Passenger Plates: 1983 - Present Archive
**Disclaimer**
Information displayed in these archives is the culmination of personal knowledge, North Carolina historical documents, North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles documents, the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) archives, and other various informational sources. All utilized sources will be appropriately credited where the credit is due. All pictures associated with the archive are from my personal collection, unless otherwise credited. While the intention of this archive is to provide valid and correct information, it is possible that some information displayed is invalid or incorrect. Anyone who recognizes invalid or incorrect information is urged to contact me through the "Contact" tab so that the necessary corrections can be made.
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Thank you for taking the time to review the archives. Please take time to review the other aspects of the website including the "My Collection" tab where my personal collection is on display for all to see.
1983 - 2007
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1983 (1982 Base)
1984 (Painted - Solid)
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1985
1987
1992
1997 (Serial Number Sticker)
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1999 (97 Stamp)
2001
2006
1983 (5 Digits)
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1984 (Painted - See Through)
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1985 (Stacked Sticker)
1988
1993
1997 (Blank Sticker)
1999 (98 Stamp)
2002
2007
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1983 (5 Digits - Wide)
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1984
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1986 (6 Digits)
1989
1994
1997 (97 Stamp)
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2000 (98 Stamp)
2003
1983 (Painted)
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1984 (Stacked Sticker)
1986 (Narrow)
1990
1995
1997
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2000 (99 Stamp)
2004
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1983
1985 (Painted)
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1986
1991
1996
1998
2001 (99 Stamp)
2005
First in Flight Introduction
In 1981 State Senators Henson Barnes, Monk Harrington, Melvin Daniels, and William Redomn introduced the first preliminary designs for the now infamous "First in Flight" graphic plate design. These State Senators believed in issuing new plates for two main reasons. The first, and less significant of the two, was due to the wearing out of the previously issued 1975 base plates. Secondly, and far more significant, was due to the controversy involved in the slogan "First in Freedom" which was displayed on the 1975 base plates. The "First in Freedom" slogan referred to the claim in which the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was signed prior to the United States Declaration of Independence. State historians believed there was little evidence to support this claim, thus making the slogan controversial. (1) However, this new slogan did not come without controversy either. While it is documented fact that the first powered flight occurred in Kitty Hawk, NC on December 17th, 1903, the controversy involves the location where the aircraft was invented. (2) The Wright brothers conducted all of their research, created designs of the aircraft, and built the aircraft in their hometown of Dayton, OH, thus Ohio claims that they should receive the credit for being the "Birthplace of Aviation." (3) The "First in Flight" design first began appearing on license plates with 1983 registrations and has remained in place since.
(1) The Transylvania Times, "First in Flight" 🔗
(2) National Park Service, "The First Flight" 🔗
(3) Dayton Daily News, "5 reasons why Ohio will always be the state of aviation" by Cassidy Boyer Apple 🔗
Registration Sticker Changes, 1995 MONTH, 1997 STICKER NUMBER
Ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly on June 12th, 1957, this act required that registrants of motor vehicles, at the time of registration, must show proof of financial responsibility (insurance). Registrants were, and still are, required to keep proof of financial responsibility (insurance) throughout the period in which the vehicle registration is active. The act became effective on January 1st, 1958, thus applying to all vehicles registered from 1958 to the present. The act was first introduced in Session Law 1957 Chapter 1393 and is today governed under North Carolina General Statute 20-309. (1)
(1) North Carolina General Assembly, Session Law 1957 Chapter 1393 House Bill 116, "AN ACT TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES." 🔗
Serial Number Changes
Beginning in 1983, North Carolina passenger plates' numbering format briefly changed from six character combined letter and number format to a five character combined letter and number format. Serial numbers would begin with three letters and the number 11 and would end when reaching 99. After reaching the end of the first serial number format, new numbers would begin being issued with the letters ascending one character alphabetically and restarting at 11. For example, the first four serial number formats were as followed: AAA-11 to AAA-100, then AAB-11 to AAB-100, then AAC-11 to AAC-100, then AAD-11 to AAD-100, and so on. This serial number format only lasted during 1983. Later in 1983, serial numbers returned to a six character combined letter and number format. Serial numbers began with three letters and the number 101 and would end when reaching 999. After reaching the end of this format, serial numbers would advance by one alphabetical character and restart at 101. For example, the first four serial number formats were as followed: AAA-101 to AAA-999, then AAB-101 to AAB-999, then AAC-101 to AAC-999, then AAD-101 to AAD-999, and so on. Beginning in 1986 license plate serial numbers again transitioned, this time from a six digit combined letter and number format to a seven digit combined letter and number format. Serial numbers would begin with three letters and the number 1001 and would end when reaching 9999. After reaching the end of the first serial number format, new numbers would begin being issued with the letters ascending one character alphabetically and restarting at 1001. Contrary to previous years, the letters in the second position were restricted to N-Z, while the letters in the first and third position retained the previous A-Z format. For example, serial number formats were as followed: ANA-1001 to ANA-9999, then ANB-1001 to ANB-9999, and so on until reaching ANZ-9999. Then the second alphabetical character increased by one and serial numbers continued as followed: APA-1001 to APA-9999, then APB-1001 to APB-9999, and so on. Beginning in 1969 the letters G, I, O, Q, and U are no longer used in the standard serial numbering format. (1)
(1) All About License Plates, "North Carolina: Passenger" by Eric Tanner 🔗
Design Differences, PAINTED PLATES, YEAR STAMPS, HOLOGRAMS
Beginning in 1956 and ending in 1966, North Carolina passenger plates annually alternated base and lettering colors. Even years were designed with a yellow base and black lettering while odd years were designed inversely, with a black base and yellow lettering. Plates from 1956 to 1962 contained the slogan "Drive Safely" across the top and "North Carolina" across the bottom. Plates from 1956 to 1960 contained the year in the lower right corner in a two digit format. Plates from 1961 to 1962 switched the year from the lower right corner to the lower left. Plates from 1963 displayed "North Carolina" across the top and "Drive Safely" across the bottom. Contrary to the previous years, plates in 1963 moved the two digit year from the lower left or right corner to the upper right corner. Plates from 1964 to 1965 displayed "North Carolina" across the top, the year across the bottom, and did not contain a striped border, contrary to years previous. Plates from 1964 displayed the year in a two digit format while plates from 1965 displayed the year in a four digit format. Plates in 1966 marked the end of the alternating yellow and black base. These plates displayed the year across the top in a four digit format and "North Carolina" across the bottom.
Registration Stickers
Year:
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
Year Sticker:
- White on Blue
- White on Red
- White on Blue
- White on Black
- White on Red
- White on Green
- Black on Orange
- White on Blue
- White on Black
- White on Red
- White on Green
- White on Orange
- White on Blue
- White on Black
- White on Red
- White on Green
- White on Orange
- White on Light Blue
- White on Black
- White on Red
- White on Green
- White on Orange
- White on Light Blue
- White on Red
- White on Green
Month Sticker:
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (3 or 4 Letter Abbreviation)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
General Statistics
Year:
- 1956
- 1957
- 1958
- 1959
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1963
- 1964
- 1965
- 1966
Low: ()
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
High: ()
- 1956
- 1957
- 1958
- 1959
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1963
- 1964
- 1965
- 1966
Plates Issued per Vehicle:
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
Registrations Issued: (1)
- 1,212,356
- 1,250,185
- 1,233,558
- 1,313,982
- 1,380,833
- 1,435,023
- 1,479,798
- 1,546,384
- 1,614,110
- 1,711,951
- 1,835,133
(1) United States Department of Transportation, "Motor Vehicle Registrations, by vehicle type and state" 🔗
2008 - 2011
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2008 (Blue Digits)
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2011
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2008
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2011 (Blue Digits)
2009
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2010
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2010 (Blue Digits)
Red Characters
An act ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly on May 12th, 1967, allowed vehicle owners to apply for and receive, if approved, license plates containing personalized text, numbers, or a combination of both. Vehicle owners were required to pay $10.00 annually for their personalized plates. The additional revenue gained from personalized plated was divided evenly between the Department of Conservation and Development and the State Highway Commission. (1) Personalized license plates were required to have a minimum of three characters and a maximum of six characters. These plates were also allowed to contain one dash. (2) Vehicle owners were first allowed to obtain personalized plates starting in 1968. This act was first introduced in Session Law 1967 Chapter 413 and is today governed under North Carolina General Statute 20-79.7.
(1) North Carolina General Assembly, Session Law 1967 Chapter 413 House Bill 45, "AN ACT TO AMEND PART 5, ARTICLE 3 OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACT OF 1937 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR OPTIONAL SPECIAL PERSONALIZED REGISTRATION PLATE UPON PROPER APPLICATION AND PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL FEE." 🔗
(2) Watauga Democrat, "Special License Plates May Be Secured To September 30" 🔗
Serial Number Changes
As in previous years, North Carolina passenger plates' numbering format continued with a combined letter and number format. Serial numbers began at A-1 and theoretically ascended to ZZ-9999. Serial numbers would begin with a singular letter and the number 1 and would most often end when reaching 9999, or sometimes 1000. After reaching the end of the first serial number format, new numbers would begin being issued with two letters, this first of which being the same letter from the previous singular letter series. This format would again start with the number 1 and most often end when reaching 9999, or sometimes 1000. For example, the first four serial number formats were as followed: A-1 to A-9999, then AA-1 to AZ-9999, then B-1 to B-9999, then BA-1 to BZ-9999, and so on. This serial number format continued until 1973. Beginning in 1973 the serial number format switched to a three letter and three number combination. Serial numbers began with three letters and the number 101 and would end when reaching 999. After reaching the end of this format, serial numbers would advance by one alphabetical character and restart at 101. For example, the first four serial number formats were as followed: AAA-101 to AAA-999, then AAB-101 to AAB-999, then AAC-101 to AAC-999, then AAD-101 to AAD-999, and so on. This serial number format continued until 1986 when the state switched to a seven character format. From 1956 until 1969 the letters G, I, O, and Q were not used. Beginning in 1969 the letters G, I, O, Q, and U are no longer used in the standard serial numbering format. (1)
(1) All About License Plates, "North Carolina: Passenger" and "North Carolina: Miscellaneous 1" by Eric Tanner 🔗 🔗
Design Differences
Beginning in 1967, North Carolina passenger plates switched from an alternating color non reflectorized base to a white reflectorized base. Between 1967 and 1971 plates alternated lettering color between green and red. Odd years contained green lettering while even years contained red lettering. Plates in 1967 contained green lettering on a white base with "1967" across the top and "North Carolina" across the bottom. Plates in 1968 contained red lettering on a white base with "North Carolina" across the top and "1968" across the bottom. Plates in 1969 contained green lettering on a white base with "North Carolina" across the top, "19" in the lower left corner, and "69" in the lower right corner. Plates in 1970 contained red lettering on a white base with "19" in the upper left corner, "70" in the upper left corner, and "North Carolina" across the bottom. Plates in 1971 contained green lettering on a white base with "71" across the top and "North Carolina" across the bottom. Plates in 1972 differed from previous years, containing blue lettering on a white base with "North Carolina" across the top, "19" in the lower left corner, and "72" in the lower right corner. Plates in 1973 contained red lettering on a white base with "19" in the upper right corner, "73" in the upper left corner, and "North Carolina" across the bottom. Plates in 1974 contained green lettering on a white base with "1974" across the top and "North Carolina" across the bottom. Plates throughout this entire time period contained all the same information, the year, the state, and the registration number, however, the year and the state were displayed in a different configuration every year.
Registration Stickers
Year:
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
Year Sticker:
- White on Blue
- White on Purple
- White on Green
- White on Yellow
Month Sticker:
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
General Statistics
Year:
- 1967
- 1968
- 1969
- 1970
- 1971
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
Low: ()
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- A-1
- AAA-101
- AAA-101​
High: ()
- 1956
- 1957
- 1958
- 1959
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1974
Plates Issued per Vehicle:
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
Registrations Issued: (1)
- 1,922,694
- 2,036,631
- 2,144,426
- 2,226,905
- 2,364,498
- 2,530,456
- 2,693,713
- 2,773,153​
(1) United States Department of Transportation, "Motor Vehicle Registrations, by vehicle type and state" 🔗
2012 - Present
2012
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2015 (Month/Year Stickers)
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2015 (Freedom Temporary)
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2016 (Freedom Temporary)
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2018
2018 (Freedom Temporary)
2019 (Freedom)
2020 (Temporary)
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2021
2021 (Motto Temporary)
2022 (Motto)
2023 (Freedom Temporary)
2024 (Freedom)
2025 (Temporary)
2026
2026 (Motto Temporary)
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2013
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2015 (Month/Temporary)
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2016 (Month/Year Stickers)
2017
2018 (Temporary)
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2019
2019 (Freedom Temporary)
2020 (Freedom)
2021 (Temporary)
2022
2022 (Motto Temporary)
2023 (Motto)
2024 (Freedom Temporary)
2025 (Freedom)
2026 (Temporary)
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2013 (Temporary)
2015
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2016
2017 (Temporary)
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2018 (TPx)
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2019 (Temporary)
2019 (Motto)
2020 (Freedom Temporary)
2021 (Freedom)
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2022 (Temporary)
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2023
2023 (Motto Temporary)
2024 (Motto)
2025 (Freedom Temporary)
2026 (Freedom)
2014
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2015 (Temporary)
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2016 (Temporary)
2017 (Freedom)
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2018 (TPx Temporary)
2019 (TPx)
2019 (Motto Temporary)
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2020 (Motto)
2021 (Freedom Temporary)
2022 (Freedom)
2023 (Temporary)
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2024
2024 (Motto Temporary)
2025 (Motto)
2026 (Freedom Temporary)
2014 (Temporary)
2015 (Freedom)
2016 (Freedom)
2017 (Freedom Temporary)
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2018 (Freedom)
2019 (TPx Temporary)
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2020
2020 (Motto Temporary)
2021 (Motto)
2022 (Freedom Temporary)
2023 (Freedom)
2024 (Temporary)
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2025
2025 (Motto Temporary)
2026 (Motto)
Registration Stickers
An act ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly on April 13th, 1974, changed the way in which yearly vehicle registrations were handled. Beginning in 1975, vehicle owners were issued a plate which was designed to be used for a period longer than one year, contrary to plates issued before which were used for only one year each. For the renewal registration period beginning on January 1st, 1976, instead of being issued a new plate, vehicle owners would now receive a sticker which was to be displayed in the upper right corner of the license plate. (1) Another act ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly on June 25th, 1980 introduced a new concept of staggered registration renewals. Beginning on January 1st, 1981, vehicle owners were not only issued a year sticker, which had been in effect since 1976, but they were also issued an accompanying month sticker. These month stickers were used to spread out vehicle registrations over the course of the year, rather than at the end of the year as per previous registrations. Under this new staggered system, vehicle registrations expired at midnight on the final day of the month displayed on the sticker. This act also encompassed a 15 day grace period which allowed for vehicle owners to continue to operate their vehicles for a full 15 days into the next month following their registration expiring. (2) The process of issuing a sticker for registration renewals continues to this day.
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​https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/PDF/2005-2006/SL2005-294.pdf
(1) North Carolina General Assembly, Session Law 1973 Chapter 1389 Senate Bill 830, "AN ACT TO AMEND G.S. 20-66 PERTAINING TO ANNUAL MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION TO PROVIDE FOR SEMI-PERMANENT REGISTRATION PLATES AND ANNUAL ISSUANCE OF SUITABLE STICKERS, TABS OR DEVICES FOR RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION IN LIEU OF NEW REGISTRATION PLATES." 🔗
(2) North Carolina General Assembly, Session Law 1979 Chapter 1280 House Bill 1691, "AN ACT TO MAKE TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 20 OF THE GENERAL STATUTES OF NORTH CAROLINA RELATIVE TO THE STAGGERED REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES." 🔗
Serial Number Changes
As in previous years, North Carolina passenger plates' numbering format continued with a combined letter and number format. Serial numbers began with three letters and the number 101 and would end when reaching 999. After reaching the end of this format, serial numbers would advance by one alphabetical character and restart at 101. For example, the first four serial number formats were as followed: AAA-101 to AAA-999, then AAB-101 to AAB-999, then AAC-101 to AAC-999, then AAD-101 to AAD-999, and so on. This serial number format continued until 1986 when the state switched to a seven character format. Beginning in 1969 the letters G, I, O, Q, and U are no longer used in the standard serial numbering format. (1)
(1) All About License Plates, "North Carolina: Passenger" by Eric Tanner 🔗
Design Differences
Beginning in 1975, North Carolina passenger plates stopped alternating lettering color and instead used a lettering color of red, with a white reflectorized base. Plates in 1975 contained the slogan "First in Freedom" across the top, "North Carolina" across the bottom, and "75" stacked vertically in the center of the plate. Plates were not issued stickers for this year. Plates in 1976 utilized the 1975 base but added a blue registration sticker to the upper right corner. This sticker contained "North Carolina" across the top, "76" on the second line of text, "Exp. Feb. 15th, 1977" on the third line of text, and a serial number in a white box across the bottom. Plates in 1977 utilized the 1975 base but added a red registration sticker to the upper right corner. This sticker contained a image of the state, with "NC" inside, across the top, "77" in the lower left corner, and a serial number in the lower right corner. Plates in 1978 utilized two different bases, the 1975 base and an undated base. The undated base contained no character across the top and "North Carolina" across the bottom. Both bases contained a green registration sticker to the upper right corner. This sticker contained a image of the state, with "NC" inside, across the top, "78" in the lower left corner, and a serial number in the lower right corner. Plates in 1979 utilized the undated base from 1978 but added a orange registration sticker to the upper right corner. This sticker contained a image of the state, with "NC" inside, across the top, "79" in the lower left corner, and a serial number in the lower right corner. Plates in 1980 utilized two different bases, the undated base and a dated 1980 base. The dated based contained "1980" across the top and "North Carolina" across the bottom. Undated bases contained a black registration sticker while dated bases did not contain a registration sticker. This sticker contained a image of the state, with "NC" inside, across the top, "80" in the lower left corner, and a serial number in the lower right corner. Plates in 1981 utilized the 1980 base, adding a blue registration sticker to the upper right corner and a red month sticker to the upper left corner. The registration sticker contained a image of the state, with "NC" inside, across the top, "81" in the lower left corner, and a serial number in the lower right corner. The month sticker contained a three character abbreviation of the expiration month across the top and "NC" along the bottom. Plates in 1982 utilized three different bases, the 1980 base, a 1981 base, and 1982 base. The 1981 base contained "North Carolina" across the top and "1981" across the bottom. The 1982 base contained "North Carolina" across the top and "1982" across the bottom. All three bases contained a red registration sticker and red month sticker. The 1980 base contained the registration sticker in the upper right corner and the month sticker in the upper left corner. The 1981 and 1982 bases contained the registration sticker in the lower right corner and the month sticker in the lower left corner. The registration sticker contained a image of the state, with "NC" inside, across the top, "82" in the lower left corner, and a serial number in the lower right corner. The month sticker contained a three character abbreviation of the expiration month across the top and "NC" along the bottom.​
Registration Stickers
Year:
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
Year/Month Sticker:
- White on Red
- White on Blue
- White on Green
- White on Pink or Black on White
- White on Black or Black on White
- Black on White
- Black on White
- Black on White
- Black on White
- Black on White
- Black on White
- Black on White
- Black on White
- Black on White
- Black on White
Month Sticker:
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number)
- White on Red (Number) or None Issued
- White on Red (Number) or None Issued
- None Issued
- None Issued
- None Issued
- None Issued
- None Issued
- None Issued
- None Issued
- None Issued
- None Issued
- None Issued
General Statistics
Year:
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
Low: ()
- AAA-101
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
High: ()
- 1956
- 1957
- 1958
- 1959
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1974
Plates Issued per Vehicle:
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
Registrations Issued: (1)
- 2,860,249
- 3,002,710
- 3,126,610
- 3,262,223
- 3,356,370
- 3,395,784
- 3,420,297
- 3,445,754​
(1) United States Department of Transportation, "Motor Vehicle Registrations, by vehicle type and state" 🔗