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Vehicle registration plates of New Jersey

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New Jersey
Current Garden State plate, with screened serial
Current series
SloganGarden State
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatA12-BCD
Introduced1992 (1992)
(current version introduced April 2014)
Availability
Issued byNew Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
History
First issuedJune 1, 1908 (1908-06-01)
(pre-state plates from 1903 through May 31, 1908)

The U.S. state of New Jersey first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1908, when the state began to issue plates.[1]

As of 2024, plates are issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Validation

[edit]

In 1999 the state tried re-validating plates with stickers, but that scheme ended in 2004 with stickers issued to expire in 2005. Some non-passenger plates stickers extended to 2010 with stickers issued to expire in 2011 (2014 for trailer plates only). Since then passenger and non-passenger plates have been re-validated with just the registration card issued to the driver.

Passenger baseplates

[edit]

1908 to 1958

[edit]

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.[2] The first New Jersey license plate that complied with these standards was a modification of the 1952 plate, introduced in 1956.

No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.

Image First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
1908 Cream-colored serial digits on individual dark blue flat metal panels inserted into metal frame; "N.J.", lead seal and "08" on single panel inserted at right 12345 38001 to approximately 50500, plus reissues of pre-state serials
1909 White serial on black porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "09" at right 12345 1 to approximately 24000
1910 Black serial on bright orange porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "10" at left 12345 1 to approximately 30000
1911 Red serial on gray porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "11" at right 12345 1 to approximately 38000
1912 Yellow serial on blue porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "12" at left 12345 1 to approximately 44000
1913 Red serial on white porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "13" at right 12345 1 to approximately 50000
1914 White serial on red porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "14" at left 12345 1 to approximately 61000
1915 White serial on green porcelain plate; "N.J", aluminum seal and "15" at right 12345 1 to approximately 78000
1916 Embossed white serial on brown plate; "NJ 16" at left 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A1 to approximately A6800
1917 Embossed white serial on blue plate; "NJ 17" at right 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A, B, N and O series; X1 to approximately X1900
1918 Embossed blue serial on white plate; "N.J.-1918" centered at top 123456 1 to approximately 149500
1919_New_Jersey_passenger_license_plate.jpg 1919 Embossed white serial on gray plate; "N.J.−1919" centered at top 123456 1 to approximately 175500
Photograph of a surviving 1920 license plate 1920 Embossed white serial on brick red plate; "N.J.−1920" centered at top 123456 1 to approximately 212500
1921 Embossed white serial on forest green plate; "N.J.−1921" centered at top 123456 1 to approximately 247500
1922 Embossed white serial on black plate; "N.J.−1922" centered at top 123456 1 to approximately 258500
1923 Embossed orange serial on black plate; "N.J.—23" centered at top 123456 1 to approximately 331500
1924 New Jersey Vehicle Registration Plate 1924 Embossed white serial on red plate; "N.J.−1924" centered at top 123456 1 to approximately 400000
1925 Embossed silver serial on midnight blue plate; "N.J.—25" centered at top 123456 1 to approximately 460500
1926 Embossed white serial on orange plate; "N.J.−1926" centered at top A12345
1E2345
County-coded Essex County used E in the second position following E99999; this practice continued through 1930.[3]
1927 Embossed white serial on green plate; "N.J.−27." centered at top A12345
1E2345
O/N12345
County-coded Serifs added to letters in serials for better readability. O/N code replaced Q code in Ocean County.
1928 Embossed white serial on light blue plate; "N.J.−1928" centered at top A12345
1E2345
O/N12345
County-coded
1929 Embossed white serial on black plate; "N.J.−29." centered at top A12345
1E2345
O/N12345
County-coded
1930 Embossed white serial on gray plate; "N.J.−1930" centered at top A12345
1E2345
O/N12345
County-coded
1931 Embossed white serial on red plate; "N.J.−31." centered at top A12345
1/E12345
O/N12345
County-coded 1/E1001 onwards issued in Essex County following E99999; this practice continued through 1938.
1932 Embossed white serial on black plate; "N.J.−1932." centered at top A12345
1/E12345
O/N12345
County-coded
1933 Embossed orange serial on black plate; "N.J.−'33." centered at top A12345
1/E12345
O/N12345
County-coded
1934 Embossed light green serial on black plate; "N.J.−1934" centered at top A12345
1/E12345
O/N12345
County-coded
1935 Embossed silver serial on black plate; "N.J.−'35." centered at top A12345
1/E12345
O/N12345
County-coded
1936 Embossed bright orange serial on black plate; "N.J.−1936" centered at top A12345
1/E12345
O/N12345
County-coded
1937 Embossed light green serial on black plate; "N.J.−'37." centered at top A12345
1/E12345
O/N12345
County-coded
1938 Embossed silver serial on black plate; "N.J.−1938" centered at top A12345
1/B1234
1/E12345
O/N12345
County-coded 1/B1001 onwards issued in Bergen County following B99999.
1939 Embossed bright orange serial on black plate; vertical "NJ 39" at right A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B) For each two-letter code, the numbers 100 to 999 were issued, followed by 10A through 99Z (omitting G, I, O and Q).[3]
1940 Embossed light green serial on black plate; vertical "NJ 40" at right A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1941 Embossed white serial on black plate; "N.J. '41" roughly centered at bottom A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)

1942 Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "N.J. 1942" roughly centered at bottom A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B) Revalidated for 1943 with white-on-black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 Embossed black serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. '44" roughly centered at bottom A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B) Only rear plates issued due to ongoing metal conservation. Issuance of front plates resumed in 1947.
1945 Embossed blue serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. 1945" at bottom, offset to right A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1946 Embossed black serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. '46" centered at top A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1947 Embossed blue serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. 1947" at bottom, offset to right A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1948 Embossed black serial on straw-colored plate; "N.J. '48" centered at top A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1949 Embossed straw-colored serial on black plate; "N.J. 1949" at bottom, offset to right A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1950 As 1948 base, but with "N.J. '50" at top A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)
1951 As 1949 base, but with "N.J. 1951" at bottom A/B123
A/B12A
County-coded (A/B)

1952 Embossed orange lettering on black plate with border line; "N. 52 J." embossed at bottom. A/B 123
A/B 12A
A/B A12
A/B 1A2
A/B 1234
Coded by county (A/B) Revalidated for 1953, 1954 (shown in photo), 1955 and 1956 (also shown in photo) with tabs (Passenger) 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960 with tabs (Non-Passenger).
1957 As above but changed to 6" x 12" size, and with stacked "NJ" embossed at right A/B 1234 Coded by county (A/B) Revalidated for 1958 with windshield stickers. The older 1952 plates (by now dated "56") were also validated with windshield stickers.

1959 to present

[edit]

All passenger plates from 1959 until present are still valid, provided they have been continuously registered. It is also possible to have a serial from an older plate remade on a plate of a newer design.[4]

Image First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1959 Embossed black serial on non-reflective buff plate; "N.J." centered at top "GARDEN STATE" centered at bottom ABC-123 AAA-100 to RHZ-999 Letter Q not used in serials, and 'D', 'O', 'T' and 'X' series reserved for Dealer, Omnibus, Trailer and Commercial plates respectively.[5] This practice continued until late 1992.
1969 As above, but reflective RIA-100 to SZZ-999 Experimental plates.
1970 As above, but non-reflective as from 1959–69 UAA-100 to YZZ-999 'Z' series initially reserved for Commercial plates; issued 1985 on blue base (below).[5]
1973 123-ABC 100-AAA to 999-HBZ
1977 As above, but with "NEW JERSEY" centered at top 100-HCA to 999-KZZ First use of the full state name on passenger plates.
1979 Embossed buff serial with state-shaped separator on non-reflective medium blue plate; "NEW JERSEY" centered at top "GARDEN STATE" centered at bottom 123-ABC 100-LAA to 999-ZZZ
1985 ABC-123 ZAA-100 to ZZZ-999
1985 ABC-12D AAA-10A to HZZ-99Z I and O not used as suffix letters in this serial format (in addition to Q).[3]
late 1992 Embossed black serial on reflective yellow to gradient white plate; "New Jersey" screened in black centered at top; black outlines for registration stickers at top corners "Garden State" screened in black centered at bottom ABC1234 AAA1000 to ADJ9999 Letters I, O and Q not used in serials; this practice continues today.[3]
spring 1993 As above, but with state-shaped separator added to serial AB-123C BA-100A to ZY-999Z 'D', 'H', 'T' and 'X' series reserved for Dealer, Handicapped, Trailer and Commercial plates respectively, and 'S' series for optional Shore to Please plate.[6] 'A' series used on Apportioned plates from 1996 onwards.
May 1999 ABC-12D JAA-10A to SZZ-99Z;
UAA-10A to VZT-99Z
'T' series reserved for Trailer plates. Between 2001 and 2004, plates used Avery reflective sheeting instead of 3M reflective sheeting.
mid 2007 As above, but without black outlines at top corners VZU-10A to WZZ-99Z;
YAA-10A to ZZZ-99Z
'X' series reserved for Commercial and Farmer plates.
July 2010 As above, but with security threads added to center of plate A12-BCD A10-AAA to T99-EEK[7]
April 2014 As above, but with serial and separator screened rather than embossed A10-EFF to Z99-SZZ;
A10-UAA to C95-VFD (as of November 28, 2024)[8]
'T' series reserved for Trailer plates.

Courtesy plates

[edit]
New Jersey courtesy license plate

Courtesy plates have been issued to individuals with political connections since 1920. The current serial formats on these plates consist of three letters followed or preceded by a number between 1 and 20. On standard courtesy plates the first letter is a county code, the second letter is the first initial of the vehicle owner's name, and the third letter is the initial of the last name of the vehicle owner. Courtesy plates may also be personalized, with all three letters making up the owner's initials.

Courtesy plates can be used on several types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles and historic vehicles. They must be approved by a NJ State Senator from the applicant's election district prior to being submitted to the MVC.[9] The staff for the applicant's senator must also get approval from the state senator from the county that corresponds to the first letter on the plate being requested. The letter Q cannot be used on these plates, and D, O, T, and X cannot be used as the first letter.[3]

Courtesy plate county codes 1959 to present

[edit]
Letter County
A Atlantic
B Bergen
C Camden
E Essex
F Ocean
G Gloucester
H Hudson
I Hunterdon
J Salem
K Middlesex
L Morris
M Monmouth
N Burlington
P Passaic
R Mercer
S Somerset
U Union
V Sussex
W Warren
Y Cumberland
Z Cape May

Current plate types

[edit]

All bases of all classes of plates from 1959 to present are still valid for display in New Jersey.[10]

Non-Passenger

[edit]
Image Type First issued Current serial format Previous serial formats Notes
Ambulance July 1, 2014 OA-123A OA-1234 Ambulances used Commercial and No Fee plates prior to July 2014. Current highest serial seen: OA-204A (on March 7, 2024).[11]
Apportioned June 1996 AB-123C Issued to trucks and buses weighing at least 13 tons. Serials became screened at AS-100A. Current highest serial seen: AZ-456D (on July 9, 2024).[11]
Autocycle October 2017 A1B2C Issued to three-wheeled motorcycles.
Commercial 1918 XBC-D12 XBC-123
XB-1234
X-12345
X1B-234
XBC-12D
XB-12CD
XBC1234
X12-B34
X-1234B
XB-123C
Serials XYA-100 through XZZ-999 and XYA-10A through XZZ-99Z reserved for Farmer plates. Current serial format began mid-2012; serials became screened at XCW-A10. Current highest serial seen: XPW-E89 (on June 28, 2024).[11] Vanity variants also issued.
Commercial Motorcycle 1962 XB123 Infrequently issued.
Commuter Van 1982 CV12345 CV-1234 Issued to airport vans and ride-share vehicles.
Dealer Temporary 1953 DL-123 12
Dealer Transporter c. 1970 DTT-12 12
12 12 DTT
Issued to new vehicles being transported from manufacturers to dealers.
Driving School 2019 DS-1234
Equipment In Transit 1949 12-1-AB A-12-1
AB-12-1
Issued to construction vehicles, in groups of five (each plate in the group is distinguished by the small number in its serial, between 1 and 5). Issued annually through 1962.
Farm Use 1941 GB-12C F-1234
F-B123
F-B12C
FB-12C
FB12345
Handicapped 1977 1234H/B H1234
1234H
H/B1234
International Symbol of Access at left. Serials became screened at around H/Z9000. Current highest serial seen: 9871H/K (on June 8, 2024).[11] Vanity variants also issued.
Historic 1964 12345QQ QQ-A123
123A-QQ
QQ-1234
1234-QQ
QQ12345
Issued to vehicles that are at least 25 years old and are used for exhibition purposes. Serials became screened at around 29000QQ. Current highest serial seen: 75350QQ (on May 26, 2024).[11] Vanity and Courtesy variants also issued, with serial preceded by stacked Q/Q prefix.
Historic Motorcycle 1976 Q1234 Serials became screened at around Q7000. Current highest serial seen: Q9893 (on May 24, 2023).[11]
Hotel Bus 2014 OH-1234 Issued to small buses transporting passengers to and from hotels.
In Transit Empty 1977 12-ZB ZB-12 Issued to trucks and trailers that are empty when transported. Serials became screened at 10-ZG. Current highest serial seen: 67-ZJ (on October 9, 2022).[11]
Jitney July 1, 2014 OJ-1234 Issued to small buses for urban transport. These buses used Omnibus plates prior to July 2014.
Limousine late 2000 OL1234A Replaced Livery plate. Serials began at OL1000D and became screened at OL1000K. Current highest serial seen: OL9790K (on May 20, 2024).[11] Vanity variants also issued, with serial of owner's choice preceded by stacked O/L prefix.
Mobility Assistance Vehicle July 1, 2014 OM-1234 Issued to vehicles transporting handicapped individuals.
Moped 1983 1A2B3 Current highest serial seen: 3G2F2 (on February 11, 2024).[11]
Motorcycle 1912 1ABC2 AB123
123AB
A123B
A1234
1234A
Issued annually through 1960. Current serial format began 2009; serials became screened at around 2ZFA1. Current highest serial seen: 5VYV5 (on July 12, 2024).[11] Vanity and Courtesy variants also issued.
Motorcycle Dealer c. 1926 12-1DB DB12-1
Motorcycle No Fee 1952 1234A
New Car Dealer 1960 DBC-12 12 Series DAA through DKZ used on these plates.
No Fee 1932 NF12345 NF-C123 Issued to vehicles owned by nonprofit organizations. Serials became screened at around NF36600. Current highest serial seen: NF40162 (on April 17, 2024).[11] Courtesy variants also issued.
Non-Conventional Dealer c. 1965 DN-123 12
Omnibus 1922 OBC1234 OBC-123 Current serial format began 1992 at OXV1000; serials became screened at around OYB5000. Current highest serial seen: OYB8828 (on April 19, 2024).[11]
Omnibus 2 August 2014 O2-1234 Issued to buses owned by private transportation companies.
Paratransit July 1, 2014 OP-123A OP-1234 Issued to small buses providing non-emergency medical transport. These buses used Omnibus, Commercial and No Fee plates prior to July 2014. Current highest serial seen: OP-535F (on July 11, 2024).[11]
Passenger Vanity 1959 varies varies Alcoholic vanity plates are banned.
School Vehicle I 1977 S1-1234 S1-123A
123A-S1
1234AS1
S1-A123
A123-S1
Issued to full-size school buses (seating 17 or more passengers). Serials became screened at K100-S1. Current highest serial seen: S1-2656 (on February 13, 2024).[11]
School Vehicle II 1977 A123-S2 S2-123A
123A-S2
1234AS2
S2-A123
Issued to small school buses (seating under 17 passengers). Serials became screened at S2-U100. Current highest serial seen: F705-S2 (on July 10, 2024).[11]
Street Rod 1982 R1234 Issued to modified antique automobiles manufactured before 1949.
Taxicab July 1, 2014 OT-123A OT-1234 Taxicabs used Omnibus plates prior to July 2014. Current highest serial seen: OT-171K (on June 29, 2024).[11]
Temporary April 1, 2012 A123456 F, H, J, L, M, R, T, V, W, X, Z and C series of serials issued.
Temporary Motorcycle June 2015 A123456 Same design as regular Temporary plates, but smaller. J and L series of serials issued.
Temporary Non-Resident April 1, 2012 123456A N, P, R and T series of serials issued.
Tractor 1918 1234-TB TR-1234
TR-C123
TS-C123
Infrequently issued.
Trailer 1915 A12-TCD TBC-123
TB-123C
123-TBC
T123-BC
TBC1234
T1B-234
T12-B3C
TBC-12D
Serials became screened at TNN-10A. Current serial format began early 2023. Current highest serial seen: F36-TBH (on June 23, 2024).[11]
Used Car Dealer 1960 12-DBC 12 DBC-12 12
12 12 DBC
Series DLA through DSZ and DUA through DZZ used on these plates.
Vehicle Converter c. 1973 DTC-12 12
12 12 DTC
Vehicle Manufacturer 1908 DTM-12 12
12 12 DTM
DTN-12 12
12 12 DTN

Discontinued

[edit]
Image Type First issued Final serial format Previous serial formats Notes
Boat 1919 1234
A123
"BL NJ" and last two digits of year embossed at right. Last issued 1962; stickers used for boat registration since at least 1973.
Boat Dealer by 1959 D12−1
Boat No Fee by 1953 N/F12
Clam/Oyster Permit 1935 1234 C-1234
O-1234
Issued to vehicles used for the purpose of clam and oyster digging. All-numeric serials used from 1936 onwards. Discontinued sometime after 1938.
Constructor 1951 12345 Issued mainly to construction dump trucks. Discontinued sometime after 1979.
Gasoline License 1928 12345 Replaced by Motor Fuel Dealer in 1932 (below).
Licensed Coal/Fuel Truck 1937 1234 Supplementary plates. Last issued 1973, but revalidated until at least 1980.
Licensed Poultry Truck by 1948 123 Supplementary plates. Last issued 1973.
Livery 1979 OL1234A OL-1234
1234-OL
OL-123A
Livery vehicles used their own plates from 1917 to 1921, then Omnibus plates from 1922 until 1977 when the PUC LIM plate was introduced (below). Vanity variants also issued, with serial of owner's choice preceded by stacked O/L prefix. Replaced by Limousine in late 2000.
Motor Fuel Dealer 1932 12345 Motorcycle-sized from 1936. Last issued 1942.
Motor Fuel Transport 1936 12345 Motorcycle-sized plates issued to tanker trucks hauling gasoline or other motor fuel. Issued annually through 1972. Last issued 2010.
NJ Transit Bus 1982 1234-NJ Discontinued in the late 1990s; regular Omnibus plates issued to NJ Transit buses since.
Outdoor Advertising 1931 12345 Used on signs and billboards. Discontinued sometime after 1956.
Outdoor Advertising No Fee by 1956 N/F123
PUC LIM 1977 OL-1234 PUC LIM stood for "Public Utilities Commission - Limousine". Replaced by Livery in 1979 (above).
Regulated Bulk Hauler 1981 1234 Issued to semi-trailers. Vertical "NJ" and "DMV" embossed at left and right respectively. Replaced by Apportioned in 1996.

Governmental

[edit]
Image Type First issued Current serial format Previous serial formats Notes
Assembly by 1936 A/B 1 Plates usually feature state seals either side of the number. The letters at the left are the Assembly member's initials.
Atlantic City Expressway 1979 ACE 12 Used for all tollbooths of the Atlantic City Expressway.
Cabinet (numeric)
County Government 1926 CG1-CDE CG-C123
CG-123C
A123-CG
CG12345
Current serial format began 2012; serials became screened at approximately CG-1AYA. Current highest serial seen: CG-9CYV (on March 10, 2024).[11]
Department of Transportation 1959 TD12345 TD-123
TD-1234
"STATE GOVT" legend. Current serial format began c. 2004; serials became screened at approximately TD17000.
Former Assembly
Former Senator
Governor by 1935 1 Plates usually feature state seals either side of the number.
Highway Authority 1959 HA-A123 No longer issued, as the Garden State Parkway is now under the purview of the Turnpike Authority.
Mayor A/B 1 C/D The first two letters are a code signifying the municipality, and the last two letters are the mayor's initials.
Mayor Emeritus c. 2000 M/E1234 New Jersey Conference of Mayors logo at left. Vanity and Courtesy variants also issued.
Municipal Government 1926 12345MG MG-C123
MG-123C
MG-1234
123MG-C
MG-12CD
MG12345
Current serial format began late 2013; serials became screened at approximately 14500MG. Current highest serial seen: 55334MG (on July 8, 2024).[11]
Municipal No Fee
Municipal Government Motorcycle
Senate by 1933 AB Letters indicate senator's initials.
Sheriff A 1 A/B The letter on the left indicates the county, while the letters on the right are the initials of the Sheriff for that county.
State Government 1926 SG12345 SG-C123
SG-C12D
Current serial format began 1993; serials became screened at approximately SG35600. Current highest serial seen: SG42355 (on April 18, 2024).[11]
State Police c. 1964 SPA123D SP-A123 Used for all New Jersey State Police vehicle. State Police also has TP for vehicles assigned to turnpike patrol
State Senate Majority Leader
Turnpike Authority 1959 TPA1234 TP-A123 Used for NJ turnpike maintenance vehicles and New Jersey State Police vehicles assigned to turnpike patrol
U.S. Congress c. 1952
U.S. Senate c. 1952 1 or 2 (depending on seniority), flanked by state seals

Professional

[edit]
Image Type First issued Current serial format Previous serial formats Notes
Chiropractor 1977 1 DC 234 Vanity variants also issued.
Dentist 1977 DDS 123
DMD 123
Vanity variants also issued.
EMT 1993 E/M1234 Star of Life at left.
Farmer 1933 XYC-12D, XZC-12D XYC-123, XZC-123 Current highest serial seen: XZY-24W (on June 10, 2024).[11]
Firefighter 1977 1A-B2 A1-2B
Firemen's Benevolent Association 1990 F/F1234
First Aider 1981 F1234 Cross at left.
Fraternal Order of Police 1989 1234F/P F/P1234 F/P9999 issued late 2019, followed by 1000F/P onwards.
New Jersey Press 1979 NJP-123
New York Press 1977 1234NYP NYP-123
123-NYP
Current highest serial seen: 2618NYP (on November 12, 2023).[11]
Newark Firefighter 2001 F/D1234
Operating Engineer 2005 O/E1234
Physician 1951 MD-1234
DO-1234
MD-C123 Vanity variants also issued.
Podiatrist 1979 DPM-123 Vanity variants also issued.
Policemen's Benevolent Association 1991 1234P/B P/B1234 P/B9999 issued late 2018, followed by 1000P/B onwards.
Society of Professional Engineers 1994 P/E1234

Organizational

[edit]
Image Type First issued Current serial format Previous serial formats Notes
Amateur Radio (call sign)
Freemason MB1234
Honor Legion PD1234
Knights of Columbus (Columbianism) KC1234
Rotary International RI1234
Square Dancer SD1234
Teamsters IB1234
Telephone Pioneer PA1234
United Bowhunters UB1234

Military and Veteran

[edit]
Image Type First issued Current serial format Previous serial formats Notes
Air Force Auxiliary CP1234
Air Force Reserve CF1234
Air Force Retired RA1234
Air Guard NGA 123 The letter appearing after the N/G is the first letter of the plate owner's last name.
Airborne AB1234
American Legion AL1234
Amvets AV1234
Army Guard NGA 123 The letter appearing after the N/G is the first letter of the plate owner's last name.
Army Reserve AR1234
Coast Guard Auxiliary CA1234
Coast Guard Reserve CR1234
Combat Veteran CI1234
Combat Wounded PH1234
Disabled American Veteran WD1234 DAV-123
Disabled Veteran DV1234
Gold Star Family 2011 MH1234
Leatherneck ML1234
Merchant Marine MM1234
Navy Cross NC1234
Navy Lakehurst LK1234
Navy League NL1234
Navy Reserve NR1234
Pearl Harbor '41 1234PH
Prisoner of War P1234
Silver Star 1234SS
Silent Service SS1234
Tin Can Sailors DD1234
U.S. Army Retired GI1234
Veterans of Foreign Wars WV1234 VFW-123
Vietnam Veteran VV1234

College and University Optionals

[edit]
Image Type First issued Current serial format Previous serial formats Notes
New Jersey Institute of Technology JT1234 "Highlanders"
Notre Dame ND1234
Penn State Alumni PS1234
Rutgers RU1234, 1234RU New graphic features Rutgers' red "R" and numbers-first format.
Seton Hall SH1234 Base revised in 2007 – rim is no longer embossed and has updated Pirates logo
Stevens Tech ST1234
Temple University UN1234
University of Delaware UD1234
University of Michigan UM1234
West Point WP1234

Specialty

[edit]
Image Type First issued Current serial format Previous serial formats Notes
Alpha Kappa Alpha October 2017 IV1234 Features the Ivy leaf.
Animal Friendly 1995 IM1234, IM123A, IM12AB (ended at ...99CZ) No longer issued but still valid
Animal Friendly (Mutts) 2002 IMBA12 IM12EA Plate features characters from Patrick McDonnell's comic strip
Battleship 1996 BB12AB BB1234, 1234BB Features an image of battleship USS New Jersey
Baymen's Heritage February 26, 1998[12] BH12AB BH1234, 1234BH Sports an image of the Tucker's Island Lighthouse
Center for Food Action 2001 CF1234 No longer being issued (see below)
Choose Life 2011 CF1234 Uses same prefix as previously issued Center for Food Action plates, of which less than 100 were registered.
Conquer Cancer 1998 CCAB12 CC1234, CC12AB, A123CC
Conserve WildlifeWoodpecker 1993 CW1234, CW123A, CW12AB No longer issued but still valid.
Conserve Wildlife – Bald Eagle June 26, 1997 A123WC WC123A
Deborah Heart & Lung 2000 1234DH DH1234
Discover NJ History March 26, 1997 1234ZZ ZZ1234 Features painting of a house in Lambertville, New Jersey by renowned New Jersey artist Harry Devlin. Proceeds go to the Historic License Plate Preservation Fund to save priceless historic buildings, artifacts and documents.
Liberty State Park 1999 1234LS LS1234
Meadowlands 2001 MC1234
New Jersey Agriculture January 29, 2001 GS12BA,

XY123AA (farmer) XA123AA (commercial) FX123AA (farm use)

GS1234, 1234GS
NPDF Safe Cop PF1234
Olympic Spirit 1995 1234US US1234
Organ Donors Save Lives 2002 1234DL DL1234
Pinelands 1998 PL12AB PL1234
Price of Honor 2002 LEAB12 LE1234, 1234LE, LE12AB, BA12LE
Shore to Please November 1993 SA12AB SA1234,SA123A, SC123A, SE123A, SF123A, SJ123A, SK123A, SL123A, SN123A, SR123A, SU123A
Treasure Our Trees 1998 WE123A, XA123WE (commercial) WE1234
United We Stand 2004 UW12AB UW1234, 1234UW

Sports

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The New Jersey sports plates were introduced in the fall of 2010. They share a common serial format – R/M12AB – and were the first NJ plates to be issued with screened, rather than embossed, serials.

Image Type Notes
NASCAR Plates feature the number and signature of one of the following eight drivers: Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Tony Stewart. There is also a Dale Earnhardt Hall of Fame commemorative plate, a Ford Racing plate and a generic NASCAR Fan plate.
NBA Plates feature the logo of either the New York Knicks or the Philadelphia 76ers.[13] There was also a New Jersey Nets plate, which was discontinued when the Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012.
NHL Plates feature the logo of either the New Jersey Devils or the Philadelphia Flyers.[14]
MLB Plates feature the logo of either the New York Yankees, the New York Mets or the Philadelphia Phillies.[15]
NFL Plates feature a graphic of the helmet of either the New York Jets, the New York Giants or the Philadelphia Eagles.[16]

Other

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Image Type First issued Notes
Beach Buggy Association early 1970s Issued to members of the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association for member identification; the serial number on each plate is the owner's membership number. Current plate design is dark red on white with the slogan "Fighting For Beach Access Since 1954".

References

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  1. ^ "Old New Jersey License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  2. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. ^ a b c d e Tanner, Eric N. "New Jersey Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  4. ^ Moini, Jim. "Remakes (Replacement)". Jim Moini's License Plates. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Moini, Jim. "Passenger Plates 1959 - 1973". Jim Moini's License Plates. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  6. ^ Moini, Jim. "Passenger Plates 1992 - 1999". Jim Moini's License Plates. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  7. ^ Moini, Jim. "Passenger Plates 2010 - 2014". Jim Moini's License Plates. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  8. ^ "New Jersey License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  9. ^ "Information about Personalized License Plates" (PDF). New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  10. ^ Jim Moini's License Plates
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Moini, Jim. "NJ Highs". Jim Moini's License Plates. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  12. ^ "Baymen's Heritage License Plate To Be Unveiled". New Jersey Department of Transportation. February 24, 1998. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  13. ^ NBA License Plates, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
  14. ^ NHL License Plates, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  15. ^ MLB License Plates, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  16. ^ NFL License Plates, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
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