Wikipedia

Vehicle registration plates of Mississippi

The U.S. state of Mississippi first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1912. Since then, the state has gone through a variety of license plate designs and currently has several different designs for passenger, non-passenger, and optional-issue plates.

Mississippi
Current series
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC 123
IntroducedJanuary 1, 2024 (2024-01-01)
Availability
Issued byMississippi Department of Revenue, Vehicle Licensing Division
Manufactured byWaldale Manufacturing Limited, Amherst, Nova Scotia
History
First issuedJune 1, 1912 (1912-06-01)

Plates are currently issued by the Vehicle Licensing Division of the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Only rear plates have been required since 1925.

Passenger baseplates

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1912 to 1976

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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 first Mississippi license plate that complied with these standards was issued 22 years beforehand, in 1934.

Image Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1912 Embossed black on white; vertical "1912" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 1234 First state issue. Local municipalities had issued license plates earlier.
  1913 As 1912 base, but with "1913" at right 1234 One of the rarest license plates in American history. Only two plates are known to exist.
  1914–18 Embossed black on white; vertical "MISS" at right 12345 1 to approximately 44500
  1919 Embossed light green on black; vertical "1919" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 60000
  1920 Embossed white on maroon with border line; vertical "1920" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 65000
  1921 Embossed red on white with border line; vertical "1921" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 64500
  1922 Embossed black on light green with border line; vertical "1922" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 12345 1 to approximately 77000
  1923 Embossed yellow on black with border line; vertical "1923" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 123456 1 to approximately 107000
  1924 Embossed white on dark blue with border line; vertical "1924" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 123456 1 to approximately 133000
  1925 Embossed black on golden yellow with border line; vertical "1925" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 177-000
  1926 Embossed white on dark green with border line; vertical "1926" and "MISS" at left and right respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 207-000
  1927 Embossed yellow on navy blue with border line; "MISS. 1927" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 235-000
  1928 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISS. 1928" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 249-000
  1929 Embossed white on maroon with border line; "MISS-1929" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 279-000
  1930 Embossed red on dark blue with border line; "MISS-1930" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 283-000
  1931 Embossed white on orange with border line; "MISS 1931" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 245-000
  1932 Embossed golden yellow on black with border line; "MISS-1932" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 221-000
  1933 Embossed white on dark green with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter and "33" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 120-000
  1934 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter and "34" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 149-000
  1935 Embossed orange on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; "35" and tax code letter stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 152-000
  1936 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter and "36" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively 123-456 1 to approximately 164-000
  1937 Embossed white on green with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter at top left and "37" at top right 123-456 1 to approximately 170-000
  1938 Embossed white on dark blue with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter at top left and "38" at top right 123-456 300-001 to approximately 491-000 Issued only from January 1 through October 31, 1938.
  1938–39 Embossed black on yellow with border line; "MISS." centered at top; "19" at top left and "39" at top right 123-456 300-001 to approximately 506-000
  1939–40 Embossed yellow on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; "19" at top left and "40" at top right 123-456 700-001 to approximately 892-000
  1940–41 Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-41" at top 123-456 100-001 to approximately 318-000 First to use county name
  1941–42 Embossed yellow on dark blue with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-42" at top 123-456 400-001 to approximately 643-000
  1942–43 Embossed orange on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-43" at top 123-456 600-001 to approximately 815-000 Due to wartime metal shortages, some 1943 plates were over-stamped on previously-used license plates, and the old embossed letters and numbers are still partially visible under the new paint.
  1943–44 Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-44" at top 123-456 700-001 to approximately 898-000 Due to wartime metal shortages, some 1944 plates were over-stamped on previously-used license plates, and the old embossed letters and numbers are still partially visible under the new paint.
  1944–45 Embossed yellow on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-45" at top 123-456 500-001 to approximately 700-000 Due to wartime metal shortages, some 1945 plates were over-stamped on previously-used license plates, and the old embossed letters and numbers are still partially visible under the new paint.
  1945–46 Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-46" at top 123-456 200-001 to approximately 411-000
  1946–47 Embossed yellow on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-47" at top 123-456 500-001 to approximately 735-000
  1947–48 Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-48" at top 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1948–49 Embossed orange on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-49" at top 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1949–50 Embossed black on yellow with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-50" at top 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1950–51 Embossed yellow on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county First use of the full state name.
  1951–52 Embossed white on dark green with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1952–53 Embossed maroon on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1953–54 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1954–55 Embossed white on blue with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1955–56 Embossed yellow on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1956–57 Embossed white on dark green with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1957–58 Embossed black on golden yellow with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1958–59 Embossed dark green on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1959–60 Embossed red on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1960–61 Embossed black on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
  1961–62 Embossed maroon on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively A/1 12345
A/10 12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A) Weight classes were as follows: A (1,800 lb and under), B (1,801 to 3,000 lb), C (3,001 to 4,000 lb) and D (4,001 lb and over).[2]
  1962–63 Embossed blue on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A-1234
10A-123
XA-1234
1-1234
10-1234
X-12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A) Letter county codes used by the 17 most populous counties that used two-digit codes in 1961–62. No letter used for the 3,001 to 4,000 lb weight class. Both these practices continued through September 1968.[2]
  1963–64 Embossed red on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A-1234
10A-123
XA-1234
1-1234
10-1234
X-12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
  1964–65 Embossed white on blue with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A-1234
10A-123
XA-1234
1-1234
10-1234
X-12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
  1965–66 Embossed blue on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A-1234
10A-123
XA-1234
1-12345
10-1234
X-12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
  1966–67 Embossed white on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A-1234
10A-123
XA-1234
1-12345
10-1234
X-12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
  1967–68 Embossed black on beige with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A-1234
10A-123
XA-1234
1-12345
10-1234
X-12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
  1968–69 Embossed white on brown with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A) All county codes and weight class letters same as 1961–62.
  1969–70 Embossed blue on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
  1970–71 Embossed green on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
  1971–72 Embossed green on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
  1972–73 Embossed red on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively 1A 12345
10A12345 		Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
  1973–74 Embossed blue on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively ABC 123
123 ABC 		Coded by weight class (A) Letters I, O and Q not used in serials. The 123 ABC format was used in the five most populous counties (Hinds, Harrison, Jackson, Washington and Lauderdale); this practice continued until the cessation of weight classes in 1976.[2]
  1974–75 Embossed red on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively ABC 123
123 ABC 		Coded by weight class (A)
  1975–76 Embossed maroon on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively ABC 123
123 ABC 		Coded by weight class (A)

1976 to present

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Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1976–81 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; green magnolia graphic screened in the center; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in green centered at top; county name embossed in red centered at bottom The Hospitality State ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county First graphic plate; monthly staggered registration also introduced. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1977 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Mississippi was so honored. Some plates had the magnolia graphic in a darker shade of green.
  1981–87 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in red centered at top; county name embossed in dark blue centered at bottom none ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county Wide serial dies.
  1987 – September 30, 1992 1ABC123 1AAA001 to approximately 1FNJ999 Narrow serial dies reintroduced. The initial '1' indicated the passenger class of vehicles. Letters I, O, Q and U and number 666 not used in serials; this practice continued through September 1997.[2]
  October 1, 1992 – September 30, 1997 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective gradient sky blue and white plate; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in blue centered at top; county name embossed in dark blue centered at bottom none ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1992 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Mississippi was so honored.
  October 1, 1997 – September 30, 2002 Embossed dark green serial on reflective gradient yellow, white and green plate; magnolia graphic screened in the center; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in dark green centered at top; county name embossed in dark green centered at bottom none ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county Letters I, O, Q and U not used in serials, but number 666 used.[2]
October 1, 2002 – September 30, 2007 Embossed dark green serial on reflective graphic plate with green trees at top, magnolia in the center and blue bands at bottom representing water; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in dark green centered at top; county name embossed in dark green centered at bottom none 123 ABC Issued in blocks by county Letter O and number 666 not used in serials; this practice continues today.[2]
  October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2012 Featuring an image of the Biloxi Lighthouse at the center of the plate, on a multicolored background depicting a yellow sunrise behind the lighthouse. none ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2007 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the third time Mississippi was so honored.
  October 1, 2012 – January 2019 Featuring an image of B.B. King's Lucille guitar, white background with blue lines from the bottom of the plate. State name printed at the top in blue, county name stamped at the bottom Birthplace of America's Music / Celebrating Mississippi's Creative Culture ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county
  2018 – January 2019 ABC 1234
  January 2019 – December 2023 Embossed dark blue serial on gold gradient plate; screened state seal slightly to left of center; state name screened in dark blue centered at top; county name embossed in dark blue centered at bottom none ABC 1234 Issued in blocks by county Controversy and lawsuit over "In God We Trust" (added to seal in 2014, also added to state flag in 2021)
  January 2024 – present Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; screened magnolia blossom against a blue circle acting as separator; state name screened in dark blue centered at top; county name embossed in dark blue centered at bottom none ABC 123 Issued in blocks by county Created by Leah Eaton of Starkville, Mississippi.[3]

County coding

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County Letter blocks beginning with
1976–87 1992–97 1997–2002 2002–07 2007–18 2018–present
Adams AA, AB AA WN AD, AE AD, AE AD
Alcorn AH-AJ AG, AH WG, WJ AN, AP AL, AC AC
Amite AM AM, AN WD AM AM AM
Attala AT AT WA, WB AT AT, AA AA
Benton BA VY BE BE BE
Bolivar BD, BE BF VS BL, BM BR, BV (Cleveland)
BL (Rosedale) 		BL
Calhoun BL BL VN CA CA, CN CA
Carroll BP, BT BP VK, VL CR CR CR
Chickasaw BV, BX BV, BX VH CH CH CH
Choctaw CA VB CT CT CT
Claiborne CC TZ CL CB CB
Clarke CD TV, TW CK CK, CL CE
Clay CH TM CY CY CY
Coahoma CK, CL CL TG CM CM CG
Copiah CS, CT SY CP CP, CQ CF
Covington CX CX SV CV CV, CW CV
DeSoto DA-DC DB, DD SG, SM, SN, SP DA-DH DA-DZ DA-DC
Forrest DK-DM DK-DM RY-SA, SC FM, FS, FT FR-FT FR
Franklin DX DW RW FR FN FN
George EA DY RR GE GE, GF GE
Greene EE EB RM GR GR GR
Grenada EG RJ, RK GN GN, GA GA
Hancock EX, EY EH, EJ RC, RD HA, HB KA-KD KA
Harrison FA-FE, FN-FS EL, EM, ER, FD PD-PR, PV, PX HR-HZ HA-HH (Gulfport)
HI-HK (Biloxi) 		HA-HB
Hinds GA-GH, HM-HN FW-FY, HA, HC NH, NJ, NS, NV HC, HF-HK, HN HN-HW (Jackson)
HX-HZ (Raymond) 		HN-HP
Holmes HR HF NB HL HL HL
Humphreys HW HJ MZ HM HM HM
Issaquena IA HL MX IS IS IR
Itawamba IT MM, MP IT IT, IW IT
Jackson JA-JG HS, HT, HW-HZ LW-LZ, MG, MJ JG-JM JG-JM JG
Jasper JR-JT JL, JN LV JA (Paulding)
JB (Bay Springs) 		JA
Jefferson JR LP JF JE
Jefferson Davis JY, JZ JT LM JD JD JC
Jones KA, KB, KD, KE JW LC, LD, LJ JN, JP JN (Ellisville)
JP-JR (Laurel) 		JN
Kemper KJ KE LA KM KM KM
Lafayette KL KG, KH KW, KX LX-LZ LX-LZ LX
Lamar KP KL, KM KP, KR LL, LM LL-LN LL
Lauderdale KV-KY KR-KV KG-KK LA-LD LA-LD LA
Lawrence LH LE KE LW LW LW
Leake LJ, LK LG KB LK LJ, LK LJ
Lee LM-LP LK-LM JV-JY LE-LH LE-LH LE
Leflore LX, LY MA, MB JN, JP LR LR, LS LR
Lincoln MD MG JH, JJ LI, LJ LI, LP, LQ LI
Lowndes MJ-ML ML-MP JA, JB, JD, JE LN, LP, LQ LT-LV LT
Madison MS, MT MW, MY HM, HN, HV, HW MA-MD MA-MF MA
Marion MZ NC HJ, HK MN MN, MP MM
Marshall NC, ND NF-NH HE-HG MR, MS MQ-MS MH
Monroe NG-NI NK, NL GZ, HA MF MJ-ML MI
Montgomery NM, NN NR GX MT MT MT
Neshoba NP, NR NT, NV GS NE, NF NE, NF NE
Newton NV, NW NX GN NW NV, NW NU
Noxubee NZ PA GL NX NX NX
Oktibbeha OK, OL PD, PE GG, GH KT, KU KT, KU KT
Panola PA PH, PJ, PL GB PA, PB, PF PA, PB (Batesville)
PC (Sardis) 		PA
Pearl River PG, PH PP, PR FR, FS, FV, FW PR-PT PR-PU PR
Perry PK PV FN PE PE PE
Pike PM, PN PX, PY FG PK, PL PK-PM PJ
Pontotoc PT, PV RC FB PC PN, PP, PQ PN
Prentiss PW, PX RF EX PN, PP PW, PX PW
Quitman RA RJ EV QT QT QT
Rankin RK, RM, RN, RP RL, RM, RR-RT EE-EL RA-RG RA-RZ RA
Scott SB DZ, EA SC SC, SD SB
Sharkey SF SG DX SH SH SH
Simpson SH SJ DP, DR SP, SQ SP, SR SP
Smith SM SM DH SM SM, SN SL
Stone SP SP DD ST ST, SU ST
Sunflower SS SS, ST CX, CY SF SF, SG SE
Tallahatchie TE TA, TC CS, CV TL TL TK
Tate TG TG CN, CP TA, TB TA, TB TA
Tippah TJ TK, TN CJ, CK TP, TQ TP, TQ TP
Tishomingo TN TP CE TS TS, TT TS
Tunica TT TV BY TN TN TN
Union UN VA BW UN, UP UN, UP UN
Walthall WA VE BP WL WL, WM WH
Warren WC, WD VG, VH, VJ BH WA, WB WA-WD WA
Washington WJ-WL WB, WC AZ, BB WS, WT WS-WW WR
Wayne WV WN AW WY WY, WZ WX
Webster WY WS AT WE WE WE
Wilkinson XA WV AN WK WK WJ
Winston XW WX AJ WN WN, WP WN
Yalobusha YJ YC AD, AG YL YL YL
Yazoo YT, YV YT AA YZ YZ, YA YA
Rental car AR, AS WR, WS WR WR

Non-passenger plates

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Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
  Ambulance As current passenger base; "AMBULANCE" embossed at bottom AM 1234 AM 1001 to present
  Church Bus As current passenger base; "CHURCH BUS" embossed at bottom CB 12345 CB 1 to present
  Disabled As current passenger base D/B   12345
  Fleet As current passenger base; "FLEET" embossed at bottom FL 12345 FL 00001 to present
  Hearse As current passenger base; "HEARSE" embossed at bottom HR 1234 HR 1001 to present
  Motorcycle Similar to current passenger base M/C 12345
M/C A1234 		M/C 1001 to present
M/C A0001 to present
  School Bus As current passenger base; "SCHOOL BUS" embossed at bottom SB 12345 SB 1 to present
  Taxi As current passenger base; "TAXI" embossed at bottom TX 1234 TX 0001 to present
  Truck As current passenger base AB1 234 Issued in blocks by county

Optional / specialty plates

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Many different specialty tags are available. In fiscal year 2014, a total of 2,749,315 license plates were issued by counties, with 683,550 being specialty plates such as: 165,849 Antique (vehicles older than 25 years), 100,698 disabled, 78,714 vanity or personalized plates, 18,367 MS State University, and 15,596 University of Mississippi.

As of July 2022, most specialty plates have a $33 fee, but college or university plates are $53. The state government has a revenue sharing deal with organizations sponsoring a specialty plate, which can be as small as a single high school. For 2014, $5,113,035 was paid to such organizations.

Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
  Mississippi University for Women 12W34
  Antique Car 123
1234
12345
123456
A12345 (current) 		No renewal necessary, one-time registration fee.
The vehicle has to be at least 25 years of age.
  History + Hope + Hospitality July 1, 2019[4] Black serial on white plate; Stennis Flag at left; state name in blue centered at top; motto in black at bottom 1234AB $30 fee.
  Blackout July 2022[5] Black tag with white letters 123ABC $5 fee
  Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club

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. ^ a b c d e f Tanner, Eric N. "Mississippi Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  3. ^ New Mississippi license plate design, January 3, 2024 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Lou, Michelle; Griggs, Brandon (April 22, 2019). "Mississippi, the only state with a Confederate symbol in its flag, is offering a new flag design on license plates". CNN. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  5. ^ New license plate option available to Mississippi drivers, April 21, 2022 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
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