Vehicle registration plates of Massachusetts


was the first U.S. state to issue license plates, on September 1, 1903. Plates are currently issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
All plates since 1978 are currently valid. Prior to 1993, only rear plates were required; since the first "Spirit of America" plate was issued in 1986, front and rear plates have been required since. As such, the 1978-1993 issues continue to only require the rear plate, while the "Spirit of America" issues since 1986 require front and rear plates.

Passenger baseplates

1903 to 1966

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 at in height by in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1955 issue was the first Massachusetts license plate that complied with these standards.
ImageDates issuedDesignSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
White serial on blue porcelain plate; "MASS. AUTOMOBILE REGISTER" at top123451 to 26207
1908Blue serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1908" at left and right respectively123451 to approximately 17500First dated plate.
1909White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1909" at left and right respectively123451 to approximately 23500
1910Blue serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1910" at left and right respectively123451 to approximately 29000
1911White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1911" at left and right respectively123451 to approximately 33000
1912Blue serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1912" at left and right respectively123451 to approximately 41000
1913White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1913" at left and right respectively123451 to approximately 54500
1914Blue serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1914" at left and right respectively123451 to approximately 62000
1915White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "MASS" and "1915" at left and right respectively123451 to approximately 79500
1916Dark blue serial on cream flat metal plate; vertical "MASS" and "1916" at left and right respectively1234561 to approximately 102000
1917Cream serial on dark blue flat metal plate; "MASS. 1917" centered at bottom123,4561 to approximately 127,000
1918Dark blue serial on cream flat metal plate; "MASS. 1918" centered at bottom123,4561 to approximately 142,000
1919Cream serial on dark blue flat metal plate; "MASS. 1919" centered at bottom123,4561 to approximately 177,000
1920Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "MASS. 1920" centered at bottom123,4561 to approximately 219,000First embossed plate.
1921Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "MASS. 1921" centered at bottom123,4561 to approximately 260,000
1922As 1920 base, but with "MASS. 1922" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 321,000
1923As 1921 base, but with "MASS. 1923" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 402,000
1924Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS. 1924" centered at bottom123,4561 to approximately 473,000
1925Embossed white serial on black plate; "MASS. — 1925" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 546,000
1926Embossed white serial on blue plate; "1926 — MASS" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 598,000
1927Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS — 1927" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 624,000
1928Embossed white serial on green plate; "1928", cod fish graphic and "MASS" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 644,000
1929Embossed white serial on blue plate; "MASS — 1929" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 712,000
1930Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "1930 — MASS" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 749,000
1931Embossed white serial on green plate; "MASS — 1931" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 792,000
1932As 1930 base, but with "1932 — MASS" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 740,000
1933As 1931 base, but with "MASS — 1933" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 759,000
1934As 1930 base, but with "MASS — 1934" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 749,000
1935As 1931 base, but with "1935 — MASS" at bottom123,4561 to approximately 734,000
1936Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 36" centered at top123,4561 to approximately 729,000
1937Embossed white serial on green plate; "37 MASS" centered at top123,4561 to approximately 755,000
1938Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 38" centered at bottom123·4561 to approximately 751·000
1939Embossed white serial on green plate; "39 MASS" centered at bottom123·4561 to approximately 771·000
1940Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 40" centered at top123·4561 to approximately 779·000
1941Embossed white serial on green plate; "41 MASS" centered at bottom123·4561 to approximately 852·000
1942–44Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 42" centered at bottom123·4561 to approximately 828·000Revalidated for 1943
and 1944 with wind-
shield stickers, due to metal conservation
for World War II.
1942–44As above, but green rather than maroon123·456828·001 to approximately 855·000Revalidated for 1943
and 1944 with wind-
shield stickers, due to metal conservation
for World War II.
1945Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "45 MASS" at top123·4561 to approximately 799·000
1946Embossed white serial on black plate; "46 MASS" at bottom123·4561 to approximately 843·000
1947Embossed white serial on dark green plate; "MASS 47" within embossed white bar centered at top123·4561 to approximately 897·000
1948Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "48 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at bottom123·4561 to approximately 948·000
1949–50Embossed white serial on black plate; "49 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at top123·4561 to 999·999Revalidated for 1950
with windshield sticker.
1949–50Embossed white serial on black plate; "49 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at topA12·345K, H and J seriesRevalidated for 1950
with windshield sticker.
1951–52Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 51" within embossed white bar centered at bottom123·4561 to 999·999Revalidated for 1952
with windshield sticker.
1951–52Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "MASS 51" within embossed white bar centered at bottomA12·345K, H, E and P seriesRevalidated for 1952
with windshield sticker.
1953–54Embossed white serial on black plate; "MASS 53" within embossed white bar centered at top123·4561 to 999·999Revalidated for 1954
with windshield sticker.
1953–54Embossed white serial on black plate; "MASS 53" within embossed white bar centered at topA12·345K, H, E, P and L seriesRevalidated for 1954
with windshield sticker.
1955–56Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "55 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at bottom123·4561 to 999·999Revalidated for 1956
with windshield sticker.
1955–56Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "55 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at bottomA12·345K, H, E, P, L, N and X seriesRevalidated for 1956
with windshield sticker.
1957–58Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MASS 57" within embossed white bar centered at top123·4561 to 999·999First 6" x 12" plate. Revalidated for 1958
with windshield sticker.
1957–58Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MASS 57" within embossed white bar centered at topA12·345K, H, E, P, L, N, X and U seriesFirst 6" x 12" plate. Revalidated for 1958
with windshield sticker.
1959–60Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "59 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at top123·456
A12·345		Revalidated for 1960
with windshield sticker.
1961–62Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "MASS 61" within embossed white bar centered at top123·456
A12·345		Revalidated for 1962
with windshield sticker.
1963Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "63 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at top123·456
A12·345
1964–65Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "MASS 64" within embossed white bar centered at top123·456
A12·345		Revalidated for 1965
with windshield sticker.
1966Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "66 MASS" within embossed white bar centered at top123·456
A12·345

1967 to present

Massachusetts implemented a monthly staggered registration system in 1969. Since then, serials on passenger plates have been coded by the month of expiration of the registration, determined by the last number in the serial. From 1969 through 1977, serials with 'X' and 'Y' suffixes were used for November and December expirations respectively. Registrants are issued plates expiring the last day of the previous month. If a vehicle is registered in December or January, leftover plates are issued from other months with manufacturing overruns.
In addition to the standard serial formats, Massachusetts also issues "reserve" plates. Reserve plates permit the plate holder to receive the same serial number when new plate styles are issued, or to transfer the serial number to family members. These plates are either all-numeric or consist of a single letter followed or preceded by a number. Reserve serials may also be of the forms A#A, A##A, #A#, and #AA#, where # represents any number, and A represents any letter. Low-number reserve plates – now called "Lottery Plates" by the RMV – are of the forms #, ##, ###, ####, A#, A##, #A, and ##A only. When a registrant cancels a low-number reserve registration, the number is placed in an annual lottery. Registration for the lottery generally begins each June, and the drawing must be held by September 15. Prior to the institution of this annual lottery, low-number reserve plates were issued only to well-connected individuals, and it is widely believed that drivers with low registration numbers were given preferential treatment by law enforcement. The annual lottery was instituted in response to complaints about the politics behind the issuance of low-number registrations. As with standard registration plates, the final digit on low-number reserve plates indicates the month of expiration.
Two-year registrations are mandatory, with the exception of vehicles initially registered during December or January. Vanity plates and motorcycle plates must be renewed annually. All vanity plate registrations expire on November 30, and all motorcycle and commercial registrations expire on December 31.
Currently, the Livery plate is the only common license plate in Massachusetts that is allowed to have more than six characters in its serials. All Livery plate serials start with the letters "LV", even if not stamped.
Because the RMV utilizes "Plate Type" to describe the type of registration, it is theoretically possible to have two plates issued with seemingly the same serial. Some of the plate types, and their three-letter codes, are listed below:
ImageDates issuedDesignSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MASSACHUSETTS" centered at top123·456100·001 to 999·999Revalidated with windshield stickers through the end of 1969, then coded by month of expiration and revalidated with plate stickers.
Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MASSACHUSETTS" centered at topA12·345E10·001 to Y99·999Revalidated with windshield stickers through the end of 1969, then coded by month of expiration and revalidated with plate stickers.
1969–71Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MASSACHUSETTS" centered at top123·45ACoded by month of expirationRevalidated with plate stickers. All plates replaced 1972–73.
1972–78Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MASSACHUSETTS" centered at bottom1A·2345
12A·340
123·456
A12·345
123·45A		Coded by month of expiration12A·340 serial format used only on plates expiring in October. Issued in alternating weeks from 1977, following the introduction of the green-on-white base, until supplies were exhausted. Replaced 1982–83.
1977–93Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MASSACHUSETTS" centered at top123·ABC100·AAA to 999·VZZ Only rear plates issued. On all plates, the last digit corresponded to the month of expiration, with November and December expirations discontinued except on non-passenger plates and on red-and-white plates until 1980–81. All-numeric plates were generally issued to holders of the same serials on the red-on-white base. Still currently revalidated.
1983–93Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MASSACHUSETTS" centered at top123·456100·000 to 999·999 Only rear plates issued. On all plates, the last digit corresponded to the month of expiration, with November and December expirations discontinued except on non-passenger plates and on red-and-white plates until 1980–81. All-numeric plates were generally issued to holders of the same serials on the red-on-white base. Still currently revalidated.

1993–presentEmbossed red serial on reflective white plate; "Massachusetts" and "The Spirit of America" screened in blue centered at top and bottom respectively123·ABC999·ZZZ to 100·WAA This base was first issued in 1987 for vanity plates and some non-passenger types, before becoming the standard passenger base in 1993. On all standard passenger plates, the last digit corresponds to the month of expiration. Letters I, O, Q and U not used.

1993–presentEmbossed red serial on reflective white plate; "Massachusetts" and "The Spirit of America" screened in blue centered at top and bottom respectively123·4AB100·9AA to 999·9CZ; 100·0AA to 999·0AM-

1993–presentEmbossed red serial on reflective white plate; "Massachusetts" and "The Spirit of America" screened in blue centered at top and bottom respectively1234 AB??? to 9999 ZZ -

1993–presentEmbossed red serial on reflective white plate; "Massachusetts" and "The Spirit of America" screened in blue centered at top and bottom respectively12A B3410A A00 to 99Z Z00, then 10A A10 through 99Z Z10 and so on through 99Z Z90-

1993–presentEmbossed red serial on reflective white plate; "Massachusetts" and "The Spirit of America" screened in blue centered at top and bottom respectively123 AB4100 AA0 to 999 ZZ9 -

1993–presentEmbossed red serial on reflective white plate; "Massachusetts" and "The Spirit of America" screened in blue centered at top and bottom respectively1AB 2341AA 100 to present-

1993–presentEmbossed red serial on reflective white plate; "Massachusetts" and "The Spirit of America" screened in blue centered at top and bottom respectively1ABC 231AAA 10 to present-

Current passenger baseplates

Currently, both the 1977 green-on-white base and the 1987 "Spirit" base are valid for registration. On the 1977 base, only rear plates were issued for most types, whereas on the current "Spirit" base, both front and rear plates are issued. Registrants with 1977 plates have the option of replacing these with "Spirit" plates at no charge ; however, most choose to keep their 1977 plates as a point of pride. In many cases, the 1977 plates are worn and illegible; legally per M.G.L. Chapter 90, a car with an illegible plate must fail the state's annually required vehicle safety inspection. This is a safety fail, which under Massachusetts law prohibits operation of the vehicle until the issue is corrected.
ImageFirst year of issueDescriptionCurrent serial formatSerials previously issuedNotes
1987Red on reflective white base with screened state name and slogan in blueCoded with "n" by month of expiration:
  • 1AB 23n
  • 1ABC 2n
Coded with "n" by month of expiration:
  • 123 ABn
  • 123 45n
  • 12n ABC
  • 123n AB
  • 12A B3n
    • 1987Low-number reserve: Red on reflective white base with screened state name and slogan in blueCoded with "n" by month of expiration:
  • n
  • 1n
  • 12n
  • 123n
  • 1234n
  • A n
  • A 1n
  • A 12n
  • A 123n
  • n A
  • 1n A
  • 12n A
  • 123n A

    • Non-passenger plates