FLORIDA PLATE TYPES - SUMMARY CHRONOLOGICALLY BY INTRODUCTION DATE
(Types researched through 6/3/1986)
PLATE TYPE EARLIEST SEEN BEGAN NOTES
Passenger 1918 1918 Ch. 7275 P 5/28/1917
Bus 1925 1918 Ch. 7275 P 5/28/1917
Dealer 1918 1918 Ch. 7275 P 5/28/1917
Motorcycle 1918 1918 Ch. 7275 P 5/28/1917
Truck 1918 1918 Ch. 7275 P 5/28/1917
Ambulance/Hearse 1925 1922 Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921
Automobile For Hire 1923 1922 Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921
Bus Hotel-to-Depot 1925 1922 Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921
Side Car 1923 1922 Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921
Temporary (Cardboard) 1924 1922 Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921
Trailer 1925 1922 Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921
Trailer For Hire 1932 1922 Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921
Truck For Hire 1925 1922 Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921
Non-Resident (all types) 1924 1924 Ch.9153/5 P 6/8/1923
Exempt 1928 1926 Ch.10182 P 6/11/1925
Exempt M/C 1934 1926 Ch.10182 P 6/11/1925
Sample 1926
Replacement 1928 1928 MVD Edict
(U-Drive 1930?)
City Bus 1937 1932 Ch.15625 P 6/26/1931
Navy 1932 1932 Law P 1931
Wrecker 1949 1932 Ch.15625 P 6/26/1931
School Bus 1933 1933 Ch.16085 P 6/12/1933
Seminole Indian 1939 Reportedly began 1933
Army 1935
Bus Half Year 1941 1936
City Bus Half Year 1944 1936
State Road Department 1936 1936
Trailer For Hire Half Yr. 1942 1936
Truck For Hire Half Year 1937 1936
Fla. Interstate Commerce 1944 1938
Fla. Interstate Commerce 1944 1938
Fla. Highway Patrol 1940 1940
Fla. Highway Patrol M/C 1942 1940
Governor 1965 1940
Motor Veh. Commissioner 1940
Circus 1942 1942
House Trailer/Mobile Home 1947 6/7/47 Ch.23969 P 6/16/1947
(Aircraft 1948 Ch.24045 P 6/16/1947)
Circus Float 1948 1948
Florida Forest Service 1957 1948
Florida Park Service 1955 1948
Highway Interstate Comm.? 1960 1948
Motorcycle Dealer 1948 1948
Antique 1949 1949 Ch.24278 P 6/16/1947
Grove Equipment ("Goat") 1949 1949 Ch.24278 P 6/16/1947
Amateur Radio 1950 1950 Ch.25049 P 5/12/1949
Construction Equipment 1952 1950
President 1951
Convention Car 1952
(Model 1953)
U.S. Congress/U.S. Senate 1953
Commercial Vehicle 1954 1954
Autorama 1955 1955 Ch.28203 P 6/15/1953
Fla. State Turnpike Auth. 1958 1956
Foreign Consul 1956 1956
Forty & Eight 1956
Division of Corrections 1958 1958
Horseless Carriage 1958 1958 Ch. 57-326 P 6/4/1957
Convention M/C 1961
Disabled Veteran 1960 1960 Ch. 59-104 P 5/21/1959
Drum Corps 1960
Budget Commission (BC) UND. 1962
City UND. 1962
City M/C UND. 1962
County UND. 1962
County M/C UND. 1962
Non-Profit Organization 1962 1962
Sheriff UND. 1962
State UND. 1962
State M/C UND. 1962
Fla. Development Comm. UND. 1963
M. V. Commission (MVC) UND. 1963
Fla. Board of Conserv. UND. 1964
Game and Fish Commission UND. 1964
Franchise Dealer (MF) 1966 1966 Ch. 65-332 P 6/25/1965
Independent Dealer (MI) 1966 1966 Ch. 65-332 P 6/25/1965
In-Transit 30-Day Temp. 7/3/66 1966 Ch. 65-192 P 5/25/1965
National Guard 1966 1966 Ch. 65-132 P 5/20/1965
Trailer Dealer (MT) 1966 1966 Ch. 65-332 P 6/25/1965
Disabled Veteran M/C UND. 1967 Ch. 67-47 P 5/16/1967
State Legislator/Senator 1967/68 1967/68 Ch. 67-545 P 8/4/1967
Press Photographer 1968
Dept. of Nat. Resources UND. 1969/70
Florida Marine Patrol UND. 1969/70
Miccosukee Indian 1969/70 1969/70
Agr. and Consumer Serv. UND. 1970/71
Div. of Motor Vehicles UND. 1972
Citizens Band Radio 1973 1973 Ch. 72-379 P 4/26/1972
Junior College UND. 1973? "JC" listed 1968/69
Dept. of Transportation UND. 1973
Disabled Veteran Handicap.UND. 1973 Ch. 72-31 P 3/8/1972
Horseless Carriage M/C UND. 1973
Personalized 1973 1973 Ch. 72-80 P 3/27/1972
Recreational Vehicle (RV) 1973 1973 Ch. 72-339 P 4/24/1972
Truck-Tractor 1974 1974 Ch. 73-284 P 6/24/1973
Truck-Tractor Half Year 1974 1974 Ch. 73-284 P 6/24/1973
Div. of Driver Licensing UND. 1974? November 1974 photo
Handicapped (Wheelchair) 1975 1975 Ch. 74-30 P 5/9/1974
Handicapped Person (HP) 1975 1975 Ch. 74-202 P 6/18/1974
Personalized M/C 1975 Ch. 75-229 P 6/27/1975
Public Service Commission UND. 1975
Florida State Prison UND. 1976?
Volunteer Fire Department UND. 1976?
Moped UND. 1979 Ch. 76-286 P 6/30/1976
Former Prisoner of War "JUL 83" 7/1/82 Ch. 82-97 P 4/5/1982
United States Reserve "MAY 83" 7/1/82 Ch. 82-97 P 4/5/1982
Street Rod "DEC 87" 10/1/83 Ch. 83-19 P 4/28/1983
Pearl Harbor Survivor "MAY 88" 10/1/84 Ch. 84-108 P 5/30/1984
Medal of Honor "JUN 96" 6/3/86 Ch. 84-108 P 5/30/1984
PERMITS:
Railroad & P.U.Commission 1936 7/1/29 Ch.13700 P 1929
Beverage Vehicle 1936/37 Ch.16774 P 5/27/1935
University of Florida 1936
Maintenance Tag 1941 1941 Ch.20210 P 4/18/1941
Front Plates (various) 1956
Sign Permit 1964 1964 Ch. 63-237 P 5/31/1963
Real Property UND. 1/4/71 Ch. 70-391 P 7/8/1970
Livestock Hauler 1974 Reportedly began 1974
INITIAL ORDER 1929:
Passenger (C) 235,000 Motorcycle (A) 1,200
Duplicate (C) 3,000 Exempt (X) 4,000
Truck (G) 65,000 Exempt M/C (AX) 300
Duplicate (G) 1,000 Amb./Hearse (K) 300
Dealer (M) 2,500 TOTAL 312,300
INITIAL ORDER 1931:
Passenger 400,000 Motorcycle (A) 2,000
Pass. Hire ? Exempt (X) 4,000
Truck 75,000 Exempt M/C (AX) 300
Truck Hire 4,000 Dealer (M) 2,500
Trailer 3,000 Amb./Hearse (K) 400
Trailer Hire 2,000
Duplicate Pass. 4,000
Duplicate Truck 2,000
INITIAL ORDER 1933:
Passenger (Plain) 250,000 Motorcycle (A) 2,500
Passenger (D) 60,000 Exempt (X) 3,500
Pass. Hire (E) 2,000 Exempt M/C (AX) 250
Pass. Hire (F) 500 Dealer (M) 3,500
Truck (G) 50,000 Amb./Hearse (K) 500
Truck (H) 5,000 Wrecker (W) 1,000
Pickup Truck (T) 5,000 Bus (C) 500
Truck Hire (G) 1,000 School Bus (S) 1,000
Truck Hire (H) 1,000 Duplicate 3,650
Trailer (B) 7,500
Trailer (L) 500
Trailer Hire (N) 200
Trailer Hire (O) 300 TOTAL 399,400
INITIAL ORDER 1936:
Passenger 335,000 Motorcycle (A) 1,800
Truck 76,000 Exempt (X) 5,000
Trailer 16,600 Exempt M/C (AX) 400
Pass. Hire 4,800 Dealer (M) 3,000
Truck Hire 1,900 Bus (C) 600
Trailer Hire 1,400
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
1943: Tab assumed issued for all types.
(Rear window sticker also issued)
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Began 1970/71 on permanent undated base with "ACS" prefix.
UND. (1971) Black/Yellow ACS-5396
(AIRCRAFT
Ch. 24045 P 6/16/1947, E 1/1/1948. Jeff Francis reports owning
a 1955 decal. Listed in registration figures as "AC" 1948-58.)
AMATEUR RADIO
Ch. 25049 P 5/12/1949, E 7/1/1949. Began 1950.
1950 W4AA - W4ZZZ
1959 K4AAA - K4ZZZ (Verify 1956-58)
1965 WA4AAA - WA4ZZZ (Verify 1962-64)
1968/69 WB4AAA - WB4ZZZ (Verify 1967/68)
AMBULANCE/HEARSE (1922-37: See Table 1)
Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921, E 1/1/1922. Began 1922.
Earliest seen 1925. County-coded 1938-75.
Ordered: 300 1929, 400 1931, 500 1933.
1922-33: K = Ambulance/Hearse. (1925 has no tab slots)
(1932 no legend, crosses flanking serial number)
1934-48: K = Ambulance/Hearse/School Bus/Wrecker.
1949: K/A = Ambulance/Hearse.
1950-75: K = Ambulance/Hearse/School Bus/Wrecker.
ANTIQUE
Ch. 24278 P 6/16/1947. Began 1949.
Issued to vehicles >20 years old. Must have windshield, dimmers
on front lights, high standards for brakes and tail lights, and
be certified by Florida Highway Patrol.
Extended to trucks up to 3,000 lbs. 10/1/1973, "74".
1949-75: Q = Antique. County-coded.
ARMY
Earliest seen 1935. Discontinued 1937. Issued to U.S. Army
personnel stationed at Fort Barrancas in Pensacola.
1935 No legend A 497
1936 "ARMY" 148, 72D, 3T, 13W (Weight classes)
AUTOMOBILE FOR HIRE (1922-37: See Table 1)
Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921, E 1/1/1922. Began 1922.
Earliest seen 1923. Not issued 1926-27; Passenger plates issued.
1922-25: D = Automobile For Hire.
1928-29: #30-001-C - 35-000-C of Passenger series assigned 1928.
1930-31: "FOR HIRE" legend.
1932: E = <3,000 lbs., F = >3,000 lbs., "FOR HIRE".
1933: E = 1-6 passengers, F = >7 passengers, "FOR HIRE".
1934-75: E = Automobile For Hire. County-coded 1938-75.
UND. NON-MAP BASE HAA 001 - HAK 412 (7,405) (No HAD,HAG,HAM issued)
UND. ORANGE MAP BASE (HAP 227 on are passenger)
"JUN 79" ZAA 001 - ZZZ 999, ZIA 001 - ZQZ 999
"JUN 85" 001 ZAA - 999 ZZZ, 001 YAA - 995 YDP
("JUN 89" GREEN MAP BASE 885 YDS)
AUTORAMA
Ch. 28203 P 6/15/1953, E immediately. Began 1955. Discontinued 1961.
Personalized plates made for automobiles in the museum collection of
the James Melton Autorama in Hypoluxo, FL (Palm Beach Co.).
BUDGET COMMISSION
Began 1962 on permanent undated base with "BC" prefix. Only year issued.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow BC-1 (Only one issued)
BUS (1918-37: See Table 1)
Ch. 7275 P 5/28/1917, E 1/1/1918. Began 1918.
Earliest seen 1925. Not issued 1926-31. No legend all years.
County-coded 1938-75.
1918-21: F = Bus.
1922-25: E = Bus 1 - 16 passengers, F = Bus >16 passengers.
1932: C = Special Bus.
1933: C = City Bus, S = School Bus.
1934-49: F = Bus 7-16 passengers, S = Bus >16 passengers.
1950-75: S = Bus.
BUS HALF YEAR (1936-37: See Table 1)
Began 1936. Earliest seen 1941. County-coded 1938-75.
Colors: Reversed 1939-43, 1946-64. Normal 1944-45, 1965-on.
1936-49: F = Bus 7-16 passengers, S = Bus >16 passengers.
1950-75: S = Bus.
BUS HOTEL-TO-DEPOT (See Table 1)
Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921, E 1/1/1922. Began 1922.
Earliest seen 1925. Discontinued 1926.
1922-25: U = Bus Hotel-to-Depot.
CIRCUS (1948-59 RB: See Table 3)
Began 1942. (A photo of a 1939 plate #RB-4 exists but plate not documented.)
Discontinued 1960.
("Circus Permit" also listed 1957 only in registration figures; a separate type?)
1939-59: RB = Ringling Brothers. (1942 R-B 194, 1943 TAB Reverse colors, 1944 R-B 59,
1946 R-B 63, 1947 R-B 73 seen)
1946-50: EBS = Endy Brothers Shows. (1949 EBS 6 seen)
1947: SC = Sparks Circus. (None seen)
1948-58: SS = Strates Shows. (1958 SS-15 seen)
1950-58: WOM = World of Mirth. (1950 WOM 80, 1953 WOM 35, 1955 WOM 99, 1956 WOM-41,
1957 WOM-204, 1958 WOM-111 seen)
CIRCUS FLOAT
Began 1948. Discontinued 1950.
1948 68U-100
CITIZENS BAND RADIO
Ch. 72-379 P 4/26/1972, E 7/1/1972. Began 1973, #KMV 7150 seen.
CITY
Began 1962 on permanent undated base with "CITY" prefix.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow 18332
CITY BUS (1932-37: See Table 1)
Ch. 15625 P 6/26/1931, E 7/1/1931. Began 1932.
Earliest seen 1937.
1932: C = Special Bus.
1933-75: C = City Bus. County-coded 1938-75.
1977: CC = City Bus (reportedly).
CITY BUS HALF YEAR (1936-37: See Table 1)
Began 1936. Earliest seen 1944.
Colors: Reversed 1939-43, 1946-64. Normal 1944-45, 1965-on.
1936-75: C = City Bus. County-coded 1938-75.
CITY MOTORCYCLE
Began 1962 on permanent undated base with "CY" prefix.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow C/Y 760 (Octagon)
UND. (1967?)Black/Yellow CY 1359 (Rectangle)
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE (See Truck page)
Began 1954.
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
Began 1950. Earliest seen 1952.
1950-75: G/W = Construction Equipment. County-coded.
CONVENTION CAR (1952-61: See Table 3; 1962-75: See Table 4)
Reported in use in 1951. Earliest seen 1952.
Some 1962-75 have prefix numbers 2, 3 or 7, which might be county codes.
CONVENTION MOTORCYCLE (1962-75: See Table 4)
Earliest seen 1961 #23. Some 1962-75 have prefix numbers 2, 3 or
7, which might be county codes.
COUNTY
Began 1962 on permanent undated base with "COUNTY" prefix.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow 36332
COUNTY MOTORCYCLE
Began 1962 on permanent undated base with "CO" prefix.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow C/O 188 (Octagon)
DEALER (1918-37: See Table 1)
Ch. 7275 P 5/28/1917, E 1/1/1918. Began 1918.
M = Dealer all years. "DEALER" 1920-32. County-coded 1938-66.
Issued in sets of 5 identical pairs 1918-21, 5 identical singles
1922-23, singly only 1924-on.
Ordered: 2,500 1929, 1931, 3,500 1933, 3,000 1936.
Discontinued 1966, although 37 regular Dealer registrations listed;
split into Franchise, Independent and Trailer Dealer 1966.
Colors: Reversed 1918, 1920-21, (1924-26 rp), 1929-30, 1932, 1936-43, 1946-64.
Normal 1934-35, 1944-45, 1965-on.
(Verify 1919, 1922-28, 1931, 1933)
1935: Non-locking, "FLORIDA-1935" bottom (1934 locking plate).
UND. NON-MAP BASE MAA 001 - MBA 533 (23,510) (Error ZAM 210 = MAZ)
(MBL 019 - 842 also seen)
UND. ORANGE MAP BASE MBF 707 - MRB 295 (294,294) (Rep. began MBD 380)
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Began 1969/70 on permanent undated base with "DNR" prefix.
UND. (1970) Black/Yellow DNR-
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Began 1973 on permanent undated base with "DOT" prefix.
UND. (1973) Black/Yellow DOT-562, DOT-3445, DOT89826
DISABLED VETERAN
Ch. 59-104 P 5/21/1959, E immediately. Began 1960.
Front plate also issued with each base, "DV", no number.
Issued to amputee veterans who have a vehicle financed by the
U.S. Veterans Administration.
1960 DV-526 (90DV-22 replacement also seen)
1961 DV
1962 DV (90DV-6 replacement also seen)
1963 DV-764 White/Dark Blue
1963 DV-803 Black/Yellow
UND. (1964) DV-6141 Black/Yellow (8,588 issued as of 2/25/1971)
UND. (1971) DV-23474 White/Red & Dark Blue
(DV-25711 Same, no border or slogan)
UND. "JUL 83" DV 8506 Graphic stars and stripes design, red numbers
DISABLED VETERAN HANDICAPPED
Ch. 72-31 P 3/8/1972, E 9/1/1972.
Began 1973 on permanent undated base with wheelchair prefix.
Front plate has wheelchair centered, with no numbers
UND. (1973) White/Red & Dark Blue (Wheelchair)-348
DISABLED VETERAN MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 67-47 P 5/16/1967.
Began 1967 on permanent undated base.
UND. (1967) Black/Yellow 1-DV
DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS
Began 1958. Reversed colors 1958-60.
1958 DC-1
1959 DC-146
1960 DC-225
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow DC-363
DIVISION OF DRIVER LICENSING
Began by 1974 on permanent undated base with "DDL" prefix.
Seen in November 1974 photo.
UND. (1974) Black/Yellow DDL-51
DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Began 1972 on permanent undated base with "DMV" prefix.
UND. (1972) Black/Yellow DMV-26
DRUM CORPS
Only seen 1960, "DRUM CORPS" left, #29.
EXEMPT (1926-37: See Table 1; 1938-61: See Table 2)
Ch. 10182 P 6/11/1925, E 1/1/1926. Began 1926. Earliest seen 1928.
Issued to state, county and city owned vehicles.
(Possibly issued 1925, using #50-001-X+ series, as #1-X - 35-X =
Pneumatic Trailer For Hire. 1925 #52-750-X seen w/o "CAP'Y".)
"OFFICIAL" 1930-31. In 1962, most were replaced by State, County
and City, but other tax-exempt authorities are believed to have
continued issuing plain numbers on permanent base (verify).
Ordered: 4,000 1929, 1931, 3,500 1933, 4,000 1935 (then 200 more), 5,000 1936.
Colors: Reversed (1928 rp), 1939-43, 1946-61.
Normal 1925, 1930-38, 1944-45.
1926-61: X = Exempt.
1935: Non-locking, "FLORIDA-1935" bottom (1934 locking plate).
1951: 68X10000+ extra-long. (Expected 1950)
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow 39, 0691, 1915, 2716, 2843, 2999
EXEMPT MOTORCYCLE (1926-37: See Table 1; 1938-61: See Table 2)
Ch. 10182 P 6/11/1925, E 1/1/1926. Began 1926. Earliest seen
1934. In 1962, most were replaced by State, County and City
Motorcycle, but other tax-exempt authorities continued to issue
"A/X" prefix on permanent base.
Ordered: 300 1929, 1931, 250 1933, 400 1936.
1926-61: A/X = Exempt Motorcycle.
Colors: Reversed 1939-43, 1946-61. Normal 1944-45.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow A/X
FLORIDA BOARD OF CONSERVATION
Began 1964 on permanent undated base with "FBC" prefix.
Discontinued 1969/70.
UND. (1964) Black/Yellow FBC-
FLORIDA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Began 1963 on permanent undated base with "FDC" prefix.
Discontinued 1965.
UND. (1963) Black/Yellow (FDC-1 - FDC-2 - only two issued)
FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE (1948-61: See Table 3)
Began 1948. Earliest seen 1957. Became permanent 1962.
Colors: Reversed 1948-61.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow FFS-1748
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL (1940-54: See Table 2)
Began 1940. Last annual plate seen 1956. (Verify 1955)
Colors: Reversed 1940-43, 1946-47, 1950-51. Normal 1944-45, 1948-49.
Blue/White FR 1954-on.
UND. (1957?) FHP-260 - FHP-541 (6" x 12", Minn. 1950-54 dies)
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL MOTORCYCLE (See Table 2)
Began 1940. Earliest seen 1942. Discontinued 1952.
Colors: Reversed 1940-43, 1946-51. Normal 1944-45.
FLORIDA INTERSTATE COMMERCE (See Table 2)
Began 1938. Earliest seen 1944.
Discontinued 1964, but pictured in 1964 AAMVA book.
Transporter plate issued to new motor vehicles being transported
under their own power from factory to dealer.
Colors: Reversed 1939-43, 1946-61. Normal 1944-45.
FLORIDA MARINE PATROL
Began 1969/70 on permanent undated base with "FMP" prefix.
UND. (1970) Black/Yellow FMP-788
FLORIDA PARK SERVICE (1948-61: See Table 3)
Began 1948. Earliest seen 1955. Became permanent 1962.
Colors: Reversed 1948-61.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow FPS-
FLORIDA STATE PRISON
May have begun 1976 on permanent undated base with "STATE PRISON"
left and "FSP" prefix.
UND. (1976?) Black/Yellow FSP-1
FLORIDA STATE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY
Began 1956. Earliest seen 1958. Became permanent 1962.
Colors: Reversed 1956-61.
(Authority established 1953. Undated front plate seen in 1954 design
and colors with "MEMBER TURNPIKE/AUTHORITY" center, no serial.)
1956 1959
1957 1960
1958 FSTA-66 1961 FSTA-86
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow FSTA-
FOREIGN CONSUL
Began 1956. "FOREIGN CONSUL" left 1956-75.
Numbers may have begun at #100 or 101, with #200+ for Honorary.
(Miami Herald 12/3/1931: "SPECIAL LICENSE TAGS FOR DIPLOMATIC CORPS"
"A special series of automobile license tags has been set aside for
the use of diplomatic representatives of foreign nations in Miami,
Joe Frank, distributor, has been advised by W. S. McLin, acting
state motor vehicle commissioner. The action resulted from recent
requests...to attempt to obtain this courtesy for the eight consuls
in Miami.")
Colors: Reversed (career only, tax exempt) 1956?-64.
Normal (honorary, not tax exempt) 1956?-64, (all) 1965-on.
NORMAL REVERSED
1956 214 1965 162
1957 1966 233
1958 271 169 1967/68 300*
1959 275 170 1968/69 250
1960 269 170 1969/70 311
1961 1970/71 316*
1962 281 158 1972 312
1963 257 170 1973 201
1964 234 1974 201
1975 268
FORMER PRISONER OF WAR
Ch. 82-97 P 4/5/1982. Began 7/1/1982. Earliest seen "JUL 83".
"EX-POW" left, "DMV" bottom, #0002 - 1412 seen.
FORTY & EIGHT
Earliest seen 1956. "40/8" prefix. 1961 has hyphen prefix.
Last seen 1974. Number indicates Chapter ("Voiture") number.
1956, 1958, 1960 #569, 1961 #920, 1964, 1965 #294, 1967/68 #202,
1972 #890, 1974 #796 seen.
FRANCHISE DEALER
Ch. 65-332 P 6/25/1965, E 3/1/1966. Began 1966.
1970/71: #MF-4 - MF-12 seen with no county prefix - error?
1966-75: MF = Franchise Dealer. County-coded.
GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
Began 1964 on permanent undated base with "GFC" prefix.
Discontinued 1975.
UND. (1964) Black/Yellow GFC-
GOVERNOR
Began 1940. Earliest seen 1965. Listed as "FLA", no serial
number 1940-46. Not listed 1947-64 but 1961 plain #1 seen.
(Governor had been issued Passenger #1 and 2 in 1930, 1931,
1936 and 1937, #1 and D 1 in 1932.)
1965 1, GOVERNOR 1970/71 2, GOVERNOR
1966 1972 1, GOVERNOR
1967/68 1 1973 1, GOVERNOR
1968/69 1 1974 GOVERNOR
1969/70 1 1975
GROVE EQUIPMENT ("GOAT")
Ch. 24278 P 6/16/1947. Began 1949.
1949-75: P = Grove Equipment. County-coded.
UND. NON-MAP BASE PP 0497
UND. ORANGE MAP BASE PP 7495 - PP 8800 (1,306)
HANDICAPPED
Ch. 74-30 P 5/9/1974, E 7/31/1974. Began 1975.
Wheelchair suffix, old dies all years.
1975 930-(Wheelchair)
UND. ORANGE MAP BASE 3596 (Wheelchair) ("DMV" bottom)
HANDICAPPED PERSON
Ch. 74-202 P 6/18/1974, E 10/1/1974. Began 1975.
"HP" prefix all years. Extended to pickup trucks and RVs 5/30/1977.
1975 HP-743
UND. ORANGE MAP BASE HP 2042 - HP 3382 (1,341) ("DMV" bottom)
HIGHWAY INTERSTATE COMMISSION?
Began 1948. Earliest seen 1960. Discontinued 1969/70.
1960 HIC-21*
HORSELESS CARRIAGE
Ch. 57-326 P 6/4/1957, E 1/1/1958. Began 1958.
Issued to vehicles 35+ years old for $6.25 fee.
"HORSELESS CARRIAGE" left 1958-on. Became permanent 1960.
Colors: Reversed colors 1958-59, White/Red 1960-on.
1958 99*
1959 99*
UND. (1960) 1 - 5373 border, no boxes, thin "PERMANENT"
(Older issues non-reflective)
5628 - 5688 border, no boxes, wide "PERMANENT"
5725, 6033 - 6200 no border, 2 boxes, wide "PERMANENT"
5862 - border, 2 boxes, wide "PERMANENT"
HORSELESS CARRIAGE MOTORCYCLE
Began 1973 on permanent undated base with
"HORSELESS CARRIAGE PERMANENT".
UND. (1973) White/Red 6A - 63A border, 356A no border
HOUSE TRAILER/MOBILE HOME
Ch. 23969 P 6/16/1947, E immediately. Began 6/7/1947.
County-coded 1947-75.
In 1965 only, registrations dropped by about 50% due to a
Supreme Court ruling subjecting trailers to personal property
tax, and only requiring a plate if used on the road.
1947-48: H = House Trailer.
1949-53: H/T = House Trailer.
1954-75: M/H = Mobile Home.
1977-79: R-S = Mobile Home.
INDEPENDENT DEALER
Ch. 65-332 P 6/25/1965, E 3/1/1966. Began 1966.
County-coded 1966-75.
1966-75: MI = Independent Dealer (some have no serif 1974-75).
IN-TRANSIT 30-DAY TEMPORARY (Cardboard)
Ch. 65-192 P 5/25/1965, E 8/1/1965. Began 1966.
Earliest seen expire 7/3/1966, Red/White, #664.
JUNIOR COLLEGE
Began 1973? on permanent undated base with "JUNIOR/COLLEGE" left.
"JC" series also listed 1968/69 in registration figures.
By 1987, changed to "COLLEGE" left.
UND. (1973) Black/Yellow 224
MEDAL OF HONOR
Ch. 84-108 P 5/30/1984. Standard orange map base seen with
"MEDAL/OF/HONOR" left, "DMV" bottom, "JAN 87" stickers, #001,
but this may be a prototype rather than a first generation base.
Began 6/3/1986, although unknown why it took two years to issue.
Disabled Veteran design but with blue numbers, "MEDAL/OF/HONOR"
screened left, one of three U.S. military branch medals center,
#1 - 31 seen, #31 with "JUN 96" stickers.
Numbers assigned to the 11 1986 recipients according to the
chronological order of the date of military action for which
the medal was earned. Medals of the first 11 plates:
1, 3 - 7, 10 Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard
2, 9 Air Force
8, 11 Army
MICCOSUKEE INDIAN
Began 1969/70. "MICCOSUKEE/INDIAN" left all years.
1969/70 147 1973 113
1970/71 147 (1 - 99 have hyphen prefix) 1974 137*
1972 138* 1975 131
UND. ORANGE MAP BASE 220
(MODEL
Unknown type listed 1953-54 only in registration figures.)
MOPED
Ch. 76-286 P 6/30/1976, E 7/1/1976. Began 1979.
Discontinued by 1987; replaced by Motorcycle plates.
Permanent undated, no serial, "FLORIDA" top, large "MOPED" center,
White/Black undated sticker.
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 7275 P 5/28/1917, E 1/1/1918. Began 1918.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER (1948-61: See Table 3, 1962-75: See Table 4)
Began 1948. Colors: Reversed 1948-64. Normal 1965-on.
1948: 6 8M-700 seen.
1949-68/69: A/M = Motorcycle Dealer. (1958 A/ 68M-60 seen)
1969/70-75: MF suffix = Motorcycle Dealer.
1977-80: #600001 - 601513 = Motorcycle Dealer, no legend.
MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION
Began 1963 on permanent undated base with "MVC" prefix.
Only year issued.
UND. (1963) Black/Yellow MVC-1 (Only one issued)
MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSIONER
Began 1940. None seen. Listed as "MVC", no serial number
1940-41. Discontinued 1942.
NATIONAL GUARD
Ch. 65-132 P 5/20/1965, E 1966. Began 1966.
"NATIONAL/GUARD" left all years. 1967-72, 1974-75 have hyphen prefix.
1966 2708* 1969/70 1655* 1973 408
1967/68 1143 1970/71 1992* 1974 26
1968/69 2078* 1972 200 1975 1065
UND. ORANGE MAP BASE 1682 ("DMV" bottom)
NAVY
Law P 1931. Began 1932. Discontinued 1937. Issued to U.S. Navy
personnel stationed at the naval base in Pensacola.
Pairs required 1932, seen 1934.
Registrations: 1935 1,472, 1936 1,959.
Pensacola News Journal, 10/6/1931: "SPECIAL TAGS FOR NAVY MEN"
"Service Personnel to Get Auto Licenses Free"
"W. S. McLin, state vehicle commissioner, was in the city yesterday
completing arrangements with naval officials in connection with the
issuance of special automobile tags to navt personnel. Under a law
passed by the 1931 Legislature, all service men will be issued tags
without having to pay the vehicle fee. The tags will be issued through
the air station offices to all personnel. The licenses will be blue
and white with the words "U.S. Navy" inscribed. Two plates, one on
the front and the other on the rear of each auto, will be required."
LEGENDS: "U.S. NAVY 1932" top, "FLORIDA" bottom right 1932,
no legend, passenger design 1933-36.
(non-locking, "1934-FLORIDA" bottom 1934)
COLORS: Dark Blue/White 1932, Orange/Black 1933,
Passenger colors 1934-36.
1932 A462, B68
1933 E (Shield) 356, N (Shield) 184
1934 E (Shield) 219, N (Shield) 487
1935 (Shield) 1-991
1936 (Shield after weight class) T?, 2-195, D 270, W 6, GH 2 (Truck)
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION (See Table 4)
Began 1962. Colors: Reversed 1962-64. Normal 1965-on.
1962-75: X = Non-Profit Organization.
UND. ORANGE MAP BASE X 01335 - X 22839 (21,505) ("DMV" bottom)
NON-RESIDENT (See Table 1)
Ch. 9153 (For Hire) and Ch. 9155 (Passenger) P 6/8/1923,
E immediately. Began with cardboard plates 1923.
Metal plates began 1924. Discontinued 1926.
Could be issued for 2, 4 or 6 months.
1924-25: N, or N following other class code = Non-Resident.
N series has "WEIGHT EXP'S" in 1924, and "WEIGHT EXP'R" in 1925.
The following sub-types have "WEIGHT CAP'Y": 1924 #95-SN,
1925 #121-DN, 23-SN, 4-TN, 4-UN, 2-XN, 4-ZN.
PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR
Ch. 84-108 P 5/30/1984. Began 10/1/1984. Earliest seen "MAY 88".
"PEARL/HARBOR/SURVIVOR" left, "DMV" bottom, #216 - 235, 00466 seen.
PERSONALIZED
Ch. 72-80 P 3/27/1972, E 7/1/1972. Began 1973.
1-7 characters allowed for $12.50 extra annual fee.
1973-75 have no slogan, "FLORIDA" bottom, date in UL corner.
1973 has short dies. 1977, 1979 and 1986 bases have "FLORIDA" at
bottom, old serial dies. Extended to trucks up to 5,000 lbs. 6/7/1977.
(Special pre-personalized plates issued to famous Miami Beach
comedian Jackie Gleason began 1968/69 with #W/W JG - 1.
His 1972 plate was #W/W JG - 0.)
PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 75-229 P 6/27/1975, E 7/1/1975. Earliest seen 1975.
1-7 characters allowed.
PRESIDENT
Only seen 1951, no slogan, "PRESIDENT/TRUMAN" center, no serial.
President Truman vacationed at the Naval Base in Key West in
November 1951.
PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER
Earliest seen 1968.
LEGENDS: "PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER" left 1968, 1970/71, 1973/74,
"PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER" top, "71 FLORIDA 71" bottom 1971/72, 1972/73, 1976/78.
Black/White 1976/78.
1968 FPP 66 1972/73 FPP-121
1970/71 FPP-99 1973/74 FPP-61
1971/72 FPP-132 1976/78 FPP-148
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Began 1975 on permanent undated base with "PSC" prefix.
UND. (1975) Black/Yellow PSC-
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Ch. 72-339 P 4/24/1972, E 7/1/1972. Began 1973.
1973-75: RV = Recreational Vehicle. County-coded.
1975: 10RV11137 has little "10".
REPLACEMENT (1928-37: See Passenger and Truck pages.)
Began 1928. Identical to Passenger and Truck plates except
unusually high number blocks. Discontinued 1975.
Pensacola News Journal, 2/14/1928: "LICENSE PLATES BEING STOLEN"
"Motor Department Mapping Plans For Replacement"
"Under a system just inaugurated by the department, stolen tags are
to be replaced with a series of from 600,000 upwards."
Tallahassee Democrat, 2/17/1928: "FOILS THIEVES"
"Motor Vehicle Department Issues Edict Which Makes Stolen Tags Useless"
"Wholesale thefts of Florida 1928 auto license plates will avail the
thieves nothing, according to an edict of the state motor vehicle
commission. Instead of issuing duplicate tags, as customary in
previous years, a new number will be issued to the owner of the car
and the stolen number listed with all police officers and arrests
will follow those driving cars with stolen tags."
1929 order: C-400-001 - C-403-000, 500-001-G - 501-000-G.
1938-74: "90" county code, available on any type of plate.
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1926. 1951 seen with holes or slots.
1926-28 000-000-C
1929 C-000-000
1930-37, 1939-42, 1944-55 000-000
1938 0-00-00, 0-00-000
1956-65, 1967/68 00-00-00
1966 00-00-00, 10/W 0000000
1968/69, 1969/70, 1970/71 00-00-00, 00-0000
1972-74 00-0000
1975 00-0000, 0000-00, 00-00-00
1977-78 AAA 000
1979-86 Leon AAA 000
SCHOOL BUS (1933: See Table 1)
Ch. 16085 P 6/12/1933, E 7/1/1933. Began 1933.
Only issued 1933, 1949.
1933: S = School Bus.
1949: K/S = School Bus. County-coded.
SEMINOLE INDIAN (1948-61: See Table 3; 1962-75: See Table 4)
Reportedly began 1933. Earliest seen 1939.
"SEMINOLE/INDIAN" center or left all years. No state name 1939-55.
Fort Lauderdale News, 12/29/1944, P.8:
"Florida has just made its annual gift of 100 automobile
license plates to the Seminole Indians. It seems that the state
officials went down to the Everglades about ten years ago for a
pow-wow with the Seminoles. The Indians said they didn't want
anything but to be left alone and given a hundred auto tags. So
the state's been giving them the tags ever since. The cost to
the state? Seven dollars - the cost of making the tags."
News-Press (Fort Myers), 12/27/1957, P.5:
"The State cabinet, continuing a custom of 24 years standing
agreed today to supply 200 free autombile tags for Florida's
Seminole Indians. Commissioner of Agriculture Nathan Mayo
recalled that the free tags were started in 1933 as a
concession to the Seminoles."
1939 19
1942 99
1945 [100]
1946 [100]
1947 [100]
UND. ORANGE MAP BASE 065 - 532
SHERIFF
Began 1962 on permanent undated base with "SHERIFF" inside
5-pointed star. Issued to county sheriffs.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow 1096
SIDE CAR (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921, E 1/1/1922. Began 1922.
Earliest seen 1923, horizontal unlike vertical 1923 Motorcycle.
Discontinued 1926.
STATE
Began 1962 on permanent undated base with "STATE" prefix.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow 6997 (Hyphen prefix)
STATE LEGISLATOR/SENATOR
Ch. 67-545 P 8/4/1967, E immediately. Began 1967/68.
"STATE LEGISLATOR" or "STATE SENATOR" left all years.
Issued in pairs, unlike all other types except MC and USS.
Florida has 120 State Legislators and 40 Senators.
Meaning of letter prefixes/suffixes unknown but 1972-73 FC and CC
found with 1972-73 plain #27 plates.
LEGISLATOR SENATOR LEGISLATOR SENATOR
1967/68 45, 081 32 1972 103,S65,FC27 32X
1968/69 48, 93C 32X 1973 42,S65,CC27,66TS
1969/70 36 14 1974 38,38G,66TS 28
1970/71 44, 93C 14 1975 21 35,15G
STATE MOTORCYCLE
Began 1962 on permanent undated base with "ST" prefix.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow [S/T 100 on chart]
STATE ROAD DEPARTMENT (1936-37: See Table 1;
1938-61: See Table 2)
Began 1936. Colors: Reversed 1939-43, 1946-61, Normal 1936,
(1937 rp), 1944-45. Became permanent 1962.
1944-55: SRD-1 - SRD-999 have hyphen, SRD1000+ have no hyphen.
UND. (1962) Black/Yellow SRD-278, SRD-0424 - SRD-1408
STREET ROD
Ch. 83-19 P 4/28/1983. Began 10/1/1983. Earliest seen "JAN 87".
White/Red, "STREET/ROD" left, "DMV" bottom, #00049 - 00439 seen.
TEMPORARY (Cardboard)
Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921, E 1/1/1922. Began 1922.
Earliest seen 1924; 15-Day tag.
Earliest seen 5-Day tag issued 6/3/1964, Black/White, #A-00666.
Last seen 5-Day tag issued 9/5/1971, Black/White, #V-38080.
Earliest seen 20-Day tag issued 6/19/1975, Black/White, #W-00452.
TRAILER (1922-37: See Table 1; 1977-on: See Misc. 3 page)
Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921, E 1/1/1922. Began 1922.
Earliest seen 1925. Not issued 1926-29.
(Issued Truck plates 1918-21, 1926-29.)
"TRAILER" 1930-33. County-coded 1938-75.
1922-25: W = Pneumatic tires, Y = Solid tires.
1930-31: "TRAILER" legend.
1932-33: B = <4,000 lbs., L = >4,000 lbs.
1934-35: B = 1-4,050 lbs., L = >4,050 lbs.
1936-38: 1B = 1-1,000 lbs., B = 1,001-4,050 lbs., L = >4,050 lbs
(1936 - 1B8-076 has hyphen, 1B11110 has no hyphen)
(1937 has "IB", not "1B"; 1938 has "I/B")
1939-48: V = 1-500 lbs., BB = 501-1,050 lbs.,
B = 1,051-4,050 lbs., L = >4,050 lbs.
1949: V = 1-500 lbs., BB or B/B = 501-1,050 lbs.,
B/J = 1,051-1,999 lbs, B = 2,000-4,050 lbs.,
L = >4,050 lbs.
1950-71: V = 1-500 lbs., B/B = 501-1,999 lbs.,
B = 2,000-4,050 lbs., L = >4,050 lbs.
1972-75: V = 1-500 lbs., B/B = 501-1,050 lbs.,
B = 1,051-4,000 lbs., L = >4,000 lbs.
1977-79: A-D = Trailer.
TRAILER DEALER
Ch. 65-332 P 6/25/1965, E 3/1/1966. Began 1966.
1966-75: MT = Trailer Dealer. County-coded.
TRAILER FOR HIRE (1922-37: See Table 1)
Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921, E 1/1/1922. Began 1922.
Earliest seen 1932. Not issued 1926-30; issued Truck plates
1926-29, Trailer plates 1930. 1931: 2,000 ordered.
"TRAILER FOR HIRE" 1932. County-coded 1938-75.
Became "Indefinite" Trailer 1977 (see bottom of Misc. 3 page).
1922-25: X = Pneumatic tires, Z = Solid Tires.
1931: ?
1932-33: N = <4,000 lbs., O = >4,000 lbs.
1934-48: N = 1-4,050 lbs., O = >4,050 lbs.
1949: N/J = <2,000 lbs., N = 2,000-4,050 lbs., O = >4,050 lbs
1950-64: N = 1-4,050 lbs., O = >4,050 lbs.
1965-71: NN = <2,000 lbs., N = 2,000-4,050 lbs., O = >4,050 lbs.
1972-75: NN = <2,000 lbs., N = 2,000-4,000 lbs., O = >4,000 lbs.
(1957-75: O series has hyphen before and after "O".)
(1968/69: #12-O-360 - 12-O-374 are undated.)
TRAILER FOR HIRE HALF YEAR (1936-37: See Table 1)
Began 1936. Earliest seen 1942. County-coded 1938-74.
Colors: Reversed 1939-43, 1946-65. Normal 1944-45, 1965-on.
1936-56: O = Trailer For Hire >4,050 lbs.
1957-70: FO = Trailer For Hire >4,050 lbs.
1971-74: FO = Trailer For Hire >4,000 lbs.
TRUCK (See Truck page)
Ch. 7275 P 5/28/1917, E 1/1/1918. Began 1918.
TRUCK FOR HIRE (1922-37: See Table 1)
Ch. 8410 P 6/10/1921, E 1/1/1922. Began 1922.
Earliest seen 1925. Not issued 1926-27; Truck plates issued.
"FOR HIRE" 1932. County-coded 1938-53.
Discontinued 1954; replaced by Commercial Vehicle (C/V).
1922-25: S = Pneumatic tires, T = Solid tires.
1928-31: #G-8-001 - G-10-000 assigned from Truck series 1928.
1932-33: G = <4,000 lbs., H = >4,000 lbs.
1934-48: GFH = 1-4,050 lbs., HFH = >4,050 lbs.
1949-53: G/F = 1-4,050 lbs., H/F = >4,050 lbs.
TRUCK FOR HIRE HALF YEAR (1936-37: See Table 1)
Began 1936. Earliest seen 1937. County-coded 1938-53.
Discontinued 1954; replaced by Commercial Vehicle (C/V).
Colors: Reversed 1937, 1939-43, 1946-53. Normal 1944-45.
Vertical "HFH" left, "EXPIRES/JUNE 30" center 1937.
1936: GFH = 1-4,050 lbs., HFH = >4,050 lbs.
1937-48: HFH = >4,050 lbs.
1949-53: H/F = >4,050 lbs.
TRUCK-TRACTOR
Ch. 73-284 P 6/24/1973, E 7/1/1973. Began 1974.
County-coded 1975 only. Issued in pairs.
1974-75: TA = <35,000 lbs., TB = 35,000-43,999 lbs,
TC = 44,000 - 52,999 lbs., TD = 53,000 - 61,999 lbs.,
TE = 62,000+ lbs.
1974 TA-3154, TB-5336, TC-1114, TD-4500, TE-36985 (51,089)
UND. NON-MAP BASE "JUN 78" TA 0269, TB , TC ,
TD 0274, TE 6853 (7,396)
TRUCK-TRACTOR HALF YEAR
Ch. 73-284 P 6/24/1973, E 7/1/1973. Began 1974, dated "73".
County-coded 1975 ("74") only. Issued in pairs.
1974-75: TAF - TEF = Same codes as above, dated "73" and "74".
(Stacked 1975 "74")
1974 "73" TAF-2299, TBF-3388, TCF- , TDF- , TEF22983 (28,670)
(U-DRIVE
Listed 1931 in registration figures for the only year.
Miami News, 12/14/1929: "...Mr. Frank expectes arrangements to be
completed by Monday for the handling of licenses for self-drive
for-hire cars. A special series of tags will be used for these."
Another article mentioned the type as abolished in November 1931.)
UNITED STATES CONGRESS/SENATE
House Bill 72 introduced 4/6/1951. Earliest seen 1953.
Earliest law found is Ch. 29639 P 5/11/1955. #USS-1 reported 1956.
No U.S. Senate listed in registration figures 1957-67.
Issued in pairs, unlike all other types except State Legislator/Senator.
Tampa Times, 1/16/1950: "U.S. Senator Pepper has for several years
bought a tag with nothing on it except 'W1.' His wife got a 'W2' tag.
The letter indicates the weight of the car."
Florida has always had two U.S. Senators.
The number of U.S. Representatives has increased as follows:
1943-52 6, 1953-62 8, 1963-72 12, 1973-82 15, 1983-92 19,
1993-2002 23, 2003-12 25, 2013-22 27, 2023-32 28.
No legend all years except 1974 "MEMBER/CONGRESS" left.
1953 MC 2 1961 1969/70 MC-1
1954 USS 2 1962 MC-6 1970/71 MC-1, USS 1
1955 MC 4 USS 1 1963 MC-11 1972 MC-4
1956 1964 MC-10 1973 MC-9
1957 MC-2 1965 MC-6 1974 11
1958 1966 MC-9 1975 MC 11
1959 MC-6 1967/68 MC-10*
1960 MC-6 1968/69 MC-9*
UNITED STATES RESERVE
Ch. 82-97 P 4/5/1982. Began 7/1/1982. Earliest seen "MAY 83".
"US/RESERVE" left, "DMV" bottom, #0001, 892 seen.
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
May have begun 1976 on permanent undated base with "VOL/FIRE"
left.
UND. (1976?) Black/Yellow 260
WRECKER
Ch. 15625 P 6/26/1931, E 7/1/1931. Began 1932.
Earliest seen 1949. Only issued 1932-33, 1949.
1932-33: W = Wrecker.
1949: K/W = Wrecker. County-coded.
PERMITS:
BEVERAGE VEHICLE
Ch. 16774 P 5/27/1935, E 10/1/1935. Earliest seen 1936/37.
License year 10/1 to 9/30. Last seen 1942/43.
LEGENDS: "FLORIDA" top, "BEVERAGE-VEHICLE" bottom, vertical
"1936" left, vertical "1937" right 1936/37 to 1942/43.
1936/37 Green?/Black 783
1941/42 Green/Black 880
1942/43 White/Black 703
LIVESTOCK HAULER
Earliest seen 1974. Motorcycle size all years.
LEGENDS: "FLORIDA" top, "1974" bottom 1974,
"FLORIDA" top, "80" bottom 1980, 1984.
COLORS: Black/Yellow 1974, White/Red 1980, 1984.
1974 LH-687
1980 LH 0752
1984 HL 0007
MAINTENANCE TAG
Ch. 20210 P 4/18/1941, E immediately. Began 1941.
Discontinued 1950.
Supplemental front plate issued to Trucks >18,000 lbs. GVW and
Tractor/Trailer combinations >34,000 lbs. GVW.
Colors: Reversed 1941-43, 1946-49. Normal 1944-45.
1941-49: "MAINTENANCE TAG" legend. County-coded.
REAL PROPERTY
Ch. 70-391 P 7/8/1970, E immediately. Began 1/4/1971 on permament
undated base. Issued to stationary mobile homes for $1 fee to
show property tax paid. Format 1RP1 - 9999RP67, with county
code as suffix. Some dated "75" in error. By 1980, replaced by
large annual decal, Black/Yellow, large "80" bottom, small legend
"MOBILE HOME/VALID THRU JAN. 31" center, black serial.
UND. (1971) Black/White 12399 R/P 28
1975 Black/White 9883RP5 - 10101RP5
SIGN PERMIT
Ch. 63-237 P 5/31/1963, E immediately. Began 1964.
Issued to billboards; large suffix number denotes fee, as follows:
$1 up to 4 lineal feet (the larger of height or width), $2 per 8
lineal feet or fraction thereof over 4 feet (i.e. "12" = 45-52 ft.).
Small size, aluminum, no state name, non-reflective all years.
LEGENDS: "SIGN PERMIT/UNLAWFUL TO PAINT/MUTILATE OR MOLEST/
S.R.D. R.W.D. 1964" left, no serial, large "2" or "6" right 1964,
"UNLAWFUL TO PAINT" top, "MUTILATE OR MOLEST" bottom 1965-74.
COLORS: Blue/Orange 1964.
1 2 4 6 8 10 12 TOTAL
1965 Gold/Red 3038 (3,038)
1966 White/Dark Blue 3354 1760 (5,114)
1967 White/Black 1381 10559 2830 (14,770)
1968 White/Red 5796 5421 2796 (14,013)
1969 White/Green 1043 7634 1212 388 3264 (13,541)
1970 White/Dark Blue 4445 2352 3109 (9,906)
1971 Orange/White 6349 4356 817 (11,522)
1972 White/Black 1801 1599 2742 182 91 (6,415)
1973 Green/White 807 5496 1163 (7,466)
1974 Orange/White 195 3814 2191 4220 7504 643 (18,567)
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Earliest seen 1936. Last seen 1937. Booster plates sold for $2 by
the university to raise money for sports scholarships.
LEGENDS: "UNIV/of/FLA" left, "1936" top right 1936,
"37-UNIV.-OF-FLA." top 1937.
1936 3338
1937 6-689
RAILROAD/R.R. & P.U./PUB. UTIL./PUB. SERV. COMMISSIONCh. 13700 P 1929, E 7/1/1929. Began 1929. Earliest seen 1936.
Last seen 6/30/1973.
Supplemental plate issued by Railroad Commission 1929-47,
Railroad and Public Utilities Commission 1947-63, Public Utility
Commission 1963-65, Public Service Commission 1965-on.
No bottom holes or slots 1936-55.
LEGENDS: "FLORIDA" top all years,
"RAILROAD-COMMISSION" bottom 1936-42,
"R.R.& P.U.-COMMISSION" bottom 1948-62,
"PUB. UTIL. COMMISSION" bottom 1964-65,
"PUB. SERV. COMMISSION" bottom 1966-73,
vertical type legend left, vertical "1936" right 1936, 1942, 1949-55,
vertical "1939" left, vertical type legend right 1939-41, 1948,
vertical type legend left, vertical "55//56" right 1956-62,
vertical "ROADTAX" followed by vertical "COMMON" left,
vertical "EXPIRES" followed by vertical "6/30/64" right 1964-65,
vertical "ROADTAX" or "TAXICAB" left,
vertical "EXPIRES" followed by vertical "6/30/66" right 1966-73.
1936 PERMIT 124 - 537 Orange/Black
1937 PERMIT 1-048
1939 PERMIT 814 White/Blue Green?
REG (G!) 2280 (Light/Dark)
1940 REG (G!) 3101 Red/White
1941 REC 1091-R, 1-152R - 1-160R White/Black
1942 REC 8102R - 8266R Black/White
1948 LCC 41 - Yellow/Black
REC 4590 Yellow/Black
1949 REC 2919 - 5058 Black/White
1950 LCC 384 - 700 White/Dark Green
REC 4338 - 7749 White/Dark Green
1951 REC 1197 - 7840 White/Black
1953 REC 6468 - 15789 Black/Yellow
REG (G!) 477 Black/Yellow
COMMON 3261 Black/Yellow
1954 REC 1311 - 14546 Black/White
COMMON 2620 Black/White
1955 REG (G!) 647 - 761 Black/Orange
REC 815 - 18664 Black/Orange
1955/56 TAXICAB 899 White/Black?
1956/57 REC 7568 - 20582 White/Red (old dies)
31961 - (new dies)
COMMON 5451 - 7687 White/Red (old dies)
9047 - 9217 (new dies)
TAXICAB 1691 - 1711 Red/White (old dies)
1957/58 TAXICAB 953 - 2437 White/Red
1958/59 REC 4967 - 35873 Red/White
TAXICAB 1606 White/Dark Blue
1961/62 TAXICAB 848 White/Black
1962/63 TAXICAB 2133 - 2804 Black/White
6/30/64 ROADTAX COMMON 94 - 386 White/Maroon
1964/65 TAXICAB 6 Black/White
6/30/65 ROADTAX COMMON 2018 White/Black
ROADTAX TAXICAB
6/30/66 A1900 B4599 E-400 F3363 G2823 Red/White
6/30/67 A1088 C-399 D3168 E-105 F3163 G2124 3082 White/Red
6/30/68 B2530 D3878 E-171 F2602 G2978 H2897 Dark Green/White
6/30/69 B4623 D2631 G4575 Black/White
6/30/70 B9215 D3454 F3914 G4874 Red/White
6/30/71 B10963 D3193 F4668 G-367 H2916 Green/White
6/30/72 B13922 D4000 F4035 G5459 H2896 White/Green
6/30/73 A1479 B11489 D4926 F5960 G4628 H-299 White/Black
FRONT PLATES
Earliest dated seen 1956. A wide variety of non-numbered
official-looking front plates exist with many different titles,
some of which parallel real plate series, such as Legislator or
Press. (See Panama City News-Herald, 6/21/1971)
TABLE 1 (ALL TYPES 1918-37)
BUS DEALER
1918 (F) 171-M
1919
1920 M-650
1921 211-M
HIRE BUS 1-16 BUS >16 AMB. DEALER NON-RES.
1922 (none)
1923 2-080-D (Cardboard)
1924 389-M 20-806-N*
1925 3-939-D* 226-E* 299-F* 200-K* 2-052-M* 37-451-N*
TRUCK TRUCK BUS TRAILER TRAILER TRAILER TRAILER
HIRE P HIRE S HOTEL P HIRE P S HIRE S
1922 S-345 (X) (Z)
1923
1924
1925 2-938-S* 47-T* 51-U* 987-W* 143-Y*
PASS. TRUCK TLR. EX.
HIRE HIRE HIRE TLR. AMB. DEALER EXEMPT M/C
1926 (none) (none) (none)(none) 4-848-M*
1927 (none) (none) (none)(none)
1928 (none)(none) 3-027-M* 3-677-X*
1929 (none)(none) 6-K 2-264-M*
1930 999 (none)3-508 907 X2-178
1931 4-903 X3-565
HIRE/ EX
HIRE BUS Fa BUS S BUS C AMB. DEALER EXEMPT M/C
1932 E3008* F1952*(none) +K60+ M4-215* X2-551
1933 1930E* 251-S 2-331X
1934 E1-492 K 688 M1-343 X2-222 92 AX
1935 E4-331* K 29 M1-292 X2-222
1936 E 272 K3-193* M2-820* X4-902*
1937 2-676E 38 F* 51 C 2-465K* 2-418M* 4-727X*
a Automobile For Hire 1932-33, Bus 1934-37.
TRUCK TRUCK TLR. TLR. TLR. TLR. TLR.
HIRE G HIRE H HIRE N HIRE O 1B/IB B L
1932 H2179* N245* O1581* (none) B4-422 L366
1933 450-H (none) 10-075B*
1934 (none) B12-248*
1935 HFH1472* O 321 (none) B10-933*
1936 GFH 331* HFH1373* 1B11110* B 280 L1-502*
1937 17 N 12481IB* 5-294 B* 97 L
SRD GFH 1/2 HFH 1/2 O 1/2 F 1/2 S 1/2 C 1/2
1936 SRD 39
1937 699 SRD 17
TABLE 2
EXEMPT FHP
EXEMPT M/C SRD FIC FHP M/C
1938 X68-3-270 - -
1939 68X1640 - -
1940 68X3400 FHP 43
1941 68X2239 FHP-114
1942 68X6188 AX 68-192 SRD- 4 FHP-149 FHP-32
1943 TAB
1944 68X5901 AX 68-190* SRD1154* FIC-46 FHP-163* FHP-30*
1945 68X2955 FHP- 98 FHP- 4
1946 68X4014 FHP-115
1947 68X4718 FHP- 55
1948 68X6688 FIC-29 FHP 87
1949 68X6321 FHP-151
1950 68X3333 AX 68-227 FHP- 51
1951 68X10713 AX 68-76 SRD- 20 FHP- 34
1952 X-11366 -
1953 X-11780 SRD- 40 -
1954 X-12613 AX 255 SRD1017 FHP-194 -
1955 X-13605 SRD1998 -
1956 X-16010 AX 573 SRD-1357 FHP- 23 -
1957 X-8094 AX 363 SRD-4138* FIC-53 - -
1958 X-19159 AX 718* SRD-2556 - -
1959 X-22199* AX 633 SRD-2556 - -
1960 X-20215 AX-824* SRD-2810 FIC-72* - -
1961 X-14763 SRD-2810 - -
1962 - - - FIC-112* - -
1963 - - - FIC-155* - -
TABLE 3
M/C SEMINOLE CONV.
DEALER FFS FPS CIRCUS INDIAN CAR
1948 6 8M-700 R-B 61
1949 RB-96 [125]
1950 RB-126 [150]
1951 RB-109 129
1952 A/M 68-7 RB-19 99 2
1953 RB-38 [200] 36
1954 RB-71 [200] 36
1955 FPS-25 RB-90 [200] 36
1956 A/M 68-68 RB-43 [200] 36
1957 FFS-65 FPS-70 169 36
1958 A/M 90M-3 RB-11 234 36
1959 RB-10 98 36
1960 A/M 68-72* FFS-39 - 164 100
1961 - [300] 97
TABLE 4
NON- M/C SEMINOLE CONVENTION CONV.
PROFIT DEALER INDIAN CAR M/C
1962 X-705 292 99,3-1 3-10
1963 X-569 [300] 99 29
1964 X-1945 A/M 68-112* 248 96 71
1965 X-2256 A/M 68-119* [400] 45,2-20,7-1 2-35
1966 X-2609* A/M 68-118* 402 90,2-55 2-40
68X-384
1967/68 X-2034 68/AM 125* [500] 37,7-74 13
1968/69 X-1164 68/AM 5 [500] 98 61
1969/70 X-2529 38 MF [500] 52 9
1970/71 X-3513 124 MF [500] 97,7-70 67,7-6
1972 X-4554* 183 MF* [500] 84,7-3 26,7-3
1973 X-3724 68 MF [500] 252,2-74 57
1974 X-3127 63-MF [500] 7-9,18-20 61
1975 X-12343 687 MF [500] 7-33 7-3
