Earliest seen 1946 chart.
A. Undated, Black/Yellow, "DEPT./MOTOR/VEHICLES" left, #13.
DIPLOMAT
Earliest seen 1980. Listed on 1980 chart, drafted May 1977.
LEGENDS: "DIPLOMAT" bottom 1980-85.
1980 DP 0026 - DP 1067
1981-85 DP 0327 - DP 2679
DISABLED VETERAN
Ch. 34 P 3/28/1950. Began 6/1/1950, dated "1950". No 1951 issued.
Numbers assumed to have begun at #1 all years. As of 1977-83, #1 to
1000 reserved for free registrations, #1001 up for paid registrations.
All expire "3-31" 1952-86. Pair seen 1954, despite passenger singles.
LEGENDS: "MARYLAND - 1950" top, small "DISABLED VETERAN" bottom 1950,
small "MARYLAND" top, "DIS. VET. MARCH 1952" bottom 1952,
"MARYLAND - 1953" top, large "DISABLED VETERAN" bottom 1953-56,
no legend 1957-86, thin "DAV" 1981-86.
1950 D.A.V.404 1959 DAV-247 1967 DAV-350
1952 D.A.V.290 1960 DAV-650 1968 DAV 381
1953 [D.A.V.442] 1961 DAV-711 1969 DAV1390
1954 [D.A.V.475] 1962 DAV 229 1970 DAV1128
1955 D.A.V.495 1963 DAV 724 1971-75 DAV3381
1956 D.A.V.430 1964 [DAV 775] 1976-80 DAV7657
1957 DAV-398 1965 DAV 928 1981-86 DAV 82,
1958 DAV-445 1966 DAV-372 DAV 7131
DISABLED VETERAN TRUCK
Ch. 14 P 3/8/1976, E 7/1/1977. Earliest seen 1980 Sample.
Same number divisions as Disabled Veteran 1977-83.
Thin "DAV" prefix 1981-86.
1981-86 DAV 9202 - DAV 9375
DUMP TRAILER
Ch. 657 P 4/27/1953. Began 6/1/1953. Earliest seen 1954.
Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
LEGENDS: Vertical "DUMP" left, vertical "TRLR" right 1954-65,
"DUMP/TRAILER" left 1971-75, "DUMP TRAILER" bottom 1976-86.
DUMP TRUCK
Ch. 657 P 4/27/1953. Began 6/1/1953. Earliest seen 1954.
Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
LEGENDS: Vertical "DUMP" left, vertical "TRUCK" right 1954-56, 1968, 1970,
vertical "DUMP" left, vertical "TRK" right 1957-67, 1969,
"DUMP/TRUCK" left 1971-75, "DUMP TRK" bottom 1976-86.
DUMP DUMP DUMP DUMP
TRAILER TRUCK TRAILER TRUCK
1954 [10-49] [10-49] 1964
1955 10-91 1965 1010 1480
1956 13-16 1966 1097
1957 13-18 1967
1958 16-87 1968 2777
1959 10-97 1969 2001
1960 21-08 1970 2204
1961 20-80 1971-75 8376, 162A
1962 1976-80 DT 172 DT 0007 - DT 6631
1963 11-49 24-74 1981-86 DT 0001 - DT 9994,
(85) DT 00001 -
ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Ch. 520 P 4/26/1927, E 6/1/1927. Reported 1929 with "E" suffix,
but not listed 1928. Listed in 1930 directory. Earliest seen 1931.
Issued to pneumatic-tire vehicles propelled by electricity or steam.
#1-000 - 1-099 (100) assigned 1935, #1 - 100 assigned 1939,
#1 - 40 assigned 1940, 1942, listed 1946, gone by 1948.
1929 1936
1930 1937
1931 1-006E - 1939
1932 E1-023 - 1940 [E 33]-
1933 1941
1934 1942-44
1935 [1-099E]- 1945-46 [E 40]-
ELKS CLUB
Reported on 2/27/1983. Earliest seen 1985.
Issued to members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.
Thin "ELK" prefix 1985-86. (In 1976, Elks issued BEA to BEL prefixes.)
1985-86 ELK 0112 - ELK 5144
EXECUTIVE
Earliest seen 1937. #1 assigned to Governor 1940.
Black/Yellow undated 1943-47.
LEGENDS: "EXECUTIVE" bottom 1937-39, top 1940,
"EXECUTIVE/DEPT." left undated 1943-47.
1937-41, undated 1953-56, undated 1958 #1
1939, undated 1943-47 #2
FARM AREA ONLY
Shown on 1948 chart. Earliest seen 1948. Discontinued 1988.
Issued to vehicles operated only on, and within 5-mile radius
of, owner's farm (later expanded to 10-mile radius).
Numbers began at #1 1954-75.
LEGENDS: "FARM/AREA/ONLY" left 1948-58, "FARM/AREA" left 1959-75,
"FARM AREA" bottom 1976-86.
FARM TRACTOR
Ch. 85 P 3/28/1918. Began 4/1/1918.
Listed in registration figures 1918. Earliest seen 1919.
Possibly replaced by Tractor by 1932.
1919: Flat, "MD - 1919" top, "FARM" arched left, "TRACTOR" arched right, #300.
Rebegan by 1948. Shown on 1948 chart. Earliest seen 1959.
Numbers began at #1 1948-66. Discontinued by May 1977.
Probably replaced by Farm Truck Tractor.
LEGENDS: "FARM/TRACTOR" left 1948-75, "FARM TRAC" bottom 1976-77.
FARM TRAILER
Ch. 579 P 5/17/1976, E 7/1/1976. Earliest seen 1978.
LEGENDS: "FARM TRL" bottom 1978-86.
1978-80 TR 072 - TR 509
1981-86 TR 356 -
FARM TRUCK
Ch. 9 P and E 3/28/1950. Shown on 1951 chart.
Earliest seen 1951. Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
LEGENDS: "FARM/TRUCK" left 1948-51, 1971-75,
vertical "FARM" followed by vertical "TRUCK" left 1948 #10-000+,
vertical "FARM" left, vertical "TRUCK" right 1952-70,
"FARM TRK" bottom 1976-86.
FARM TRUCK TRACTOR
Ch. 579 P 5/17/1976, E 7/1/1976. Listed by May 1977.
Earliest seen 1976-80 "FARM TK TR" bottom, #TT 032.
FARM FARM FARM
AREA ONLY TRACTOR TRUCK
1948-51 [50]- 252 -[49] 514 - 10-674 (10,161)
1952-53 1 - 123 -[49] 1-732 - 11-649 (9,918)
1954 1 - [149] [1 - 10] 75-09,[A], B5-80 (10,578)
1955 2 - 4 95-70, A-891 (9,890)
1956 3 - 98 99-02, A8-85 (9,884)
1957 25 - 120 97-62, A8-21 (9,820)
1958 22 - 132 91-45, A2-71 (9,270)
1959 91 - 6 - 99-90 (8,990)
1960 96-74 (8,674)
1961 124 - 98-17 (8,817)
1962 140 - 40 - 99-78 (8,978)
1963 22 - 174 24 - 98-46, F3-42 (9,341)
1964 54-87, A1-16 (9,115)
1965 9 - 8909, A058 (9,057)
1966 49 - 5 - 8125, A, B050 (10,048)
1967 5 - 6972, A038 (9,037)
1968 9541, A, B060 (10,058)
1969 8441, A850 (9,849)
1970 7626, A, B236 (10,234)
1971-75 T.1 250 - 9980, A001 - H626
T.2 J070 - J248
1976-80 011 - 897 152 - T 10792 - T 26324
1981-86 824 - 1233 (none) T 10296 - T 26554
FINANCE COMPANY
Ch. 197 P 4/22/1949. Began 6/1/1949. Earliest seen 1954.
Issued to repossessed vehicles. Numbers began at #1 1954-75.
LEGENDS: Small "FINANCE/COMPANY" left 1948, 1954-57,
large "FINANCE/COMPANY" left 1960-63, 1968, 1970-75,
"FINANCE" bottom 1976-86.
1948-51 [248] 1959 1966
1952-53 1960 199 1967 232
1954 94 1961 75 1968 248
1955 102 1962 202 1969
1956 69 1963 199 1970 185
1957 37 1964 1971-75
1958 169 1965
1976-80 F 1016 - F 1491
1981-86 F 1276 -
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Began 1973. Issued to volunteer firefighters.
Numbers reportedly began at #10001, although special cars issued
#101 - 999, past presidents issued numbers representing the year
they served, starting with #1931, and auxiliary personnel assigned
#30001 and higher.
LEGENDS: No legend, "FD" inside Maltese cross left 1973-86.
1973-75 FD 10003 - FD 23239, FD 30185 - (13,237 P)
1976-80 FD 11527 - FD 27369, FD 30307 - FD 30654, FD 1933 (16,192 P)
1981-86 FD 10875 - FD 25328, FD 30210 - FD 30565, FD 1952 (14,811 P)
FIRE DEPARTMENT TRUCK
Began 1973. Issued to volunteer firefighters.
1973-75: Numbers reportedly began at #20001, but probably #25001.
1976-86: Numbers reportedly began at #50001.
LEGENDS: No legend, "FD" inside Maltese cross right 1973-75,
"TRUCK" bottom, "FD" inside Maltese cross left 1976-86.
1973-75 25269 FD - 27569 FD (2,301 P)
1976-80 FD 50336 - FD 54798 (4,463 P)
1981-86 FD 50332 - FD 55304 (4,973 P)
FORMER PRISONER OF WAR
Began 3/5/1980, on new undated 1981 base.
No legend, "POW" prefix 1981-86.
1981-86 POW 004 - POW 143
40/8 VOITURE
Ch. 937 P and E 5/6/1941. Earliest seen 1969.
Number indicates Chapter ("Voiture") number.
LEGENDS: "40-8/VOITURE 1371" center 1969,
"VOITURE 651/40-8" bottom 1981-86.
FUNERAL COMMERCIAL
Began 1940. Earliest seen 1941.
Issued to truck-type funeral vehicles for hire, such as hearses,
flower coaches, service wagons and ambulances.
Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
LEGENDS: No legend all years. "F" in UL box, "H" in LL box 1941-47,
vertical "FH" prefix 1948-51, small "C" prefix 1952-53,
"CA" suffix 1954-75, "CA" prefix 1976-86.
1940
1941 F/H 12-246 -
1942-44 F/H 12-036 - F/H 12-289 (254)
1945-47 F/H 12-100 -[F/H 12-499] (400)
1948-51 F/H 12-162 - F/H 12-368 (207)
1952-53 [C28-299]- C28-653 (355)
1954 [16-50-CA] 1960 1966 2011-CA
1955 1961 12-68-CA 1967
1956 12-52-CA 1962 1969 1668-CA
1957 15-95-CA 1963 10-99-CA 1969 1725-CA
1958 12-49-CA 1964 1970
1959 16-79-CA 1965 1971-75 1015 CA
1976-80 CA 1072 - CA 2107
1981-86 CA 1335 - CA 1712
FUNERAL LIMOUSINE
Earliest seen 1934. Issued to funeral limousines for hire.
No legend, small "F" prefix 1934, 1936-40, 1942-48,
no legend, small "F" suffix 1935.
#8-000 - 8-349 (350) assigned 1935, #28-000 - 28-999 (1,000) assigned 1939,
#28-000 - 28-599 (600) assigned 1940, listed 1942, 1946, 1948, gone by 1953.
Probably merged with Funeral Commercial 1952.
1934 F8-144 - 1940 [F28-068]- F28-509 (442)
1935 8-109F - [8-349F] (241) 1941
1936 F9-730 - F9-858 (129) 1942-44 F28-199 -
1937 F9-857 - 1945-47 [F28-499]-
1939 F28-380 - 1948-51 F28-092 - F28-262 (171)
GRATIS
Reported 8/24/1943 as a new type. Free plate issued to state-
owned vehicles. Undated, Black/Yellow, "GRATIS" left, #3-500.
In 1934, issued passenger plates in #30-000 to 31-999 (2,000) block.
Not listed 1946 chart. Issued Permanent plates 1948.
HANDICAPPED
Ch. 190 P 5/5/1972. Began 7/1/1972. Earliest seen 1973.
No legend, wheelchair left.
1973-75 10062 - 10206
1976-80 Type 1 1011 - 7851
Type 2 083 A - 365 A
1981-86 1114 - 9419, 843A - 941B, 790D, 817F - 625G,
800J - 489K, 051R - 239T, 151V, 939Y
"84" H1935 - K6543 (no I used)(K0037)
HANDICAPPED TRUCK
Ch. 358 P 5/4/1976, E 7/1/1976. Earliest seen 1980.
"TRUCK" bottom, wheelchair left.
1980 9216 - 9483
1981-86 812C, 088E, 103L - 369L
HIRE
Ch. 687 P 4/18/1916. Began 7/1/1916. Issued to taxis.
1921 plates are overstamped from 1919, thus smaller "H".
#10-000 - 12-999 (3,000) assigned 1935,
#13-000 - 17-999 (5,000) assigned 1939,
#13-000 - 15-999 (3,000) assigned 1940.
Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
LEGENDS: No legend 1916-75, "HIRE" bottom 1976-86.
Small "H" prefix 1916, 1924, 1926, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1936-53,
full-size "H" prefix 1917, 1922,
small "H" suffix 1918-21, 1923, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1933, 1935,
"BA" suffix 1954-75. (Verify 1928, 1931)
1916 H7352 - 1931 10-689H - 13-019H,
1917 H10-584 - H12-329 (1,746) 26-054H (2,332)
1918 11-095H - 11-822H (728) 1932 H13-594 - H15-537 (1,944)
1919 10-216H - 12-544H (2,329) 1933 13-396H -
1920 15-477H - 17-416H (1,940) 1934 H12-933 - H13-130 (198)
1921 14-507H - 16-609H (2,103) 1935 [11-849H]- 13-246H (1,397)
1922 H12-064 - 1936 H12-475 -
1923 10-327H - 12-041H (1,715) 1937 H12-106 -
1924 H10-963 - H11-604 (642) 1939 H14-836 - H15-947 (1,112)
1925 13-541H - 1940 H13-515 - H14-941 (1,427)
1926 H11-116 - H12-571 (1,456) 1941 H13-286 -
1927 11-790H - 11-793H (4) 1942-44 H13-610 - H17-132 (3,523)
1928 1945-47 [H14-899]- H18-050 (3,152)
1929 10-490H - 14-224H (3,735) 1948-51 H15-649 - H17-141 (1,493)
1930 H10-943 - H14-652 (3,710) 1952-53 H15-498 -[H16-450] (953)
1954 [40-50-BA] 1960 1966
1955 30-13-BA 1961 1967
1956 25-83-BA 1962 33-27-BA 1968
1957 1963 29-49-BA 1969
1958 29-06-BA 1964 1970
1959 21-91-BA 1965 1971-75 7109 BA
1976-80 BA 2628 - BA 7980
1981-86 BA 3813 -
HOUSE OF DELEGATES/SENATE
Began 1/26/1939, expire "3-31-39". Numbers began at #1 all years.
In 1939, they were to be carried in addition to the regular plates.
HOUSE: Maryland had 114 Delegates in 1939-41, 117 in 1943-62,
129 in 1963-66 and 142 in 1967-74. The state was reorganized
into 47 districts with 3 members each (= 141) in 1975.
#1 - 120 issued in order of roll call 1939-40.
Higher numbers seen 1956-57, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1971-75;
possibly included additional cars owned by delegates.
"A" suffix seen 1967-75, probably denoting delegate's 2nd car.
Dated 1943 repaint #32 seen in same design as 1942.
LEGENDS: "HOUSE OF DELEGATES" top, "OF MARYLAND 3-31-39" bottom 1939-42,
"HOUSE/OF/DELEGATES" left 1945-53, some have "19 MARYLAND 52" top,
"HOUSE OF/DELEGATES" top center, state seal left 1952, 1954-70,
"HOUSE OF/DELEGATES" top, "71 MARYLAND ( )" bottom, state seal left 1971-75,
"HOUSE OF/DELEGATES" above smaller serial center, state seal left 1976-86.
All assumed to expire "3-31" although no month shown 1952-75.
SENATE: Maryland had 29 Senators in 1939-66 and 43 in 1967-74.
The state was reorganized into 47 districts with 1 Senator each in
1975. #1 - 29 issued in 1939-40.
#48 seen 1967; possibly included additional cars owned by senators.
"A" suffix seen 1969, probably denoting senator's 2nd car.
LEGENDS: "SENATE" top, "OF MARYLAND 3-31-39" bottom 1939-42,
"SENATE" left 1945-51, "19 MARYLAND 52" top, "SENATE" bottom,
state seal left, "53" tab 1953,
"SENATE" center, state seal left 1954-62, 1964-70,
"SENATE" top, state seal left, small number die 1971-86.
All expire "3-31".
HOUSE SENATE HOUSE SENATE1939 105 15 1960 121 26
1940 81 7 1961 112 12
1941 106 7 1962 61 25
1942-44 92 7 1963 165
1945-47 95 [7] 1964 103 24
1948-51 46 27 1965 78 12
1952 40 25 1966 144 17
1953 40 [27] 1967 203 48
1954 111 [27] 1968 120-A 12
1955 93 14 1969 116 40
1956 122 21 1970 76 39
1957 122 27 1971-75 156 40
1958 112 25 1976-80 222 27-B
1959 111 9 1981-86 125 42-A
IN TRANSIT ONLY
Ch. 85 P 3/28/1918. Began 4/1/1918.
Issued for $3 fee to cars brought into the state on their own
power from factories to dealers.
Last seen 1920. Still listed as of 1922; no longer listed 1928.
1918: Flat, "MD.1918" top, "IN TRANSIT ONLY" bottom, #1-518-D.
1920: Embossed, "-MD-1920-" top, "IN TRANSIT ONLY" bottom, #463.
LAW DEPARTMENT
Only seen 1946 chart. Undated, "LAW/DEPT." left, #64.
Assigned to Attorney General and staff.
LIMITED TRANSPORTATION
Ch. 225 P 4/2/1929, E 6/1/1929. Listed 1934.
Earliest seen 1935 chart. Earliest seen 1942.
Certificate of convenience issued for $3 fee to "industrial workers"
permitted to "transport fellow workers to and from their places of
employment when public facilities are inadequate."
Only 3 issued 1937, all to one company near Cumberland.
Motorcycle design, but 11" long (not 9 1/4"), bolt holes (not
slots), small "L" prefix and "T" suffix 1935, 1940, 1942, 1946-48, 1953.
White/Black 1953, unlike Motorcycle. #1 - 20 assigned 1935,
#101 - 200 assigned 1939, #101 - 110 assigned 1940.
All expire 3-31 1939-54. Last seen 1954 chart. Gone by 1963.
1934 1942 L102T 1949
1935 [L 8 T] 1943 1950
1936 1944 1951
1937 1945 1952
1939 1946 [L110T] 1953 L104T
1940 [L110T] 1947 1954 [Began at 1]
1941 1948 L106T
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Not on 1954 chart. Began 1954. All expire "3-31".
Also issued to State Government vehicles 1954-60.
Numbers began at #10-01 all years.
Became permanent 1976 with no sticker box or renewals.
LEGENDS: No legend, large star prefix 1954-75,
"LOCAL GOVT." bottom 1976-86.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRUCK
Not on 1954 chart. Began 1954.
Also issued to tractors and trailers.
Also issued to State Government vehicles 1954-60.
Numbers began at #10-01 1954, 1968-75; higher number block than
Local Government 1957-67.
Discontinued 1976; replaced by Local Government.
LEGENDS: No legend, large star suffix 1954, 1971-75,
large star prefix, identical to Local Government except "4-30" expiration 1957-67,
small star above "TRUCK" left, expires "4-30" 1968-70.
LOCAL GOV'T. LOCAL GOV'T.
PASSENGER TRUCK
1954 10-01 - 32-05 (2,205) 10-01 - 14-46 (446)
1955 10-01 - 49-36 (3,936) (same as Pass.?)
1956 10-01 - 56-56 (4,656) (same as Pass.?)
1957 10-01 - 31-08 (2,108) 46-11 - 74-56 (2,846)
1958 10-01 - 34-85 (2,485) 50-48 - 79-45 (2,898)
1959 10-01 - 37-75 (2,775) 54-76 - 70-80 (1,605)
1960 10-01 - 32-93 (2,293) 40-16 - 61-66 (2,151)
1961 10-01 - 25-37 (1,537) 41-22 - 72-01 (3,080)
1962 10-01 - 16-91 (691) 52-73 - 79-44 (2,672)
1963 10-01 - 29-49 (1,949) 59-06 - 85-39 (2,634)
1964 10-01 - 29-34 (1,934) 41-49 - 77-34 (3,586)
1965 1001 - 3284 (2,284) 5435 - 8112 (2,678)
1966 1001 - 3244 (2,244) 4097 - 8878 (4,782)
1967 1001 - 3734 (2,734) 4956 - 8771 (3,816)
1968 1001 - 4433 (3,433) 1001 - 6382 (5,382)
1969 1001 - 4419 (3,419) 1001 - 3178 (2,178)
1970 1001 - 4288 (3,288) 1001 - 6821 (5,821)
1971-75 1001 - 8822 (7,822) 1001 - 8682, A,B, C897 (11,894)
1976-80 G 3611 - G 30846 (none)
1981-86 G 10548 - G 36389
MERCHANDISE ONLY
Ch. 207 P 4/5/1910. Began 7/1/1910. Earliest seen 1911.
Meaning of "A" series is unknown. Discontinued 7/1/1916.
#2000 - 7999 (6,000) assigned 1916.
LEGENDS: "MERCHANDISE ONLY" bottom on taller plate 1911-14,
different "MD/1911" right 1911, different "MD/1912"
right or "MD/1912/A" right 1912, different "MD/13"
right or "A/1913/MD" right 1913, different "MD/14"
right 1914, "MDSE.ONLY" top on taller plate 1915-16.
"MD/15" legend center-justified 1915-16.
1910
1911 M610 - M773
1912 (M606 - M964) M734 - M873, M886A, M961
1913 M1001 - M1080, M1115A - M1170A, M1580 - M1694
1914 1050, A1103, 1148 - 1499, A1667 - A1856, 1877, 10527
1915 1170 - 3791
1916 2365 - 3996
METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Earliest seen 1963. Issued to transit buses in the Baltimore area.
Numbers began at #1001 all years.
LEGENDS: Vertical "MTA" left, vertical "ZONE" right 1963,
vertical "MTA" left 1967-69, 1971-75.
1963 17-99 1966 1969 1060
1964 1967 1494 1970
1965 1968 2020 1971-75 2211
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 207 P 4/5/1910. Began 7/1/1910. Earliest seen 1911.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER
Ch. 207 P 4/5/1910. Began 7/1/1910. Earliest seen 1924.
Listed in registration figures 1918 but not 1917.
1917: Issued 4 plates for $8 fee. Fee raised to $20 effective
4/1/1918, and $5 for each additional plate.
Also issued to Motor Wheel Dealers as of 1935-39.
LEGENDS: No legend, small "D" prefix 1924, 1940, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1953, 1955, 1958-60, 1962-64,
small "D" suffix 1935, 1949, 1957, full-size "D" prefix 1967,
vertical "DLR" prefix 1968, 1970, "DLR" prefix 1971-86.
COLORS: Same as Motorcycle all years.
#1 - 50 assigned 1935, 1940, 1942, #1 - 99 assigned 1939.
Numbers began at #D101 1954-75. All expire 3-31.
1958: "MD/58" on right instead of left.
1960: Diamond hyphen like passenger, not colon like Motorcycle.
1976-80: 015 has "DLR" flush left, 945 has "DLR" further right.
1910 1926 1943 1959 D1-77
1911 1927 1944 D9 1960 D1-24
1912 1928 1945 1961
1913 1929 1946 [D50] 1962 D2-50*
1914 1930 1947 1963 D2-74*
1915 1931 1948 [D260] 1964 D1-95
1916 1932 1949 231D 1965
1917 1933 1950 1966
1918 1934 1951 1967 D399
1919 1935 [25D] 1952 1968 304
1920 1936 1953 [D 98] 1969
1921 1937 1954 1970 225
1922 1939 1955 D131 1971-75 1273
1923 1940 [D30] 1956 1976-80 953,
1924 D28 1941 1957 133D 045
1925 1942 1958 D-145 1981-86 648
MOTOR WHEEL
Ch. 85 P 3/28/1918. Listed in registration figures 1919 but not
1918. Earliest seen 1920. Repealed by Ch. 497 P 5/17/1939,
E 6/1/1939. Issued to bicycles with motor attached; $3 fee
instead of $5 motorcycle fee. Identified by star suffix; seen
1920 and shown 1935 chart. #300 - 324 (25) assigned 1935,
#100 - 199 (100) assigned 1939. Not shown on 1940 chart.
1920 268
1935 [324]
MULTI PURPOSE VEHICLE (See Truck page)
Law P 1978. Began January 1979, expire "79".
NATIONAL GUARD
Ch. 383 P 5/20/1982. Began 7/1/1982. Earliest seen 1984.
LEGENDS: "NAT'L GUARD" bottom, soldier left 1984-86.
1984-86 0299A - 2206A
NEW AND USED CAR TRAILER TRANSPORTER
Ch. 197 P 4/22/1949. Began 6/1/1949. None seen.
Issued to transporters moving both cars and trailers.
Not on 1954 chart. Repealed by Ch. 575 P 4/25/1955, E 6/1/1955.
LEGENDS: "NEW & USED/CAR TRAILER/TRANS-/PORTER" left 1948.
1948-51 [400]
PERMANENT
Shown on 1948 chart. Issued to state-owned vehicles.
Earliest seen undated #796-812 - 797-849, passenger design but
"P.T." (Permanent Tag) in place of "48". 1948 chart lists number
series as #790-000 - 799-999, but passenger plate #794-596 seen.
According to the Evening Sun (Baltimore), 9/7/1951, "State-owned
license plates are issued within the numbers 795-000 to 799-999,
the commissioner of motor vehicles said."
Previously issued Gratis plates 1943. Gone by 1951 chart.
PERSONALIZED
Ch. 638 P 5/24/1971, E 7/1/1971. Began 7/1/1971, "72".
$25 extra fee only every new base issue. 2-6 characters allowed,
but if all are numbers, only 5-6 digits allowed.
PERSONALIZED HISTORIC
Earliest seen 1979.
PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 54 P 4/13/1982. Began 7/1/1982. Earliest seen 1986.
PERSONALIZED MULTI PURPOSE VEHICLE
Ch. 280 P 5/6/1980. Began 7/1/1980. Earliest seen 1986.
PERSONALIZED TRUCK
H.B. 320 P 1977. Began 7/1/1977. Earliest seen 1980.
PRESS
Ch. 372 P 5/26/1941, E 6/1/1941. None seen.
PRIVATE COMMERCIAL (See Truck page)
Earliest seen 1934. Probably began 1934.
Last listed 1940. Replaced by Truck by 1948.
PSC BUS
Ch. 610 P 4/18/1916. Began 7/1/1916.
Issued to buses used for public passenger transportation, intrastate
and interstate, requiring Public Service Commission certificate.
1916 classes: A = Under 3,000 lbs.
B = Over 3,000 but under 7,000 lbs.
C = Over 7,000 lbs.
Ch. 714 P 4/26/1916, providing for tabs for base plates.
X = Under 3 tons (seen on PSC Bus plates 1926-27)
Y = 3 to 6 tons
Z = Over 6 tons)
#1 - 800 assigned 1935, #1 - 1-000 assigned 1939-40,
#1 - 2-499 assigned 1948-53. Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
LEGENDS: No legend, identical to passenger but plain low numbers 1916-53,
vertical "PSC" left, vertical "BUS" right 1954-70,
no legend, "BM" suffix 1971-75, "MTR BUS" bottom 1976-86.
1916 3 - , round "A" tab center, "MD/16" center-justified
1917 (3-digits with round "A" tab right reported)
1923 34 - 237, round "B" tab right
1924 54 - , round "B" tab right
1926 412 - 505, round "B" or "X" tab right
1927 453 - 467, round "X" tab left
1928 69 -
1931 815 -
1932 678 -
1935 [749]-
1936 552 -
1939 78 - 285
1940 [312]-
PSC BUS TAX REFUND
Earliest seen 1935 chart. Earliest seen 1937. #1 - 75 assigned 1935,
#1-300 - 1-399 (100) assigned 1939-40, 1942, listed 1946, gone by 1948.
LEGENDS: No legend, small "R" prefix, small "P" in UR box, small "B" in LR box 1935,
no legend, vertical "PB" left, small "R" suffix 1937, 1940, 1945-46.
1935 [R 55 P/B]- 1940 [P/B 1-318 R]-
1936 1941
1937 P/B 36 R - 1942-44
1939 1945-46 [P/B 1-399 R]-
PSC FREIGHT
Earliest listed 1939. Earliest seen 1955.
Issued to buses used for public freight transportation,
intrastate only, requiring Public Service Commission certificate.
Numbers assigned in table below. Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
LEGENDS: Same as PSC Bus but with higher number block 1939-53,
vertical "PSC" left, vertical "FRT" right 1954-69,
no legend, "FR" suffix 1971-75, "MTR FRT" bottom 1976-86.
PSC ZONE
Earliest seen 1934.
Issued to buses used for passenger transportation, intrastate
and interstate, operating on route limited to 16 miles between
terminal points, requiring Public Service Commission certificate.
#100 - 349 (250) assigned 1935. Numbers assigned in table below.
Numbers began at #10-01 1954-65. Last seen 1966, gone by 1971.
LEGENDS: No legend, small "Z" suffix 1934-35,
small "Z" prefix 1940, 1945-53,
vertical "PSC" left, vertical "ZONE" right 1954-66.
1934 194 Z - 1939
1935 [299 Z]- 1940 [Z3-266]
1936 1941
1937
PSC BUS PSC FREIGHT PSC ZONE
1939 1 - 1-000] [1-000 - 1-299] [Z3-000 - Z3-599]
1940 [1 - 1-000] [Z3-000 - Z3-399]
1941
1942-44 984
1945-47 [399] [1-100] [Z3-399]
1948-51 1 - 1-225 [2-500 - 2-699] [Z3-200 - Z3-949]
1952-53 1 - 1-271 [2-500 - 2-699] [Z3-200]- Z4-211
1954 [10-01 - 19-99] [10-01 - 12-99] [10-01 - 21-99]
1955 15-60 10-41 17-77
1956 18-38 19-09
1957 11-53 11-81 21-58
1958 20-98 11-50 18-01
1959 21-44 11-76
1960 23-25
1961 24-32
1962 25-05 24-24
1963 25-99 12-16 15-99
1964 27-38
1965 1428
1966 1178 1589
1967 1290 1605
1968 1380 1456
1969 1784
1970 1169
1971-75 1646 BM (FR) (none)
1976-80 MP 1054 - MP 1740 MF 1077 - MF 2875 (none)
Type 2 MF 3138 - MF 3218 (none)
1981-86 MP 1583 - MP 2217 MF 1400 - MF 3661 (none)
RENTAL CAR
Shown on 1975 chart. Series taken from 1971 numbering system.
Passenger design in JA 1001 series. 1971 JA 2256 - JA 6509
seen but unknown if passenger or not.
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1924. (Verify 1926)
Embossed saleman's samples seen 1910-15 #0000.
1924-25, 1927-42, 1945, 1948, 1952 00-000
1946 TAB 00000
1951 TAB 000000
1954-64 AA-00-00
1957 AB-00-00
1965-69 AA-0000
1970-75 AA 0000
1976-80 AAA 000, SAMPLE
1981-86 AAA 000, 000 AAA
SCHOOL BUS
Ch. 99 P 3/12/1947. Began 4/1/1947, exp. "48".
Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SCHOOL" left, vertical "BUS" right 1948-70,
"SCHOOL/BUS" left 1971-75, "SCH BUS" bottom 1976-86.
SCHOOL CHARTER
Ch. 99 P 3/12/1947. Began 4/1/1947, exp. "48".
Issued to school buses also operated as charter buses for hire.
During use as a charter bus, must be mounted over School Bus
plate, covering it, as of 1947-64.
Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SCHOOL" left, vertical "CHARTER" right 1948-70,
"SCHOOL/CHARTER" left 1971-75, "SCH CHAR" 1976-86.
CHARTER BUS SCHOOL BUS SCHOOL CHARTER
1948-51 29-150 - 29-628 (479) 1-559 - 3-680 (2,122) 2-642 - 3-242 (601)
1952-53 29-005 -[29-450] (445) 7-411 - 9-062 (1,652) 4-007 - 4-018 (12)
1954 [10-01 - 14-01] [10-01 - 30-50] [10-01 - 13-50]
1955 11-96 32-81 14-07
1956 12-09 33-20 11-39
1957 11-23 36-22 14-30
1958 10-94 27-86 13-15
1959 12-74 33-22 11-19
1960 13-49 24-69 15-24
1961 44-40
1962 46-46 10-20
1963 12-49 49-74 16-24
1964 13-13 43-72 14-72
1965 4406 1374
1966 2681 1792
1967 1031 1512 1021
1968 1124 5438 1885
1969 1599 6433
1970 4773 1664
1971-75 1054 PB - 9550 2358
1976-80 CH 1295 - CH 1408 HB 1008 - HB 6992 HS 1413 - HS 2703
1981-86 HB 2343 - HB 6457
SCHOOL VEHICLE
Earliest seen 1975.
LEGENDS: "SCHOOL/VEH." left 1975, "SCH VEH" bottom 1976-86.
1971/75 1069 -
1976-80 HV 1231 - HV 1600
SHRINE CONVENTION
Began 1939. "SHRINE CONVENTION" top, "BALTIMORE MD." bottom,
sickle/star emblem left, "EX/7-1/39" in oval right, #67.
Green (top and bottom legends) and Red (all else)/Yellow.
Only 200 issued.
1960: Same design, "EXP/9-15/60" right, #24, all Red/Yellow.
1969: Same as 1960, #29 seen.
SHUTTLE RELAY TRACTOR
Listed 1942. Earliest seen 1946 chart. Earliest seen 1948.
Last seen 1958. Repealed by Ch. 80 P and E 4/4/1958.
Issued to truck-tractors towing 2 or more trailers under shuttle
relay system.
LEGENDS: Vertical "TRAC" left, vertical "SR" suffix 1945-47,
vertical "SR" prefix, vertical "TRAC" right 1948-58.
SHUTTLE RELAY TRACTOR TAX REFUND
Listed 1942. Earliest seen 1946 chart. Gone by 1948.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SR" prefix, small "R" suffix 1945-46.
1942-44
1945-46 [S/R 5-949 R]
SHUTTLE RELAY TRAILER
Listed 1942. Earliest seen 1946 chart. Earliest seen 1955.
Last seen 1958. Repealed by Ch. 80 P and E 4/4/1958.
Issued to trailers towed under shuttle relay system.
LEGENDS: Small "T" prefix, vertical "SR" suffix 1945-47,
vertical "SR" prefix, small "T" suffix 1948-58.
TRACTOR TRAILER
1942-44
1945-47 [5-350 S/R]- [T 9-899 S/R]-
1948-51 [S/R 6-149]- S/R 7-423 (1,275) [S/R 9-649 T]-
1952-53 [S/R 6-149]- S/R 7-314 (1,166) [S/R 9-649 T]-
1954 S/R 12-36 -[S/R 31-50] [S/R 42-50 T]-
1955 S/R 14-36 - S/R 34-57 T -
1956 S/R 20-89 - S/R 31-14 S/R 12-30 T - S/R 38-67 T
1957 S/R 11-18 - S/R 24-96 S/R 34-55 T - S/R 34-61 T
1958 S/R 14-33 - S/R 24-83 S/R 26-62 T - S/R 34-31 T
SIDE CAR
Ch. 85 P 3/28/1918. Began 4/1/1918. Last seen 1927.
Registration still required as of 4/9/1927, gone by 6/30/1928.
Flat 1918, embossed 1920-25.
LEGENDS: "MD. 1918" top, "SIDE CAR" bottom 1918,
"MD - 1920" top, "SIDE CAR" bottom 1920,
"SIDE CAR" top, "MD - 1921" bottom 1921,
"MARYLAND 1923" top, "SIDE CAR" bottom 1923,
"MD/1924" left, "SIDE CAR" bottom 1924, 1926,
"SIDE CAR" top, "MD/1925" right 1925, 1927.
(Verify 1919, 1922)
1918 156 - 958 (803) 1923 1-087 - 2-498 (1,412)
1919 3018 - 1924 1-064 - 2-232 (1,169)
1920 1387 - 1500 (114) 1925 2-348 -
1921 3-908 - 1926 1-506 -
1922 1-019 - 1927 1-647 -
SOLID TIRE
Ch. 687 P 4/18/1916. Began 7/1/1916.
Issued to commercial and passenger vehicles with solid rubber
tires 1916-20, commercial vehicles only 1928-75.
Round tab (2,3,4,6,7 seen) attached to show weight limit in
tons 1919-41; none required if under 2 tons. Tabs also seen
on Trailer plates 1926, 1933.
Meaning of "X" series unknown. X also reported 1917.
Full-size "X" 1918, 1920.
#20-000 - 21-499 (1,500) assigned 1935,
#29-000 - 29-999 (1,000) assigned 1939,
#29-000 - 29-499 (500) assigned 1940.
1942-44: #29-217 seen as passenger; was "SOLID" omitted?
Numbers began at #10-01 1954-75.
1971-75: 10 pairs made, but none issued. Discontinued 1976.
LEGENDS: "SOLID TIRE" top on taller plate 1917, 1919,
"SOLID TIRE" bottom on taller plate 1918, 1920,
no legend, "S" suffix 1921,
vertical "SOLID" left even years 1922-36, 1940, all years 1941, 1945-54,
vertical "SOLID" right odd years 1923-35, all years 1955-58, 1963,
"SOLID/TIRE" left 1971-75.
(Verify 1916, 1937-39, 1942-44, 1959-62, 1964-70)
1916 1928 18-611 - 23-686 (5,076)
1917 4-433 - 7-468 (3,036) 1929 17-464 - 22-887 (5,424)
1918 X4-080 - X4-204, 1930 16-692 - 21-043 (4,352)
4-745 - 5-400, 1931 15-031 - 18-439 (3,409)
X5-786 - X5-967 1932 20-003 - 22-901 (2,899)
6-935 - 8-218 1933 21-102 - 22-152 (1,051)
1919 5-688 - 9-974 (4,287) 1934 21-421 -
1920 5-036 - 13-082, (8,047) 1935 20-169 -[21-349] (1,181)
X13-595 - X14-841 1936 20-016 - 20-824 (809)
1921 1-036 S, 1937
18-132S - 25-928S (7,798) 1939
1922 15-584 - 23-530 (7,947) 1940 [29-465]-
1923 15-311 - 23-436 (8,126) 1941 29-111 -
1924 18-092 - 24-924 (6,833) 1942-44
1925 16-519 - 24-803 (8,285) 1945-47 [29-199]-
1926 16-102 - 25-246 (9,145) 1948-51 [29-049]-
1927 16-902 - 25-601 (8,700) 1952-53 29-001 -[29-049] (49)
1954 [10-10] 1960 1966
1955 10-04 1961 1967
1956 10-03 1962 1968
1957 10-02 1963 10-05 1969
1958 10-03 1964 1970
1959 1965 1971-75
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
Ch. 405 P 5/4/1976, E 7/1/1976. Earliest seen 1978.
LEGENDS: "SPEC EQUIP" bottom 1978-86.
1978-80 Type 1 01888 - 11404
Type 2 12322 - 13211
1981-86 00369 - 19157
* (STAR) PASSENGER
Unidentified type. Only seen 1920 #*46-208. Possibly Replacement?
(Ch. 216 P 4/9/1920, E 6/1/1920, providing for joint motor vehicle
license tags that could be issued by, and valid in, both Maryland
and the District of Columbia. Unknown if this is star series.)
STATE AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Agency took over operation of BWI Airport in 1972, probably
acquiring several motor vehicles in the transition.
Earliest seen 1974. Stepped "SAA" left 1971/75, #1010.
STATE GOVERNMENT
11/20/59 news article: "...will have special plates for state
vehicles." Earliest seen 1961. All expire "3-31".
Previously issued Local Government plates.
Numbers began at #10-01 1961-75.
Became permanent 1976 with no sticker box or renewals.
LEGENDS: "STATE" left 1961-75, "STATE" bottom 1976-86.
STATE GOVERNMENT TRUCK
Earliest seen 1961. Also issued to tractors and trailers.
Previously issued Local Government Truck plates.
Numbers began at higher number block than State Government
1961-67; numbers began at #1001 1969-75.
Discontinued 1976; replaced by State Government.
LEGENDS: "STATE" left, identical to State Government except
"4-30" expiration 1961-67, "STATE/TRUCK" left 1968-70,
"STATE" right 1971-75, "STATE" bottom 1976-86.
STATE GOV'T. STATE GOV'T.
PASSENGER TRUCK
1961 10-01 - 23-42 (1,342) 36-02 - 37-36 (135)
1962 10-01 - 22-74 (1,274) 32-04 - 38-97 (694)
1963 10-01 - 27-49 (1,749) 40-89 -
1964 10-01 - 13-77 (377) 33-47 - 40-69 (723)
1965 1001 - 2926 (1,926)
1966 1001 - 2984 (1,984) 3616 - 4488 (873)
1967 1001 - 2518 (1,518) 4957 - 5482 (526)
1968 1001 - 2178 (1,178) 1001 - 2715 (1,715)
1969 1001 - 2641 (1,641) 1001 - 1819 (819)
1970 1001 - 2333 (1,333) 1001 - 1623 (623)
1971-75 1001 - 3310 (2,310) 1001 - 3894 (2,894)
1976-80 S 10305 - S 39406 (none)
S 80208 - S 80374 (State Hwy. Adm.)
1981-86 S 29631 - S 30770
S 80098 - S 80192 (State Hwy. Adm.)
STATE OFFICIAL
Began 1936. Supplemental plate assigned to the top 4 offices:
Governor, Comptroller, Treasurer and Attorney General.
(Secretary of State reported 1939, verified 1942-69,
Adjutant General reported 1959, verified 1961-68,
Bank Commissioner reported 1959.)
"GOVERNOR" (etc.) bottom, state seal center, no number 1936,
same 1940 but "GOVERNOR" top.
Governor also assigned #30-000 and #300-000 in 1936-40.
(Had been issued #30-000 in 1926-32, but #253-649 in 1933.)
Dated 1936, 1939-42, 1952, 1954-55, 1957,
undated 1945-51, 1953, 1956, 1958.
STATE POLICEBegan 6/1/1935. Undated bases seen; all are Black/Yellow:
A. 6" x 15", "MARYLAND/STATE/POLICE" left, wide dies, far slots
(over "M" of "MARYLAND"), #8 -[83].
B. As Type A, but inset slots (over "R" of "MARYLAND"), #20.
C. As Type B, but thin dies, #55 -[300] 1948-53.
D. As Type C, but 6" x 13", thinner legends, #100.
E. 6" x 12", "MARYLAND" top, "HDQTRS." bottom, "STATE/POLICE"
left, long slots, #12 - 55, no legend #810.
F. As Type E, but "TROOP A" bottom, #146, "TROOP C" #628.
G. 6" x 12", small "MARYLAND" top, "STATE POLICE" above number,
obround slots, #D-49.
H. As Type G, but holes #366, A-1.
STATE POLICE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Began 6/1/1935. Probably issued to motor vehicle inspectors.
Undated base seen; White/Red:
6" x 15", "MARYLAND" top, "STATE POLICE" bottom, #C.M.V. 4 - 13.
STATE POLICE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR VEHICLES MOTORCYCLE
Began 6/1/1935. Probably issued to motor vehicle inspectors.
Undated bases seen; all are White/Red:
A. No legend, "C.M.V. 13".
B. "MARYLAND" top, "STATE POLICE" bottom, holes between "A-R"
and "A-N", #C.M.V. 14.
C. As Type B, but holes between "M-A" and "N-D", #C.M.V. 22.
Began 6/1/1935. Undated bases seen; all are Black/Yellow:
A. "MARYLAND/STATE/POLICE" left, top holes only, #[10 - 35].
B. As Type A, but top and bottom holes, #1 -[251] 1946-53.
C. "MD. ( )" bottom, #12.
STATE ROADS COMMISSIONShown on 1948 chart. Although several 15" long plates exist, no
13" long plates are known, so 15" length may not necessarily mean
manufacture prior to 1937. Undated bases seen:
A. 6" x 15", Red/White, "STATE ROADS" top, "COMMISSION" bottom,
vertical "MD" right, [#101]- 404 1948-53.
B. As Type 1, but no corner holes #832, 7704.
C. 6" x 12", Red/White, "MARYLAND" top, "STATE/ROADS/COMM." left,
long slots c.1957-64, #895.
D. As Type 3, but obround slots c.1963-69, #81 - 781, 7760.
E. As Type 3, but holes #883.
Replaced by State Highway Administration 1970.
A. 6" x 12", Red/White, "MARYLAND" top, "STATE/HIGHWAY/ADM." left,
holes, tall dies, #422.
B. As Type 1, but short dies, #732, 7761.
TAX REFUND
Ch. 118 P 3/23/1927. Began 4/1/1927. Earliest seen 1934.
In 1927, 1,000 plates starting with T 1 R were ordered.
News article 3/21/1952: 25 YEARS AGO "...exemption may be claimed
under terms of the new act adding one and a half cents per gallon
on gasoline. A one cent rebate will be made to owners of autos if
the motor vehicle is not used outside an incorporated city or town...
Special markers will be prepared for motor vehicles exempted from
payment of the tax." A $100 fine applied if vehicle was caught
outside city or town limits; effective 4/1/1927.
LEGENDS: No legend, small "T" prefix, small "R" suffix 1934-37, 1940, 1945-46.
#1 - 800 assigned 1935, #1-500 - 2-999 (1,500) assigned 1939,
#1-500 - 2-499 (1,000) assigned 1940, listed 1942, 1946, gone by 1948.
1927 1935 [T799R]-
1928 1936 T397R -
1929 1937 T916R -
1930 1939
1931 1940 [T1-549R]-
1932 1941
1933 1942-44
1934 T315R - 1945-46 [T2-770R]-
Also issued in Commercial Hire, PSC Bus, Shuttle Relay Tractor.
TEMPORARY (Cardboard)
Ch. 655 P 4/30/1951. Began 6/1/1951. Earliest seen 9-15-1952.
20-Day cardboard plate 1952-67; became 30-Day by 3/6/1968.
TOW TRUCK
Ch. 561 P 5/31/1983. Began 7/1/1983. Earliest seen 1984.
LEGENDS: "TOW TRUCK" bottom 1984-86.
1984-86 0523 TT - 4114 TT
TRACTION/TRACTOR
Earliest seen 1932. Possibly a continuation of 1919 Farm Tractor
type. Issued to traction engines, tractors, and truck-tractors.
Small size 1932-35, full size 1940 on. #200 - 799 (600) assigned 1935,
#3-600 - 4-999 (1,400) assigned 1939, #3-600 - 4-699 (1,100) assigned 1940.
Numbers began at #10-01 1954-70.
LEGENDS: "MD/1932" left, "TRACTION" bottom 1932, top 1934,
"MD/1935" right, "TRACTION" bottom 1935,
"MD/3-31/1940" left, "TRACTION" bottom 1940,
"MD/3-31/1942" left, "TRACTION" top, slogan bottom 1942-44,
vertical "TRAC" left 1945-53, vertical "TRAC" right 1954-70,
no legend, "FA" to "FC" suffix 1971-75,
"TRACTOR" bottom 1976-86.
(Verify 1933, 1936-39, 1941)
1932 220 - 243 (24) 1940 [4-050]- 5-030 (981)
1933 1941
1934 318 - 1942-44 4-413 - 4-990 (578)
1935 [899]- 1945-47 [4-499]-
1936 1948-51 [5-250]- 9-638 (4,389)
1937 1952-53 3-957 - 7-934 (3,978)
1939
1954 [47-92] 1960 90-03 1966 7054, B170 (10,168)
1955 47-71 1961 90-79 1967 9096, A909 (9,908)
1956 45-61 1962 96-96 1968 8503, A269 (9,268)
1957 58-90 1963 12-57, A2-99 1969 8341, C746 (11,743)
1958 69-46 1964 61-47 1970 , D073 (12,069)
1959 87-29 1965 3666, A541
1971-75 1001 FA - 7137 FC (24,135)
1976-80 Type 1 FA 1574 - FE 0722 (no FD used)
Type 2 FE 1019 - FE 2571
1981-86 FA 5075 - FE 8105 (no FD used)
TRAILER
Ch. 687 P 4/18/1916. Began 7/1/1916.
Flat 1916-19. 1926 seen with round "2" tab; 1927 with round "4"
tab, 1928 with "2" tab, 1933 with "6" tab.
#400 - 1-699 (1,300) assigned 1935, #5-000 - 9-499 (4,500) assigned 1939,
#5-000 - 8-499 (3,500) assigned 1940. Numbers began at #10-01-GA 1954-75.
1967: 2115-GH privately-made dies (similar to Motorcycle);
3157-GG, 4169-GH normal.
LEGENDS: "TRAILER" top 1916-19, "MD/16" left 1916-17, 1919, right 1918,
"TRAILER" bottom, shorter numbers 1920,
no legend, small "T" suffix 1925, 1927, 1929, 1933, 1935,
no legend, small "T" prefix 1926, 1928, 1937, 1940-53,
no legend, "GA" to "HC" suffix 1954-75,
"TRAILER" bottom 1976-86.
(Verify 1921-24, 1930-32, 1934, 1936, 1939)
1916 6 - 1931
1917 124 - 1932
1918 97 - 1933 410 T -
1919 63 - 1934
1920 80 - 1935 [1-699T]-
1921 1936
1922 1937 T1-991 - T2-813 (823)
1923 1939
1924 1940 T5-292 - T9-605 (4,314)
1925 728T - 935T (208) 1941 T8-642 - T9-180 (539)
1926 T 758 - 1942-44 T5-501 - T15-073 (9,573)
1927 761T - 1945-47 [T5-499]- T24-209 (18,711)
1928 T 472 - 1948-51 T6-172 - T29-711 (23,540)
1929 1-284T - 1952-53 T6-274 - T23-957 (17,684)
1930
1954 63-03-GB (14,160) 1963 11-49-GF (44,698)
1955 98-79-GB (17,701) 1964 71-28-GE (41,707)
1956 33-37-GC (20,134) 1965 7974-GF (51,455)
1957 95-21-GB (17,346) 1966 2613-GG (55,057)
1958 23-44-GC (19,151) 1967 4169-GH (65,508)
1959 25-33-GD (28,248) 1968 8042-GH (69,342)
1960 26-79-GD (28,393) 1969 7849-GJ (78,061*)
1961 28-35-GE (37,457) 1970 6665 GK (85,799*)
1962 65-86-GE (41,171)
1971-75 Type 1 1001 GA - 9858 HA (204,790)
Type 2 1263 HB - 4346 HD (20,892) (TOTAL 226,075)
1976-80 Type 1 A 19297 - C 76908 (237,610)
Type 2
1981-86 A 23473 - E 11627 (258,152) No D used.
(E 04857 also seen)
TRAILER DEALER
Began 1968. Previously issued Boat Trailer Dealer 1966-67.
Numbers began at #1001.
LEGENDS: Small "TRAILER/DEALER" left 1968-70,
large "TRAILER/DEALER" left 1971-75,
"TRL DLR" bottom 1976-86.
1968 1727 1971-75 2870
1969 1595 1976-80 R 1350 - R 3803
1970 1581 1981-86 R 3352 -
TRAILER 8-YEAR
Ch. 288 P 4/22/1975, E 7/1/1975, provided for permament plates
for rental trailers. Began 1976, expire "APR 84". Earliest
seen (1980) "APR 88". Instead of one 8-year term, plates issued
every year dated 8 years later. (89 and 93 stickers reported)
LEGENDS: "TRL APR 84" bottom 1984-88, "TRAILER" bottom 1990,
no legend 1992.
1980 "APR 88" 30023 -
1982 "90" 38187 - ("90" White/Red sticker)
1984 "92" 51789 - ("92" White/Red sticker)
TRANSPORTER
Reported 1940. Earliest seen 1945. Issued to all classes of
vehicles in transit 1948, 1954; issued to new cars in transit
only 6/1/1949 - 1953. Numbers began at #1 1954-70.
LEGENDS: "TRANS-/PORTER" left 1945-75, "TRANS" bottom 1976-86.
1945-47 256 - 1959 39 - 188 1967 64 - 317
1948-51 72 -[149] 1960 290 - 1968 168 -
1952-53 [149]- 1961 1969 196 - 633
1954 [99]- 1962 152 - 301 1970 92 -
1955 1963 349 - 1971-75 1118 - 3715
1956 74 - 149 1964 1976-80 T 1236 - T 4410
1957 99 - 1965 1981-86 T 3056 - T 4006
1958 85 - 116 1966
TRUCK (See Truck page)
Began 1948. Previously issued Private Commercial 1934-39.
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
Resolution adopted 3/10/1949 to issue special plates, which were
smaller supplemental tags. Full-size plates began 1954.
Maryland has had 6 U.S. Representatives before 1953, 7 in
1953-63, and 8 since 1963. Numbers began at #1 all years.
LEGENDS: Passenger design, "MEMBER OF/CONGRESS" left 1954,
taller "MARYLAND" top, "56" bottom,
"MEMBER OF/CONGRESS" center, state seal left 1956-57,
"MEMBER OF/CONGRESS" center, state seal left, "3-31" expiration 1961, 1965-67,
"MEMBER OF/CONGRESS" top, state seal left, small number die 1971-80.
UNITED STATES SENATE
Began 1954. Earliest seen 1957.
Maryland has always had 2 U.S. Senators. Numbers began at #1
all years.
LEGENDS: "U.S./SENATE" center, state seal left,
"3-31" expiration 1957, 1959, 1963-64, 1966-67.
(UNKNOWN TYPE)
Seen August 1969, undated small plastic tag, only one hole at
left, Black/White, "STATE OF MARYLAND" top,
"DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES" bottom, #442924.
UNKNOWN TYPE "AE"
Reported 1955, seen 1956 #51-29-AE - 66-74-AE,
1957 (April) #17-51-AE - 74-65-AE. Pairs. Possible station wagon series?
USED CAR DEALER
Ch. 281 P and E 4/21/1933. Began 1933.
#8-500 - 9-999 (1,500) assigned 1935, #100 - 2-999 (2,900) assigned 1939,
#100 - 2-099 (2,000) assigned 1940. Numbers began at #10-01 1954-73.
Reportedly discontinued August 1972; replaced by Dealer.
LEGENDS: No legend, small letters 1933-34, 1936-37, 1940,
vertical "UC" left, vertical "DEALER" right 1942-44, 1948-70,
"U" in UL box, "C" in LL box, vertical "DEALER" right 1945-47,
"USED/CAR/DEALER" left 1971-75.
(Verify 1939, 1941)
1933 U9-047C - 1940 [U112C]- U260C (149)
1934 U9-250C - 1941
1935 [U8-549C]- 1942-44 U/C 111 - U/C 532 (422)
1936 U8-522C - 1945-47 U/C 1-636 - U/C 4-437 (2,802)
1937 U9-824C - 1948-51 U/C 1-398 - U/C 8-311 (6,914)
1939 1952-53 U/C 111 -[U/C 4-499] (4,389)
1954 [U/C 46-44] 1960 U/C 39-96 1966 U/C 6831
1955 U/C 35-46 1961 U/C 64-25 1967 U/C 7538
1956 U/C 53-74 1962 U/C 72-10 1968 U/C 7841
1957 U/C 28-90 1963 U/C 77-77 1969 U/C 7635
1958 U/C 32-04 1964 U/C 63-20 1970 U/C 5386
1959 U/C 21-25 1965 U/C 8924 1971-73 7304
USED CAR TRANSPORTER
Ch. 197 P 4/22/1949. Began 6/1/1949. None seen.
Not on 1954 chart. Repealed by Ch. 575 P 4/25/1955, E 6/1/1955.
LEGENDS: "USED CAR/TRANS-/PORTER" left 1948.
1948-51 [148]
VAN POOL
Ch. 735 P 5/17/1976, E 7/1/1976. Earliest seen 1979.
LEGENDS: "VAN POOL" bottom 1979-86.
1979-80 VP 0027 - VP 0218
1981-86 VP 0218 - VP 0377
VETERAN OF FOREIGN WARS
Ch. 823 P 5/6/1963. Began 6/1/1963, "EXP-3-31-64".
No legend all years. All expire "3-31".
1963 law provided for a maximum of 2,100 plates, but this was
deleted by Ch. 7 P and E 3/13/1964. Thin "VFW" prefix 1981-86.
1964-67: Numbers assumed to have begun at #VFW-A00 to VFW-Z99,
using 21 letters. Format changed to VFW-A1 1966.
VFW-1A - VFW-99Z added 1965, VFW-0A0 - VFW-9Z9
added 1967. No I,O,Q,U used.
Letters not seen: P,S,V,W,Y.
1968-80: Numbers assumed to have begun at #VFW1001.
1964 VFW-N73 (1,274) (1,285 registrations)
1965 VFW-Z99, VFW-60L (3,177 registrations)
1966 VFW-Z99, VFW-31X
1967 VFW-Z99, VFW-99Z, VFW-5N3
1968 VFW7008 (6,008)
1969 VFW6582 (5,582)
1970 VFW6582 (5,582)
1971-75 VFW9984, VFW 548 - VFW 928 (9,365)
1976-80 VFW7173, VFW 63 - VFW 666
1981-86 VFW 666 - VFW 841
VETERAN OF FOREIGN WARS TRUCK
Ch. 14 P 3/8/1976, E 7/1/1977. Earliest seen 1980.
Numbers may have begun at #9001.
LEGENDS: "TRUCK" bottom, thin "VFW" prefix 1980-86.
1980 VFW 9021 - VFW 9066
1981-86 VFW 9296 - VFW 9838
PERMITS:
DNR
Small size, Black/Gold, "MARYLAND" top, "EX.8.31.74" bottom,
#DNR-120.
MUSIC BOX LICENSE
Ch. 11 P and E 5/18/1937. Earliest seen 1941. Last seen 1959.
Issued to juke boxes operated for profit in public venues.
May have been replaced by Vending Machine License by 1961.
LEGENDS:
Small size, "1941/STATE OF MARYLAND/MUSIC BOX LICENSE" top 1941-42, 1946, 1948-49,
small horizontal oval plate, "STATE OF MARYLAND/1950" top, "MUSIC BOX LICENSE" bottom 1950-54,
same 1958-59 but "1958" above top legend.
1941 3643 - 4276 White/Dark Blue 1951 5127 - Black/White
1942 3064 - 3622 Black/Gold 1952 850 - 1891 White/Red
1943 1953 2488 - Black/Aluminum
1944 1954 2121 - Yellow/Aluminum
1945 1955
1946 4768 - Black/Tan 1956
1947 1957
1948 4751 - Black/Red 1958 465 - Orange/Aluminum
1949 6280 - White/Black 1959 5000 - White?/Aluminum
1950 5127 - Yellow/Black
POULTRY DEALERS LICENSE
Law mentioned as having been passed in June 1937 in Easton Star-Democrat,
11/5/1937, with plates now in effect. Issued by Maryland State Board of
Agriculture of the State Department of Markets.
Undated, small size, "POULTRY DEALERS LICENSE" arched top,
"MD. STATE BOARD/OF AGRICULTURE" bottom, Black/Yellow, #3116.
ROAD TAX
Began 1/1/1960. Issued to out-of-state trucks, required to pay
gasoline tax for the miles driven in Maryland, to avoid any
loss of revenue by truckers tanking up in other states before
crossing through Maryland. Issued in response to West Virginia's
Road Tax permit, which began 7/1/1959.
Small supplemental plate, "MD.ROAD TAX" top, "1960" bottom
1960-62, "MD.ROAD TAX" top undated base.
Reportedly discontinued 1963; replaced by stickers.
1960 1001 - 78379 Red/White
1961 3107 - 70214 Blue/White
1962 2988 - 79315 White/Blue
UND. 13851 - 90000 White/Red (holes 13851 - 13867, slots 25738 - 90000)
SIGN PERMIT
H.B. 181 P 4/4/931, E 6/1/1931, requiring licenses from the
State Road Commission for all billboards within 500 feet of
state roads. Annual license year 5/1 to 4/30.
As of 8/24/1931, 7,252 permits issued.
Midland Journal (Rising Sun, MD), 5/15/1931: "Application
blanks...have bee drawn up...and the metal permit tags which
must be placed on each sign-board...are being designed."
A. Undated, small size, White/Red, "SIGN PERMIT" top,
"STATE OF MARYLAND" bottom, #1338.
B. Undated, small size, Black/White, "SIGN PERMIT" top,
"STATE OF MARYLAND" bottom, #1050 - 3338.
C. Undated, small size, Black/Gold, "SIGN PERMIT" top,
"STATE OF MARYLAND" above "PERMANENT" bottom, #9525 - 20208.
VENDING MACHINE LICENSE
Earliest seen 1961. May have replaced Music Box License, last
seen 1959. Last seen 1972.
LEGENDS: Small size, "1961/STATE OF MARYLAND" top,
"VENDING MACHINE/LICENSE" bottom 1961, 1963-68, 1971-72.
1961 23818 - 23823 White/Aluminum
1963 17456 - 27292 Red/Aluminum
1964 32017 - 32095 Blue/Aluminum
1965 26503 - 26532 White/Aluminum
1966 21816 - 27035 Black/Aluminum
1967 37785 - 37792 Red/Aluminum
1968 17102 - Blue/Aluminum
1971 6249 - Blue/Aluminum
1972 5189 - 5402 Red/Aluminum
