Vermont began automobile registration and state-issued plates in 1905.  The 1943 date tabs were made from prisoners' recycled food tins.  The first "bilingual" plates appeared in 1948-50 when "GREEN MOUNTAINS" Vermont plates were issued, and this slogan came back in 1977-84.  Vermont plates have been bright green since 1967, and the current issue of plates started in 1985.  The state tree, the sugar maple (used in making maple syrup), is shown on current plates.