CONNECTICUT PLATE TYPES - SUMMARY CHRONOLOGICALLY BY INTRODUCTION DATE
(Types researched through 1986)
PLATE TYPE EARLIEST SEEN BEGAN NOTES
Passenger Aug.1905 8/??/05 Ch. 230 P 7/13/1905
Dealer Nov.1907 1907 Ch. 221 P 7/27/1907
Manufacturer Nov.1907 1907 Ch. 221 P 7/27/1907
Livery 1910 1910 Ch. 211 P 8/10/1909
(Aircraft 1911? Ch. 86 P 6/8/1911)
Motorcycle 1912 1912 Ch. 85 P 6/6/1911
Motorcycle Dealer 1913 1912 Ch. 85 P 6/6/1911
Motorcycle Manufacturer 1913 1912 Ch. 85 P 6/6/1911
Commercial 1914 1914 Ch. 135 P 5/28/1913
Motorcycle with Sidecar 1916 1916 Ch. 231 P 5/13/1915
Public Service 1917 7/1/17 Ch. 333 P 5/19/1917
Transportation Car 1918 7/1/17 Ch. 333 P 5/19/1917
Special Dealer 1924 1919? Ch. 333 P 5/19/1917
Public Service Jitney [1924] 7/15/21 Ch. 400 P 6/24/1921
Public Service Livery/Taxi1921 7/15/21 Ch. 400 P 6/24/1921
Combination 1922 1922 Ch. 400 P 6/24/1921
Repairer 1922 Reg. fig. start 1922
Temporary 1922 Ch. 400 P 6/24/1921
Camp Trailer [1924] 1924 Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923
Governor 1924
Hearse [1924] 1924 Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923
National Guard [1924] 1924
Special Manufacturer [1924] 1924 Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923
Special M/C Dealer [1924] 1924 Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923
Special M/C Manufacturer [1924] 1924 Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923
Special Repairer [1924] 1924 Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923
State Highway Department [1924] 1924
Interstate [1934] 1925? Ch. 254 P 6/24/1925
Sample 1926
Experimental Test 1940 1927? ET reported 1925-29
Factory Truck 1931 1928? Ch. 130 P 4/29/1927
Taxi 1929 1929 Ch. 292 P 5/18/1929
Bus General Dist. Mark 1933 1930? Ch. 297 P 6/11/1929
Bus 1933 1932
State Official 1939 1932
Farm 1933 7/1/33 Ch. 327?
(National Guard M/C Reported 1934)
Personalized 1938 1936
Trailer 1938
Temporary (Cardboard) 3/10/48 1941
Transportation [1949] 1942?
State UND. 1945
State Guard 1944
Hartford's Gold.Auto.Jub. 1947 9/2/47 Only year issued
Disabled Veteran 1948 1948
Service Bus 1948
Early American 1952 9/26/52 P.A. 259 P 1951
U.S. Congress/Senate UND. 1953
Junk Dealer 1954 1953? P.A. 472 P 1953
Wrecker 1954 1954 P.A. 340 P 1953
Legislature/Senate 1955 1955 P.A. 300 P 5/25/1955
Amateur Radio 1956 1956 P.A. 201 P 1955
Interstate Gen.Dist.Mark 1956
Unknown type M/C Temp.? 1956
Military UND. 1950? 1957?
Transportation Commercial 1957
News Photographer [1958]
Fire Apparatus "MAR 66" 1963 P.A. 410 P 1963
Veteran [1964]
Camper "MAR 69" 1965 P.A. 414 P 1965
Constitutional Convention 1965 1965 Only year issued
Medical Doctor "AUG 68" 1965? 1965 DAV #MD2009
Foreign Consul [1980] 1967 P.A. 501 P 1967
Construction "APR 75" 1968? P.A. 432 P 1967
Veteran of Foreign Wars "DEC 71"
Ambulance UND. Seen in 1969 photo
Snowmobile "MAR 70" 10/1/69 P.A. 752 P 7/1/1969
Snowmobile Dealer [1980] 10/1/69 P.A. 752 P 7/1/1969
Personalized M/C "MAR 79" P.A. 598 P 7/1/1971
All-Terrain Vehicle "MAR 76" 10/1/71 P.A. 848 P 7/13/1971
All-Terrain Veh. Dealer [1980] 10/1/71 P.A. 848 P 7/13/1971
State Service Bus "JULY73"
Municipal UND. 1973
Parade "MAR 75"
Handicapped "NOV 80" 1976? P.A.76-427 P 3/29/1976
Personalized Camper "MAR 78"
Van Pool "JUL 80" 1980? P.A. 79-244 P 1979
Personalized Camp Trailer[1980]
Personalized Combination [1980]
Personalized Commercial [1980]
Amateur Radio Types P.A. 80-38 P 1980
Former Prisoner of War "SEPT86" 7/1/82 P.A. 82-405 P 1982
Medal of Honor UND. 7/1/82 P.A. 82-405 P 1982
Handicapped Combination "JULY85" 10/1/83 P.A. 83-412 P 6/23/1983
Apportioned "APR 86" 5/1/85
Apportioned Trailer "APR 88" 5/1/85
Handicapped M/C "MAR 92" P.A 86-103 P 2/?/1986
Dismantler "APR 87"
Former POW Combination "APR 87"
PERMITS:
Dealer Operator License UND. 1907 Ch. 221 P 7/27/1907
Gasoline License 1919 7/1/19 Ch. 166 P 5/1/1919
Motor Vehicle Junk Yard 9/30/33 10/1/29 Ch. 245 P 5/28/1929
Heavy Duty Permit 1949 1930? Ch. 297 P 6/11/1929
Dealer's/Repairer's Lic.12/31/33 7/1/33 Ch. 271?
Milk Administration 6/30/35 7/1/33
Tercentenary 1934 1934
Public Utilities Comm. 1936 1935? Law P 1935
Poultry License 2/28/41
Motor Veh. Dept. Patrol UND. 1940's?
State Police UND. 1940's
Sphinx 1958
Cattle Dealer 1972 Blank 1962 seen
Golf Cart "MAR 69" Reportedly beg. 1966
Boat Ramp 1971
Fish 1978
LETTER PREFIX KEY: (All other letters/years are Passenger)
B Camp Trailer 1924-31 RA-RT Repairer 1922-31
C Commercial 1918-21, SM Special Manufacturer 1924
Combination 1922-31, 1941-on SR Special Repairer 1924
CNP News Photographer 1958 SX Special Dealer 1924-29
DV Disabled Veteran 1948-on T Transportation Car 1918,
J Public Service Jitney 1924 Temporary 1922-40
M Manufacturer 1917-31 TA-TZ Temporary 1922-40
MD Medical Doctor 1968-on U Hearse 1924-70
O Public Service Livery/Taxi 1921-31 VFW Veteran of Foreign Wars 1971-on
PS Public Service 1917-20 X Dealer 1917-31
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
Passenger colors unless noted. Numbers begin at 1 unless noted.
All 2-letter prefixes stacked 1932-57 except Motorcycle-size
types. All multi-year full-size types issued new bases in 1966
("MAR 67") used old blanks with high tab slots.
TABS: 1937-40 Passenger only, 1941-42 Passenger and Combination,
1943-on all types. All 1946 tabs yellow except Passenger
and Combination. All 1949 tabs blue except Passenger,
Combination and Hearse; Camp Trailer, Factory Truck, Farm
and Motorcycle use corner tabs.
Numbers in [ ] shown on DMV chart or reported in news article.
Types reported but not sure if they are true types:
ARC = American Red Cross (early 70s)
DAV = Disabled American Veteran (DEC 73 DAV-57)
NYP = New York Press
VM = Veterinary Medicine
1918 INITIAL ORDER 1920 INITIAL ORDER
Passenger 60,000 P Passenger 100,000 P
Commercial 12,000 P Commercial 25,000 P
Motorcycle 6,000 P Motorcycle 6,000 P
M/C w/Side Car 3,000 P M/C w/Side Car 5,000 P
Public Service 1,500 P Public Service 5,000 P
Transportation Car 100 P* "Miscellaneous, including
Dealer 475 P manufacturers and temporary
Manufacturer 12 P markers" 1,000 P
M/C Dealer 50 P
M/C Manufacturer 5 P
*also listed in another article as "Dealers' Transportation" 1,000 P.
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
(AIRCRAFT
Ch. 86 P 6/8/1911, E immediately, for aircraft registration and
owner-provided numbers at least 3 feet tall. Ch. 207 P 5/20/1921
began annual registration. Were plates issued? Registrations
listed: 1921 1, 1923 14, 1924 27, 1924/25 33, 1925/26 29, 1926/27
39. Taken over by new Department of Aviation 6/1/1927.)
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE
P.A. 848 P 7/13/1971, E 10/1/1971.
Earliest seen "MAR 76", #A 1 - E 576.
"ALL-TERRAIN" top, Blue/White.
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE DEALER
P.A. 848 P 7/13/1971, E 10/1/1971.
Earliest seen 1980 chart. "ALL-TERRAIN" top, White/Blue.
First digit is plate set number 1 - 3. Undated 1980 [X3 374].
AMATEUR RADIO
P.A. 201 P 1955, E 3/1/1956. Began 1956.
$10 initial fee 1956; fee dropped in 1958.
No legend, but spark symbol added 1957-on.
1956 W1AA - W1ZZZ
1957 W1~AA - W1~ZZZ
1958 K1~AAA - K1~ZZZ
"JUN 69" WA1 AAA - WA1 ZZZ (Verify 1966-68)
1977 WB1~AAA - WB1~ZZZ
AMATEUR RADIO TYPES
P.A. 80-38 P 1980, providing for Amateur Radio plates for Camper,
Combination, Commercial and Motorcycle types.
AMBULANCE
Earliest seen 1969 photo. "AMBULANCE" top.
"MAR 71" Blue/White 197 - 1116 old dies, no slots
(1366 map)
APPORTIONED
Began 5/1/1985. Earliest seen "APR 86".
Red/White, "APPORTIONED" top.
"APR 86" 1757-A - 7013-A
(7932-A, 5777-A Map base!)
APPORTIONED TRAILER
Began 5/1/1985. Earliest seen "APR 88".
Red/White, "TRLR APPORTIONED" top.
"APR 88" 1114-AT - 1255-AT
BUS
Began 1932. Earliest seen 1933. Issued to buses operating
intrastate only. Previously issued Public Service Jitney (J) plates.
LEGENDS: "BUS" top 1933-42, 1958-80,
vertical "BUS" right, "CT" in LL corner 1949-55,
vertical "BUS" right, "CONN" in LL corner 1957.
1933 59
1934 573
1937 152
1949-55 [1800]
1957 Black/Silver 754
1958 White/Blue [2000]
"MAR 67" Blue/White 14 - 1599 old dies, tab slots
"MAR 80" 1705 - 1714 new dies
(1940 map)
BUS GENERAL DISTINGUISHING MARK
Ch. 297 P 6/11/1929. Registration figures start 1930.
Earliest seen 1933.
Issued to bus fleets opting to use a "general distingishing
mark" with additional plate sets designated by a letter
prefix, similar to Dealer plates.
Identical to Bus, but with letter prefix.
1933 JN 2
1934 (JA reported)
1936 JD 30
1949 [E 31]
1950 A 15
1957 C 15
1958 [D 31]
"MAR 64" C 15
"MAR 66" B 15
CAMPERP.A. 414 P 1965. Began 1965. Earliest seen "MAR 69".
"CAMPER" top.
"MAR 69" Blue/White 1075 - 5560 old dies, tab slots
"MAR 72" 7215 - 29186 old dies, no slots
"MAR 77" 30472 - 76478 new dies
(82083 map)
CAMP TRAILERCh. 257 P 6/2/1923. Began 1924. Issued to all private trailers.
Pairs seen 1930, 1932-33, 1935-36, 1938.
LEGENDS: No legend, "B" prefix 1924-31, "CAMP TR." top 1932-86.
COLORS: Reverse colors 1924, 1926-27, 1929-31, Passenger colors 1932-42.
1942: 1-3-digit 6" x 9 1/4", 4-digit 6" x 11".
1924 [B-200] 1930 B-532 1936 3156
1925 1931 B-169 1937 3107
1926 B-24 1932 7 1938 3359
1927 B-10 1933 1164 1939 3268
1928 B-20 1934 2042 1940 4556
1929 B-215 1935 1535 1941 5267
1942-55 "CONN. 1942" 5873
(1949) "CONN. 194" 8107 - 30-294
"CONN. 19" 35-563 - 52-215
(1955) "CONN 19" 56-958 - 59-842
1956-57 Black/Silver, border 1143 - 26446 aluminum
33377 - 35235 steel
1958-59 Blue/White 1668 - 35469
1960-66 White/Blue 1057 - 9436 tab higher than CT
10402 - 74907 tab even with CT
1967-86 Blue/White "MAR 67" 43 - 107603 old dies, tab slots
"MAR 71" 114053 - 247041 old dies, no slots
259-233 - new dies, hyphen
"MAR 78" 262746 - 314952 new dies, non-refl.
"MAR 81" 316-043 - 451-524 refl., hyphen
(453-984 map)
COMBINATION (See Misc. 1 page)
Ch. 400 P 6/24/1921, E 1/1/1922. Began 1922.
COMMERCIAL (See Truck page)
Ch. 135 P 5/28/1913. Began 1914.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Only issued 1965. Flat, "CONNECTICUT" top,
"1965 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION" bottom in reverse-color bands,
full-color state seal left, tab slots, #1 - 189.
CONSTRUCTION
P.A. 432 P 1967, E 1/1/1968. Earliest seen 1969 photo.
"CONSTRUCTION" top.
(1969) Red/Yellow 1056 - 4980 old dies, tab slots
DEALER
Ch. 221 P 7/27/1907. Began 1907.
LEGENDS: No legend, "D" suffix 1907-16,
no legend, "X" prefix 1917-31,
"DEALER" top 1932-41, 1958-87.
"NEW DLR" or "USED DLR" top 1942-48,
vertical "NEW" or "USED" right, "CT (49)" bottom 1949-53,
"NEW DLR." or "USED DLR." top 1954-57.
COLORS: Reverse colors 1907-16, Passenger colors 1917-41,
Black/Silver 1942-48, 1953, Black/White FR 1949-52.
Corner tabs issued 1943-48, normal tabs 1949-53;
passenger colors 1945, commercial colors 1946-48.
Steel 1953 base. Numbers began at 100 1907-09, 1 1910-16.
Highest listed in directories: 1912 C423D, 9/10/1913 C331D, 1914-15 398D,
1916 391D, 1918 X478, 9/1/1920 X-717,
1922 XA-800, 1923 XA-878.
1907-16: Issued in sets of 6 identically-numbered pairs, with
additional pairs available at $1 each.
1920-41: 2nd letter = additional plate set.
D,E,I seen 1920, G,J,P seen 1921, E,M,N seen 1922.
1924: XA - XY prefix using A,E,F,H,J,K,M,N,S,T,W,Y.
1932-41: DA 1 - DL 999 is overflow after XA 1 - XL 999 series.
Plate sets increased from 12 to 24 per master number;
letters A to L assumed. 2nd letters seen -
A,B,C,D,E 1932, F 1938, G 1939, H 1935, I 1934, J 1935, K,O 1941.
1954: Used Car QA 1 - QA 999 converted to DA 1001 - DA 1999.
1907-09 C162D 1920 X-653D 1931
1910 C314D 1921 X-637G 1932 XB 977
1911 C409D 1922 XE-765 1933 XD 434
1912 C409D 1923 XJ-809 1934 XI 809
1913 C369D 1924 1935 DA 32
1914 336D 1925 1936 XB 821
1915 316D 1926 1937 DB 522
1916 375D 1927 XK-576 1938 DB 431
1917 X363 1928 1939 DH 2
1918 X375 1929 XA-12 1940 XB 862
1919 X541 1930 1941 DO 25
NEW CAR DEALER USED CAR DEALER
1942-48 "1942" XE 355 DC 40 (and DA)
"194" XC 781 DC 82, DC 391, QJ 14
1949-52 Undated XI 746 (and XA-XD) DE 816, QD 404 (and DA-DF,
QA,QC)
1953 Undated XH 988 (and XC,XF,XJ) DL 693, QB 118 (and DB,DD)
DEALER TYPES 1954-87
Dated 1954-56, 1959, 1961-80, undated 1958, 1985 base,
tabs issued 1957-58, 1960. No 1981 stickers issued.
LEGENDS: Type name top all years, "CONN.1954" bottom 1954-56,
"CONNECTICUT ( )" bottom 1958,
"CONNECTICUT 59" bottom 1959, 1961-79, 1980-84 base,
"CONNECTICUT" bottom 1985-87 base. (Tab slots 1956-61)
COLORS: Black/Silver 1954-57,
White/Blue 1958-60, even years 1962-78, 1980-84 base,
Blue/White odd years 1961-79, 1985-87 base.
(Commercial Transportation reverse colors all years)
LETTERS SEEN: (Z reportedly omitted)
A-H 1954 M 1973 R 1955 W 1973
I 1956 N 1955 S 1978 X 1958
J 1964 O 1958 T 1969 Y 1955
K 1956 P 1955 U 1961 Z
L 1961 Q V 1962
(Plate set letter defaulted to "A" in table below for simplicity)
PASS COMM
NEW USED JUNK REPAIR SPECIAL TRANS TRANS
1954 XA 808 DA 1605 DA 2116 RA 1535 SX 23 186
1955 XA 861 DA 1571 DA 2050 RA 1533
1956-57 XA 911 DA 1720 DA 2227 RA 1555 199 201
1958 [XA 914] DA1250 DA2063 RA2381 [SX 300] [300] [649]
1959-60 XA 889 DA 913 DA2034 RA1488 313
1961 XA 889 DA1638 DA2023 RA2780 SX 103 706 164
1962 XA 889 DA1764 RA 850 510 316
1963 XA 689 DA1935 DA2008 RA1430 SX 198 898
1964 XA 951 DA1724 DA2666 RA2002 SX 251 706 313
1965 XA 618 DA2097 DA2700 RA 277 SX 246 706
1966 XA 490 DA1892 DA2543 RA1609 SX 195 1132
1967 XA 968 DA2080 DA2615 RA 698 SX 179 1164 253
1968 XA 324 DA2080 DA2560 RA 850 SX 141 1300
1969 XA 845 DA2080 DA2596 RA 698 795 399
1970 XA 789 DA1734 RA2404 744
1971 XA 568 DA1638 DA2691 RA1609 1908 94
1972 XA 971 DA1928 DA2680 RA2668 1908 157
1973 XA1046 DA2632 DA2694 RA2668 SX 178 1909 480
1974 XA 889 DA2004 DA2680 RA2668 SX 178 2023 399
1975 XA 705 DA1306 DA2610 RA2858 SX 414 1300 322
1976 XA 1054 DA2033 DA2691 RA2711 SX 360 1829 497
1977 XA 1046 DA 2069 DA 2691 RA 2711 SX 201 1800 444
1978 XA 686 DA 1666 DA 2699 RA 2711 SX 477 1783 321
1979 XA 1046 DA 1875 DA 2691 RA 2780 SX 178 1810 322
1980-84 XA 1106 [DA 2002] DA 2539 [RA 2834] [SX 493] 2528
1985-87 XA 291 DA 2374 DA 2611 RA 2182 2496 25
1954: New Car Dealer X/B 104A also seen.
1956-57: Repair R/I 1555 undated with tab slots seen.
1957: Used Car Dealer D/A 777, D/E 1720 no "19"; D/C 1514 "19".
1973: Used Car Dealer DE2632 also seen, conflicts with Junk?
1976: New Car Dealer XK 839 old dies, XG 1054 new dies.
1977: Commercial Trans. is partially reflective, unlike all
other 1977-79 annual types.
DISABLED VETERAN
Began 1948. No legend, "DV" prefix.
"48" Black/Gold DV 1 - DV 147
"53" Black/White DV 660 - DV 945
"AUG 68" White/Blue DV 634 - DV1045 old dies
DISMANTLER
Earliest seen "APR 87". Undated, Blue/White, "DISMANTLER" top,
"CONNECTICUT" bottom, #DF-2652.
EARLY AMERICAN
P.A. 259 P 1951.
Earliest seen in news article 9/26/1952; #100 pictured.
Issued for $5 fee to antique cars made before 1926.
In 1955, changed to vehicles at least 25 years old; later changed
again to at least 20 years old.
Undated, antique car graphic left, "E/A" suffix, Black/White.
"52" Type 1: Porcelain, wide font 101 - 957 (857)
"58" Type 2: Porcelain, thin font 1004 - 1600 (597)
"MAR 63" Type 3: Flat, tab slots above "CONN." 1617 - 1776 (160)
"MAR 69" Type 4: As Type 3, slots below "E/A" 1844 - 1995 (152)
(2041 rep.)
"MAR 71" Type 5: As Type 4, but with black box 2124 - 2500 (377)
"MAR 74" Type 6: Rounded font, normal "E/A" 2596 - 3369 (774)
Type 7: Western font, thin "E/A" 3518 - 3739 (222)
"MAR 80" Type 8: As Type 6, but thin "E/A" 3848 -[4200] (353)
"MAR 87" Type 9: Thick font 4241 - 7037 (2,797)
"MAR 90" Type 10: Rounded thick font 8208 - 8474 (267)
(Type 11: Embossed 8705)
EXPERIMENTAL TEST
Originally termed Equipment Test. Named changed by 1940.
"ET" prefix reported 1925-29. Registration figures start 1927.
Earliest seen 1940.
LEGENDS: "EXP.TEST" top 1940,
vertical "TEST" right, "CT" in LL corner 1949,
vertical "TEST" right, "CONN" in LL corner 1957,
"EXP. TEST" top 1958-80.
1940 Black/Silver 13
1949 [30]
1957 Black/Silver 5
1958 White/Blue [48]
"MAR 69" Blue/White 97 old dies, tab slots
1980 [111] new dies
FACTORY TRUCK
Ch. 130 P 4/29/1927. Registration figures start 1928.
Reported 1928. Earliest seen 1931.
Bridgeport Telegram 3/26/1927 article mentions bills favorably
reported by the Senate including one "providing for special
markers for industrial trucks using highways only to cross from
one building of manufacturing plant to another".
LEGENDS: Stepped "FAC" prefix 1931, "FAC. TRUCK" top 1934-49,
vertical "FAC" right 1955, "FACTORY" top 1958-80.
COLORS: Commercial colors 1931, 1934, 1937, light/dark 1949.
1931 315
1934 99
1937 50
1949 (1942 base?) [1]
1955 262
1958-59 Blue/White 302
1960-66? White/Blue 494
(1969) Red/White 1127 old dies, tab slots
[1499] new dies
(1669 map)
FARM
Ch. 327? Began 7/1/1933. "FARM" top all years.
1937 has 1932-36 dies. Corner tabs issued 1943-55, normal tabs
1956-60; commercial colors 1947.
1933 256 White/Dark Green 1938 6320 Yellow/Blue
1934 4181 Black/Orange 1939 6496 Black/Yellow
1935 5734 White/Dark Green 1940 7976 White/Dark Green
1936 5192 Black/Orange 1941 8500 Yellow/Blue
1937 5766 White/Dark Green
1942-55 "1942" Black/Yellow 8043
"194" Black/Yellow 10-906 - 12-220
(1946) "194" Black/Lt.Green 13-380 - 14-716
(1949) "194" Black/Yellow 15-129 - 18-333
(1950) "1950" Black/Yellow 19-396 -
(1951) "19" Black/Yellow 20-172 - 24-840
1956-57 Black/Lt. Green 9462
1958-59 Blue/Yellow 9254
1960-"MAR 66" White/Dk. Green 751 - 9502, 10-086 - 10-667,
11938
"MAR 67" Red/White 275 - 12780 old dies, tab slots
"MAR 76" 14815 - 16137 old dies, no slots
"MAR 80" 17394 - 25781 new dies
(27663 map)
FIRE APPARATUS
P.A. 410 P 1963. Began 1963. "FIRE APPARATUS" top.
"MAR 66" White/Blue 136 - 153 (with White/Red band top)
"MAR 77" Red/White 302 - 696 old dies, tab slots
1091 - 1092 old dies, no slots
1166 - new dies
FOREIGN CONSUL
P.A. 501 P 1967. Began 1967.
Undated, White/Blue with Red Border, "FOREIGN CONSUL" top,
#3 has old dies, #20 - 44 have new dies.
Repealed by P.A 85-81. Discontinued 1985; replaced by U.S.
Department of State series.
FORMER PRISONER OF WAR
P.A. 82-405 P 1982. Began 7/1/1982. Earliest seen "SEPT86".
Passenger design, stepped "POW" suffix.
Blue slogan base 382-POW - 658-POW
(749-POW Map base)
FORMER PRISONER OF WAR COMBINATION
Earliest seen "APR 87".
Blue/White, Combination design with stepped "POW" suffix.
White embossed base 197-POW
GOVERNOR
Hartford Courant, 1/4/1924:
"The state military limousine which, with a national guardsman
as chauffeur, has been used by the executive since he took
office, appeared today equipped with conspicuous plates fore and
aft bearing the word "Governor" in letters about five inches
high. These markers, which are done in the same colors as
regular number plates on other motor vehicles, will be recognized
throughout the state in lieu of a registration number."
(Actual height was 1 1/2 inches, not 5.)
Probably replaced by State Official, known 1942.
HANDICAPPED
P.A. 76-427 P 3/29/1976, effective 10/1/1977.
Earliest seen "NOV 80", #401-HP - 1181-HP. No legend, "HP" suffix.
P.A. 83-412 P 6/23/1983 required wheelchair suffix to be added on
plates issued starting 10/1/1983.
"OCT 87" Blue slogan base 465-B - 831-D (No C used)
(157-E Map base)
HANDICAPPED COMBINATION
P.A. 83-412 P 6/23/1983 requiring wheelchair suffix to be added on
plates issued starting 10/1/1983. Earliest seen "JULY85".
Blue/White, Combination design with wheelchair right.
"JULY85" White embossed base 150-C - 996-C
HANDICAPPED MOTORCYCLE
P.A. 86-103 P 2/?/1986. Earliest seen "MAR 1992", #116-M.
HARTFORD'S GOLDEN AUTOMOBILE JUBILEE
Issued 9/2/1947, expiring 10/1/1947, for Glidden Tour revival.
Only year issued. 144 pairs produced, 123 issued.
Flat, Black & Blue/Metallic Gold, #1 - 123 seen.
LEGENDS: "CONN." above antique car graphic left,
"1897-1947" below serial number right,
"HARTFORD'S GOLDEN/AUTOMOBILE JUBILEE"
in reverse-color band bottom.
HEARSE
Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923, E 1/1/1924. Began 1924 with 147 registered.
No legend, "U" prefix 1924-70, "HEARSE" top, "U" prefix 1980.
1938 dated, Black/Silver. (U = Undertaker)
1924 [U-200] 1929 U-62 1935 U 206
1927 U-321 1931 U-55 1938 U 280
1928 U-41 1932 U 69
1948-56 U 38 -[U 500]
1957-66 White/Blue U 208 -[U 592]
"MAR 67" Blue/White U 108 - U 396 old dies, tab slots (through '69)
"AUG 70" White/Blue U 561 old dies, no slots
1980 Blue/White [U-2]
INTERSTATE
Ch. 254 P 6/24/1925. Mandatory by 8/1/1925.
Registration figures start 1925. "IN" prefix reported 1925-29.
Earliest known 1934. Issued to buses operating interstate.
LEGENDS: "INTERSTATE" top 1934, 1958-80,
vertical "INTR" right, "CT" in LL corner 1949.
1949 [400]
1958 White/Blue [400]
"MAR 67" White/Blue 1875
"MAR 67" Blue/White 155 old dies, tab slots
"MAR 71" 2476 - 3039 old dies, no slots
"MAR 8?" [3200]- 3242 new dies
(3466 map)
INTERSTATE GENERAL DISTINGUISHING MARK
Earliest seen 1956. Identical to Interstate, but with letter prefix.
(See definition under Bus General Distinguishing Mark.)
1956 "CONN" LL corner B 33
1958 [F 35]
JUNK DEALER (See Dealer Table)
P.A. 472 P 1953. Reported 1953. Earliest seen 1954.
"JUNK DLR." top 1954-57, "JUNK" top 1958-80.
Numbers probably began at #2001 1954-63, #2501 1964-80.
LEGISLATURE/SENATE
P.A. 300 P 5/25/1955. Began 1955.
Purchase of 1955 plates authorized 7/20/55, issued by 12/6/55.
Before 1955, small supplementary "LEGISLATURE" plates seen, known
back to 1949. 1951 Yellow/Dark Blue "SENATE 1951/DISTRICT 34" seen.
Connecticut's House had 294 representatives in 1964 prior to
reapportionment which began with the 1965 Constitutional
Convention. Plate number indicated legislator's seat number
1 - 294 or senator's district number 1 - 36. House reduced to 151
representatives after the reapportionment process, which lasted
from 1965 to 1973. Plate number indicated legislator's district
number 1 - 151 or senator's district number 1 - 36.
1955-56: Porcelain, Black/White, "LEGISLATURE" or "SENATE" top,
vertical serial number left, full-color state seal
center, vertical "CONN" right, "55" tab in LR corner.
Senate also has "DIST." above serial number.
1957-58: Small supplementary plate, porcelain, Black/White,
"LEGISLATURE 1957-58" top, "SEAT NO. 242" bottom.
1959-60: Same design as 1957-58.
1960-67: Undated, Embossed, White/Blue, "LEGISLATURE" or
"SENATE" top, renewed up to "FEB 68".
1967-87: Flat, Blue/White, "1967 CONNECTICUT 1969" top,
"LEGISLATURE" or "SENATE" bottom in reverse-color
bands, full-color state seal left, issued with
passenger stickers, #162 seen. Biennial plates issued
1967/69 to 1985/87. 1969/71 has tab slots. Reflective
bases 1975/77 on. "-A" suffix for owner's 2nd car seen
1975-on, not seen on Senate.
"JAN 80": Senate seen in embossed White/Blue, new dies, #20.
LIVERY
Ch. 211 P 8/10/1909. Began 1910.
Issued in sets of 6 identically-numbered pairs, with additional
pairs available at $1 each 1910-11; reduced to one pair 1912-15.
Numbers began at 1 all years. 2,467 registered as of 9/30/1915.
Highest listed in directories: 1910 C15L, 1911 C28L, 1912 C350L,
9/10/1913 830L, 1914 1231L, 1915 2299L.
Discontinued 1916; replaced by Commercial plates. Re-began 1932.
LEGENDS: No legend, "L" suffix 1910-15,
"LIVERY" top 1932-42, 1958-80,
vertical "LIVY" right, "CT" in LL corner 1949,
vertical "LIVY", "CONN" in LL corner 1956-57.
COLORS: Dealer colors 1910-15, 1932-57.
1910 C13L 1932 249 1938 592
1911 C318L 1933 247 1939 534
1912 C483L 1934 800 1940 534
1913 C821L 1935 592 1941
1914 1139L 1936 592 1942 332
1915 2100L 1937
1948-55 [999]
1956-57 861
1958 - "MAR 66" White/Blue [1000]
"MAR 70" Blue/White 1993 old dies, tab slots
1980 [2370] new dies
(3508 Map base)
MANUFACTURER
Ch. 221 P 7/27/1907. Began 1907.
Issued in sets of 6 identically-numbered pairs, with additional
pairs available at $1 each 1907-16.
Numbers began at 200 1907-09, 1 1910-14.
Highest listed in directories: 1910 C9M, 1911-12 C15M, 1913 C12M,
1914-15 9M, 1916 7M, 1918-19 M7, 7/1/1920 M8.
1924: MA - MN prefix using A,E,F,H,J,K,M,N.
LEGENDS: No legend, "M" suffix 1907-16,
no legend, "M" prefix 1917-31,
"MFR." top 1934,
vertical "MFG" right, "CT (49)" bottom 1949,
"MFG." top 1958-76,
"M.F.G." top 1978-80.
COLORS: Different, but unknown, colors (light/dark) 1907-09,
Dealer colors 1910-14, 1917-80.
1907-09 C205M 1934 (MA reported) 1974 MH 14
1911 C2M 1949 [J 2] 1976 MA 16
1914 1 M 1958 [ME 5] 1978 MO 15
1918 M 3 1964 MA 3 1979 MA 22
1926 MN-7 1965 MB 3 1980 [MD 24], 11
1971 MA 9
MEDAL OF HONOR
P.A. 82-405 P 1982. Began 7/1/1982. Six issued by 3/29/1987.
Undated, flat, Dark Blue/White, "MEDAL OF HONOR" top in red band,
"CONNECTICUT" bottom in dark blue band, state seal left, light
blue logo with 13 stars right, #6.
MEDICAL DOCTOR
Not on 1964 chart. 1965 DAV tag #MD2009 seen.
Earliest plate seen "AUG 68". No legend, "MD" prefix.
White/Blue MD2767 old dies, tab slots
"AUG 68" White/Blue MD 4000 old dies, no slots
"OCT 73" White/Blue MD 4415 - MD 4831 new dies
1975? Blue/White slogan MD-5510 - MD-6613
MILITARY
Earliest seen 1957? undated.
Reportedly replaced National Guard c.1950.
A. Undated 1957? Black/Silver 37 "CONNECTICUT" top, "MILITARY" bottom
B. Undated 1980 White/Blue [1] "MILITARY" top
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 85 P 6/6/1911. Began 1912.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER
Ch. 85 P 6/6/1911. Began 1912.
LEGENDS: No legend 1913-67, "DEALER" on 1969 sticker, "DEALER" top 1972-87.
COLORS: Dealer colors 1913-15, 1917, 1924-87.
Highest listed in directory: 1912 C24D, 9/10/1913 C28D, 1914 31D + 60D,
1918 X34, 1919 X39, 9/1/1920 X53.
1924: XA - XT prefix using A,E,F,H,J,K,M,N,S,T.
1958-64: X only series listed.
1965-87: X and D series seen, for New/Used (listed 1980).
XG highest plate set letter seen 1978.
1969: "DEALER 69" sticker on undated base.
Reportedly discontinued by 1969; but if so, resumed by 1972!
1913 C32D 1959 XB33, XE 2 1975 XA 62, DA 44
1914 35D 1961 XA46 1976 XA 19, XB 89,
1915 36D 1962 XD27 XC 107, DB 90
1920 X3 1965 XC 5, DC20 1977 XA 129
1939 XA18 1967 XA30, DA73 1978 XA 129, DD 44
1942 XA 1 1969 XB19 1979 XB 62, DB 199
1956 XC56 1972 XB 68 1980-84 XA 133, DA 71
1958 [XC80] 1973 XB 62 1985-87 DA 78
1974 DB 90
MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER
Ch. 85 P 6/6/1911. Began 1912.
None listed in 1912, 1916 or 1918-20 directories.
No legend, Dealer colors 1913-15, 1917, 1924.
Numbers began at 1 1913-15.
1924: MA - MJ prefix using A,E,F,H,J. Last mentioned 1924.
1913 C5M
1914 4M
1915 5M
MOTORCYCLE WITH SIDECAR (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 231 P 5/13/1915, E 6/1/1915. Began 1916.
Discontinued 1924; replaced by Motorcycle plates.
MUNICIPAL
Began 1973. Reported 11/30/1973. Permanent undated plate issued
to vehicles owned by cities, towns and townships.
"MUNICIPAL" top, old dies, no tab slots, 1-AA - 999-ZZZ, letter
codes indicate cities and towns, i.e. ET = Easton.
NATIONAL GUARD
Began 1924. Issued to Military Dept. commercial vehicles.
Last reported 1945. Reportedly replaced by Military c.1950.
LEGENDS: "NATIONAL GUARD" top 1924, 1926-27, 1931, 1933-34, bottom 1936-37, 1939.
COLORS: Commercial colors 1924, 1926-27, 1933, 1936-37, 1939.
1926 27-632 - 1936 10-697 -
1927 33-121 - 33-140 (20) 1937 10-629 -
1931 40-766 - 1939 10-628 - 10-700 (73)
1933 10-579 - 10-650 (72)
(NATIONAL GUARD MOTORCYCLE
Reported 1934.)
NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER
Earliest seen 1958 chart [CNP 99]. No legend, "CNP" prefix.
PARADE
Earliest seen "MAR 75".
Undated, motorcycle-size, "PARADE" top, Blue/White, #45 - 46.
PERSONALIZED
Began 1936 on a limited basis as special favors. Earliest seen 1938.
First mentioned in the Hartford Courant, 3/3/1936, with initial plates issued
to 3 motorists. The practice began with #FPA 1 and FPA 2 being assigned to
columnist Franklin Pierce Adams of the New York Herald-Tribune, where he
always signed off as "F. P. A.". #HEM was assigned to Harold E. Mitchell,
Assistant State Attorney for Hartford County when he couldn't get a special
request number. #SS was assigned to Samuel Shether, House Chairman of the
Motor Vehicles Committee of the state legislature, when the owner of #S/S 1
declined to give up his number. Later, #WHM was issued to William H.
Mortensen, managing director of Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall, and Hartford
Common Council Alderman. But the following article gives a different story.
Hartford Courant, 3/23/1947: "Former Motor Vehicle Commissioner Michael A.
Conner explained the origin of the all-letter markers, which he instituted
about 1935. About that time, he said, he tired of the traditional red on white
and blue on white combinations, which were alternated annually, and determined
to change to a combination of blue and gold, Trinity College's colors. To see
how the blue and gold plates looked, he had one made bearing the initials RBO,
for Trinity's former president, Remsen B. Ogilby, and sent him plates.
President Ogilby asked the commissioner if he might put the plates on his car,
and Mr. Connor said he replied that he saw no reason why not, since letters
served as well as numbers for identification of an automobile. The day after
President Ogilby's car appeared in Hartford with his initials on the marker,
the Motor Vehicle Department was flooded with requests for similar plates, Mr.
Connor said, and the regular issue of all-letter plates began then."
[Remsen Brinckerhoff Ogilby was President of Trinity College 1920-43.]
The Journal (Meriden), 12/9/1936:
"Auto Markers With Monograms Issued To 50 Conn. Drivers"
"Auto plates marked 'L.R.Y. Conn. 1936" attracted attention to a
car on Crown street square this morning. The police hadn't heard
of any change in the marking system but inquiry at the motor
vehicle office in Hartford elicited the information that about 50
drivers in the state had been granted markers bearing their
initials. In the case cited, the plates were assigned to Linwood
R. Young of Hartford. Commissioner Connor is said to be debating
whether to extend the use of monogrammed markers to all motorists
or just to 'safe' drivers. He fears complications through
duplicated initials."
Hartford Courant, 12/23/1936: "Numerous requests for plates with
the initials of the car owner are coming in to the department,
since Commissioner Michael A. Connor established the precedent a
year ago of issuing a few such special sets of markers."
Formal program began 1937; issued for $1 initial extra fee to
owners over age 30 who have held a CT drivers license for at
least 5 years, and a satisfactory record of safe driving.
Hammond (IN) Times 9/9/1937 article states that "More than 8000
drivers have already been issued personal license plates."
Initial fee raised to $2 1939, $5 1948, $10 1954, $15 7/1/1969 and
$30 7/1/1975. By 1949, 11,000 had been issued, but were then
discontinued. By 1951, issuance seems to have resumed, with
15,000 issued. By 2/4/1955, over 30,000 were issued.
1936 AA - ZZZ
1939 AAAA - ZZZZ (JEAN photo reported in 1939 newspaper,
SAFE reported 5/31/1940)
"JAN 69" AAA-1 - ZZZ-99 old dies, no tab slots (not yet 1967)
"OCT 72" AAA-100 - ZZZ-999
1975? A - Z
"NOV 74" AAAAA - ZZZZZ White/Blue
"AUG 74" AAAAAA - ZZZZZZ Blue/White slogan
PERSONALIZED CAMPER
Earliest seen "MAR 78".
PERSONALIZED CAMP TRAILER
Earliest seen 1980 chart.
PERSONALIZED COMBINATION
Earliest seen 1980 chart.
PERSONALIZED COMMERCIAL
Earliest seen 1980 chart.
PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLE
P.A. 598 P 7/1/1971. Earliest seen "MAR 79", #OZZIE.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Ch. 333 P 5/19/1917, E 7/1/1917. Began 7/1/1917.
Issued to vehicles for hire.
No legend; "PS" prefix, reverse colors all years.
1919: PS-2442 highest listed in directory as of 4/15/1919.
1920: PS-1936 highest listed in directory as of 9/1/1920.
Discontinued 8/2/1921; replaced by Public Service Jitney and
Public Service Livery/Taxi.
1917 PS2193 1920 PS-393
1918 PS-3105 1921
1919 PS-2043
PUBLIC SERVICE JITNEY
Began 7/15/1921, mandatory by 8/2/1921. Previously issued Public
Service plates. Issued to buses operated on fixed routes
certified by the Public Utilities Commission.
Highest listed in directories: 1922 J-306, 1923 J-408.
No legend, "J" prefix, reverse colors 1924.
Discontinued 1932; replaced by Bus.
PUBLIC SERVICE LIVERY/TAXI
Ch. 400 P 6/24/1921, E 7/1/1921. Began 7/15/1921, mandatory by
8/2/1921. Previously issued Public Service plates. Issued to
all other Public Service vehicles other than Jitneys (mainly
livery cars and taxi cabs). Probably discontinued 1932;
replaced by Livery.
No legend, "O" prefix, passenger colors all years.
"O" might not stand for "Omnibus", but for "Other", as no mention
found of an Omnibus type in the 1920s.
1922/24 Biennial Report of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles:
"Public service motor vehicles are either 'jitneys' or others."
1921 O-2078 1925 O-238 1929 O-203
1922 O-2441 1926 1930 O-306
1923 O-3141 1927 O-3140 1931 O-1861
1924 O-2538 1928 O-3207
REPAIRER (1954-80: See Dealer Table)
First defined Ch. 333 P 5/19/1917, E 7/1/1917.
Registration figures start 1922. Earliest seen 1922.
Pairs seen 1949, 1963-71, singles seen 1972-79.
LEGENDS: No legend, "RA" to "RT" prefix 1922-31,
"REPAIRER" top 1932-48, 1954-57,
vertical "REP" right, "CT (49)" bottom 1949-53,
"REPAIR" top 1958-80.
COLORS: Colors and tabs same as Dealer.
O/A 1 - O/A 999 converted to R/A 1001 - R/A 1999 in 1954.
1924: RA - RT prefix using A,E,F,H,J,K,M,N,S,T.
1932: OA - OZ overflow after RA - RZ.
1922 RA-50, RE-4, RF-4 1932 RA 80
1923 1933 RA 74
1924 1934 RD 113, OA 185
1925 1935 OB 254, OD 128
1926 1936 RA 803
1927 1937 RB 637
1928 1938 RA 637, OB 41
1929 1939 RA 803, OA 213, OC 402, OD 41
1930 RE-29 1940 RA 637, RB 539, OB 424
1931 RE-78 1941 RE 737, OB 249 (also RB,RD)
1942-48 "1942" RA 539, RB 539
"194" RC 539, OB 815, OB 821, OB 878
1949-52 Undated RB 795, OB 855 (also RC,RD,OA)
[1949 RA 999, OA 897]
1953 RA 465, OB 488 (also RH)
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1926.
1926-31 00-000
1931 1234 (legend flush right)
1932-40, 1951, 1956-59, 1963, 1966 0000
1968, 1970 00000
1973 White/Blue SAM-PLE
Blue/White Slogan SAM-PLE, 000-000
White/Blue Slogan SAM-PLE, SAMPLE
SERVICE BUS
(1934 passenger distribution lists ZG 1 - ZG 500 "Reserved for
School Bus"; predecessor to Service Bus type?)
Earliest seen 1948.
Issued to school and other non-commercial-transportation buses.
Expiration month changed from JULY to AUG, seen 1977, reported
1973.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SBUS" right, "CT" in LL corner 1948-55,
vertical "SBUS" right, "CONN" in LL corner 1956-57,
"SERV. BUS" top 1958-80.
1948-55 Black/White 2733
1956-57 Black/Silver 2667
1958-"JULY 66" White/Blue 498 - 5333
"JULY 67" Blue/White - 5012 old dies, tab slots
"JULY 72" 5877 - 13950 old dies, no slots
1980 14854 - 21314 new dies
(24110 map)
SNOWMOBILE
P.A. 752 P 7/1/1969, E 10/1/1969.
Began 10/1/1969, expire "MAR 70". All expire March 31.
Motorcycle size, "SNOWMOBILE" top, Blue/White.
"MAR 70" 198 - 6600 medium "CONN" left
"MAR 72" 9972 - 14594 tall "CONN"
"MAR 75" 18486 - 36670 wide "CONN"
SNOWMOBILE DEALER
P.A. 752 P 7/1/1969, E 10/1/1969.
Began 10/1/1969. Earliest seen 1980 chart.
Motorcycle size, "SNOWMOBILE" top, White/Blue.
First digit is plate set number 1 - 3.
1980 Undated X1 114, X3 389, X1 601
SPECIAL DEALER (1954-80: See Dealer Table)
First defined Ch. 333 P 5/19/1917, E 7/1/1917. Probably issued
Transportation Car plates 1917-18, and may have begun 1919.
2 "special dealers' markers" issued for $4 according to the
automobile department's fiscal year report closed 9/30/1917.
First listed in directory 4/15/1919; #1 - 49 issued.
Registration figures start 1919. Earliest seen 1924.
Issued to commercial truck dealers; laden vehicles allowed.
Norwich Bulletin, 4/1/1920: "Convoy Auto Markers Adopted"
"Motor Vehicle Commissioner Stoeckel has decided on a change in
the markers for cars which are sent by manufacturers from one
place to another. He has adopted a design for a marker which
will be known as the convoy marker and it will be substituted
for the marker known in the past as the S-X marker..."
LEGENDS: No legend, "SX" prefix 1924,
no legend, vertical "SX" prefix 1925-29,
vertical "DLR" right 1949,
"SPEC. DLR." top 1954,
"DEALER" top with "SX" prefix 1958-80.
1924 SX-507
1925 S/X-2432 1949 [SX 101]
1926 S/X-2582
1927 S/X-700
1928 S/X-1198
1929 S/X-1531
SPECIAL MANUFACTURER
Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923. Began 1924. Discontinued 1932.
"SM" prefix 1924.
SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE DEALER
Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923. Began 1924. Discontinued 1932.
"SX" prefix 1924, vertical "SX" prefix 1925.
Re-began by "MAR 82", #SX 503.
1925 S/X 33
SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER
Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923. Began 1924. Only year mentioned.
"SM" prefix 1924.
SPECIAL REPAIRER
Ch. 257 P 6/2/1923. Began 1924. Discontinued 1932.
"SR" prefix 1924.
STATE
Began 1945. Permanent undated plate issued to state-owned
vehicles. Prefix number 1 - 73 = State Agency.
A. Undated (1945), 6" x 9 1/4", Black/White FR, "STATE" bottom,
vertical "CONN" right, #1 13, 1/6 63, 3/4 4, 5/1 1
B. Undated c.1953, 6 1/2" x 11", Black/White FR, "STATE" top,
"CONN" bottom, #3-458 - 3-532
C. Undated c.1957, 6" x 12", White/Blue, "STATE" top, old dies,
tab slots, #39-34
STATE GUARD
Only seen 1944, Silver/Black, "STATE GUARD" top, "CONN.194"
bottom, "44" corner tab, #340.
STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Began 1924. Issued to State Highway Dept. commercial vehicles.
Last seen 1937; probably discontinued 1945 and replaced by State.
LEGENDS: "STATE HIGHWAY DEPT." top 1924, 1930-31, 1934,
"STATE HIGHWAY DEPT" bottom 1935, 1937.
COLORS: Commercial colors 1924, 1930-31, 1935, 1937.
1930 2293 1935 10-509
1931 2081 1937 10-323
STATE OFFICIAL
Began 1932. Reported 1937. Earliest seen 1939.
Hartford Courant 12/29/1931:
"High State Officers To Get Distinctive Auto Plate Numbers"
"Elective officials of the state will all display registration
numbers below 10 on their automobiles during the coming year, it
was announced by the State Department of Motor Vehicles Monday.
A special series of plates bearing the legend "State Official"
over the number has been designed and will be given out to the
six elective officials in the order in which their names appear
on the ballot...The coloring of the plate is standard, and it
will be the same size as the commercial plate."
Numbers assigned 1932:
1 = Governor, 2 = Lt. Governor, 3 = Secretary of State,
4 = State Treasurer, 5 = Comptroller, 6 = Attorney General.
(Later, 5 and 6 were switched.)
LEGENDS: "STATE OFFICIAL" top 1939-50.
1939 dated Black/Silver 1
1940 dated Black/Silver 3
1943 dated Black/Silver 1
1944 dated Black/Silver 4
1945 dated Black/White? FR 1
1948 dated Black/Yellow FR 2
1949 dated Black/Yellow FR 2
1950 dated Black/White FR 5
A. Undated (1951-56?) Black/White, "CONNECTICUT" top,
"STATE OFFICIAL" bottom 1, 5
B. Undated (1957-74?) White/Blue, "OFFICIAL" top, "CONNECTICUT"
bottom, 1 - 6 old dies, no tab slots
C. Undated (1975-76?) Blue/White FR, same design, 1 - 6
D. Undated (1977-80?) White/Blue PR, same design, [1]
STATE SERVICE BUS
Earliest seen "JULY73". Issued to state-owned service buses.
"STATE SERV.BUS" top.
"JULY73" White/Blue 46 - 109 old dies
"AUG 80" 308 -[414] new dies
TAXI
Ch. 292 P 5/18/1929, E 7/17/1929. Began 1929.
LEGENDS: Vertical "TAXI" left 1929-30,
"TAXI" top 1932-41, 1958-80,
vertical "TAXI" right, "CT" in LL corner 1949-55, "CONN" in LL corner 1956.
1929-30, 1932-33 118
1934 375
1935 216
1936 969
1937 968
1939 621
1940 132
1941 133
1949 [1000]
1955-56 "CONN" 27 - 270
1958 - "MAR 66" White/Blue 35 -[1050]
"MAR 67" Blue/White 519 - 1497 old dies, tab slots
"MAR 82" 1668 - 1760 new dies
(2155 Map base)
TEMPORARY
Mentioned in 1920 order.
Ch. 400 P 6/14/1921 listed Passenger, Commercial, Dealer,
Motorcycle, Public Service and Side Car. Earliest seen 1922.
Issued to visiting vehicles, not necessarily as replacements.
Passenger plates valid for 10 days for a fee of $2 in 1924;
still 10 days as of 1964.
1924 types/prefixes: Passenger T, Commercial T (reverse colors),
Motorcycle T, Combination TC, Public Service Jitney TJ (reverse
colors), Public Service Livery/Taxi T-O, Repairer TR, Dealer TX.
1922 Combination TC-12, Public Service Jitney TJ-11,
Public Service Livery/Taxi TO-50
1925 Passenger T-26
1927 Dealer TX-136, Public Service Livery/Taxi T-O-192
1931 Passenger T-47, Public Service Livery/Taxi T-O-131
1935 Passenger T802
1936 Commercial T 28
1938 Passenger T780, dated, Black/Silver
1940 Passenger T304, dated, Black/Silver
1942 Passenger 554T, dated, Black/Silver,
Livery 60 T same, Repair 75 T same
1947 UND. Repairer T716, "CONN. 194" bottom
1953-54 UND. Passenger 86 T
1954 Used Dealer T 57
1956 Repairer T 59
1958 Passenger 1451 T
Commercial [125 T]
Dealer [1000T]
Motorcycle [T 50]
UND. Repair 304 T, Blue/Aluminum (c.1958-60)
1961 Dealer T 271
1965 Dealer 423 T
Repair 165 T
1966 Dealer 413 T
Blue base, old dies Commercial 475 T
Blue base, new dies (early 70s) Passenger 3074 T
White base, small dies (70s) Motorcycle 202 T
1974 Dealer 216 T
1976 Dealer 540 T, Repair 228 T
1978 Dealer 161 T, old dies
1980 Passenger [4900 T]
Commercial [278 T] (Light/Dark, old dies)
Motorcycle [222 T] (Dark/Light)
("2 84" Dealer 1081 T)
(1980's Repair 376 T)
TEMPORARY (CARDBOARD)
Began 1941. Earliest seen 1948.
Vertical "CONN." left, Black/White.
Bottom legend: 1948-67 "EXPIRES MONTH DAY YEAR"
1968-69 "Expires Month Day Year"
1971-80 "Expires Mo. Day Yr."
"PASSENGER" "3/10/1948"
"COMB." "10/21/1972"
"COM." "10/17/1963"
"MOTORCYCLE" "5/15/1969"
"TRAILER" "5/4/1967"
TRAILER
As of 1924, commercial trailers were issued Commercial plates.
First defined Ch. 195 P 6/23/1925. Earliest seen 1938.
Issued to commercial trailers only.
LEGENDS: "TRAILER" bottom 1938, 1940, top 1941-45, 1951-80,
"TRL (46) CT" bottom 1946-50.
COLORS: Commercial colors all years.
1938 1490
1940 2026
1941 88
1942-45 Dated 671
Undated 3470 - 4101
1946-50 10026
1951-55 "1951" 5886
"19" 13-706 - 15-374
1956-57 10619
1958-59 16-082
1960-66 White/Blue 210 - 6575 tab higher than state name
"60" 10582 - 15517 tab aligned with state name,
widely spaced numbers
"APR 66" 16021 - 26623 closely spaced numbers
"APR 67" Red/White 190 - 31564 old dies, tab slots
"APR 73" 43799 - 75694 old dies, no slots
76368 - 99772, new dies
1985? S-1997 - S-8312
(V-4000 Map base)
TRANSPORTATION (1954-80: See Dealer Table)
Registration figures start 1942. Earliest seen 1949 chart [100].
Issued to banks and finance companies to transport repossessed
passenger vehicles.
LEGENDS: Vertical "TRAN" right, "CT" in LL corner 1949-50,
"TRANS." top, "CONN.1954" bottom right 1954,
Vertical "TRAN" right, "CONN" in LL corner 1956-57,
"TRANS." top 1958-80.
1949-50 16 -[100]
TRANSPORTATION CAR
Ch. 333 P 5/19/1917. Began 7/1/1917. Reported 1917.
Only seen 1918. Listed on 1918 order in Hartford Courant
6/23/1917, with 100 pairs. Probably discontinued 1919, replaced
by Special Dealer, and by 1922 Temporary plates had "T" prefix.
1918 T-37 (pair)
TRANSPORTATION COMMERCIAL (See Dealer Table)
Earliest seen 1957. Last seen 1979.
Identical to Transportation Passenger but reverse colors.
UNITED STATES CONGRESS/SENATEBegan 1953. Connecticut had 6 U.S. Representatives from 1953 to
2002, and 5 since 2003, and has always had 2 U.S. Senators.
A. Undated c.1953, Black/White FR, "CONNECTICUT" top,
"U.S. CONGRESSMAN" bottom, #6; "U.S. SENATOR" bottom, #2
B. Undated c.1957, White/Blue, 1953 design, old dies, tab slots,
"U.S. CONGRESSMAN", #2
C. Undated, "JULY 67" sticker, "U.S. CONGRESS" top, "CONNECTICUT"
bottom, #5; c.1977, "U.S. SENATOR" top, #2
D. Undated 1980, White/Blue, "U.S. CONGRESS" or "U.S. SENATE"
top, both [1]
UNKNOWN TYPE MOTORCYCLE TEMPORARY?
Only seen 1956. Motorcycle size, tab slots, #S12T.
VAN POOL
P.A. 79-244 P 1979. Earliest seen "JUL 80".
"VAN POOL" or "VANPOOL" top.
"JUL 80" Blue/White [1000]- 1549 "VAN POOL"
2757 - 2846 "VANPOOL"
(3927 Map base)
(White/Blue #1002, 1868 also exist but were never issued)
VETERAN
Earliest seen 1964 chart. "VETERAN" top.
"JULY68" White/Blue 468 old dies, tab slots
562 - 640 old dies, no slots
768 new dies
(857 Map base)
VETERAN OF FOREIGN WARS
Earliest seen "DEC 71". No legend, "VFW" prefix.
"DEC 71" White/Blue VFW - 6 - VFW-274 old dies, no slots
White/Blue slogan VFW-764
WRECKER
P.A. 340 P 1953. Began 1954. "WRECKER" top.
Colors, dates and replate cycles same as Dealer 1954-65.
1954 573 1959-60 1100 1964 1178
1955 522 1961 1123 1965 1471
1956-57 1120 1962 971
1958 [1200] 1963 1046
"FEB 67" Blue/White 7 - 1451 old dies, tab slots
"FEB 76" 2182 - 2956 old dies, no slots
1980 3838 - 5339 new dies
(6807 map)
PERMITS:
BOAT RAMP
Earliest seen 1971.
Issued to boat trailers using boat ramp, possibly in Bridgeport.
Smaller plate, "BOAT RAMP" top, "-71" right, no state name 1971-75.
1971 10 - 958 White/Blue
1972 "DEC 72" Black/Yellow sticker
1975 "DEC 75" Black/White sticker
CATTLE DEALER
Blank seen 1962. Earliest seen 1972.
1962: "CONN. DEPT. of AGRICULTURE/CATTLE DEALER" top,
"EXPIRES JUNE 30, 1962" bottom, White/Brown.
1972: Same but "1972" sticker instead of embossed year date,
White/Dark Blue, #462 - 534.
DEALER OPERATOR LICENSE
Ch. 221 P 7/27/1907. Began 1907.
Undated porcelain plate bearing only the operator's license
number required when Dealer-owned cars were being driven.
No legend or prefix. Still in effect 1913.
Yellow/Black #2774 in 1907-09 dies; none seen in 1910-13 dies.
DEALER'S/REPAIRER'S LICENSE
Ch. 271? Began 7/1/1933. Occupational license issued to dealerships
and repair garages (to be displayed on building premises). Law still in
effect 1945, but plate issuance unknown. All plates 6" x 11".
No state name 1933-34, 1937-38, "DEALER'S LICENSE" or "REPAIRER'S LICENSE" top.
LEGENDS/COLORS: 1933 "EXP.DEC.31.1933" bottom, White/Maroon, old dies
1934 "EXP.DEC.31.1934" bottom, White/Dark Blue, old dies
1935 Undated, "CONNECTICUT" bottom, White/Maroon, old dies
1936 "EXP.FEB.28.1937" bottom, Yellow/Dark Blue, old dies
1937 "EXP.FEB.28.1938" bottom, Black/Silver, old dies
1938? Undated, "CONNECTICUT" bottom, Black/Silver, new dies
DEALER'S LICENSE REPAIRER'S LICENSE
1933 525 - 1039 - 1061
1934 880 - 1502 -
1935 D 172 - , X 321 - X 386 O 96 - O 255, R 240 -
1936 D 70 - D 200, O 96 - O 301, R 254 -
1937 D 269 - D 272, X 495 - X 892 O 368 - ,
1938? D 124 - D 269, X 495 - X 892 O 41 - O 501,
FISH
Earliest seen 1978. Issued to commercial fishing boats.
Full size, "CT FISH" bottom, Blue/White, large vertical "78" to "86" sticker right.
Yellow seems to be the most common. Green, Orange or Yellow sticker designates
Pleasure (traps), Commercial (11+ lobster traps) or Net-Fishing vessel (which
color designates which type unknown).
1978-82 00072 - 09892
GASOLINE LICENSE
Ch. 166, P 5/1/1919, E 7/1/1919. Began 7/1/1919.
Issued to retail gasoline dealers for $2 fee per place of
business, to be displayed on building (or pumps?),
expiring June 1, 1920.
Small size 1919-20, 1922, full size 1925, 1927-31, 1934.
Flat 1919. Highest listed in directory: 1923 2798.
REGISTRATIONS:
1919/20 1,925 1928/29 4,350 1937/38 4,431
1920/21 2,220 1929/30 4,560 1938/39 4,620
1921/22 2,725 1930/31 4,645 1939/40 4,641
1922/23 3,011 1931/32 4,468 1940/41 4,500
1923/24 3,346 1932/33 4,673 1941/42 4,407
1924/25 3,846 1933/34 4,597 1942/43 3,947
1925/26 3,921 1934/35 4,907 1943/44 3,760
1926/27 4,058 1935/36 4,993
1927/28 4,148 1936/37 4,406
LEGENDS: "GASOLINE LICENSE" top 1919-22, 1925, 1927-31, 1934,
bottom undated base, "CONN. 1919" bottom 1919-20, 1922,
"EXPIRES-MAY-31-1925" bottom 1925, 1928-31 (no state name),
"EXP. MAY 31. 1933" bottom 1933-34, (no state name),
"CONNECTICUT" top undated base.
1919 973 Red/White 3 1/2" x 8"
1920 1637 Blue/White 3 1/2" x 8 1/2"
1921 557 Red?/Black? 3 1/2" x 8 1/2"
1922 1108 Maroon/White 3 1/2" x 8 1/2"
5/31/1925 2324 White/Black (repaint)
5/31/1927 2994 White/Maroon
5/31/1928 2287 White/Green (repaint) 7" x 11 1/2"
5/31/1929 433 White/Maroon
5/31/1930 4101 White/Dark Blue 7" x 11 1/2"
5/31/1931 3480 White/Maroon
5/31/1933 3867 White/Maroon
5/31/1934 4155 White/Dark Blue
UNDATED 2895 - 5993 White/Maroon 6" x 11"
GOLF CART
Reportedly began 1966-67. Earliest seen "MAR 69". According to
1974 list, no longer issued. Issued to golf carts crossing public
highways. Motorcycle size, vertical "GOLF" left, Blue/White,
"MAR 69", #75 C, 165 E.
HEAVY DUTY PERMIT
Ch. 297 P 6/11/1929. Earliest seen 1949.
Supplemental plate issued for operation of heavy trailers.
Later, also issued to trucks, since pairs seen.
"STATE HIGHWAY DEPT." top, "PLATE NO. 92/P-( )/EXPIRES( )"
center, "CONN. 1949" bottom 1949-72, "1973 CONNECTICUT 1974" top,
"HEAVY DUTY PERMIT PLATE" bottom in reverse-color bands, DOT logo
left, flat 1973/74 - 75/76. 1978-81 base same but no dates,
sticker right, stick-on numbers.
1949 92 Black/Silver 1968 241 Black/White
1959 146 Black/Yellow 1969 192
1960 121 Black/Silver 1971 192 Black/Gold
1967 293 Black/Silver 1972 312 Blue/Silver
1973/74 312 Blue/White
1974/75 348 Red/White
1975/76 312 Green/White
UND. "APR 78" 84 Blue/White (Red stick-on numbers)
MILK ADMINISTRATION
Began 7/1/1933, expire 6/30/1934. Earliest seen expire 6/30/1935.
Issued by the State Milk Control Board. Last seen 6/30/1954.
Triangular plate, 8" x 8" x 8" all years.
LEGENDS: "MILK CONTROL" top, "LICENSE/CONN/TO JUNE/30-34" bottom 1934-35,
"MILK DEALER" top, "LICENSE/CONN/TO JUNE/30-36" bottom 1936-38,
"CONN MILK ADM" top, "TO JUNE 30/1940" bottom 1940-54.
6/30/1934 Red/White 6/30/1945 White/Maroon 2140
6/30/1935 1266 6/30/1946 Black/Yellow 2556
6/30/1936 Yellow/White? 2266 6/30/1947 White/Black 789
6/30/1937 White/Maroon 1421 6/30/1948 Black/Yellow 623
6/30/1938 White/Dark Green? 1746 6/30/1949
6/30/1939 6/30/1950 White/Red 1202
6/30/1940 White/Maroon 1108 6/30/1951
6/30/1941 White/Blue 979 6/30/1952 White/Green 330
6/30/1942 6/30/1953 Black/White 1131
6/30/1943 White?/Black 2977 6/30/1954 White/Red 6
6/30/1944
MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT PATROL
Small undated supplementary plate, large "PATROL" top, "MV DEPT"
in LL corner, #1 - 17 in LR corner, White/Black. 1940's?
MOTOR VEHICLE JUNK YARD
Ch. 245 P 5/28/1929. Registration figures start 1929/30.
Earliest seen expire 9/30/1933.
Issued to salvage yards (to be displayed on building premises).
No state name, "MOTOR VEHICLE JUNK YARD" top.
1933 "EXPIRES SEPT. 30 1933" bottom, White/Maroon 33
1934 "EXPIRES SEPT. 30 1934" bottom, White/Dark Blue 11
1935
1936
1937 "EXPIRES SEPT. 30 1937" bottom, Black/Silver 4
1938 "EXPIRES SEPT. 30 1938" bottom, Silver/Black 5
POULTRY LICENSE
Earliest seen expire 2/28/1941.
LEGENDS: "CONN.DEPT.of AGRICULTURE/POULTRY LICENSE" top,
"EXPIRES-FEB.28,1941" bottom 1941-42,
"CONN.DEPT.OF AGRICULTURE" above "BONDED DEALER" or "CASH DEALER" top,
"LIVE" left, "POULTRY" right, "EXPIRES FEB.28, 1953" bottom 1953, 1958, 1961-62, 1964-65, 1973,
same 1966 except "EXPIRES 2-28-1966" bottom.
2/28/1941 Black/Yellow 338
2/28/1942 White/Maroon 341
BONDED CASH
2/28/1953 White/Gold 295
2/28/1958 White/Red 246
2/28/1961 White/Blue 63 Gold/White 191
2/28/1962 Dark Green/White 65 White/Red 174 (pair)
2/28/1964 Red/White 59
2/28/1965 White/Orange 43 White/Red 139
2/28/1966 White/Black 26 Black/White 144
2/28/1973 White/Red 35
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Law P 1935. Issued in 3 classes 1936: Common, Contract, Interstate.
Earliest seen 1936. Small supplemental plates all years.
No serial 1936-37, numbered 1938-71. Fiberboard 1943-44.
Last seen 1971. ME, MA Interstate and RI also last seen 1971.
LEGENDS: "CONN. 1936" top, "INTERSTATE" bottom 1936,
"CONN. 1937" top, "COMMON" or "INTERSTATE" bottom 1937,
"INTERSTATE" top, "CONN.'38" in LR corner 1938-41,
"COMMON" top, "CONN.'41" in LR corner 1940-41,
"P.U.C. CONN" top, "'43" after serial bottom 1943-59,
"P.U.C.-CONN." top, "-60" after serial bottom 1960-71.
COLORS: Yellow/Dark Blue 1936, Black/Silver 1937, 1939, 1941,
Silver/Black 1938, 1940, Yellow/Black even years 1944-70,
Black/Yellow odd years 1945-71.
1938 INTERSTATE 2288 -
1939 INTERSTATE 4467 - 4468
1940 COMMON - 3135, INTERSTATE 3592 - 7655
1941 COMMON 371 - 4697, INTERSTATE 1487 - 5005, A552
1943 881 - 12367 1953 251 - 25069 1963 5454 - 58142
1944 77 - 7244 1954 3566 - 29802 1964 358 - 61359
1945 11101 - 1955 1381 - 37175 1965 1574 - 68455
1946 1944 - 11809 1956 3797 - 42859 1966 127 - 72349
1947 7284 - 1957 20676 - 44232 1967 611 - 74678
1948 122 - 18260 1958 371 - 35140 1968 84 - 83358
1949 211 - 18500 1959 974 - 52138 1969 6300 - 90584
1950 1405 - 21384 1960 49 - 54186 1970 2104 - 91773
1951 3055 - 15190 1961 115 - 48388 1971 5673 - 91839
1952 463 - 23881 1962 13605 - 52006
SPHINX
Earliest seen 1958. Still listed 1974, as well as "Pyramid".
Issued to Shriners parade vehicles to represent the Sphinx Temple
in Hartford and the Pyramid Temple in Bridgeport.
Motorcycle-size with rounded extension bottom for attachment,
White/Blue, "SPHINX" top, "CONN. 58" bottom, #9; 1962 same #21.
STATE POLICE
6" x 10 1/2" undated embossed supplementary plate with large
"STATE/POLICE", White/Red, seen in period photo with 1937/47
passenger base. Replaced by flat reflective version 1954.
Shield-shaped style appeared c.1964-69; returned to rectangle
c.1970.
TERCENTENARY
Supplemental plate issued 1934-35.
Record-Journal (Meriden), 1/29/1935: "The state motor vehicle
department has placed a second order for the special tercentenary
markers which brings the total to 24,000 pairs...of the 14,000
pairs originally ordered there remain less than 1,000."
