ARKANSAS PLATE TYPES - SUMMARY CHRONOLOGICALLY BY INTRODUCTION DATE
(Types researched through 1979)
PLATE TYPE EARLIEST SEEN BEGAN NOTES
Passenger 1911 1911 Act 134 P 3/24/1911
Dealer 1916 Act 134 P 3/24/1911
Motorcycle 1924 5/1/21 Act 494 P 3/26/1921
Trailer 1930 5/1/21 Act 494 P 3/26/1921
Truck 1922 5/1/21 Act 494 P 3/26/1921
Sample 1924
For Hire 1936 Reported in 1925
School Bus 1931 Act 241 P 3/24/1927
National Guard 1932 1930 Act 85 P 3/4/1929
In Transit (Cardboard) 1944 Act 183 P 3/22/1935
Ambulance/Hearse 1946 Fee mentioned 1937
State Police UND. Reported 1937?
Border City 1946 Act 177 P 3/6/1939
Farm-to-Market Bus 1946 1941 Act 354 P 3/26/1941
Public Property 1944 1943 Act 144 P 3/4/1943
Combination 1946
U.S. Congress/Senate 1947 1946
Church Bus 1961 1947 Act 45 P 2/7/1947
Disabled Veteran (DAV) UND. 1949? Act 7 P 1/21/1949
Natural Resources Truck 6-30-50 7/1/49 Act 235 P 3/4/1949
Semi-Trailer (ST) 6-30-50 7/1/49 Act 235 P 3/4/1949
Public Property Tk. (X) 6-30-51
City Bus 1953
Amateur Radio 1954 1954 Act 146 P 2/25/1953
School Vehicle 1956 Act 65 P 2/13/1953
Not For Hire Bus 1956 Reported 1954
Drive-Out (Cardboard) 1964 Act 111 P 2/25/1955
Legislator 1955 1955 Act 213 P 3/15/1955
Antique Car UND. Act 120 P 2/28/1957
Civil Defense UND. 1957-60 era
Boy Scout & Orphanage Bus(1964 chart) Act 122 P 2/27/1959
Lieutenant Governor 1964 Act 11 P 2/6/1959
Senator (etc.) 1963 Act 11 P 2/6/1959
Transporter 1961 Act 65 P 2/20/1959
Highway Department UND. Reported 1960
State Highway Police UND. Reported 1960?
State Property 1961 1961 Act 130 P 2/22/1961
Miss Ark. Official Car 1963-64
State Property NR Truck (1963-64 chart)
State Property Semi-Tlr.(1963-64 chart)
State Property Truck (1963-64 chart)
Commercial Radio Reported 1964 by DMV
Farm (6-30) 6-30-66 7/1/65
Farm Half Year (12-31) 12-31-65 7/1/65
Truck Half Year (12-31) 12-31-65 7/1/65
Farm Products (6-30) 6-30-67 7/1/66
Farm Products Half Year 12-31-66 7/1/66
Speaker of the House 1967
Motorcycle Dealer (M) 1974 Reported 1968
Personalized 1968 1968 Act 408 P 3/6/1967
State Police M/C UND. Aluminum = 1968?
Disabled Veteran (DV) "JAN 73" Act 36 P 2/10/1969
Official Business Only UND. 1970
House of Representatives 1971 1971?
House Parliamentarian 1971
Motor Home Extra Dlr.(MHX) Act 503 P 3/29/1973
Mfr. Extra Dealer (MX) 12-31-74
Motorcycle Extra Dealer 1974
Motorcycle Shriner (HOG) 1974
Clerk of the Senate 1976
Apportioned Semi-Trailer 6-30-77 7/1/76
Apportioned Truck 6-30-77 7/1/76
Boat Trailer "AUG 78" 7/1/76 Act 1235 P 2/16/1976
Congr. Medal of Honor 1978 Act 207 P 2/21/1977
Senate Information Officer Reported 1978
Antique M/C UND. Act 397 P 3/13/1979
Ex-Prisoner of War 1990 7/?/79 Act 7 P 1/30/1979
PERMITS:
Outdoor Advert. Permit UND. Law P 1967
1922 ORDER: Passenger 70,000
Truck 7,000
Dealer 770
Motorcycle 500
1928 ASSIGNMENTS: From Madison County Record (Huntsville), 1/12/1928
1 - 225-000 Passenger
225-001 - 235-000 Passenger "Transfers"
235-001 - 240-000 Replacements
240-001 - 281-100 Truck, including Transfers and Replacements
281-101 - 282-999 Trailer
283-000 - 283-300 Highway Department
283-301 - 285-000 Official - State, County and City
1 - 400 M/C
401 - 500 Official M/C
1 - 300 For Hire Bus
301 - 2000 For Hire Passenger
2001 - 7000 For Hire Truck
1 - 800 Dealer - up to 16 sets each
1933 ASSIGNMENTS:
1 - 125-000 Passenger (125,000 P)
200-001 - 205-000 (Possible Official - State/City/County?)
209-501 - 210-000 (Possible Highway Department?)
218-001 - 273-400 Truck - 12 weight classes (25,450 S)
274-001 - 279-000 Trailer - 5 weight classes (3,900 S)
1 - 400 M/C
1 - 4-000 For Hire
1 - 800 Dealer - up to 16 sets each (4,080 P)
1 - 400 School Bus (400 S)
000-000 Sample (100 S)
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
Numbers assumed to begin at #1 unless noted.
Passenger colors unless noted.
City tags first allowed by 4/18/1919 by act of state legislature;
Little Rock ordered 6,500 front 1919 tags, required 5/1/1919.
1930: The practice of issuing free plates in the 283-000 series to state and local
government vehicles was abandoned by 1929 Act 52, which repealed a 1921 law allowing free plates.
1933: All types issued singly except Passenger and Dealer.
1943: Windshield sticker - Passenger
Fiberboard plate - Truck, Dealer, M/C, Trailer
1946: All types except Passenger are White/Black.
1949: Tab - Passenger, Truck, Trailer
New plate - M/C, National Guard
1964: Numbers assigned in bold.
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
AMATEUR RADIO
(Undated Black/White supplemental small plate reported in March
1951 QST Magazine.)
Act 146 P 2/25/1953. Began 1954. $2 extra fee.
LEGENDS: "AMATEUR RADIO" top undated base, bottom 1954-56, 1959-60, 1962-64, 1967, 1968 Base.
1954 W5AA - W5ZZZ
1960 K5AAA - K5ZZZ (1959 KN5JWX, Verify 1958-59)
1964 WA5AAA - WA5ZZZ listed (Verify 1962-63)
(WB5AAA - WB5ZZZ Verify 1972-79)
AMBULANCE/HEARSE
Fee mentioned 1937. Earliest seen 1946.
LEGENDS: No legend 1946, 1950,
"AMBULANCE-HEARSE" bottom 1951, 1953, 1955, 1958-61, 1963-64, 1966-67, 1968-78 Base,
"AMBULANCE HEARSE" bottom 1962.
COLORS: Truck colors 1946, Motorcycle colors 1950,
Passenger colors 1952-53, 1955, 1958-60, 1962-64, 1966-67, 1968-78 Base.
1946 A1-657H - A1-964H
1950 AH 635 1956 1962 AH 434
1951 AH-437 1957 1963 AH 964
1952 1958 AH 903 1964 AH 1000
1953 AH-617 1959 AH 399 1965
1954 1960 AH 398 1966 AH 661
1955 AH 753 1961 AH 37 1967 AH 318
1968-78 BASE AUN 328 - AUN 520, ETE 996
ANTIQUE CAR
Act 120 P 2/28/1957.
Permanent plate issued for $5 fee to vehicles 25 or more years old;
single plate to be displayed on front!
Undated, White/Black, "ANTIQUE CAR" top, small "ARKANSAS" bottom, car graphic left.
Type 1: Old dies, 2 far slots 83 - 690 (608)
Type 2: Old dies, 4 near slots 762 - 908 (147)
Type 3: Polyvend dies, 4 holes 1091 - 22269 (21,179)
(Black/White 23161)
ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE
Act 397 P 3/13/1979. Issued to motorcycles 25 or more years old.
Undated, "ARK.M CYCLE" top, "ANTIQUE" bottom, #A 12 - A 349.
APPORTIONED SEMI-TRAILER
Began 7/1/1976.
LEGENDS: "ARK EXP.6-30- 77" top, "APPORTIONED" bottom 1977-80.
COLORS: Black/Orange 1977, 1979, Black/Yellow 1980.
6-30-77 ST 85006 -
6-30-78 ST 210571 -
6-30-79 ST 129913 - ST 135672 (5,760)
6-30-80 ST 62018 - ST 62657 (640)
APPORTIONED TRUCK
Began 7/1/1976.
LEGENDS: "ARK EXP.6-30- 77" top, "APPORTIONED" bottom,
vertical "TRUCK" after weight class letter 1977, 1980.
COLORS: Truck colors 1977, 1980.
6-30-77 D 5283, J 12375
6-30-78
6-30-79
6-30-80 C 17275, D 10967
BOAT TRAILER
Act 1235 P 2/16/1976. Began 7/1/1976. Two-year registration.
Undated, Black/White, "ARK" top, "EXP.( )( )" bottom.
1-5-digits have wide dies, 6-digits have thin dies.
"AUG 78" B/T 1 - B/T 974 466
BORDER CITY
Act 177 P 3/6/1939. Earliest seen 1946. Issued to buses
operating in cities divided by state lines, such as Texarkana.
LEGENDS: "FOR HIRE" bottom on taller plate 1946,
"BORDER CITY" bottom 1948, 1961, 1968-78 Base.
COLORS: Truck colors 1946, 1948, passenger colors 1964.
1946 BC4-179 (May have begun at BC4-001)
1948 BC 137
1961 BC 8
1964 BC 50
1968-78 BASE AUS 100 -
BOY SCOUT AND ORPHANAGE BUS
Act 122 P 2/27/1959. Earliest seen 1964 chart.
Issued to vehicles transporting Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, orphans
or clubs affiliated with Boys or Girls Clubs of America.
LEGENDS: No legend 1964, 1966,
"B S & O" embossed bottom 1968-78 Base.
1964 BSO 200
1966 BSO 65
1968-78 BASE AUS 162 - AUS 199
CHURCH BUS
Act 45 P 2/7/1947, E immediately but made retroactive to 1/1/1947.
Began 1947. Earliest seen 1961.
Replaced by Not For Hire Bus after 1987.
LEGENDS: "CHURCH BUS" embossed bottom 1961-62, 1964-65,
1968-78 Base (AUS, FZM), sticker bottom 1968-78 Base (EDW).
1961 ChB 21
1962 ChB 28
1964 ChB 200
1965 ChB 29
1968-78 BASE AUS 501 - AUS 608, EDW 960, FZM 236 - FZM 506
CITY BUS
Earliest seen 1953. Discontinued after 1987.
LEGENDS: "CITY BUS" embossed bottom 1953, 1955, 1964-65,
1968-78 Base (AUS), on sticker bottom 1968-78 Base (BVY).
1953 CB-7
1955 CB 100
1964 CB 200
1965 CB 46
1968-78 BASE AUS 462 - , BVY 235
CIVIL DEFENSE
Issued in 1957-60 era.
Undated, "ARKANSAS" top or bottom; 7-figures have thinner dies.
White/Red CD-06-A - "REPRESENTATIVE" bottom
(Light/Dark) CD-0014 - "SENATOR" bottom
Red/White CD-2255 - "MANPOWER" bottom
White/Red CD-2306 - CD-2389 "WATER RESCUE" bottom
White/Red CD-5745 - "WELFARE" bottom
White/Red CD-27814 - CD-32900 "POLICE" bottom
Black/White? CD-39253 - "HOSPITAL" bottom
White/Red CD 41041 - "PLSKI HTS SCHL" bottom
White/Red CD-44354 - "WELFARE" bottom
Red/White CD4-2135 - CD4-2148 "FORT SMITH" top
White/Red CD-44979 - "POLICE" bottom
White/Red CD-46659 - CD-46690 "MC R A E" bottom
White/Red CD-46711 - "MARKED TREE" bottom
White/Red CD-54433 - "UNIV. OF ARKANSAS" top,
"MEDICAL CENTER" bottom
CLERK OF THE SENATE
Earliest seen 1976. "19 ARKANSAS 76" top, "CLERK OF THE SENATE"
bottom, Black/White, #38 1976, 1978.
COMBINATION
Earliest seen 1946. Unknown usage or meaning of "P T".
1946: "COMBINATION" bottom, truck colors, #P217T - P442T.
1947: "COMBINATION" bottom, passenger colors, #P65T.
COMMERCIAL RADIO
Reported 1964 by DMV.
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
Act 207 P 2/21/1977. Earliest seen 1978.
"19 ARKANSAS 78" top, "CONGRESSIONAL/MEDAL OF HONOR" right,
"VALOR ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY" bottom, #MH 2 1978-79.
DEALER
Act 134 P 3/24/1911 provided for Dealer registration.
Believed to have begun 1911 using Passenger plates through 1915,
as no other laws found 1912-16. Earliest seen 1916.
LEGENDS: "DEALER" bottom, shorter number dies 1916, 1919-20,
"DEALER" top, shorter dies but different than Passenger or Truck on long plate 1922, 1924-25,
"DEALER" top, short dies, large "FOR SALE" bottom, vertical "ARK26" right on short plate 1926,
1933-35, same but vertical "ARK28" left 1928,
"DEALER" top, "FOR SALE" bottom, vertical "31ARK" right 1931,
vertical "DEALER" left, "ARK 32" top, large "FOR SALE" bottom, short dies on short plate 1932,
"FOR SALE" top, "DEALER" bottom, vertical "1936" left, vertical "ARK" right 1936,
"FOR SALE" top, "DEALER" bottom, vertical "ARK" left, vertical "39" right 1939,
Passenger design with vertical "FORSALE" left, vertical "DEALER" right 1940-41,
Passenger design with vertical "DEALER" left, vertical "FORSALE" right 1942,
"ARK.1943" top, "DEALER" bottom 1943,
"DEALER" bottom 1944-46, 1949-67,
"19 ARKANSAS 68" top, "DEALER" bottom 1968-79.
(Verify 1911-15, 1917-18, 1921, 1923, 1927, 1929-30, 1935, 1937-38, 1947-48)
COLORS: Passenger colors 1916, 1919-20, 1924-26, 1928, 1931-34, 1939-42,
White/Maroon 1922, 1951, Truck colors 1943-46,
Black/White 1949, Red/White 1950, Maroon/White 1952,
Blue/Gold 1953 "M", Gold/Blue 1953 "EX",
Gold/Black 1954 "M", Black/Gold 1954 "EX",
Passenger colors 1955-68, Blue/White 1969, Red/White 1970,
Black/White odd years 1971-79, White/Black even years 1972-78.
1924-25: Front? plate with "FOR SALE" and vertical "24" between
words, no state name. (But, 1924 pair #146-021-A seen.)
1941: Fee $25, plus $5 for each extra pair.
1957: Extra Dealer has wider "DEALER" legend than Master Dealer.
1971: Ex 075 seen.
1976-78: Extra Dealer has thinner dies.
1933 Order: Master only 1 - 50 (50 P)
Master + 1 Extra 51 - 150 (200 P)
Master + 2 Extra 151 - 300 (450 P)
Master + 3 Extra 301 - 400 (400 P)
Master + 4 Extra 401 - 500 (500 P)
Master + 5 Extra 501 - 600 (600 P)
Master + 6 Extra 601 - 650 (350 P)
Master + 7 Extra 651 - 675 (200 P)
Master + 8 Extra 676 - 750 (675 P)
Master + 10 Extra 751 - 765 (165 P)
Master + 11 Extra 766 - 780 (180 P)
Master + 12 Extra 781 - 785 (65 P)
Master + 14 Extra 786 - 790 (75 P)
Master + 16 Extra 791 - 800 (170 P)
MASTER TOTAL (800 P)
EXTRA TOTAL (3,280 P)
GRAND TOTAL (All 6 1/4" x 11") (4,080 P)
1971 law allowed dealers to use Dealer plates for any purpose
consistent with the dealership's operation, resulting in a large
increase in Extra plates starting 1972.
1916 A14810
1919 50160, A50438 1934 56A, 605, 605A, 674F
1920 60037 1935 393
1921 1936 A2-092
1922 208, 368 1937
1923 A90-505 1938
1924 145-867, 146-021-A, 146-574-D 1939 A 1-207
1925 176-208, 176-495-A, 176-658-A 1940 2-38, A 1-473
1926 156A, 158, 187, 465C, 485A, 680 1941 6-76, A 2-625
1927 1942 -111, A 2-947
1928 761K 1943 -309, A1-579
1929 1944 666
1930 1945 709
1931 3A 1946 4-342, 4-680, A2-660, A3-558
1932 548B, 782M 1947
1933 596C 1948
MASTER EXTRA MASTER EXTRA MASTER EXTRA
1949 M1-689
1950 M 252 Ex 961 1960 M-791 Ex3-476 1970 M 2121 Ex 1583
1951 M1-380 Ex 857 1961 M1-683 Ex4-133 1971 M 915 Ex 6490
1952 Ex4-973 1962 M2-351 Ex4-025 1972 M 667 Ex10476
1953 M1-975 Ex 183 1963 M2-312 Ex3-521 1973 M 811 Ex 6905
1954 M 505 Ex4-737 1964 M 3000 Ex 5000 1974 M 3321 Ex13679
1955 M1-151 Ex4-806 1965 Ex 3441 1975 M 1954 Ex14719
1956 M1-711 Ex4-719 1966 M 2555 Ex 3667 1976 M 2728 Ex16347
1957 M1-715 Ex4-790 1967 M 2607 Ex 2957 1977 M 3676 Ex17738
1958 M-1965 Ex4-799 1968 M 2596 Ex 3008 1978 M 3425 Ex17970
1959 Ex3-782 1969 M 2622 Ex 2361 1979 M 210 Ex18155
DISABLED VETERAN "DAV"
Act 7 P 1/21/1949, E immediately.
Undated permanent plate listed 1964 in AAMVA book by DMV.
LEGENDS: "ARKANSAS" top, "DISABLED VETERAN" bottom all years.
A. Undated, Orange/Dark Blue, 1949-54 dies, #DAV-476 - DAV-1099.
B. Undated, Gold/Dark Blue, 1961 dies, #DAV 1 - DAV 580, DAV2413 - DAV3493.
DISABLED VETERAN "DV"
Act 36 P 2/10/1969. Earliest seen "JAN 73".
A. Small "ARKANSAS" top, "DISABLED VETERAN" embossed bottom, Red/White, "JAN 73", #BPU 772 - BPU 992.
B. Regular "ARKANSAS" top, "DISABLED VETERAN" embossed bottom, Red/White, "OCT 77", #ETB 649.
C. As B., but Red & Blue/White, "NOV 80", #DV 806 - DV6969.
DRIVE-OUT
Act 111 P 2/25/1955. Earliest seen 1964. Temporary cardboad
plate issued for $1 fee, valid for 48 hours, to transport
vehicles purchased in Arkansas to owner's residence out of state.
EX-PRISONER OF WAR
Act 7 P 1/30/1979. Began 7/?/1979. Earliest seen 1990.
Issued for $1 extra fee. Numbers began at 1.
FARM
Began 7/1/1965, expire "6-30-66". Only year seen.
LEGENDS: "ARKANSAS" top, "EXP.6-30-66" bottom, vertical "FARM" left 1966.
6-30-66 White/Dark Blue 7344 - 10800
FARM HALF YEAR
Began 7/1/1965, expire "12-31-65".
LEGENDS: "ARKANSAS" top, "EXP.12-31-65" bottom, vertical "FARM" left 1965,
right 1970, 1973, 1975-76, 1980.
12-31-65 Red/Tan 4050 - 9950
12-31-70 White/Light Green F 657 - F 727
12-31-73 Black/White F70563 -
12-31-75 Black/White F71084 -
12-31-76 White/Black F70909 -
12-31-80 White?/Black? F70772 -
FARM PRODUCTS
Began 7/1/1966, expire "6-30-67".
LEGENDS: "EXP.6-30-67" top, "FARM PRODUCTS" bottom, vertical "ARK" right 1967-80.
COLORS: Truck colors 1967-80.
6-30-67 F19498 6-30-72 F22512 6-30-77 F20450
6-30-68 F23890 6-30-73 F13947 6-30-78 F25000
6-30-69 F23857 6-30-74 F20798 6-30-79 F 8090
6-30-70 F26677 6-30-75 F19790 6-30-80 F23701
6-30-71 F25935 6-30-76 F14969
FARM PRODUCTS HALF YEAR
Began 7/1/1966, expire "12-31-66".
LEGENDS: "EXP.12-31-66" top, "FARM PRODUCTS" bottom, vertical "ARK" right 1966, 1969.
COLORS: White/Orange 1966, Dark Green/White 1969.
12-31-66 F 3501 - F 8774
12-31-69 F 810 -
FARM-TO-MARKET BUS
Act 354 P 3/26/1941. Began 1941. Earliest seen 1946.
Possibly defined as buses using Farm-to-Market highways only.
LEGENDS: "FOR HIRE" bottom on taller plate 1946,
"FARM-TO-MARKET" bottom 1964, 1968-78 Base.
COLORS: Truck colors 1946, passenger colors 1964.
1946 F5174M (May have begun at F5001M)
1964 FM 200
1968-78 BASE AUU 400 -
FOR HIRE
Reported in 1925 news article, and in 1928 order.
Earliest seen 1936. Issued to buses and taxicabs.
It's possible that starting c.1968, buses were issued annual plates
while taxis received multiyear plates.
1933 size only 2 7/8" x 8 7/8" (1 1/4" shorter than M/C);
1936 size reported as 3" x 10".
1933: #1 - 4-000 ordered.
LEGENDS: "FOR HIRE" top 1936,
"FOR HIRE" bottom, taller plate 1946-47,
"FOR HIRE" bottom 1948, 1950-51, 1953, 1955-56, 1963, 1965, 1968 Base,
"19 ARKANSAS 71" top, "FOR HIRE" bottom 1971.
COLORS: Truck colors 1946, 1948, Passenger colors 1947, 1955-56, 1963-64,
Reverse colors 1950, 1953, Yellow/Black 1951, Blue/Yellow 1952,
Black/White 1971.
1946 1-874 1963 FH 26
1947 1-011 1964 FH 1000
1948 1-846 1965 FH 188
1950 1-288 1968 BASE AUT 580 -
1951 FH 13 1971 FH 077
1953 FH-730
1955 FH 541
1956 FH 760
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Reportedly issued 1960. Undated, Black/Silver, "ARKANSAS" top,
"HIGHWAY DEPT." bottom, #5241, 5246, 5598, 6923 seen.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Earliest seen 1971. Apparently replaced Legislator series in
mid-1971. #1 - 100 issued 1971-on.
LEGENDS: "19 ARKANSAS 71" top, "House of Representatives" bottom
in script font, state seal left 1971, 1973-78.
COLORS: Blue & Red/White 1971, 1973-78.
HOUSE PARLIAMENTARIAN
Earliest seen 1971. "19 ARKANSAS 71" top,
"HOUSE PARLIAMENTARIAN" bottom, Red/White, #3x 1971, 1975.
IN TRANSIT (Cardboard)
Act 183 P 3/22/1935. Earliest seen 1944.
As of 1941, cardboard "placard" issued to motor vehicles in
transit for $3 fee, valid for 48 hours.
LEGISLATOR
Act 213 P 3/15/1955. Began 1955.
#1 - 100 issued to House of Representatives all years,
#101 - 135 issued to Senate 1955-59. Apparently replaced in
mid-1971 by House of Representatives plates.
LEGENDS: "LEGISLATOR" bottom 1955, 1961, 1964-65, 1967,
"19 ARKANSAS 70" top, "LEGISLATOR" bottom 1970-71.
COLORS: Black/Metallic Gold or White/Red 1965, Red/White 1970-71.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Act 11 P 2/6/1959. Earliest seen 1964. Law specified that
plates have #1 and the legend "LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR".
"LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR" bottom, Black/Metallic Gold, #1 1964,
"19 ARKANSAS 68" top, "LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR" bottom, Black/Gold,
#2 1968.
MANUFACTURER EXTRA DEALER
Earliest seen 1974.
"ARKANSAS" top, "EXP.12-31-74" bottom, #MX 005.
MISS ARKANSAS OFFICIAL CAR
Only seen 1963/64. "OFFICIAL CAR" top, "Miss ARKANSAS" center,
"1963-1964" bottom 1963/64.
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Act 494 P 3/26/1921. Began 5/1/1921. Earliest seen 1924.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER
Reported 1968. Earliest seen 1974.
LEGENDS: No additional legend 1974, 1978-79.
COLORS: Black/White 1974, 1978, White/Black 1979.
1974 M 3
1978 2 M
1979 4 M
MOTORCYCLE EXTRA DEALER
Earliest seen 1974.
LEGENDS: No additional legend 1974, 1976.
COLORS: Black/White 1974, 1976.
1974 Z 7
1976 Z 1
MOTORCYCLE SHRINER
Earliest seen 1974. No additional legend 1974, #HOG18.
MOTOR HOME EXTRA DEALER
Act 503 P 3/29/1973. Reported 12-31-74, MHX prefix.
NATIONAL GUARD
Act 85 P 3/4/1929. Began 1930. Earliest seen 1932.
No fee. Dated plate 1949.
Stickers issued 1970-71, 1973-74, 1976, 1979-80.
(1970 #7018 on 1970 chart appears to be dated.)
LEGENDS: Vertical "US" left, vertical "ANG" right UND., vertical "US" left, "A.N.G./32" right 1932,
Passenger design with vertical "US" left, vertical "NG" right 1936, 1938-42, 1945-47,
smaller "ANG" left 1949-53, 1955,
"ARKANSAS" top, vertical "19" left, vertical "56" right, "NATIONAL GUARD" bottom 1956,
"ARK NG" top, vertical "19" left, vertical "59" right, slogan bottom 1959-68, 1969?, 1972, 1975,
"19 ARK NG 78" top, slogan bottom 1978.
(Verify 1930-31, 1933-35, 1937, 1943-44, 1948, 1954, 1957-58, 1969, 1977)
COLORS: Passenger colors 1936, 1939-42, 1945, 1950-53, 1955-56, 1959-67,
White/Black 1946, Black/Aluminum 1947, Green/Aluminum 1949, Red/White 1972, 1975, 1978.
(Additionally verify 1932, 1938, 1968)
UND. 1186
1930 1941 3-07 1952 2-104 1963 5261
1931 1942 9-03 1953 142 1964 3709
1932 820 1943 1954 1965 80
1933 1944 1955 385 1966 5353
1934 1945 293 1956 5-609 1967 5704
1935 1946 691 1957 5-725 1968 2153
1936 52 1947 731 1958 1969?-71 1537
1937 1948 1959 4807 1972-74 6760
1938 9-81 1949 1-588 1960 5516 1975-76 10769
1939 8-95 1950 227 1961 6491 1978-80 8551
1940 2-69 1951 1-577 1962 6491
NATURAL RESOURCES TRUCK (See Truck page)
Act 235 P 3/4/1949. Began 7/1/1949, expire "6-30-50".
NOT FOR HIRE BUS
Reported 1954. Earliest seen 1956.
LEGENDS: "BUS" bottom 1956, 1964, "NOT FOR HIRE" bottom 1968-78 Base.
1956 NFH 66
1964 NFH 200
1968-78 BASE AUU 088 -
OFFICIAL BUSINESS ONLY
Began 1970. Previously issued State Property plates.
Hope Star, 9/25/1970: "LITTLE ROCK (AP) - State Revenue Commissioner
A. B. 'Bud' Hervey said Wednesday the state had received 4,000 special
license plates for use on state-owned vehicles. The Revenue Department
ordered the plates as a result of a controversy last year over travel
expenses of state employees. A special tag, which will enable the
public to clearly identify a state vehicle, is one of the steps taken
to enforce travel regulations. Hervery said the plates would be placed
on the front and rear of all vehicles that are purchased under the
state purchasing law. The only exception is State Police vehicles."
Undated, White/Red, unusual dies, "OFFICIAL BUSINESS ONLY" bottom,
AUO 589 - AUR 629, BZF 543 (2,040).
The AUO-AUR series duplicates the State Property 1968 series, so this
type replaced State Property in 1970 due to a desire to have a red
background, a new legend, and front plates. This is the only type to
be issued in pairs.
PERSONALIZED
Act 408 P 3/6/1967. Began 1968. $10 additional annual fee.
1-6 letters and/or numbers allowed.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Act 144 P 3/4/1943, E immediately but made retroactive to 1/1/1943.
Began 1943. Earliest seen 1944. Issued to city and county owned vehicles.
LEGENDS: "PUBLIC PROPERTY" bottom 1944, 1946-48, 1958, 1964, 1967, 1968-78 Base (AUV, IYC),
stickered bottom 1968-78 Base (CGY).
COLORS: Truck colors 1944, 1946, 1948,
Passenger colors 1947, 1958, 1964.
1944 1319 1958 X 75
1946 632 1964 X 1000
1947 1-169 1967 X 258
1948 X 751
1968-78 BASE AUV 797 - , CGY 280, IYC 208
PUBLIC PROPERTY TRUCK
Earliest seen 1951.
LEGENDS: Truck design, no legend, "X" prefix 1951, 1964, 1976.
COLORS: Truck colors 1951, 1964, 1976.
6-30-51 X 151
6-30-64 X 200
6-30-76 X 237
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1924. "FRONT" 1928-31. (Verify 1925-26)
1933 order lists 100 "000-000" plates, but only 00-000 seen.
1924, 1929-30, 1932-33, 1935-36 00-000
1927-28, 1931, 1934, 1936-42, 1944-48, 1950-57 000-000
1949 TAB 00000
1957-67 00-0000
1963, 1965, 1967 SAM-PLE
1968 BASE SAM PLE, 000 000
1976 BASE 000 000
SCHOOL BUS
Act 241 P 3/24/1927. Earliest seen 1931.
1933: #1 - 400 ordered; size same as Truck.
Last seen 1953 and UND. (1958-59). Not listed in 1964 AAMVA Book.
LEGENDS:
Vertical "REAR" left, "SCHOOL BUS" bottom 1931,
vertical "ARK" left, vertical "1933" right, "REAR" top, "SCHOOL BUS" bottom 1933, 1935,
vertical "1934" left, vertical "ARK" right, "REAR" top, "SCHOOL BUS" bottom 1934,
vertical "1936" left, vertical "ARK" right, "SCHOOL" top 1936,
vertical "ARK" left, vertical "1937" right, "SCHOOL" top, "BUS" bottom 1937,
vertical "SCHOOL" left, vertical "BUS" right, "1942" top, "ARKANSAS" bottom 1942,
"SCHOOL BUS" bottom 1944-46, 1948, 1951, 1953, UND. (1958-59).
COLORS: Black/White 1931, White/Black 1933, White/Maroon 1934,
Black/Gold 1935-36, Black/Light Green 1937, Passenger colors 1942,
Truck colors 1945-46, Red/White 1951, 1953, Gold/Black UND. (1958-59).
1931 376 1942 1-157
1933 345 1944 61
1934 17 1945 119
1935 73 1946 800
1936 -1 "1/2 TON" bottom 1948 488
5-53 no bottom legend 1951 SB 783
1937 -1 1953 SB 58
UND. SB2-045 (1958-59 dies)
SCHOOL VEHICLE
Act 65 P 2/13/1953. Earliest seen 1956.
1964 AAMVA Book: "Issued to any school vehicle other than a bus."
LEGENDS: "SCHOOL VEHICLE" embossed bottom 1956, 1965, 1968-78 Base.
1956 SV 893
1964 (SV 71 shown)
1965 SV 7
1968-78 BASE AUW 485 - , CBH 761, EEW 361 - EEW 632, FIX 846
SEMI-TRAILER
Act 235 P 3/4/1949. Began 7/1/1949, expire "6-30-50".
Issued to trailers <4,000 lbs.
1964 AAMVA Book: "Gross Loaded Weight - None (included in weight
of tractor, for identification only)".
Truck design all years.
COLORS: Truck colors 1950-74, Black/White FR 1975,
Black/Yellow FR 1976, 1978, Black/Orange FR 1977, 1979.
1961-62: Thin dies like NR Truck. (Verify 1-4-digits)
1962: ST11-678 large dies, ST29-068 - ST46-831 small dies.
1963: Wide dies like NR Truck.
1972-76: 1-5-digits have wide dies, 6-digits have thin dies.
1977: Boat Trailer began, decreasing Semi-Trailer registrations.
SEMI-TRAILER TRAILER SEMI-TRAILER TRAILER
6-30-50 ST 22-094 6-30-65 ST 58820
6-30-51 ST 18-400 T7-495 6-30-66 ST 58928
6-30-52 ST 14-448 T12-723 6-30-67 ST 72746
6-30-53 S/T 22-831 T10-637 6-30-68 ST 78981 T 3274
6-30-54 ST 4-314 T17-381 6-30-69 ST 80841
6-30-55 ST 26-687 T15-295 6-30-70 ST 81392
6-30-56 ST 34-190 T14-186 6-30-71 ST 59269 T 10025
6-30-57 ST 38-261 T17-617 6-30-72 ST 115184 T 3169
6-30-58 ST 38-189 T21-200 6-30-73 ST 144082 T 1352
6-30-59 ST 38-083 T18-197 6-30-74 ST 150569 T 976
6-30-60 ST 37-910 T18-199 6-30-75 ST 146769 T 4595
6-30-61 ST 49-149 T18-159 6-30-76 ST 166385 T 4973
6-30-62 ST 46-831 T18-572 6-30-77 ST 46494
6-30-63 ST 48-094 T10-078 6-30-78 ST 91932
6-30-64 ST 53600 T 16000 6-30-79 ST 108042
ST 55299 6-30-80
SENATE INFORMATION OFFICER
Reported 1978.
SENATOR
Act 11 P 2/6/1959. Earliest seen 1963.
Previously issued Legislator series #101 - 135.
#1 - 35 issued to Senate (with #1 having the additional legend
"PRESIDENT PRO TEM"), #36 issued to Senate Secretary (legend
"SECRETARY OF THE SENATE"), #37 issued to Senate Chaplain (legend
"CHAPLAIN OF THE SENATE") 1959-on.
LEGENDS: "SENATOR" bottom 1963-65,
"19 ARKANSAS 71" top, "SENATOR" bottom 1971-72.
COLORS: Black/Metallic Gold or White/Red 1965, Black/Gold 1971.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Earliest seen 1967. "ARKANSAS 67" top or "19 ARKANSAS 68" top,
"SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE" bottom, Red/White, #1.
STATE HIGHWAY POLICE
Reported 1960? Issued by a separate agency from Arkansas State
Police, charged with enforcing road weight limits and trucking
violations. Undated, heavy aluminum, Black/Gold FR, flat,
"STATE HIGHWAY" top, vertical "W & S" left (for Weights and
Standards), "POLICE" center, "ARKANSAS" bottom, #277 right.
STATE POLICE
Reported 1937? Undated, 6-pointed star left, large
"STATE/POLICE" over small "ARKANSAS" center.
(1937?) Black/Gold NR, 4 long slots 89 -
(1957?) Black/Gold NR, far top slots 139 - 300
(1966?) Black/Yellow FR, far top slots 800 -
(1967?) Black/Yellow FR, 4 holes 313 -
(1968?) Black/Yellow, UR hole, other 3 long slots 162 - 178
(1970?) Black/Yellow, 4 holes A/144, B/40, F/19
(1976?) Blue/White, 4 holes A/82, D/17, L/17, 106 (= H/Q)
STATE POLICE MOTORCYCLE
Undated, Black/Yellow, aluminum, 4 holes, "STATE" top, "POLICE"
bottom, 6-pointed star left and right, #M-3. No state name!
Aluminum, indicating 1968 or later issue?
STATE PROPERTY
Act 130 P 2/22/1961. Began 1961. Last seen "JULY 70".
Discontinued late 1970; replaced by Official Business Only using
the same AUO-AUR series.
LEGENDS: "STATE PROPERTY" bottom 1961, 1963-67, 1968-70 Base.
1961 S 6701 - 1965 S 6680 -
1962 1966 S 6044 - S 6594
1963 S 6801 - 1967 S 6733 -
1964 S 6001 - S 7400
1968-70 BASE AUO 588 - AUP 839 (1,251)
STATE PROPERTY NATURAL RESOURCES TRUCK
Earliest seen 1963/64 chart.
LEGENDS: "ARK 1963-64" top, "STATE PROPERTY" bottom 1963/64.
COLORS: Truck colors 1963/64.
1963/64 NR 33001 - NR 33200 (200)
STATE PROPERTY SEMI-TRAILER
Earliest seen 1963/64 chart.
LEGENDS: "ARK 1963-64" top, "STATE PROPERTY" bottom 1963/64, 1974/75.
COLORS: Truck colors 1963/64, Semi-Trailer colors 1974/75.
1963/64 ST 53601 - ST 53700 (100)
1974/75 ST144927 -
STATE PROPERTY TRUCK
Earliest seen 1963/64 chart.
LEGENDS: "ARK 1963-64" top, "STATE PROPERTY" bottom 1963/64, 1966/67.
COLORS: Truck colors 1963/64, 1966/67.
1963/64 A 190501 - A 191000 (500) E 2026 - E 2050 (25)
B 25201 - B 25400 (200) H 2026 - H 2050 (25)
C 8201 - C 8300 (100) J 2026 - J 2050 (25)
D 6001 - D 6100 (100) (TOTAL 975)
1966/67 B 26206
TRAILER (1950-79: See Semi-Trailer)
Act 494 P 3/26/1921. Began 5/21/1921. Earliest seen 1930.
Size same as Truck 1933. Truck design all years.
As of 1964, issued to trailers 4,000+ lbs.
COLORS: Truck colors 1933-36, 1941, 1943-44, 1946-50, 1952-64, 1971, 1975,
Black/Yellow FR 1976.
1933-34 have "REAR" but no front plates issued.
1933 Order: LIGHT 274-001 - 274-800 (800)
2 TON 275-001 - 277-500 (2,500)
3 TON 278-001 - 278-300 (300)
4 TON 278-501 - 278-600 (100)
5 TON 278-801 - 279-000 (200) (TOTAL 3,900)
1936 Fee book lists these weights: 1/2, 1, 1 1/2, 2, 3, 4, 5.
1934 2: 280-467 - 281-161 (Unknown weight 277-353)
1935 1/2: 278-423 - 280-297
1936 1/2: 277-081 - 277-484
2: 283-672 - 284-075
4: 286-100
1937 1/2: 276-015 (Unknown weight 276-074)
1938 1/2: 281-115
1939 1/2: 278-506
1940 (Unknown weight 277-473, 283-316)
1941 1/2: 280-529 - 283-824
1942 1/2: 281-098
1943 1/2: 500-015 - 500-736
1: 509-477
2: 521-097
3: 522-402 - 522-938
1944 1/2: 600-506 - 606-189
1945
1946 1/2: 604-245, 651-637 - 653-887
1: 611-332
1947 1/2: 602-517, 702-218
1 1/2: 616-089 - 624-041
1948 1/2: 500-478 - 503-241
1: 541-671 - 545-517
1 1/2: 562-857 - 569-517
1949 TAB
TRANSPORTER
Act 65 P 2/20/1959. Earliest seen 1961.
LEGENDS: "ARKANSAS" top, "TRANSPORTER" bottom, vertical "TP" left, vertical "1961" right 1961, 1964, 1974.
COLORS: White/Black 1974.
1961 T/P 45
1964 T/P 100
1974 T/P 62
TRUCK (See Truck page)
Act 494 P 3/26/1921. Began 5/1/1921. Earliest seen 1922.
TRUCK HALF YEAR
Began 7/1/1965, expire "12-31-65".
Available for any truck whose annual 1965/66 fee was $100 or more
(Class B or higher), due to higher fees enacted in 1965.
12-31-65 Dark Green/White H-3366 - H-6393, J-6160
12-31-66 Black/Orange C-5065 - C-8799, D-6844, E-6530 - E-6833, H-6814, J-6844
12-31-67 Black/White C-1074, E-1462
12-31-68 White/Dark Green D-812, J-2341
12-31-69 Dark Green/White E-1901, H-1044
12-31-70 White/Light Green C-2780, D-493, H-155
12-31-71 Black/White NR D-31346, J-33909
12-31-72 White/Black C-30331, E-6193
12-31-73 Black/White C-21756
12-31-74 White/Black C-21795
12-31-75
12-31-76 White/Black J-64344
12-31-77(Black/White?) C-20400
12-31-78 White/Black D-31238
12-31-79
U.S. CONGRESS/SENATE
Began 1946. Earliest seen 1947.
Arkansas had 7 U.S. Representatives from 1946 to 1952, 6 from 1953
to 1962, and 4 since 1963. Arkansas has always had 2 U.S. Senators.
U.S. Congress: No legend, vertical "MC" left 1947, 1955,
"MEMBER OF CONGRESS" bottom 1964-65, 1969,
"U.S. CONGRESS" bottom 1977.
U.S. Senate: No legend, slogan, vertical "MS" left 1954,
"MEMBER OF SENATE" bottom 1962, 1964-66,
"19 ARKANSAS 75" top, "U.S. SENATE" bottom 1975. Red/White 1975.
U.S. CONGRESS U.S. SENATE
1947 M/C 1
1954 M/S 2
1955 M/C 6
1962 MS 2
1964 MC 5 MS 2
1965 MC 3 MS 2
1966 MS 2
1969 MC 1
1975 2, 2A
"OCT 77" 4
PERMITS:
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING PERMIT
Law P 1967. Earliest seen Undated, unknown material.
TABLE 1 - 1968-78 BASE TYPES
(Passenger AUJ 418)
AMBULANCE-HEARSE AUN 328 - AUN 520, ETE 996
STATE PROPERTY AUO 588 - AUP 839
OFFICIAL BUSINESS ONLY AUO 589 - AUR 629, BZF 543
BORDER CITY AUS 100 -
B S & O AUS 162 - AUS 199
CITY BUS AUS 462 - , BVY 235 (St.)
CHURCH BUS AUS 501 - AUS 608, EDW 960 (St.), FZM 236 - FZM 506
FOR HIRE AUT 580 -
NOT FOR HIRE AUU 088 -
FARM-TO-MARKET AUU 400 -
PUBLIC PROPERTY AUV 797 - , CGY 280 (St.)
SCHOOL VEHICLE AUW 485 - , CBH 761, EEW 361 - EEW 632, FIX 846
DISABLED VETERAN (Began 1969) BPU 772 - BPU 992, ETB 649
(Passenger AVJ 139, DAV keychain tag AVE 832)
