territory | First issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 2021 | Red on reflective white | "Wild Rose Country" | ABC-1234 | 
|
| British Columbia | 2014 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre | "Beautiful British Columbia" | AB1 23C | 
|
| Manitoba | 2012 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; black bison graphic screened at top right; "Manitoba" screened in blue at top, offset to right, with red maple leaf over the 'i' | "Friendly Manitoba" | ABC 123 | 
|
| New Brunswick | 2011 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with curved gold and sky blue bands at the top; screened provincial wordmark (red galley graphic with small blue waves and "New" to the left, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below, all in green) on bands, centred above serial | — | ABC 123 | 
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2007–21
2023–present |
Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue below | — | ABC 123 | 
|
| Northwest Territories | 2010 | screened nature scene, shaped like a polar bear | "Spectacular Northwest Territories" | 123456 | 
|
| Nova Scotia | 2011 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; light blue graphic of the Bluenose screened in the centre; "NOVA SCOTIA" screened in blue centred at top | "Canada's Ocean Playground" | ABC 123 | 
|
| Nunavut | 2012 | Screened black serial on rectangular plate with night scene featuring polar bear, inuksuk, three sets of northern lights and 25 stars; "Nunavut" screened in black letters and in Inuktitut syllabics (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) centred at bottom | — | 123 456 | 
|
| Ontario | 1997–2020 2020–present |
Blue on reflective white with screened crown separator; "ONTARIO" screened in blue centred at top | "Yours to Discover" | ABCD-123 | 
|
| "Tant à Découvrir" | 
| ||||
| Green on reflective white with screened graphic of white trillium; for hydrogen and plug-in electric vehicles[2] | "Green Vehicle" | GVAB 123 | 
| ||
| "Véhicule écologique" | VEAB 123 | 
| |||
| Prince Edward Island | 2022 | Green letters on white baseplate; 'PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND' screened at top & 'CANADA' along bottom. PEI crest in center and small Canadian flag in bottom left. | none | 123 ABC |
|
| Quebec | 2023 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Québec" centred at top | "Je me souviens" (I Remember) | ABC 12D |
|
| 2011 | green on reflective white with electric vehicle pictogram on the lower left side (for electric vehicles)[3] | Began as B12 VEA, followed by C12 VAB | 
| ||
| Saskatchewan | 2009 | Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top | "Land of Living Skies" | 123 ABC | 
|
| Yukon | 1990 | Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottom | "The Klondike" | ABC12 | 
|
| Department of National Defence - All provinces and territories | dark green on reflective white with "Canada" on top flanked by two red maple leaves | — | 12345 | 
|
Note: For Ontario and Quebec electric vehicle plates, letters in bold denotes that they are specifically set to identify them, apart from the regular issuance.
Commercial plates
editMost provinces issue separate commercial plates for trucks, usually for commercial purposes or over a certain vehicle weight.
| Province/Territory | First issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | none | ||||
| British Columbia | 2008 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag used as separator | "Beautiful British Columbia" | AB 1234 | 
|
| Manitoba | 2012 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; black bison graphic screened at top right; "Manitoba" screened in blue at top, offset to right, with red maple leaf over the 'i' | "Friendly Manitoba" | CAB 123 |
|
| New Brunswick | 2011 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with curved gold and sky blue bands at the top; screened provincial wordmark (red galley graphic with small blue waves and "New" to the left, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below, all in green) on bands, centred above serial | — | CAB 123 | 
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2007 | Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue below | — | CA1 234 | 
|
| Northwest Territories | 2010 | screened nature scene, shaped like a polar bear | "Spectacular Northwest Territories" | C12345 | 
|
| Nova Scotia | 2012 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "NOVA SCOTIA" and "COMMERCIAL" centred at top and bottom respectively | — | 12-345-A |
|
| Nunavut | 2012 | Screened black serial on rectangular plate with night scene featuring polar bear, inuksuk, three sets of northern lights and 25 stars; "Nunavut" screened in black letters and in Inuktitut syllabics (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) centred at bottom | — | C12 345 |
|
| Ontario | 2011 | Black on reflective white with screened crown separator | "YOURS TO DISCOVER" | AB 12345 | 
|
| "TANT À DÉCOUVRIR" | 
| ||||
| Prince Edward Island | 2013 | Embossed light brown numbers on reflective white with photo of Province House on the left | "Birthplace of Confederation" | C1 234 |
|
| Quebec | 2001 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "Québec" centred at top | "Je me souviens" | FAB1234 | 
|
| Saskatchewan | none | ||||
| Yukon | 1990 | Light Commercial - Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottom | — | C123A |
|
| 2009 | Heavy Commercial - Black on reflective white with border line; screened prospector at left; screened red "Yukon" centred on sky blue band at bottom | — | CA123 |
| |
Former designs and serial formats still valid
editDesigns or serial formats that are no longer issued, yet are still valid for use.
| Province/Territory | Dates Issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 1983-92 | red on reflective white | "Wild Rose Country" | ABC-123 | 
|
| 1993-2010 | red on non-reflective white | 
| |||
| 2010-19 | red on non-reflective white | ABC-1234 | 
| ||
| 2019-21 | as above, but with newer Alberta government logo | 
| |||
| British Columbia | 1985-2001 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre | "Beautiful British Columbia" | ABC 123 | 
|
| 2001-14 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre | 123 ABC | 
| ||
| Manitoba | 1997-2012 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with river scene featuring green trees on either side and yellow wheat at the bottom; blue bison graphic screened at top right; "Manitoba" screened in blue at top, offset to right, with red maple leaf over the 'i' | "Friendly Manitoba" | ABC 123 | 
|
| New Brunswick | 2003-09 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; screened provincial wordmark ("New" to the left of the galley, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below) | — | ABC-123 | 
|
| 2009-11 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with curved gold and sky blue bands at the top; screened provincial wordmark (red galley graphic with small blue waves and "New" to the left, "Nouveau" to the right and "Brunswick" and "CANADA" below, all in green) on bands, centred above serial | "Be...in this place - Être...ici on le peut'" | ABC 123 | 
| |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 1982-93 | red and blue embossed on white | — | ABC-123 | 
|
| 1993-96 | red on reflective white with screened Viking ship graphic | "A World of Difference" | ABC 123 | 
|
|
| 1996-97 | red on reflective blue/white with screened Cabot graphic | "Celebrate 500 Years" | ABC 123 | 
| |
| 1997-2001 | As 1993–96 base | "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" as from 1993–96 | ABC 123 | 
| |
| 2001-02 | Embossed red serial on white plate; screened provincial flag centred slightly below serial; "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CANADA" screened in red below flag | — | ABC 123 | 
| |
| 2002-03 | As above, but with "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR" centred at top, and "CANADA" increased in size | — | ABC 123 | 
| |
| 2003-07 | red on reflective white with screened provincial flag graphic | — | ABC 123 | 
| |
| 2022-23 | Embossed blue serial on white and teal gradient plate; screened blue graphic of a whale; screened red provincial word mark on top; screened red “COME HOME 2022” on bottom | "COME HOME 2022" | ABC 123 | 
| |
| Northwest Territories | none | ||||
| Nova Scotia | blue on white | "Canada's Ocean Playground" | ABC 123 | 
| |
| Nunavut | none | ||||
| Ontario | 1973–78 | Embossed blue serial with crown separator on white plate with border line; "ONTARIO" centred at top; "73" at bottom left and full sticker box at bottom right | "KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL" | ABC 123 | 
|
| 1978-82 | As above, but without "73", and with partial sticker box at bottom right | "KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL" | ABC 123 | 
| |
| 1982-86 | As above, but with no sticker box | "YOURS TO DISCOVER" | ABC 123 | 
| |
| 1986-94 | "YOURS TO DISCOVER" | 123 ABC | 
| ||
| 1994–97 | Blue on reflective white with screened crown separator; "ONTARIO" screened in blue centred at top | "YOURS TO DISCOVER" | 123 ABC | 
| |
| 2020 | white on reflective, two-hue blue with white stylized trillium separator and white crown placed bottom right[4][5] | "A Place to Grow" | ABCD 123 | 
| |
| Prince Edward Island | 1981-92 | Embossed green serial with provincial shield separator on reflective white plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND" at top and "CANADA" centred at bottom | — | ABC 123 | 
|
| 1993–97 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; green and red Anne of Green Gables graphic slightly to left of centre; "PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND" screened in red at top | "Home of Anne of Green Gables" | AB 123 | 
| |
| 1997-2007 | Embossed green serial on reflective gradient green, white and blue plate; screened Confederation Bridge graphic at top centre and national flag at bottom left; "Prince Edward Island" screened in green below graphic with green trees, wavy blue underline, and "CANADA" below underline | "Confederation Bridge" | AB 123 | 
| |
| As above, but with screened Province House graphic at top centre | "Birthplace of Confederation" | AB 123 | 
| ||
| 2007-09 | Embossed green numbers on reflective white plate with screened photo of windmills | "Canada's Green Province" at bottom | AB 123 | 
| |
| 2009-12 | 123 AB | 
| |||
| 2013-22 | Embossed light brown numbers on reflective white with photo of Province House on the left | "Birthplace of Confederation" | 12 3AB | 
| |
| "Berceau de la Confédération" | 
| ||||
| Québec | 1979–83 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "79" at top left; fleur-de-lys and "Québec" at top right | "Je me souviens" | 123A456 (1979 series only) |
|
| 1983-96 | As above, but with wider serial dies, a darker shade of blue, and fleur-de-lys and "Québec" centred at top | ABC 123 | 
| ||
| 1996-2009 | 123 ABC | 
| |||
| 2009-22 | A12 BCD | 
| |||
| 2022-23 | 01B ACD | 
| |||
| Saskatchewan | 1977-98 | Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; sans-serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top | "Land Of the Living Skies" | ABC 123 | 
|
| 1998-2009 | Green on reflective white with screened wheat graphic in centre; serif "Saskatchewan" screened in green centred at top | 123 ABC | 
| ||
| Yukon | none | ||||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Manitoba License Plays, 1969-Present
- ^ "Ontario gets new green licence plates". CBC. 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ^ "Electric Vehicles". SAAQ. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
- ^ "Ontario's new licence plates hit the road: Here's what you need to know". toronto.ctvnews.ca. February 3, 2020.
- ^ "Accueil véhicules". Ministère des Transports (in French). Le gouvernement de l'Ontario. Retrieved 12 February 2020.