KANSAS PLATE TYPES - SUMMARY CHRONOLOGICALLY BY INTRODUCTION DATE
(Types researched through 1987, expire 1988)
PLATE TYPE EARLIEST SEEN BEGAN NOTES
Passenger 1913/14 7/1/13 Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913
Dealer 1913/14 7/1/13 Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913
Motorcycle 1913/14 7/1/13 Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913
Lost Tag 1913/14 7/1/13 Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913
Lost M/C Tag 1913/14 7/1/13 Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913
M/C Dealer 1914/15 7/1/14
U.S. Ordnance Department 1917/18 Only year seen
U.S. Quartermaster Corps 1917/18 Only year seen
Exempt 1920/21 7/1/19 Ch. 88 P 3/22/1919
Exempt M/C 1925 7/1/21 Ch. 69 P 3/9/1921
Lost Truck Tag 1921 7/1/21 Ch. 69 P 3/9/1921
Truck 1921 7/1/21 Ch. 69 P 3/9/1921
Sample 1924
Trailer 1930 1930 Ch. 81 P 3/9/1929
State Highway Commission UND. 1931-34 style
House Trailer 1947 7/1/45 Ch. 88 P 3/27/1945
Lost Trailer Tag 1946
Disabled Veteran 1952 1952 Ch. 102 P 3/29/1951
Amateur Radio 1954 1954 Ch. 40 P 4/2/1953
Antique UND. Aug.1955 Ch. 62 P 4/6/1955
Bus 1956 1956 Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955
Drive Away 1956 1956 Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955
Farm Truck 1956 1956 Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955
Local Truck 1956 1956 Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955
6000-Mile Truck 1956 1956 Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955
Prorate Sticker 1957 1956 Ch. 63 P 4/6/1955
Prorate Trailer 1961 1956 Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955
Prorate Truck 1956 1956 Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955
30-Day 1956 1956 Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955
72-Hour Permit (Paper) 1956 Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955
Boat/Lugg. Tlr. (Sticker) 1961 1961 Ch. 49 P 4/13/1961
Commercial Trailer 1961 1961 Ch. 49 P 4/13/1961
10-Day In-Transit (Cardb.) 1956? Listed 1962
10-Day Intra-State (Paper) Listed 1962
Trailer Dealer (Sticker) 1963 1962
Utility Trailer (Sticker) 1962 1962
Misc. Dlr. Types (Sticker)1963 1963? Not listed 1962
Disabled Citizens Org. 1964 1964 Ch. 45 P 4/3/1963
Mobile Home (Sticker) 1968 1968 Ch. 68 P 4/21/1967
Pickup Coach UND. 1968 Ch. 68 P 4/21/1967
Travel Trailer (Sticker) 1968 1968 Ch. 68 P 4/21/1967
Driver Education (Sticker)1969
Non-Highway Trailer 1971 1971 Ch. 47 P 3/23/1970
Special Interest Vehicle 1973 1973 Ch. 29 P 4/7/1973
Official UND. 7/1/73 Ch. 29 P 3/14/1972
Handicapped 1974 7/1/74 Ch. 35 P 3/22/1974
Handicapped Truck 1975? Ch. 30 P 4/9/1975
Personalized 1976 1975 Ch. 30 P 4/9/1975
Moped 1977 1977 Ch. 42 P 5/4/1976
Fleet Util. Tlr. (Sticker)1978 1978 Ch. 34 P 4/5/1977
Personalized Motorcycle 1978 1978 Ch. 30 P 4/6/1977
Personalized Truck 1979 1978 Ch. 30 P 4/6/1977
Antique Motorcycle UND. 1980 Ch. 36 P 4/8/1980
Apportioned Trailer 1980 1980
Apportioned Truck 1980 1980
Consular Officer UND. 1980? Ch. 425 P 4/11/1961
Former Prisoner of War UND. Ch. 34 P 4/20/1979
Official Motorcycle UND. 1980? Seen 1980 chart
National Guard "MAY 82" 1980? Ch. 34 P 4/20/1979
National Guard Truck "SEP 82" 1980? Ch. 34 P 2/14/1980
Street Rod "JUL 87" Ch. 37 P 4/2/1981
Highway Patrol UND. 1982? Seen 1983 chart
Full-Use "87" 1986 Ch. 54 P 4/23/1985
Motor Carrier Inspector UND. 1986? Seen 1987 chart
City/County UND. 1988 Ch. 43 P 4/2/1987
PERMITS:
Truck Tonnage Tag 1932 1931
Trailer Tonnage Tag 1936
Kansas Corporation Comm. 1933/34 1933/34 Ch. 229 P 3/24/1933
Press Car 1955
KCC Rig 1983/84
LETTER KEY:
D Dealer 1913-87
DCO Disabled Citizens Organization 1964-73
E Exempt 1920-33
L Lost Tag 1913-60
LT Lost Truck Tag 1921-60
T Truck 1921-23, 1925-50
UD Dealer Used 1935
PLATES ORDERED:
1914/15 1915/16 1916/17 1919/20
Passenger 40,000 63,600 80,000 200,000
Dealer 1,000 1,800 x 3 = 5,400 1,500
Lost 300
Lost M/C 100
M/C 7,000 9,600 9,000 5,000
M/C Dealer 600 x 2 = 1,200
1924 1928 1929 1936 1945
Passenger 370,000 460,000 460,000 456,000 P 487,500
Truck 35,000 52,000 60,000 79,000 P 119,100
Dealer 2,200 8,100* 2,500 1,400 P 4,500+
Lost 4,000 4,500 4,500 1,100 2,135
Exempt 2,000 2,400 2,300 - -
M/C 2,500 2,000 1,500 725 2,000
M/C Dealer 100 50
Lost Truck 400 500 350
Lost M/C 100
Exempt M/C 100 - -
Trailer - - 3,500 6,000
Truck Tonnage - - 67,200 11,300
Trailer Tonnage - - 4,260 6,030
*2,700 sets of 3
+probably 1,500 sets of 3
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
Numbers assumed to begin at #1 unless noted.
1943, 1952-53: Tab - Passenger, Truck
Plate - All other types
ANNUAL PLATE COLORS:
1943 White/Dark Blue 1980 Yellow/Blue
1952 Dark Blue/White 1981 White/Green
1953 Dark Blue/Yellow 1982, 1986 Red/White
1977 Yellow/Green 1983, 1987 Green/White
1978 White/Dark Blue 1984 Black/White
1979 White/Green 1985 Blue/White
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
AMATEUR RADIO
Ch. 40 P 4/2/1953. Began 1954.
Zero has slash through it all years.
1957-61 has slogan off center; 1971 has "MIDWAY USA".
1975 base revalidated through 1979.
1954 W0AA - W0ZZZ
1958 K0AAA - K0ZZZ
1964 WA0AAA - WA0ZZZ (Verify 1963)
1974 WB0AAA - WB0ZZZ (Verify 1973)
ANTIQUE
Ch. 62 P 4/6/1955, E 6/30/1955. Began August 1955.
Undated permanent plate issued to owners of vehicles 35+ years
old for $5 fee.
Personalized combinations 1 - 4 letters allowed for $2 extra fee.
LEGENDS: "KANSAS" top, "ANTIQUE" bottom all years.
COLORS: Yellow/Blue 1955-80, Blue/White 1981-87.
Sequence: A - Z, AA - ZZ, AAA - ZZZ, AAAA - ZZZZ, etc.
(Verify two in sequence to determine order)
Straight number sequence began 1984.
198 issued as of 7/1/1956 (= #GP if all letters used, not including
any personalized). About 400 issued as of 7/1/1958 (= #OJ as above).
1955 Type 1 - 1956 dies Q, Z, HJ, DCK, YYY,
EASF, EASR, GDVA, MOTT, XXXX
1957 Type 2 - 1957-72 dies, holes OR, TA, ZW, XXN, DALL, LALM, RRRU
1967 Type 3 - 1957-72 dies, slots AZU
1972 Type 4 - 1973 dies, slots, steel ZZOU, HHHHA, LLLLK, QQQQH, YYYYO,
JJJXJ, RRRPR, XXXZX,
AA0AA, CCFCC, EEVEE, GGNGG, MMHMM
1975 Type 5 - 1973 dies, slots, aluminum FFXFF, AAAAMA, KKKKQK
1981 Type 6 - Blue/White BIIBBB, IRRIII, SLLSSS, LBBBLL, GXXXXJC
ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 36 P 4/8/1980. Began 1980. Undated permanent plate issued.
LEGENDS: "KANSAS" top, vertical "ANTIQUE" left, vertical "CYCLE" right, map design 1980 (some have no "CYCLE),
"KANSAS" top, vertical "ANTIQUE" right, no map 1981-87.
Colors and number sequences same as Antique all years.
APPORTIONED TRAILER
Began 1980. Previously issued Prorate Trailer plates.
LEGENDS: "KANSAS 80" top, vertical "TRAILER" left, vertical "APP"
right, two sticker bars bottom 1980, "KANSAS 81" top,
vertical "TRAILER" left, "APPORTIONED" bottom 1981-87.
COLORS: Blue/White 1982 (not Red/White).
APPORTIONED APPORTIONED
TRAILER TRUCK
1980 12069 15096
1981 17012 6927
1982 14561 14375, 400317
1983 12280 5072, 401630
1984 9531 9811, 400007
1985 13881 8183, 401568
1986 13058 13173, 401480
1987 16254 14456, 400268
APPORTIONED TRUCK
Began 1980. Previously issued Prorate Truck plates.
Weight stickers issued in same increments as Prorate 1974-79.
Rental trucks issued 400000 series starting by 1982.
LEGENDS: "KANSAS 80" top, vertical "TRUCK" left, vertical "APP"
right, two sticker bars bottom 1980, "KANSAS 81" top,
vertical "TRUCK" left, "APPORTIONED" bottom 1981-87.
(Black/White "80M PRORATE" sticker bottom 1980)
COLORS: Blue/White 1982 (not Red/White).
BOAT/LUGGAGE TRAILER (See Trailer)
Ch. 49 P 4/13/1961, E 4/29/1961. Only issued 1961.
Sticker only issued for Trailer base.
Replaced by Utility Trailer 1962.
BUS (See Truck page)
Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956. Last seen 1972.
Issued to Local Urban Transit Buses.
"BUS" attachment plate or sticker only on Truck base; "30 PASS",
"39 PASS" or "39+ PASS".
CITY/COUNTY
Ch. 43 P 4/2/1987, E 1/1/1988. Began 1988.
Permanent undated plates issued.
COMMERCIAL TRAILER
Ch. 49 P 4/13/1961, E 4/29/1961. Began 1961.
Discontinued 1966; merged with Trailer.
"COM-TRAILER" embossed bottom 1961-65.
1961-65: County formats A/L-1 - W/Y-9999.
CONSULAR OFFICER
Ch. 425 P 4/11/1961. Earliest seen 1980 chart. Discontinued 1986.
Permanent undated Gold/Blue base issued, "KANSAS" top, vertical
"CONSULAR" left, vertical "OFFICER" right, map design, steel, NR,
#4, 13, 1-75, 1-81 seen.
Colors changed to Blue/White 1983, and annual sticker validation
began with monthly staggered registration.
DEALER (1913-61: See Table 1)
Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913. Began 7/1/1913. Annual plates 1913-87.
Sticker bars added 1965-87.
1913-69: 3 identical singles or pairs issued automatically;
additional plates available for extra fee.
Letter suffix A - Z added on all plates starting 1930.
Suffixes defaulted to "A" in tables for simplicity.
1913: 1,500 sets of 3 ordered = 4,500.
1914/15: 2-digit has dash suffix, 3-digit has no dash.
1930: D-2-145A, D-2248-B hyphen differences.
1934: D-34, D-665 have no suffix, D-272A, D-1238C have letter suffix.
1935: U/D-39-A seen; only year Used Car Dealer seen.
1948: D-2207A, D2556-A have different hyphen placement.
1949: D-2399A, D-4169-A have different hyphen placement.
1952: New Car D-1 - D-1750, Used Car D-2001 - D-3875 listed.
1960: D-1-P3, D-100-M2, D-100-X2 seen (indicating A1 - Z1,
A2 - Z2, etc., issued after A - Z).
1962-87: Suffixes AA-AZ, BA-BZ, etc., issued after A - Z.
1977: D7005AA, D7012CC seen.
1981: D-3344-G is Blue/White, not White/Green.
DEALER TYPES
Starting numbers in bold listed 1962, 1964-70. Used Car omitted
#3601 - 3750 (1964-67) or #3626 - 3750 (1968-70) but note 1970!
All types have D-0000-A format.
MFR./
NEW CAR TRAILER USED CAR WHOLESALE LIMITED SPECIAL SALVAGE
START 1 1501 2001 3601 3626 3651 5001
1962 333 2062 3603
1963 685 1595 3155 3841
1964 804 2825 3849
1965 576 3952 3849
1966 698 3311
1967 506 3311
START 1 1501 2001 4001 3626 3651 5001
1968 889 3311
1969 506 1780 3311
1970 761 3767 4001 5170
1971 874 1598 3743
1972 989 1621 3865
1973 784 1598 3869
1974 621 1813 3865 5307 5171
1975 871 1495 3874 5095
1976 685 1961 3865 5146
1977 950 1510 3865 5146 5328
1978 437 1521 3839 5146
1979 734 1877 3743,7001 5146
1980 845 1510 3513 4089
1981 3513 (none) 6009,7001
1982 3545 - 7002
1983 3743 -
1984 1782 - 6009
1985 3054 -
1986 2347 -
1987 3743 -
1977: D-5253-A, D-5257-B "LENDING AGENCY".
DISABLED CITIZENS ORGANIZATION
Ch. 45 P 4/3/1963. Began 1964. Issued to vehicles owned by
non-profit organizations used in driver training of disabled
persons. 1964 #DCO-8 and 1973 #DCO-2 seen.
DISABLED VETERAN
Ch. 102 P 3/29/1951. Began 1952.
"DISABLED VETERAN" bottom all years.
Monthly staggered registration began 1982 for passenger and 12M
trucks. Heavier trucks continued to expire December 31.
1952 -154- 1958 24 1964 24 1970 100
1953 653* 1959 139 1965 343 1971 465
1954 334 1960 298 1966 395* 1972 499
1955 24 1961 61 1967 286 1973 561
1956 268 1962 24 1968 37 1974 452
1957 24 1963 241 1969 305 1975-79 982
1980-81 WHEAT BASE 633
1984-88 REFL. BASE 1119 - 1352
DRIVE AWAY
Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956.
Issued to vehicles being transported by a party other than the
owner. Annual plates 1956-87. "DRIVE/AWAY" left all years.
All have hyphen prefix except 1981-82 unless noted.
Slogan used through 1971. Sticker bars added 1974-79.
1982 Blue/White (not Red/White).
Suffix system same as Dealer 1956-80.
Highest suffixes seen: 0 1956, P 1957, E2 1958, ER 1961.
1973: 3-M has hyphens, 68 E no hyphens.
1956 3 1964 1972 68 1980 68
1957 3 1965 1 1973 68 1981 530
1958 2 1966 24 1974 68 1982 122
1959 1967 24 1975 26 1983 256
1960 1968 49 1976 107 1984 273
1961 6 1969 24 1977 107 1985 562
1962 29 1970 63 1978 107 1986 659
1963 2 1971 44 1979 107 1987 956
DRIVER EDUCATION
Earliest seen 1969.
1969: Long "DRIVERS ED" sticker only, seen on Dealer base.
1974-77: Small "DRIVER EDUCATION" sticker only, seen on Passenger base.
EXEMPT (See Table 1)
Ch. 88 P 3/22/1919, E 7/1/1919. Began 7/1/1919. Earliest seen
1920/21. See Lawrence Journal World article, 6/4/1919, P.3.
Issued to city-, county- and state-owned vehicles. Discontinued
1934; public-owned vehicles no longer required to display plates.
EXEMPT MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 69 P 3/9/1921. Began 7/1/1921. Earliest seen 1925.
Last seen 1928. Probably discontinued 1934 along with Exempt.
1925 E40
1928 E46
FARM TRUCK (See Truck page)
Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956.
"FARM" attachment plate or sticker only on Truck base.
Weight attachment plates issued only for Farm Trucks 1956-60;
all other trucks required to have weight painted on sides.
FLEET UTILITY TRAILER
Ch. 34 P 4/5/1977, E 1/1/1978. Began 1978. Issued to rental
trailers. 5-year plate issued 1980-84 and 1985-89.
"FUT 8M EXP 79" sticker issued on 1978 Prorate Trailer base.
1984: Yellow/Blue "DEC KANSAS 84" top, vertical "FLEET" left,
vertical "TRAILER" right, "UTILITY" bottom, #45 - 1396.
(Later issues may have been Blue/White, same design.)
1989: Red/White, same design.
FORMER PRISONER OF WAR
Ch. 34 P 4/20/1979, E immediately, provided for permanent undated
front plate. Earliest seen 1980 chart.
Ch. 30 P 4/7/1983, E 1/1/1984, provided for rear registration
plates. Began annual sticker revalidation January 1984, with
monthly staggered registration for passenger and 12M trucks,
December 31 expiration for heavier trucks.
UND. NON-REFL. BASE 149
UND. REFL. BASE "JUN 84" 5027 - 5619
FULL-USE
Ch. 54 P 4/23/1985, E 1/1/1986. Began 1986.
Earliest seen 1986 chart, and "87".
Issued to dealers for use on vehicles needing full privileges.
"87" D 272 1
HANDICAPPED
Ch. 35 P 3/22/1974. Began 7/1/1974. Wheelchair prefix all years.
1975-76 issued with Black/White sticker "EXP FEB" (or MAR - DEC).
1974 195 1981-82 WHEAT BASE 524
1975 140 1986-87 REFL. BASE 4257 - 7792
1976-80 1714
HANDICAPPED TRUCK
Ch. 30 P 4/9/1975, E 4/15/1975. Possibly began 1975?
White/Green 1975-79 base seen. Wheelchair prefix all years.
Embossed "TK" in UL corner 1980-81, two sticker bars bottom 1980-87.
12M trucks began monthly staggered registration 1982.
1980-81 WHEAT BASE 23
1988 REFL. BASE 1409 -
HIGHWAY PATROL
Earliest seen 1983 chart. Permanent undated Blue/White plate,
"HIGHWAY PATROL" bottom, large police shield left, #19 - 437.
HOUSE TRAILER (1945-60: See Table 1)
Ch. 88 P 3/27/1945. Began 7/1/1945. Earliest seen 1947.
Discontinued 1966, merged with Trailer.
Hutchison News Herald, 6/20/1945:
"Owners of house trailers...will have to purchase regular vehicle
licenses for them on or after July 1, if the trailers are operated
on highways...a law to that effect was passed by the recent state
legislature and will become effective July 1."
1947-60: Small size plate, "TRAILER" with "H" prefix.
1947 is Black/Gray, unlike Trailer.
1954: 7,750 initially ordered. Registration no longer required
for House Trailers not being moved over public highways.
1959: First year sold by county treasurers, not by state office.
1961-65: Black/Orange "HOUSE" sticker only, on "TRLR" base.
LOCAL TRUCK (See Truck page)
Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956.
"LOCAL" attachment plate or sticker only on Truck base.
LOST TAG (1913-60: See Table 1)
Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913. Began 7/1/1913. Annual plates 1913-61.
Discontinued 1962.
1923: L2005, L3063 have "L" prefix, 3029L has "L" suffix.
1961: "REPLACEMENT" embossed bottom, #S/G 42453 seen.
LOST MOTORCYCLE TAG (See Table 1)
Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913. Began 7/1/1913. Annual plates 1913-58.
Last seen 1958. Probably discontinued 1962 along with Lost types.
LOST TRAILER TAG
Earliest seen 1946 #L 26, with "L" being an inverted "7".
Last seen 1954 #L 8.
Probably discontinued 1962 along with Lost types.
LOST TRUCK TAG (See Table 1)
Ch. 69 P 3/8/1921. Began 7/1/1921. Annual plates 1921-61.
"TRUCK" 1924, 1954-55, some 1951, 1953. 1961 has vertical "REPL"
embossed at right, otherwise as Truck. Discontinued 1962.
1934: T-134L, LT-333 have different configurations.
1951: LT-207, L "TRUCK" 778.
1953: LT-40 - LT-328, L "TRUCK"-1489 - -2562.
MISCELLANEOUS DEALER TYPES (See Dealer)
Earliest seen 1963 "LIMITED". All types listed 1964 chart but
not 1962 chart.
1964-79: Black/Yellow "WHOLESALE", "LIMITED" (for businesses
attaching a specially made body or equipment to
chassis), "SPECIAL" (for repossesors) or "SALVAGE"
sticker only, on Dealer base.
1977: "LENDING AGENCY" #D-5242-A seen.
1980: "SALVAGE" seen.
1983: "LENDING AGENCY" #D-5208-A seen.
1984: "LENDING AGENCY" #D-5208-B seen.
1985: "LENDING AGENCY" #D-5025-C seen.
MOBILE HOME (See Trailer)
Ch. 68 P 4/21/1967, E 12/31/1967. Only issued 1968.
MOPED
Ch. 42 P 5/4/1976, E 1/1/1977. Began 1977.
County formats A/L-1 - W/Y-9999.
LEGENDS: Vertical "MBYC" right 1977-87.
COLORS: Yellow/Green 1977-79, Yellow/Blue 1980-81, Blue/White 1982-87.
1977-79 BASE: Type 1 - Map design, "KANSAS 77
Type 2 - Non-map design, "KANSAS 77"
Type 3 - Non-map design, "KS 77"
1982-87 BASE: Type 1 - Debossed "80" to right of LL bolt hole
Type 2 - Undated
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913. Began 7/1/1913.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER (1914-60: See Table 1)
Ch. 65 P 3/15/1913 provided for registration but not plates.
Began 7/1/1914. Annual plates 1914-87.
The Salina Daily Union, 6/16/1914:
"Mr. Sessions (Sec. of State) has also had motor cycle dealers
tags made. These tags will have a "D" in front of the number
the same as do the tags for automobile dealers."
The Times (Clay Center), 6/18/1914:
"Motor cycle dealers also, the coming year, get a dealers
license, which were not issued last year."
1934 has "A" suffix. 3-digit expected 1946.
Letter suffix system (same as Dealer) added 1961.
Letters defaulted to "A" in table below for simplicity.
Highest suffixes seen: A 1961, B 1962, C 1972, F 1973.
1917-51: 2 identical plates issued automatically; additional
plates available for extra fee.
1952: D 1 - D 100 listed, but only 56 actually active.
LEGENDS: Vertical "CYCLE" right 1961-74, 1978-87,
debossed "80" right of LL bolt hole 1980-87.
1961 D-61-A 1970 D-104-A 1979 D-186-A
1962 D-110-A 1971 D-101-A 1980 D-264-A
1963 D-89-A 1972 D-101-A 1981 D2207A
1964 D-89-A 1973 D-145-A 1982 D2190A
1965 D-173-A 1974 D-359-A 1983 D3721A
1966 D-173-A 1975 D-176-A 1984 D2051A
1967 D-173-A 1976 D-280-A 1985 D3271A
1968 D-173-A 1977 D-264-A 1986 D3027A
1969 D-264-A 1978 D-335-A 1987 D2855A
MOTOR CARRIER INSPECTOR
Earliest seen 1987 chart. Permanent undated Black/Tan plate
issued to state vehicles in the Motor Carrier division.
"WEIGHTS & PERMITS" bottom, large seal left, #9226 - 9241.
NATIONAL GUARD
Ch. 34 P 4/20/1979, E 1/1/1980. Base dated "81".
Earliest seen "MAY 82".
1981-87 NON-REFL. BASE 5 - 1268
1982-87 REFL. BASE 1915 - 2979, 3115
NATIONAL GUARD TRUCK
Ch. 34 P 2/14/1980, E 2/16/1980. Base dated "80".
Earliest seen "SEP 82". "TK" embossed in UL corner.
12M trucks began monthly staggered registration 1982.
1980-87 NON-REFL. BASE 3105 - 3239
1982-87 REFL. BASE 3337 - 3555, 4158
NON-HIGHWAY TRAILER
Ch. 47 P 3/23/1970, E 1/1/1971. Plates began 1971.
Issued to Mobile Homes not moved on public highways.
County formats A/L-1 - W/Y-9999. Always expired December 31.
LEGENDS: Vertical "NON" left, vertical "HIWAY" right 1971-79,
vertical "NON" left, vertical "HY" right 1980-87.
1968: Windshield sticker only issued; $5 fee.
1969-70: Registration receipt only issued; $1 fee.
1971: Small size plate, "NON" before county code; $2 fee.
1972-87: Full size plate, "NON" after county code; $2 fee.
Fee raised to $2.50 in 1983 and $3 in 1986.
1975/79 added sticker bars; small or large legends.
OFFICIAL
Ch. 29 P 3/14/1972, E 7/1/1973. Began 7/1/1973.
Undated permanent plate issued in pairs to state officials for use
on state vehicles. Gold/Brown, "KANSAS" top, "OFFICIAL" bottom,
large sunflower prefix. Later issues have thinner flower with wider center.
UND. 262 - 9918, 09556
OFFICIAL MOTORCYCLE
Earliest seen 1980 chart. Undated permanent Gold/Brown base
issued, "KANSAS" top, vertical "OFFICIAL" left, vertical "CYCLE"
right, no sunflower.
PERSONALIZED
Ch. 30 P 4/9/1975, E 4/15/1975. Began 1975, with base dated "76".
County code and month abbreviation embossed bottom (FEB - DEC).
(1975 dated Pre-personalized seen with slogan, #MIKE, TUCK,
without slogan #DICK.)
PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 30 P 4/6/1977, E 1/1/1978. Began 1978, with base dated "75".
PERSONALIZED TRUCK
Ch. 30 P 4/6/1977, E 1/1/1978. Began 1978, with base dated "75".
Earliest seen 1979.
PICKUP COACH
Ch. 68 P 4/21/1967, E 12/31/1967.
Only issued 1968; law repealed early 1968.
Undated permanent Gold/Black motorcycle-size plate issued for $5
fee. "KANSAS" top, vertical "PICKUP" left, vertical "COACH" right.
County formats A/L-1 - W/Y-9999.
PRORATE STICKER
Ch. 63 P 4/6/1955. Began 1956. Earliest seen 1957 sticker on
backing plate. Also joined Midwest Compact 1962.
Last seen 1964; discontinued by 1967.
PRORATE TRAILER
Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956. Earliest seen 1961.
Discontinued 1980; replaced by Apportioned Trailer.
1956-60: Unknown (Trailer plate with "P" or "T" prefix?).
1961-62: "PRORATE-TRAILER" embossed bottom, no sticker.
1964-79: "TRAILER PRORATE" embossed, no stickers seen.
Sticker bars 1964, 1974-75, 1977 #11786, 1979,
no bars 1965, 1972-73, 1976, 1977 #20224, 1978,
slogan 1966-71 (also late 1965?).
PRORATE PRORATE PRORATE PRORATE
TRAILER TRUCK TRAILER TRUCK
1956 (KAN PRO) 1968 5475 5486
1957 1969 5162 5768
1958 1970 5387 4652
1959 T815 1971 8925 2202
1960 T1919 1972 10007* 8292*
1961 2183 4302 1973 10177 8378
1962 3950 5069* 1974 12511 10230
1963 3029 5242 1975 7694 7264
1964 3932 3064 1976 15450 7214
1965 5361 5107 1977 20224 12585
1966 6105* 2874 1978 15626 9471
1967 5771 6014 1979 16325 13932
PRORATE TRUCK
Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956.
Discontinued 1980; replaced by Apportioned Truck.
1956: "KAN PRO" attachment plate on Truck base.
1957-58: Unknown.
1959-60: Truck plate with no county prefix.
1961-62: Vertical "TRUCK" embossed left, "PRORATE" embossed
bottom right of sticker bars.
1963-79: Vertical "TRUCK" embossed left, vertical "PRORATE"
embossed right, "PRORATE" weight sticker between
sticker bars bottom.
1962-73: 16M - 66+M (11 classes)
1974-79: 16M - 80+M (13 classes)
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1924.
1924 000-000 1951 O/O-00000, S/N-00000
1925-28 00-000 1952-53 TABS 0/0 000000
1929 00-00, 000-000 1954-57 S/N-00000
1930 000c000 1958 S/N-0000, S/N-00000
1931 0-0000, 0-00000, 00-0000 1959 S/N-00000
1932 00-000 1960-61 S/N-0000
1933 00-0000 1962-63 S/N-00000
1934 0-0000 1964 S/N-0000
1935-40 00-0000 1965-70 S/N-00000
1941 00-000, 00-0000 1971 S/N X00000
1942 00-0000 1972 S/N X 0000
1943 TAB 0-00000 1973-74 S/N X00000
1944 000-0000 1975-80 S/N X 0000
1945 00-000, 00-00000, 000-000 1981 S/N X00000
1946 000-000 1982-88 S/N X 0000, S/N X00000
1947 00-0000, 000-000
1948 0-00000, 00-0000, 000-000
1949-50 00-0000
72-HOUR PERMIT
Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956.
Paper certificate only.
6000-MILE TRUCK (See Truck page)
Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956.
1956-60: "6000 MILES" attachment plate only on Truck base.
1962-87: "6000 MILE" sticker only on Truck base. (Verify 1961)
SPECIAL INTEREST VEHICLE
Ch. 29 P 4/7/1973. Began 1973.
Issued to collectable vehicles over 20 years old (or over 15
years old if made by an obsolete manufaturer and not altered).
Letter suffix indicates additional plates assigned to same owner.
Monthly staggered registration began 1982.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SPECIAL" left, vertical "VEHICLE" right 1973-79,
vertical "SPECIAL" left, vertical "VEH" right 1980-83,
vertical "SPEC" left, vertical "VEH" right 1984-88.
(Only type to have "WHEAT CENTENNIAL" slogan in 1973.)
1973 112 (20-B) 1980-83 WHEAT BASE 14 - 2091
1974 20 (2-C) 1984-88 REFL. BASE 322 - 3286
1975-79 1111 (521C)
STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION
Undated, White/Green (1931-34 style), stepped "SHC" prefix, #1-0163.
May have been issued 1934 when Exempt discontinued.
STREET ROD
Ch. 37 P 4/2/1981, E immediately.
Earliest seen 1982 chart, and "JUL 87".
Design same as Special Interest Vehicle, but with "STREET ROD" bottom.
1982-87 2666A
10-DAY IN-TRANSIT PERMIT
Listed 1962 chart. Cardboard plate issued to non-residents
buying a vehicle in Kansas. "Passed by 1956 Legislature."
10-DAY INTRA-STATE REGISTRATION
Listed 1962 chart. Paper certificates sold in books of 5 to Dealers,
who in turn issued them singly to Kansas residents buying a vehicle.
30-DAY
Ch. 294 P 4/6/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956.
1956-61: Small size "30 DAY" plate issued to trucks operating intrastate.
1962: Bumper sticker permit shown on 1962 chart.
1964-79: Windshield sticker permit.
1956 7962 1959 9595
1957 6115 1960 10933
1958 10511 1961 12777
TRAILER (1930-60: See Table 1)
Ch. 81 P 3/9/1929. Began 1930. Annual plates 1930-74.
Small size plate, "TRAILER" 1930-60; full size plate, vertical
"TRLR" right, sticker bars bottom 1961-87.
4-digit expected 1930.
Trailer Tonnage tags also issued 1936-60.
1954: 9,500 initially ordered.
1959: First year sold by county treasurers, not by state office.
1961-87: County formats A/L-1 - W/Y-999.
J/O-1677 seen 1967, S/G 11320 seen 1974.
1930-49: Over 1 Ton, up to 1 1/2 Tons - $5
Over 1 1/2 Tons - $5 per ton
1950-53: (1949 Ch. 101 P 3/31/1949) Over 1/2 Ton, up to 2 Tons - $20
Over 2 Tons, up to 3 Tons - $50, etc. up to 12 Tons - $275
Farm Trailer up to 1 1/2 Tons - no fee
1953-55: (1953 Ch. 39 P 4/2/1953) Under 1,000 lbs. - $5 (optional)
Over 1/2 Ton, up to 1 Ton - $10
Others same as 1950-53.
1956-57: (1955 Ch. 294) Under 1,000 lbs. - $5 (optional)
All other trailers - $20
Farm Trailers under 6,000 lbs. - no fee
1957-60: (1957 Ch. 57 P 4/8/1957, E 7/1/1957)
Under 2,000 lbs. - $5 (optional)
Boat Trailers up to 2,000 lbs. - $5
Boat Trailers over 2,000 lbs. - $10
All other trailers - $20
Farm Trailers under 6,000 lbs. - no fee
1961: Split into Boat/Luggage Trailer and Commercial Trailer.
Black/Orange "Boat or Luggage 2M" (or 2+M) sticker only
on "TRLR" base. See Commercial Trailer for that type.
1962-65: Boat/Luggage Trailer became Utility Trailer.
Black/Orange "UTILITY 2M" (or 2+M) sticker only, on "TRLR" base.
1966-87: Great Bend Daily Tribune 12/19/1965, P.2, new law
effective 1/1/1966 for new fee structure, as follows:
$5 - <2,001 lbs. (optional)("8M" if issued)
$5 - 2,001 - 8,000 lbs. "8M"
$10 - 8,001 - 12,000 lbs. "12M"
$20 - 12,001+ lbs. "12+M"
Fees changed to $10, $10, $15 and $25 in 1977.
Fees raised by 50 cents in 1983 and again in 1986.
1968 only: "MOBILE HOME" sticker only, on "TRLR" base; $15 fee.
"TRAVEL TRAILER" sticker only, on "TRLR" base; $10 fee.
1971-72: Late issues have 1973 dies.
Some undated, unnumbered plates exist with "KANSAS/TR. UNDER 2M"
or "KANSAS/UNDER 2M" in various colors matching 1967-76 colors,
used to show law enforcement that registration was not required.
These are believed to be privately made, not state-provided.
TRAILER DEALER (See Dealer)
Began 1962. Listed 1962 chart. Earliest seen 1963.
1962-87: Black/Yellow "TRAILER" sticker only, on Dealer base.
No particular number block reserved 1981-87.
1961: D-1644-B and C seen with envelope addressed to a Trailer
Dealer, indicated that the 1501-1999 block was reserved.
TRAVEL TRAILER (See Trailer)
Ch. 68 P 4/21/1967, E 12/31/1967. Only issued 1968.
TRUCK (See Truck page)
Ch. 69 P 3/9/1921. Began 7/1/1921.
U.S. ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT
Only seen 1917/18, "ORD/U.S.A." left, #448.
Could there be other types? There were 9 branches of regular
army service: Infantry, Cavalry, Field (or Light) Artillery,
Engineer Corps, Signal Corps, Quartermaster's Corps, Ordnance
Department, Medical (or Hospital) Corps and Coast Artillery.
U.S. QUARTERMASTER CORPS
Only seen 1917/18, "Q.M.C./U.S.A." left, #363 - 773.
See above notes.
UTILITY TRAILER (See Trailer)
Began 1962. Previously issued Boat/Luggage Trailer.
Discontinued 1966; merged with Trailer.
TABLE 1 DEALER D-2001+ M/C D. LOST M/C L. LOST TRK. TRAILER EXEMPT
1913/14 D1221* - (none) L438- L99 (none) (none) (none)
1914/15 D1375 - D176 L199- L92 - - -
1915/16 D1505 - L84 L65 - - -
1916/17 D2800 - L693 L15 - - -
1917/18 D1336 - L254 - - -
1918/19 D1909* - D176* L698 L92 - - -
1919/20 D 183 - D49* L1223 L19 - -
1920/21 2176 D - 1242L - - 985 E
1921 D3-175* - L 999* LT144 - E1-156
1922 D3444* - 990 L T162L - E-1495
1923 D 1102 - L3453 - E 1-002
1924 D-1-957 - 893 L L 116 - E 1-253
1925 D-2-507 - L-3-268 L-T-297 - E-1-523
1926 D-2-312 - D12 L-3-407 L-T-336 - E-1-634
1927 D 1-730 - D22 L-4-208 - E 2-350
1928 D-2-611 - L-4-146 L-T-107 - E-1-703
1929 D-1-557 - D17 L-2-853 - E-2-291
1930 D-2248-A - D11 L-1-424 L-T-179 47 E-2-603
1931 D-2000A* - D10 L-3-949 LT-311 1604 E-2-287
1932 D-2434A - D12 L-4457 L-T-561 1388 E-3066
1933 D-1484-A - D4 L-14 L T-193 2664 E-2183
1934 D-1238-A - D-1 L-1084 LT-347 3599 -
1935 D-1406A (U/D) L-1242 LT-120 3397 -
1936 D-915-A D-20 L-1359 LT-317 3469 -
1937 D-1580A D-12 L-1351 LT-39 5307 -
1938 D1783-A D 20 L-1944 3108 -
1939 D1829-A D 20 L-819 3409 -
1940 D1509-A D 21 L-1609 2308 -
1941 D1461-A D 27 L-2005 LT-783 3512 -
1942 D1503-A D 17 L-473 LT-652 5820 -
1943 D-1084-A D 12 L-1118 LT-308 3713 HOUSE
1944 D-884-A L-731 5592 TRLR
1945 D-1752-A L-335 493
1946 D 1018-A D 2861-A D 54 L-3202 LT-46 9890
1947 D-1381A D-3299A D 8 L-1953 LT-429 8885 H1753
1948 D1587-A D3988-A D 69 L-1580 LT-732 8965 H4777
1949 D-55-A D-4169-A* D105 L-2450 LT-310 8814 H4790
1950 D-503-A D-3610-A* D 33 L-1807 LT-817 7047 H3481
1951 D-273A D-2610A D 33 L-132 L 911 952 H6639
1952 D-1750A D-3875A D 38 L-3658 LT-1823 8197 H6257
1953 D-998A D-3611A D 33 L-4333 L 42 L -2562 10114 H5785
1954 D-1075A D-3836A* D 33 L-1799 L -284 10853 [H7750]
1955 D-1209A D-4168A* D 33 L-218 L 1 L -925 12315 H 3329
1956 D-3823A* D118 L-1545 L-T1071 12637 H 4393
1957 D-601A D-4206A* D 55 L-333 L-T1417 14619 H3596
1958 D-542-A D-3691-A* D 25 L-285 L 31 L-T1645 18254 H2451
1959 D-305-A D-4462-A* D 20 L-2077 L-T1438 19263 H2154
1960 D-753-A D-4615-A* D57 L-828 L-T1307 23164 H7295
1961 D-351-A D-4950-A* - - - - - -
PERMITS:
KANSAS CORPORATION COMMISSIONCh. 229 P 3/24/1933. Began 7/1/1933.
Supplemental permit plates; issued singly for rear only 1933/34 -
1955/56, singly but front and rear 1956-??, 3 different-numbered
plates issued per tractor-trailer combination: Front, Rear and
Trailer 19??. Two consecutive numbers seen on front 1957-59.
SIZES: Small size 1933/34-73, full size 1974-79. No map 1975-79.
DATES: "33-4" 1933/34 - 1935/36, 1937/38 - 48/49 (including "39-0"),
"6-7" 1936/37, "49-50" 1949/50 - 1955/56.
Plates continued to be issued on a fiscal year basis in 1956-79,
but only the year of issuance is shown, i.e. "1956" = FY 1956/57.
1933/34 has stamped serial number which might be VIN?
Hutchinson News, 4/30/1942:
"Make No More KCC Tags At Reformatory" "Frost said 1941-42 KCC
tags will continue to be used, with cards issued showing payment
of new fees. The cards will be posted in the trucks."
COLORS: White/Blue, White/Red or Black/White 1933-89,
Blue/White, Red/White or Black/White 1990-92.
STICKERS: Green/White 1984, 1992, Black/White 1986, White/Blue 1987,
White/Black 1988-89, Red/White 1991. All have "KCC".
(Black serial 1984-88, no serial 1989, 1991-92)
White/Blue White/Red Black/White
KCC COMMON CARRIER CONTRACT CARRIER PRIVATE CARRIER
1933/34 (1-28-4) (20-F-64)
1934/35 353 - 9069 4746 -
1935/36 2350 - 9486 1291 - 7471
1936/37 3359B - 1280R - 9009R 5174W -
1937/38 2339B - 9165R - 3579W - 7794W
1938/39 4292B - 2517R - 8237R 636W - 11705
1939/40 B6163 - 1554R - 3853R 6357W - 12417
1940/41 2372B - 730R - 10035 2119W - 10450
1941/42 B 241 - 12557 R4934 - 13770 W7723 - 24295
1944/45 661 - 10049 926 - 2634 608 - 16104
1945/46 16154 - 1153 - 6018 524 -
1946/47 15417 - 17996 2639 - 5365 10513 - 18008
1947/48 1775 - 25635 894 - 6119 14690 - 18524
1948/49 9488 - 17577 438 - 963 10418 - 23836
1949/50 13547 - 30483 772 - 7519 3564 - 22010
1950/51 7753 - 40868 1057 - 7439 2346 - 14410
1951/52 15174 - 43876 7344 - 8699 3434 - 4905
1952/53 15722 - 50832 2222 - 6432 15517 - 28822
1953/54 21111 - 52974 5526 - 8432 - 27448
1954/55 13355 - 41110 3923 - 8054 1569 - 31333
1955/56 21842 - 54903 2739 - 6285 10271 - 29893
1956 5673 - 49267 5299 - 7194 - 25153
1957 335 - 46260 1999 - 5472 11736 - 19179
1958 6218 - 32154 2987 - 4263 4477 - 25803
1959 18184 - 40064 4621 - 6077 13889 - 40241
1960 64 - 58653 6743 - 5769 - 33491
1961 11676 - 43325 618 - 664 9789 - 38525
1962 1364 - 64516 9346 - 37762
1963 9667 - 64897 1131 - 3121 29126 - 42851
1964 508 - 72958 1177 - 4605 1764 - 44043
1965 2151 - 68842 4956 - 5692 12399 - 47606
1966 8 - 91599 1083 - 2821 5400 - 52471
1967 7377 - 47052 450 - 2898 1055 - 32979
1968 8011 - 50730 2831 - 3268 5598 - 28963
1969 2683 - 30708 1254 - 3367 949 - 30121
1970 10 - 35395 2127 - 3055 1457 - 28014
1971 7419 - 19791 101 - 1797 502 - 23186
1972 3790 - 15516 325 - 326 1351 - 33641
1973 5005 - 25272 560 - 1444 - 36397
1974 5503 - 31628 930 - 1757 243 - 36888
1975 1633 - 23009 64 - 240 19 - 35376
1976 2063 - 35199 1315 - 3434 3328 - 46459
1977 3688 - 35590 741 - 2800 101 - 37624
1978 6364 - 33026 255 - 1016 5157 - 43159
1979 5588 - 40510 586 - 1640 7883 - 52325
1980 3022 - 41541 1226 - 147 - 55058
1981 17793 - 42122 813 - 1906 7191 - 43214
1982 9284 - 40451 420 - 2661 848 - 49911
1983-84 4412 - 45991 2634 - 3845 1778 - 63306
1985-87 4128 - 60762 502 - 6014 1249 - 56745
1987-89 2039 - 51827 1186 - 2120 3993 - 70456
1990-92 293 - 19038 753 - 51010
KANSAS CORPORATION COMMISSION RIG
Earliest seen 1983/84. Issued to oil well rigs as of 1983 chart.
LEGENDS: "KANSAS" top, vertical "KCC" left, vertical "RIG" right.
COLORS: Yellow/Green UND. base.
STICKER COLORS: Green/Yellow 1983/84, JUN, 1986,
Black/Yellow 1987, Yellow/Green 1988-91, 1993.
UND. BORDER "83-84" 1364
UND. NO BORDER "JUN 86" 45 - 455
UND. NO BORDER, NO "RIG" "87" 746 Black/Yellow "LOCAL WRECKER" decal bottom
PRESS CAR
Earliest seen 1955. Annual small supplemental plates issued by
Kansas Press Association 1955-87. Numbers began at 1 all years.
LEGENDS: "PRESS/CAR" left 1955-60, "PRESS" left 1961-79, no bottom legend 1955-58,
"MEMBER KANSAS PRESS ASSOCIATION" 1959-87.
COLORS: All same as passenger except White/Black 1956, 1980,
White/Medium Green 1962, 1970, White/Dark Blue 1967,
Metallic Gold/Green 1972, White/Red 1973, White/Green 1974,
White/Dark Blue 1975, Dark Blue/White 1977, Red/White 1978,
White/Orange 1979, White/Brown 1980,
Blue/White 1981, 1983, 1986, Green/White 1982, 1985,
Red/White 1984, 1987.
1955 365 1964 551 1973 636 1982 531
1956 483 1965 335 1974 747 1983 373
1957 355 1966 440 1975 580 1984 500
1958 313 1967 327 1976 777 1985 500
1959 302 1968 642 1977 602 1986 23
1960 384 1969 422 1978 486 1987 218
1961 371 1970 602 1979 515
1962 430 1971 275 1980 339
1963 372 1972 448 1981 550
TRAILER TONNAGE TAG
Earliest seen 1936. "TRAILER" legend 1936-55.
(It is possible older ones did not have the legend.)
All are undated; same colors as Trailer plates.
1936: 4,260 ordered.
1945: 6,030 ordered.
Concordia News 2/12/1934 article below mentions that tonnage tags
"shall be displayed on trucks and trailers".
1944 photo shows a 1944 Trailer plate being used with a 1942 4-Ton
Trailer Tonnage tag, so perhaps tonnage plates not issued 1943-44.
1958-60: 2M, 2+M are Trailer weight tags.
(4M seen 1957 which may be a predecessor of the 2+M class)
TRUCK TONNAGE TAG
Began 1931. Only required for 2 tons or higher 1931.
Earliest seen 1932. No "TRUCK" legend.
All are undated; same colors as Truck plates.
May have only included 2, 2 1/2, 3 and 4 tons in 1931.
Earliest lighter tonnages seen: 1/2 1932, 1 1933, 1 1/2 1932.
1936: 67,200 ordered.
1945: 11,300 ordered.
Atchison Daily Globe, 12/29/1930:
"All trucks of two-ton capacity and over in 1931 will carry a small
tag showing the declared weight of the trucks. These tags are
smaller but are white on green like the regulation state tags.
They bear the words "2 tons," or whatever class the truck has been
placed in by the owner at the time he made his application for
license. This will enable license inspectors to determine
immediately whether or not the truck has been registered at its
correct weight.
"We have been forced to do this on account of the fact that in 1930
83,000 trucks were under Kansas license and only 2,700 of these
were declared to be over one and one-half tons carrying capacity,"
Mr. King stated. "It stands to reason that there are more heavy
trucks than this in the state."
Concordia News, 2/12/1934:
"A supply of 1934 truck capacity tags has been received...the law
requires that they shall be displayeed on trucks and trailers...
The tags indicate capacities from one-half to five tons."
Hutchinson News, 5/12/1938: "Tonnage Tags In Comeback"
"The once familiar metal tags which labeled Kansas trucks according
to their tonnage are scheduled to make a comeback...The plan was
formerly used in Kansas but was abandoned last year. It is now
being put into effect again, but the little plates were not ready
in time to be distributed with the license tags."
The Hutchinson News, 4/5/1938, described the Reno (#6) county
treasurer taking count of trucks registered by weight class so the
state would know how many tags to produce of each:
1/2 - 1,100 2 - 79 4 - 8 7 - 1
3/4 - 60 2 1/2 - 31 4 1/2 - 1 7 1/2 - 1
1 - 431 3 - 26 5 - 5 8 - 1
1 1/2 - 1,257 3 1/2 - 7 6 - 1 TOTAL - 3,009
System changed 1956 due to new truck law. Only Farm trucks were
issued weight tags 1956-60: 6M, 8M, 16M, 20M, 24M, 24+M.
12M added 1958. All other trucks required to paint gross weight
on each side of vehicle, thus no weight tag issued.
