Vehicle registration plates of Georgia (U.S. state)

(Redirected from Georgia license plates)

The U.S. state of Georgia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1910. Plates are currently issued by the Motor Vehicle Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue. Only rear plates have been required since 1942.

Georgia
Current peach tree license plate
Current series
SloganPeach State (on peach tree design)
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC1234
IntroducedMay 2012 (2012-05)
Availability
Issued byGeorgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division
History
First issuedSeptember 1, 1910 (1910-09-01)

Passenger baseplates

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1910 to 1970

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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 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first Georgia license plate that fully complied with these standards: the 1954 (dated 1955) and 1955 (dated 1956) issues were 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1910–11 Black on aluminum none 12345 1 to 10000
  1911–12 Black on yellow none 12345 10001 to 17000
  1912–13 Black on white; vertical "GA" at right none 12345 17001 to approximately 23600
  1914 Black on white with border line; "GA 1914" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 20600 First dated plate; replaced all 1910–13 plates.
  1915 White on black porcelain with border line; "GA. 1915" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 25300
  1916 Black on white with border line; "GA 16" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 47500
  1917 White on black with border line; "GA 1917" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 67500
  1918 Black on light green with border line; "GA 1918" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 95500
  1919 Black on white with border line; "GA 1919" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 118500
  1920 White on dark green with border line; "GA 20" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 145-000
  1921 Dark green on white with border line; "GA 21" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 133-000
  1922 White on black with border line; "GA 22" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 151-000
  1923 White on brown with border line; "GA 23" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 151-000
  1924 Black on gray with border line; "GA. 1924" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 178-000
  1925 White on dark blue with border line; "GA. 25" at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 221-000
  1926 White on red with border line; "GA. 1926" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 243-000
  1927 Black on yellow with border line; vertical "GA-27" as separator none 123-456 1 to approximately 265-000
  1928 White on dark blue with border line; "GA. 1928" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 294-000
    1929 Golden yellow on black with border line; vertical "GA-29" as separator; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at right none 123-456A 1A to approximately 316-000D
(see right)
Front and rear plates issued; this practice continued through 1941. First use of weight classes, with the letters A, B, C and D used in order from the heaviest vehicles to the lightest, and a block of serials assigned to each class.
  1930 Black on gray with border line; "GEORGIA–1930" at top none 123-456A 1A to approximately 349-000D
(see right)
First use of the full state name. Weight class letters and method of assigning serials to each class same as 1929.
  1931 White on dark green with border line; "GA–31" at top none A1234
1A234
A1 to Z9999;
0A1 to 9Z999
Four weight classes as in 1929 and 1930; separate blocks of serials for regular and locking-bar plates assigned to each class.
  White on dark green with border line; "GA" at top left, "31" at top right and space for locking bar at top middle none
  1932 White on dark blue with border line; "GA–32" at top none 12345A Coded by weight class (A) Letters A, B, C and D used in order from the heaviest vehicles to the lightest, as in 1929 and 1930, but with serials in each class starting from 1. Letter E added for the lightest class when 99999D was reached. These practices continued through 1935.
  1933 Dark blue on orange with border line; "GA–33" at top none 12-345A Coded by weight class (A)
  1934 Orange on dark blue with border line; "GEORGIA" and "1934" at top and bottom respectively none 12-345A Coded by weight class (A)
  1935 Dark blue on orange with border line; "1935" and "GEORGIA" at top and bottom respectively none 12-345A Coded by weight class (A)
  1936 As 1934 base, but with "1936" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 331-000
  1937 As 1935 base, but with "1937" at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 364-000
  1938 As 1934 base, but with "1938" at bottom none 12-345A Coded by weight class (A)
  1939 Dark blue on yellow with border line; "1939" and "GEORGIA" at top and bottom respectively none 12-345A Coded by weight class (A)
  1940 Orange on green with border line; "GA", peach graphic and "40" at bottom "PEACH STATE" at top A12-345 Coded by weight class (A)
  As above, but with "GA 40" at top and no peach graphic "PEACH STATE" at bottom
  1941 Reflective yellow on dark blue with border line; peach sticker in the center; "GA 41" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom 123-45A
123-4EX
Coded by weight class (A) First reflectorized passenger plate in the United States, and also the first to use a sticker of any kind.[2][3]
    1942–43 White on dark blue with red border line; "1942" and "GEORGIA" in red at top at bottom respectively none A12-345
EX12345
Coded by weight class (A) Revalidated for 1943 with red tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
  1944 Yellow on black with border line; "GA 44" at left none A 12345
EX 12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1945 White on black with border line; "1945" and "GEORGIA" at top and bottom respectively none A-12345 Coded by weight class (A)
  1946 Black on silver with border line; "1946" and "GEORGIA" at top and bottom respectively none A-12345
E/X-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1947 Maroon on cream with border line; "GA 47" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1948 Black on unpainted aluminum with border line; "GA 48" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
E/S-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1949 Red on unpainted aluminum with border line; "GA 49" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
E/S-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1950 Black on unpainted aluminum with border line; "GA 50" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
E/S-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1951 Green on unpainted aluminum with border line; "GA 51" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
E/S-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1952 White on black with border line; "GA 52" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
E/S-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1953 Orange on black with border line; "GA 53" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
E/S-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1954 Black on yellow with border line; "GA 54" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
E/S-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1955 Yellow on black with border line; "GEORGIA 55" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
E/S-12345
Coded by weight class (A)
  1956 White on black with border line; "GEORGIA 56" at top "PEACH STATE" at bottom A-12345
E/X-12345
H/A-12345
Coded by weight class Weight classes were as follows: E, E/X and D (3,000 lb and under); H/A through H/N (3,001 to 3,500 lb); J and K (3,501 to 4,000 lb); and A (4,001 lb and over).[4]
  1957 White on dark green with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "57" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class (see right) Weight classes were as follows: D and E (3,000 lb and under); no letter (3,001 to 3,500 lb); J (3,501 to 4,000 lb); and A (4,001 lb and over). This continued through 1970.[4]
  1958 Black on white with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "58" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1959 White on black with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "59" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1960 Black on white with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "60" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1961 Black on yellow with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "61" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1962 Red on white with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "62" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1963 White on red with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "63" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1964 Peach on green with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "64" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1965 Blue on white with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "65" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1966 White on red with border line; "19 GEORGIA 66" at bottom "PEACH STATE" centered at top 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1967 Red on white with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "67" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1968 White on green with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "68" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1969 White on black with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "69" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class
  1970 White on blue with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "70" at bottom right "PEACH STATE" centered at bottom 1·12345
1·A·12345
10·1234
10·A·1234
100·1234
100·A·123
Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or 100) and weight class

1971 to present

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Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials Issued Notes
  1971–75 Embossed blue on reflective white with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "71" at top left; county name on sticker at bottom none ABC 123 First letter corresponds to weight class (see right) Weight classes were as follows: A, B, C and F (3,000 lb and under); E and G (3,001 to 3,500 lb); L, M and P (3,501 to 4,000 lb); and R and W (4,001 lb and over).
  1976–79 Embossed red on reflective white with border line; "GEORGIA" centered at top; "76" at top left; county name on sticker at bottom none ABC 123 First letter corresponds to weight class (see right) Weight classes were as follows: A through E (3,000 lb and under); G and H (3,001 to 3,500 lb); L, M and N (3,501 to 4,000 lb); and R and S (4,001 lb and over).
  1979–80 ABC 123 TAA 001 to
TZZ 999;
WAA 001 to approximately WGZ 999
  1980–82 As above, but with "GEORGIA" screened rather than embossed WHA 001 to approximately YFI 999
  1983–89 Embossed green on reflective white; screened "19 GEORGIA 83" at top; county name on sticker at bottom none ABC 123 AAA 001 to approximately WCW 999 Vanity plates featured the "Peach State" slogan in place of the county-name sticker.
  1990 – March 1996 Embossed black on reflective gradient white and orange; screened green "Georgia" at top with peach graphic for the 'o'; "19" at top left and "90" at top right; county name on sticker at bottom none ABC 123 AAA 001 to
YZZ 999
Letters I, O, Q, U and V not used in either serial format.[4] The ABC 1234 format used narrower dies.
  March 1996 – January 1997 ABC 1234 AAA 1001 to approximately ADM 9999
  February 1997 – June
2001
Embossed black on reflective white with peach graphic at center; screened black "GEORGIA" at top, offset to left; county name on sticker at bottom ...on my mind 123 ABC 001 AAA to
999 ZZZ
Letters I and O not used in this serial format, and Q, U and V used only from 2000, beginning with the XAQ series.[4]
  April 1997 – June
2001
1234 AB Intermittently from 1001 QA to 9999 YZ Both these serial formats used on passenger vehicles (interchangeably with the 123 ABC format) and trucks, having originally been intended to be reserved for the latter. Letters I, O, U and V not used in the 1234 AB format. The 12345 QA format used narrower dies.
  12345 QA Intermittently from 10001 QA to approximately 50000 QG
  June 2001 – November 2003 1234 ABC 1001 AAA to approximately 9999 AWT Same narrow dies as the 12345 QA format. Letters I, O, Q, U and V not used.
  December 2003 – April
2007
Embossed black on reflective gradient gray and white; peach graphic containing green state shape at center; county name on sticker at bottom www.GEORGIA.gov ABC 1234 Exclusively from AAA 0001 to approximately AVM 9999; intermittently from AVN 0001 to approximately AWB 1750 Letter O not used in this serial format.
  May 2007 – April
2012
Similar to above, but without gray gradient and "www." in web address GEORGIA.gov Intermittently from AVN 0001 to approximately AWB 1750; exclusively from AWB 1751 to approximately CAQ 9999
  May 2012 – present Screened black on reflective graphic plate with rolling hills, peach tree, and peaches Peach State ABC1234 Exclusively:
PAA1000 to PEZ9999; PMA1000 to QBT1499;

Alternating with plain peach plates:
RAA1000 to TGW0699; CAR1000 to CYJ1469 (as of December 2023)

On both these bases, "In God We Trust" can be printed at the bottom in place of the county name.


Serials as low as CAB- appeared intermittently between this base and the previous.

  Screened black on reflective white; peach graphic in center none ABC1234 Exclusively:
PFA1000 to PLZ9999; QFA1000 to QFP6449;

Alternating with peach tree plates: RAA1000 to TGW0699; CAR1000 to CZN6630 (as of April 2024)

County coding

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Georgia used two sets of numeric county codes on its license plates between 1957 and 1970. On both sets, the order of the codes was based on the respective populations of each county, with the order of the codes from 1962 onwards based on the figures according to the 1960 United States Census.[5][6]

Since 1971, the name of the county of issuance has been displayed at the bottom of each plate – originally on a sticker, before becoming screened in 2012.

Non-passenger and optional types

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alternative fueled vehicle

Georgia was one of the first states to issue optional plates, introducing commemorative issues for several of its in-state colleges and universities in 1983.[citation needed] The only requirement is a minimum of 1000 plates ordered, thus the state has made plates for fans of Auburn University in Alabama and Clemson University in South Carolina.

The number of optional types has increased since 1983; Georgia currently offers many specialty or optional license plates, most at an extra cost to motorists.[7] Revenue from the sale of specialty plates is shared with the sponsoring organization, provided that the sponsor is an in-state Georgia college or an organization which has been authorized to receive revenue by an act of the legislature. Organizations which have not received legislative authorization, and out of state colleges, are not eligible to receive revenue from specialty tag sales.[8]

Effective with the 2005 base, the state streamlined the ever-growing number of limited-issuance plates by instituting two-letter prefixes for almost all types other than standard passenger plates. Most of these plate types first appeared on the www.GEORGIA.gov base and are currently migrating to the new GEORGIA.gov base.

The state also issues plates for non-passenger vehicles, such as trucks, school buses, and government vehicles.

Image Type Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1996 Summer Olympics 1993–96 Embossed red on reflective white with border line; 1996 Summer Olympics logo screened in green at left; screened green "Georgia" at top with red flame graphic for the 'o' "Centennial Olympic Games" screened in green at bottom 12345
123AB
12AB3
1AB23
Revalidated until 1997.
  Florida State University 2013-2020 Screened black on reflective white; Florida State University logo screened in color at left; screened "Georgia" in black at top. "Florida State University" screened in red at bottom ABC123 Replaced with updated design.
  Antique Vehicle 2004-2007 Embossed black on grey-white gradient; "Hobby Antique Vehicle" and image of antique car screened on left; debossed areas on bottom for month, county, and year stickers. www.GEORGIA.gov screened at top HA1BCD

References

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  1. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  2. ^ "License Plate Trivia". ALPCA. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  3. ^ Sultan, Tim (May 6, 2005). "Vintage Cars, Vintage Plates". The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d Tanner, Eric N. "Georgia License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  5. ^ "Georgia license plate County Codes". GeorgiaPlates.com. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  6. ^ Nicholson, David (11 February 1999). "Georgia County Codes". 15q.net. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  7. ^ Georgia Department of Revenue
  8. ^ "Specialty License Plate Sponsors". Georgia Department of Revenue. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
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