Vehicle registration plates of Virginia
The U.S. state of Virginia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1906. Plates are currently issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
Motor vehicle registration statistics
As of 2008, the DMV has 7,698,416 active registrations, 1,696,795 of which are special or personalized plates. In 2008, 1,624,146 pairs of license plates were sold, with 831,361 of them being personalized plates.Passenger baseplates
1906 to 1972
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 first Virginia license plate that complied with these standards was issued eight years beforehand, in 1948.No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.
| Image | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| White serial on black porcelain plate; "VA" at right | 1234 | 1 to approximately 4500 | |||
| 1910 | Red serial on white porcelain plate; "VA. 1910" at right | 1234 | 1 to approximately 2600 | First dated plate. Issued only from June 15 through December 31, 1910. | |
| 1911 | White serial on blue porcelain plate; "VA. 1911" at right | 1234 | 101 to approximately 4000 | ||
| 1912 | White serial on green porcelain plate, "VA. 1912" at right | 1234 | 101 to approximately 6000 | ||
| 1913 | White serial on maroon porcelain plate; "VA 1913" at right | 1234 | 1 to approximately 9000 | ||
| 1914 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "VA 1914" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 14000 | First embossed plate. | |
| 1915 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate; "VA 1915" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 21000 | ||
| 1916 | Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate; "VA 1916" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 35000 | ||
| 1917 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VA 1917" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 52000 | ||
| 1918 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "VA 1918" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 71000 | ||
| 1919 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VA 1919" at right | 12345 | 1 to approximately 88000 | ||
| 1920 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "VA 20" at right | 123456 | 1 to approximately 126000 | ||
| 1921 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "VA 21" at right | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 146-000 | ||
| 1922 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; white lines at top and bottom borders; "VA 22" at right | 123456 | 1 to approximately 145000 | ||
| 1923 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate; white lines at top and bottom borders; "VA 23" at right | 123456 | 1 to approximately 189000 | ||
| 1924 | Embossed white serial on red plate; "VIRGINIA - 24" centered at top | 123456 | 1 to approximately 217000 | Manufactured in New Jersey to the same design as that state's 1924 plates. First use of the full state name. | |
| 1925 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 1925" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 235-000 | ||
| 1926 | Embossed golden yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 26" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 273-000 | ||
| 1927 | Embossed red serial on green plate with border line; "VIRGINIA - 27" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 293-000 | ||
| 1928 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1928" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 317-000 | ||
| 1929 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1929" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 321-000 | ||
| 1930 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1930" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 349-000 | ||
| 1931 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1931" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 368-000 | ||
| 1932 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA · 1932" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 376-000 | ||
| 1933 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1933" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 334-000 | ||
| 1934 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1934" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 337-000 | ||
| 1935 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1935" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 335-000 | ||
| 1936 | Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate; "VIRGINIA - 1936" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 360-000 | ||
| 1937 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1937" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 375-000 | ||
| 1938 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1938" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 388-000 | ||
| 1939 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1939" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 402-000 | ||
| 1940 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1940 - VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 438-000 | ||
| 1941 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 - VIRGINIA - 41" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 491-000 | ||
| 1942–43 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA - 1942" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 524-000 | Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. | |
| 1944 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "1944 - VA" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 468-000 | ||
| 1945 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 - VIRGINIA - 45" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 475-000 | ||
| 1946 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA - 1946" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 524-000 | ||
| 1947 | Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "19 VIRGINIA 47" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 567-000 | ||
| 1948 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1948 VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 642-000 | ||
| 1949 | Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "VIRGINIA 1949" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 698-000 | ||
| 1950 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1950 VIRGINIA" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 783-000 | ||
| 1951–52 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 51" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | Revalidated for 1952 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War. Plates with serials A100-000 and up used narrower serial dies; this practice continued until 1969. | |
| 1951–52 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 51" at bottom | A-100 to approximately A145-000 | Revalidated for 1952 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War. Plates with serials A100-000 and up used narrower serial dies; this practice continued until 1969. | ||
| 1953 | Embossed orange serial on blue plate; "19 VIRGINIA 53" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 940-000 | ||
| 1954 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1954" at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 999-999 | ||
| 1955 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1955 VIRGINIA" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1955 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1955 VIRGINIA" at bottom | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A122-000 | ||
| 1956 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 56" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1956 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 56" at bottom | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A178-000 | ||
| 1957 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1957" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1957 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1957" at bottom | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A223-000 | ||
| 1958 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1958 VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1958 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1958 VIRGINIA" at top | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A232-000 | ||
| 1959 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 59" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1959 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 59" at top | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A259-000 | ||
| 1960 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1960" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1960 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1960" at top | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A240-000 | ||
| 1961 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1961 VIRGINIA" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1961 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1961 VIRGINIA" at bottom | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A273-000 | ||
| 1962 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 62" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1962 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 62" at bottom | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A344-000 | ||
| 1963 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1963" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1963 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1963" at bottom | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A425-000 | ||
| 1964 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1964 VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1964 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1964 VIRGINIA" at top | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A504-000 | ||
| 1965 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 65" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1965 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 VIRGINIA 65" at top | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A545-000 | ||
| 1966 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1966" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1966 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1966" at top | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A626-000 | ||
| 1967 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1967 VIRGINIA" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1967 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "1967 VIRGINIA" at bottom | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A700-000 | ||
| 1968 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 68" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1968 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "19 VIRGINIA 68" at bottom | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A788-000 | ||
| 1969 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1969" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | All plates now used the narrower serial dies introduced on the 1951–52 base. | |
| 1969 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "VIRGINIA 1969" at bottom | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A857-000 | All plates now used the narrower serial dies introduced on the 1951–52 base. | |
| 1970 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1970 VIRGINIA" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1970 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "1970 VIRGINIA" at top | A123-456 | A-100 to approximately A966-000 | ||
| 1971 | Embossed black serial on white plate, with or without border line; "19 VIRGINIA 71" at top | 123-456 | 1 to 999-999 | ||
| 1971 | Embossed black serial on white plate, with or without border line; "19 VIRGINIA 71" at top | A123-456 | A-100 to A999-999 | ||
| 1971 | Embossed black serial on white plate, with or without border line; "19 VIRGINIA 71" at top | ABC 123 | AAA 001 to AAD 999 | ||
| 1971 | Embossed black serial on white plate, with or without border line; "19 VIRGINIA 71" at top | B12-345 | B-1 to approximately B54-000 | ||
| 1972 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "VIRGINIA 1972" at top | ABC-123 | AAA-001 to DZZ-999 | Letters I, O and Q not used in serials; this practice continues today. |
1973 to present
Non-passenger plates
Optional plates
Virginia offers 333 optional license plates. Most can be personalized for an additional fee.| Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| Independence Bicentennial | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; blue bust of George Washington and thirteen red stars screened in the center; "Virginia" and "1776 Independence Bicentennial 1976" screened in red centered at top and bottom respectively | 123-456 | 100-001 to 500-000 | Still currently revalidated. | ||
| Scenic | July 1992 – present | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective graphic plate with pale blue sky, light blue mountains, green fields, yellow sand and light blue sea; "VIRGINIA" screened in blue centered at top | AAA-1000 to AEW-2061 | |||
| Autumn Leaves | May – October 1997 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; ten orange and yellow gradient leaves behind serial; "Virginia" screened in black centered at top | 1234-ABC | 1000-AAA to approximately 9999-AAD | Revised design introduced in response to visibility concerns surrounding the original design. | |
| Autumn Leaves | October 1997 – present | As above, but with leaves around edge of plate | 1234-ABC | 1000-BAA to 1300-BBL | Revised design introduced in response to visibility concerns surrounding the original design. | |
| Patriot | May 1997 – present | Similar to passenger base, but with Revolutionary War fifer graphic at right | 123ABC | 101AAA to 199AEK | ||
| George Washington | 1999 to ? | Dark blue on Flag of the United States with image of Washington. | 1234WB | 1001WB to ? | Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1999 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Virginia has been so honored. |
Temporary plates
Type codes
| Code | Prefix | Suffix |
| AA | cardinal | |
| AB | I'm Animal Friendly | |
| AC | cardinal | Averett University |
| AE | cardinal | Virginia Aviation |
| AG | cardinal | |
| AJ | cardinal | |
| AK | Alpha Kappa Alpha | |
| AL | Antique | Fight Terrorism |
| AM | Texas A&M University | |
| AN | Fight Terrorism | |
| AP | Appalachian State University | Alpha Phi Alpha |
| AP | Appalachian Trail | Alpha Phi Alpha |
| AQ | Antique | |
| AS | National Air and Space Museum | |
| AT | Antique | Virginians for the Arts |
| AU | Auburn University | |
| AW | Antique | |
| AX | Alexandria | |
| AY | Antique | |
| BA | Wildlife Conservationist − bass | |
| BB | Wildlife Conservationist − bass | |
| BC | Bridgewater College | Breast Cancer |
| BD | Wildlife Conservationist − bear | |
| BF | Bluefield College | Tiger Swallowtail - State Insect |
| BG | Airborne | |
| BH | Tiger Swallowtail - State Insect | |
| BI | Share the Road | |
| BN | Wildlife Conservationist − bluebird | |
| BQ | Antique | |
| BR | Blue Ridge Community College | Blue Ridge Parkway |
| BT | Wildlife Conservationist − brook trout | |
| BU | BoatUS | |
| BV | cardinal | |
| BW | Bowler | |
| BZ | Bronze Star | Bronze Star - Valor |
| CF | Clean Special Fuel | |
| CJ | Virginia Railway Heritage | |
| CL | Remember the USS Cole | |
| CL | Choose Life | |
| CM | Friends of Coal | |
| CP | Washington Capitals | |
| CT | Clean Special Fuel | |
| CU | Clemson University | |
| CV | Sons of Confederate Veterans | |
| CX | Clean Special Fuel | |
| CY | Clean Special Fuel | Clean Special Fuel |
| DB | Drive Out Diabetes | |
| DK | Duke University | |
| DR | Drive Smart | |
| DU | Ducks Unlimited | |
| ED | Education Begins at Home | |
| EG | Wildlife Conservationist − bald eagle | |
| EH | Wildlife Conservationist − bald eagle | |
| ES | Eastern Shore | |
| FD | Fight Terrorism | |
| FP | Fraternal Order of Police | |
| FT | Fight Terrorism | |
| FX | Foxhunting | |
| GA | Greyhound Adoption | |
| GL | Freemason | |
| GT | Georgia Tech | |
| HC | Hollins University | |
| HD | Harley Owners Group | |
| HE | Horse Enthusiast | |
| HN | Horse Enthusiast | |
| HV | Horse Enthusiast | |
| IC | Internet Capital | |
| JB | Parrotheads | |
| JM | James Madison University | James Madison University |
| KC | Knights of Columbus | |
| KF | Kids First | |
| KG | Kids First | |
| LD | Lighthouses | |
| LE | General Robert E. Lee | |
| LF | Lighthouses | |
| LG | Lighthouses | |
| LI | Lighthouses | |
| LJ | Lighthouses | |
| LK | Lighthouses | |
| LM | Lighthouses | |
| LP | Lighthouses | |
| LT | Lighthouses | |
| ME | Lighthouses | |
| MG | Lighthouses | |
| MI | Lighthouses | |
| MR | US Marine Corps | |
| MY | Support Our Troops | |
| NA | Oceana Naval Air Station | |
| NB | Natural Bridge | |
| NE | Natural Bridge | |
| NN | Northern Neck | |
| NO | Northern Neck | |
| NR | National Rifle Association | |
| PD | Fight Terrorism | |
| PF | Professional Firefighter | |
| PN | Poquoson | |
| PO | Poquoson | |
| PT | Fight Terrorism | |
| RU | Radford University | |
| SF | US Marine Corps | Surfrider Foundation |
| SN | Shenandoah National Park | |
| TE | Don't Tread on Me | |
| TG | Don't Tread on Me | |
| TI | Friends of Tibet | |
| TJ | Don't Tread on Me | |
| TK | Wildlife Conservationist − turkey | |
| TM | Don't Tread on Me | |
| TP | Don't Tread on Me | |
| TR | Don't Tread on Me | |
| TS | Don't Tread on Me | |
| TU | Don't Tread on Me | |
| TX | Don't Tread on Me | |
| UB | War of 1812 | |
| UG | Don't Tread on Me | |
| UL | Don't Tread on Me | |
| UP | United We Stand | |
| US | United We Stand | |
| UT | Don't Tread on Me | |
| UU | Don't Tread on Me | |
| UW | United We Stand | |
| UX | Don't Tread on Me | |
| UY | Don't Tread on Me | |
| VB | Virginia Beach | |
| VV | Vietnam Veteran | |
| WA | Williamsburg | |
| WB | George Washington Bicentennial | |
| WD | Wildlife Conservationist − white-tailed deer | |
| WG | Williamsburg | |
| WI | Wildlife Conservationist − white-tailed deer | |
| WL | Wildlife Conservationist − mallard |