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Maryland License Plate ???Whatzit???
Help in identifying Maryland undated and mystery plates, 1954 to present

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My "Whatzit" page is intended to be a supplement to the information found in the ALPCA Archives. The Archives are sort of like a dictionary; you have know what you are looking for in order to find it easily. The "Whatzit" page is better suited for those situations where you only know the definition, and you need to find a word. It can get you pointed in the right direction so that you can go either to the ALPCA Archives or to my Pictorial History pages and be able to find what you need without wading through pages of irrelevant data. I sincerely hope that you find this information useful. If you find an error or have additional information, or can provide a plate or a photo of a plate that I'm missing, please send me an e-mail. There's a link to my e-mail address at the bottom of every page.

Latest noteworthy updates:


On this page - Maryland undated and mystery plates, 1954 to present
Identifying the age of undated, unstickered plates
Identifying the type of plates dated 1954-1956
Identifying the type of plates dated 1957-1970
Identifying the type of plates dated 1971-1975
Identifying the type of plates from 1976-1987 (embossed "Maryland" or "Md.")
Identifying the type of standard plates from 1987-current (script "Maryland")
Identifying the type of optional issue "Treasure the Chesapeake" plates
Identifying the type of optional issue "Our Farms, Our Future" plates

Identifying the age of undated, unstickered plates

Most all Maryland plates expiring in 1975 or earlier were dated in some way. The major exceptions to this rule are plates issued to police and fire department vehicles, and plates issued to vehicles owned by specific state government agencies; such plates are not addressed here. Eventually, I will add these plates to this page, but for now, please visit my History of Maryland Government Plates and History of Maryland Emergency Vehicle Plates pages. Otherwise, chances are very good that an undated plate was issued in 1975 or later.

red on white, format G 0000 or G 00000 with "Local Govt" at bottom 1975-1980 local government Used March 1975 through April 1980 without stickers. Local (city or county) government-owned vehicle, generally not used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes. (There were a few known exceptions to this.) Format G 0000 was reserved for the City of Baltimore.
red on white, format S 00000 with "State" at bottom 1975-1980 state government Used March 1975 through April 1980 without stickers. State government-owned vehicle not used for law enforcement purposes.
red on white motorcycle plate, sticker box in lower right corner 1976 motorcycle This base plate was used March 1975 through March 1980. Valid through March 1976 without stickers. Renewed with year stickers. Unstickered early serials would have been in use 1975-1976; unstickered late serials in unused condition are probably 1980 leftovers.
(Mike Sells photo and plate)
other red on white, sticker box in upper right corner 1976 passenger
1976 truck
This base plate was used March-April-May 1975 through March-April-May 1980. Valid through March-April-May 1976 without stickers. (Month determined by vehicle class.) Renewed with year stickers front and back. Unstickered early serials would have been in use 1975-1976; unstickered late serials in unused condition are probably 1980 leftovers.
black on white, embossed "Maryland", format G 0000 or G 00000 with "Local Govt" at bottom 1980-1987 local government Used March 1980 through about April 1987 without stickers. Local (city or county) government-owned vehicle generally not used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes. (There were a few known exceptions to this.) Format G 0000 was reserved for the City of Baltimore.
black on white, embossed "Maryland", format S 00000 with "State" at bottom 1980-1987 state government Used March 1980 through about April 1987 without stickers. State government-owned vehicle not used for law enforcement purposes.
black on white motorcycle plate, embossed "Md.", sticker box in lower right corner 1981 motorcycle This base plate was issued March 1980 through January 1986. Valid through March 1981 without stickers. Renewed with year stickers through March 1986, and with month and year stickers through September 1987. Unstickered early serials would have been in use 1980-1981; unstickered late serials in unused condition are probably 1986 leftovers.
(Joe Sallmen photo and plate)
other black on white, embossed "Maryland", sticker box with lightly embossed border in upper right corner 1981 passenger
1981 historic
This base plate was issued March-April-May 1980 through January 1986. Valid through March-April-May 1981 without stickers. (Month determined by vehicle class.) Renewed with year stickers front and back through March-April-May 1986, and with month and year stickers on rear only through September 1987. Unstickered early serials, and passenger serials in series HNA through HNE, would have been in use 1980-1981; unstickered late serials other than series HNA through HNE, in unused condition, are probably 1986 leftovers.
black on dark yellow motorcycle plate, embossed "Md.", sticker box in lower right corner circa 1984 state police motorcycle This is a State Police motorcycle plate, likely from approximately 1983 or 1984. Sticker box was never used. (I know, I said I wasn't covering police plates, but you might not have even known that this is a police plate without a little help.)
(Allan Cooper photo and plate)
black on reflective white, script "Maryland", format L/G*00000 or S/G*00000 with graphic shield separator 1986-present state government
2005-present local government
Used February 1986 to present without stickers. Hologram indicates year of manufacture. L/G plates are for local government vehicles; S/G plates are for state government vehicles, in both cases generally not for law enforcement or fire or rescuse applications.
(Both plates in actual use)
black on reflective white, script "Maryland", actual serials NAA*000, NAA*001, or SAM*PLE with graphic shield separator, or SAMPLE without graphic shield separator previous sample Sample plates distributed February 1986 to present without stickers. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.
(Tim O'Connor photo and plate)
black on reflective white motorcycle plate, script "Maryland", actual serials 00000D, 0000D0, 000D00, or SAMPLE current motorcycle sample Motorcycle sample plates distributed February 1986 to present without stickers. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.
other black on reflective white, script "Maryland", various formats with or without graphic shield separator current passenger front
current MPV front
These types of plates have been issued February 1986 to present. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.
green on white-to-blue fade "Treasure the Chesapeake", various formats with or without graphic bird in center Chesapeake gen 1 MPV front These first generation Chesapeake plates were issued approximately early 1990 to late 2003 and are still in use. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serials SAM*PLE and SAMPLE are, obviously, sample plates. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.
black on orange-to-yellow-fade "Our Farms, Our Future", various formats Our Farms handicapped These plates have been issued early 2001 to present. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.
(Plate in actual use)
black on blue-to-white fade "Treasure the Chesapeake", various formats with or without graphic bird at left
photo unavailable
Second generation Chesapeake plates have been issued January 2004 to present. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.

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Identifying the type of plates dated 1954-1956

Format xx-00-00, with dash, diamond, or colon separators 1955 passenger Passenger vehicle. Some letter combinations reserved for members of certain organizations. These letters are known to be organizational plates: AL, BB, CC, EE, FD, LC. Serial AA-00-00 is a sample.
Format 00-00-xx, with dash, diamond, or colon separators 1956 trailer Non-passenger vehicle; first letter or letters indicate vehicle type as follows: BA = taxi or limousine, CA = ambulance or funeral vehicle, Ex = truck; Gx = trailer, HE = truck for hire
(Paul Casadonte plate)
Format S/R00-00T
photo unavailable
Special type of trailer plate. "S/R" reported to stand for "Shuttle Relay", "Special Rate", or "State Roads"; exact meaning or use is unknown. "T" stands for trailer. Similar plates with "TRAC" instead of "T" are a special type of truck tractor plate.
Embossed star figure on the left, followed by a four-character serial number in format 00-00
photo unavailable
Local (city or county) government-owned vehicle or trailer most likely not used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes and not a school bus.
Motorcycle plate in format 00-00, with dot separator 1954 motorcycle Standard-issue motorcycle plate.
(Joe Sallmen photo and plate)
Motorcycle plate in format D0-00 with dot separator; "D" is smaller than the numeric digits
photo unavailable
Motorcycle dealer
Small 1954 plate with serial LG-19-53, 5 inches by 2 1/4 inches toy 1954 Maryland plate This is a toy license plate that was a promotional item found in boxes of Wheaties cereal in 1953.
Small 1955 plate with serial MG-10-01, 5 inches by 2 1/4 inches
photo unavailable
This is a toy license plate that was a promotional item found in boxes of Wheaties cereal in 1954.

1954-1970 cryptic and semi-cryptic legends:
(See below)

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Identifying the type of plates dated 1957-1970

Formats xx-00-00, xx-0000, and xx 0000, with dash, diamond, or colon separator(s) or space separator; 3-31 expiration date 1961 passenger
1967 passenger
Passenger vehicle. Some letter combinations reserved for members of certain organizations. These letters are known to be organizational plates: AL, BB, CC, EE, FD, LC. Letters AA or AB with all zeroes are samples.
Formats 00-00-xx, 0000-xx, and 0000 xx, with dash, diamond, or colon separator(s) or space separator; 4-30 expiration date 1959 taxi or limo
1969 truck for hire
Non-passenger vehicle; first letter or letters indicate vehicle type as follows: BA = taxi or limousine, CA = ambulance or funeral vehicle, Ex = truck, FD = Firefighter organizational plate assigned to a personal truck, Gx = trailer, HE or HF = truck for hire
Various three-letter prefix formats, such as xxx-00, xxx-000, xxx 000, xxx-00x, xxx-0x0, xxx-x00, or xxx0000, with dash, diamond, colon, or space separator, or no separator 1960 Disabled American Veterans
1966 Veterans of Foreign Wars
Organizational plate; letters indicate organization: DAV = Disabled American Veterans, VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars
Format S/R00-00T 1958 SR trailer Special type of trailer plate. "S/R" reported to stand for "Shuttle Relay", "Special Rate", or "State Roads"; exact meaning or use is unknown. "T" stands for trailer. Similar plate with "TRAC" instead of "T" is a special type of truck tractor plate.
(Tim O'Connor photo and plate)
Embossed star figure on the left, followed by a four-character serial number; 3-31 expiration date 1969 local govt. car Local (city or county) government-owned passenger car, most likely not used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes.
Embossed star figure on the left, or star figure over the word Truck on the left, followed by a four-character serial; 4-30 expiration date in either case. 1963 local govt. non-passenger
1968 local govt. truck
Local (city or county) government-owned truck (or possibly bus, trailer, etc. if the plate doesn't say "truck"), most likely not used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes and not a school bus.
(1963: David Doernberg photo and plate)
Other formats 1959 amateur radio car Probably an amateur radio operator plate
Motorcycle plate in format 00-00, x0-00, 0000, x000, or 000x, with dot or colon separator or no separator; letter, if any, is same size as numbers. 1961 motorcycle
1969 motorcycle
Standard-issue motorcycle plate formats. Full-sized letters or lack of letters have no significance.
(Joe Sallmen photos and plates)
Motorcycle plate in format D0-00 or D000, with dot or colon separator or no separator; "D" is smaller than the numeric digits. 1959 motorcycle dealer Motorcycle dealer
(Joe Sallmen photo and plate)
Small plate with 3-31-60 expiration date and serial AM-19-27
photo unavailable
This was a toy license plate found in boxes of Baker's Square chocolate.

1954-1970 cryptic and semi-cryptic legends:
DLR (on motorcycle plate) = motorcycle dealer
DUMP TRK = dump truck (also issued to cement mixers)
DUMP TRLR = dump trailer
FARM AREA = farm truck used primarily off-road, with limited on-road privileges in the immediate vicinity of the farm
FARM TRACTOR = truck tractor used for agricultural purposes, not an actual farm tractor
MTA = local city bus for hire, regulated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority
PSC BUS = long-distance bus for hire, regulated by the Public Service Commission
PSC FRT = truck or truck tractor for hire, regulated by the Public Service Commission (FRT means "freight")
PSC ZONE = local city bus for hire, regulated by the Public Service Commission
SCHOOL CHARTER = school charter bus; in other words, a school bus for hire
SOLID = vehicle with non-pneumatic tires
TRAC = tractor, but indicating an over the road truck tractor, not a farm tractor
TRANS-PORTER = issued to an automotive-related business to allow them to deliver or move unregistered vehicles

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Identifying the type of plates dated 1971-1975

Format x 00000 1975 dealer Automotive business interchangeable plate; letter indicates business type as follows: D = motor vehicle dealer, W = automotive wrecker (not a tow truck, but rather issued to a junkyard operator to allow them to move driveable unregistered vehicles) These plain "D" dealer plates replaced earlier plates on this base that had either "New Car Dealer" or "Used Car Dealer" embossed on the plate. Likely the wrecker plate was introduced at this same time and was spun off from either "Used Car Dealer" or "Transporter" plates.
Format xx 0000 1974 passenger
1975 passenger with 1976 dies
Passenger vehicle. Some alpha combinations reserved for members of certain organizations. These letters are known to be organizational plates: AL, BB, CC, EE, FD, HG, LC, RI. Serial AA 0000 is a sample.
Format 0000 xx 1972 truck
1975 trailer with 1976 dies
Non-passenger vehicle; first letter or letters indicate vehicle type as follows: BA = taxi or limousine, BM = bus; CA = ambulance or funeral vehicle, Dx = truck, Ex = truck; Fx (except FD or FR) = truck tractor; FD = Firefighter organizational plate assigned to a personal truck, FR = PSC freight truck, Gx = trailer, Hx = trailer, Jx = truck; MP = bus. Regarding BM and MP prefixes on bus plates, one is for a charter bus, the other is for a long-distance bus for hire, but I don't know which is which.
Three-letter formats such as xxx 0, xxx 00, xxx 000 or xxx0000 1975 Disabled American Veterans Organizational plate; letters indicate organization: DAV = Disabled American Veterans, VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars. Other letter combinations are probably vanity plates.
Embossed star figure on the left, followed by a four-character serial 1973 local govt. car Local (city or county) government-owned passenger vehicle generally not used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions) and not for school buses.
Four-character serial, followed by embossed star figure on the right 1975 local govt. truck Local (city or county) government-owned truck, trailer, etc. generally not used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions) and not for school buses. Serial letters or lack of letters have no significance.
(Paul Casadonte plate)
Embossed maltese cross containing the letters "F/D" on the left, followed by a five-digit numeric serial 1975 firefighter personal car These plates were not not used on actual firefighting equipment. They were organizational plates issued to firefighters for their personal cars. These replaced earlier firefighter organizational plates on this base that looked like normal passenger plates and had serial format FD 0000.
Five-digit numeric serial, followed by embossed maltese cross containing the letters "F/D" on the right 1975 firefighter personal truck These plates were not not used on actual firefighting equipment. They were organizational plates issued to firefighters for their personal trucks. These replaced earlier firefighter organizational plates on this base that looked like normal non-passenger plates and had serial format 0000 FD.
Other formats 1975 vanity Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate.
Motorcycle plate in formats 0000, x000, 000x, xx00, or 00000 1975 motorcycle These are all standard-issue motorcycle plate formats. Letters or lack of letters have no significance.
(Joe Sallmen photo and plate)

1971-1975 cryptic and semi-cryptic legends:
DLR (on motorcycle plate) = motorcycle dealer
FARM AREA = farm truck used primarily off-road, with limited on-road privileges in the immediate vicinity of the farm
FARM TRACTOR = truck tractor used for agricultural purposes, not an actual farm tractor
MTA = local city bus for hire, owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority, a.k.a. the Mass Transit Administration, a state agency
SAA = vehicle owned by the State Aviation Administration
SCHOOL CHARTER = school charter bus; in other words, a school bus for hire
SOLID = vehicle with non-pneumatic tires
TRANS-PORTER = issued to an automotive-related business to allow them to deliver or move unregistered vehicles

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Identifying the type of plates from 1976-1987 (embossed "Maryland" or "Md.")

Most non-passenger plates of this era were fairly clearly identified with an embossed legend at the bottom of the plate. This section deals with those plates with no legend or a cryptic legend.

Format AL 0, AL 00, AL 000, or xx 0000 1980 ambulance or funeral Letters indicate type: AL = American Legion organizational plate, CA = ambulance or funeral vehicle. Other letter combinations are probably vanity plates.
Format xxx 000 1978 passenger
1986 passenger
Private passenger cars 1976-1987; multi-purpose vehicles (usually passenger vans, SUVs, or motor homes) 1976-1980 only. Some alpha combinations reserved for members of certain organizations. These letters are known to be organizational plates: BBx, DAV, EEx, FPx, HGx, KCx, LCx, MPx, RIx, RXx, TCx, VFW. Serial AAA 000 is a sample.
Formats xxx 0, xxx 00, xxx0000, or xxx 0000 1980 Disabled American Veterans
1986 Elks Lodge
Organizational plate; letters indicate organization: DAV = Disabled American Veterans, ELK = Elks Lodge, VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars. Other letter combinations are probably vanity plates. No legend at bottom indicates plate issued to a personal car; "Truck" legend was used for plate issued to a personal truck.
(DAV plate: Mike Sells photo and plate)
Embossed maltese cross containing the letters "F/D" on the left, followed by a five-digit numeric serial, with or without the legend "Truck" at the bottom 1978 firefighter personal car
1980 firefighter personal truck
These plates were not not used on actual firefighting equipment. They were organizational plates issued to firefighters for their personal vehicles. No legend at bottom indicates plate issued to a personal car; "Truck" legend was used for plate issued to a personal truck.
(Truck plate: Mike Sells photo and plate)
Bicentennial, format 000 xxx 1977 bicentennial Extra-cost optional issue plate for passenger cars and multi-purpose vehicles, 1976-1980. Serial 000 AAA is a sample.
350th Anniversary, format 000*xxx 1986 anniversary passenger Extra-cost optional issue plate for passenger cars, 1984-1987. Serial 000*AAA is a sample.
350th Anniversary, formats 00000 X or 00000X, with no shield graphic 1987 anniversary MPV
1985 anniversary MPV
Extra-cost optional issue plate for multi-purpose vehicles (usually passenger vans, SUVs, or motor homes), 1984-1987.
Other formats 1980 amateur radio car
1980 bicentennial vanity
Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate
(Mike Sells photos and plates)
Motorcycle plate in format 00000 or 000000 1977 motorcycle Standard-issue motorcycle plate.
(Joe Sallmen photo and plate)
Motorcycle plate in other formats, black on white plate only.
photo unavailable
Probably a vanity plate.

1976-1987 cryptic and semi-cryptic legends:
CHARTER = charter bus
DLR (on motorcycle plate) = motorcycle dealer
DUMP TRK = dump truck (also issued to cement mixers)
DUMP TRL = dump trailer
FARM AREA = farm truck used primarily off-road, with limited on-road privileges in the immediate vicinity of the farm
FARM TRK = farm truck, with unlimited on-road privileges for agricultural purposes
FARM TRL = farm trailer
FARM TK TR = farm truck tractor (over the road "big rig" truck tractor for agricultural use, not an actual farm tractor)
FINANCE = issued to a vehicle finance company to allow them to move unregistered (repossessed) vehicles
HIRE = passenger car for hire, such as a taxi or limousine
MPV = multi-purpose vehicle (usually a passenger van, SUV, or motor home), 1980-1987 only
MTR BUS = motor carrier bus (long-distance bus for hire, regulated by the Public Service Commission)
MTR FRT = motor carrier freight (truck or truck tractor for hire, regulated by the Public Service Commission)
RECYCLER = issued to a junkyard operator to allow them to move driveable unregistered vehicles
SCH BUS = school bus
SCH CHAR = school charter bus; in other words, a school bus for hire
SCH VEH = school vehicle (assigned to passenger vans used as school busses)
SPEC EQUIP = special mobile equipment (such as cranes)
TRACTOR = indicates an over the road "big rig" truck tractor, not a farm tractor
TRANS = transporter; issued to an automotive-related business to allow them to deliver or move unregistered vehicles
TRL APR 84 = long-term trailer registration expiring in April 1984
TRL DLR = trailer dealer
WRECKER = issued to a junkyard operator to allow them to move driveable unregistered vehicles; not for a tow truck

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Identifying the type of standard plates from 1987-current (script "Maryland")

Many non-passenger and most organizational plates of this era are clearly identified with a screened legend at the bottom of the plate and/or a logo of some type. This section deals with plates without such identifiers, and also with Apportioned and Farm plates, whose legend does not indicate vehicle type. The state government web site address www.maryland.gov was added to the bottom of many plate types beginning in 2005.

Formats 000*000 and 00x*000 with shield separator 2001 truck
2000 truck
Truck. Letter (or lack of letter) has no significance.
Format I00*000 with shield separator 1988 charter bus Charter bus; discontinued plate type
(David Doernberg photo and plate)
Format 000*00x with shield separator 2006 farm area truck
2008 taxi
Letter indicates type of vehicle: B = taxi or limousine, C = ambulance or funeral vehicle, F = truck tractor, J = van pool, K = farm area truck with limited on-road privileges, P = bus for hire
(Taxi plate in actual use)
Format TT0*000 and 000*0TT with shield separator
photo unavailable
Tow truck
Formats xxx*000 and 0xx*x00 with shield separator 1987 passenger
2007 passenger
Private passenger car. Serials NAA*000 and NAA*001 are sample plates. Format 0xx*x00 debuted in September 2004.
Formats 000000x, x000000, 000x000, and 00000x0 with no shield separator 2001 trailer
2007 mpv
Letter indicates type of vehicle: G = trailer, M = multi-purpose vehicle (usually a passenger van, SUV, or motor home). Trailers use only format 000000x; multi-purpose vehicles use all four formats.
Format x/x*00000 with shield separator 1992 rental car Letters indicate vehicle use: D/R = rental car, L/G = local government-owned vehicle or trailer, S/G = state government-owned vehicle or trailer. Rental cars used stickers on rear plates; government vehicles do not. These government plates are generally not used on law enforcement or fire or rescue vehicles. (There are a few known exceptions to this.)
Formats xx00000 and xxx0000 with no shield separator 1991 Fraternal Order of Police Organizational plate; letters indicate the specific organization. BB = Boumi Temple (Shriners), DV = Disabled American Veterans, FP = Fraternal Order of Police
Format 00000xx with no shield separator
photo unavailable
Letters indicate type of vehicle: LM = limousine, TT = tow truck
Format E00000D with no shield separator
photo unavailable
Dump truck plate; also issued to cement mixer trucks
Other formats, with no shield separator current vanity Probably a vanity plate. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate.
(undated front plate)
Apportioned plates, format 000*x00 or 000*x/x00 with shield separator 2006 apportioned truck tractor Letter or letters indicate type of vehcile: E = regular truck, E/D = dump truck, F = truck tractor, G = trailer, P = bus for hire, T/E = tow truck
(Plate in actual use)
Farm plates, format 000*00x/x with shield separator
photo unavailable
Letters indicate type of vehicle: F/T = farm truck, T/R = farm-use "big rig" truck tractor
Motorcycle plate in format 00000D, 0000D0, 000D00, 000M00, or 0D0000 1996 motorcycle Standard-issue motorcycle plate; however, motorcycle plates with these actual serial numbers are samples.
Motorcycle plate in other formats
photo unavailable
Probably a vanity plate. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate.

1987-present semi-cryptic legends:
Finance = issued to a vehicle finance company to allow them to move unregistered (repossessed) vehicles
Recycler = issued to a junkyard operator to allow them to move driveable unregistered vehicles
School Charter = school charter bus; in other words, a school bus for hire
School Vehicle = school bus, or passenger van used as a school bus
Transporter = issued to an automotive-related business to allow them to deliver or move unregistered vehicles

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Identifying the type of optional issue "Treasure the Chesapeake" plates

Green on white-to-blue fade, format x00*000 with bird separator 1998 Chesapeake gen 1 trailer First generation Chesapeake non-passenger plate; issued 1990 to 2003 and still in use. Letter indicates type of vehicle: B = taxi, G = trailer.
(Tim O'Connor photo and plate)
Green on white-to-blue fade, format 0xx*000 with bird separator 2000 Chesapeake gen 1 truck First generation Chesapeake light truck plate; issued 1990 to 2003 and still in use.
Green on white-to-blue fade, format 000*xxx with bird separator 1993 Chesapeake gen 1 passenger First generation Chesapeake passenger car plate; issued 1990 to 2003 and still in use.
Green on white-to-blue fade, format xxx*00x with bird separator Chesapeake gen 1 MPV front First generation Chesapeake multi-purpose vehicle (usually a passenger van, SUV, or motor home) plate; issued 1990 to 2003 and still in use.
(undated front plate)
Green on white-to-blue fade, other formats, with no bird separator first generation Chesapeake vanity First generation Chesapeake plate without the bird was used only for handicapped and vanity plates. Issued 1990 to 2003 and still in use. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate.
(Plate in actual use)
Black on blue-to-white fade, formats 00000B/Y, 00000C/A, 00000C/B, and 00000C/C with bird graphic at left 2006 Chesapeake gen 2 passenger Second generation Chesapeake plate, issued 2004 to present. Passenger serial suffixes, but issued to cars as well as multi-purpose vehicles, light trucks, and taxis.
(Plate in actual use)
Black on blue-to-white fade, format 00000G/A with bird graphic at left
photo unavailable
Second generation Chesapeake plate, issued 2004 to present. Trailer serial suffix.
Black on blue-to-white fade, other formats with no stacked letters, with or without bird graphic at left second generation Chesapeake vanity with bird omitted Second generation Chesapeake plate, issued 2004 to present. Probably a vanity plate. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate.
(Plate in actual use)

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Identifying the type of optional issue "Our Farms, Our Future" plates

Format A000000, with the first numeric digit a "0" or "1" 2004 Our Farms passenger Passenger serial range, but issued to cars as well as multi-purpose vehicles, lignt trucks, and taxis.
(Chuck Bedall plate)
Format A900000, with the first numeric digit a "9"
photo unavailable
Trailer serial range
Format F/T 00000 2007 Our Farms farm truck Farm truck
(Jeff Ellis photo of plate in actual use)
Other formats 2007 Our Farms vanity Probably a vanity plate. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate.
(Plate in actual use)

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Thanks to those who have directly contributed to the information on this page: Chuck Bedall, Jeff Ellis, Mike Sells, Tim O'Connor, Paul Casadonte, Allan Cooper, "Tiger" Joe Sallmen, and David Doernberg.

Tim O'Connor photographs © copyright by Tim O'Connor. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Mike Sells, Allan Cooper, Joe Sallmen, Jeff Ellis, and David Doernberg photographs are presumed to be copyrighted by their owners and are used with permission.

All text and photographs © copyright 2004-2008 by Rick Kretschmer, except where noted. All rights reserved.
This page last modified: February 23, 2008