NEW MEXICO PLATE TYPES - SUMMARY CHRONOLOGICALLY BY INTRODUCTION DATE
(Types researched through 1984)
PLATE TYPE EARLIEST SEEN BEGAN NOTES
Passenger 1912 1912 Ch. 28 P 6/8/1912
Motorcycle 1913 1913 Ch. 19 P 3/11/1913
Dealer 1915 1913?
Sample 1920
Commercial 1923 7/1/23 Ch. 96 P 3/10/1923
Highway Department 1923 7/1/23 Ch. 96 P 3/10/1923
Motor Truck 1924 7/1/23 Ch. 96 P 3/10/1923
Trailer 1924 7/1/23 Ch. 96 P 3/10/1923
Governor/Lt. Governor 1928 1928
U.S. Official 1931 1928
Official 1929 1929
Staff Officer 1929 1929?
Truck 1930 1930 Ch. 119 P 3/12/1929
Guest 1932 1932 No law
National Guard Officer 1932 1932
Highway Dept. Trailer UND. Ordered 1936
Salesman 1937 1937 Ch. 120 P 3/15/1937
State Police 1938 1938
State Police Motorcycle 1940 1938
School Bus 1939 1939 Ch. 20 P 2/24/1939
Mounted Patrol 1941 1941 Ch. 149 P 4/16/1941
Elected State Official 1945
Official Trailer UND. 1947?
Amateur Radio 1953 1953 Ch. 91 P 3/20/1953
State Repr./Senator 1953 1953 Ch. 113 P 3/11/1955
Bus 1955 1955 Ch. 138 P 3/20/1953
House Trailer 1955 1955 Ch. 138 P 3/20/1953
Small Trailer 1955 1955
Taxi 1959 1955 Ch. 138 P 3/20/1953
U.S. Congress/House/Sen. 1955 1955 Ch. 11 P 2/8/1955
Boat 1956 1956
Farm 1956 1956 Ch. 276 P 3/30/1955
Prorate Sticker 1957 1956 Ch. 276 P 3/30/1955
Commercial Radio (1964 chart)1959 Ch. 155 P 3/31/1959
Exempt County UND. Listed 1961
Exempt Municipal UND. Listed 1961
Drivers Education UND. Ch. 51 P 3/3/1961
Exempt Municipal M/C UND. Listed 1963
Horseless Carriage UND. 6/7/63 Ch. 51 P 2/27/1963
M/C Dealer 1966 1963? Listed 1963
Official M/C UND. 1963? Listed 1963
Prorate Trailer 1964 1963? Ch. 174 P 3/18/1963
Prorate Truck 1964 1963? Ch. 174 P 3/18/1963
Rental Trailer 1963 1963?
Citizens Band Radio 1964 1964? Not listed 1963
Duplicate 1964 1964?
Special Event 1966
Agricultural Bus 1967 1967 Ch. 108 P 3/16/1967
N.M. Ranger 1967 1967 Ch. 264 P 4/5/1967
Personalized 1967 6/16/67 Ch. 65 P 3/13/1967
Special Permit UND. 1968?
Manufacturer UND. 1970?
Motorcycle Under 5 H.P. 1971 1971
Motorcycle Manufacturer 1971 1971?
Wrecker 1971 1971?
Consular Corps 1972 1972 Ch. 15 P 2/17/1972
Exempt County M/C UND. 1973
Freight Trailer UND. 1973 Ch. 7 P 2/12/1972
Handicapped 1973 1973 Ch. 22 P 3/8/1973
Mobile Home UND. 1973 Ch. 86 P 2/29/1972
Liquid Petr. Gas Sticker 1974
Recreational Vehicle 1974 1974 Ch. 27 P 2/28/1972
Interstate Registration 1975 1975?
State Transp. Pool UND. 1976?
Personalized Handicapped (1978 chart)1977?
District Judge 1978 1978?
Ex-Prisoner of War 1978 7/1/78 Ch. 99 P 3/6/1978
Medal of Honor (1978 chart)11/6/78 Ch. 199 P 3/6/1978
Disabled Veteran 1979 1979 Ch. 299 P 4/5/1979
Personalized M/C 1979 1979 Ch. 197 P 3/7/1978
Weight Distance Farm Tk. 1980 1979 No law
Weight Distance Truck 1979 1979 No law
National Guard 1982 1980? Ch. 45 P 2/28/1980
Wholesaler 1982
Weight Distance Interstate1983
U.S. Official M/C (1984 chart)
PERMITS:
Tourist 1921 1920 Ch. 150 P 3/17/1919
Press 1939
Outdoor Advert. Permit 1966 1966 Ch. 65 P 3/2/1966
Handicapped Placard UND. 1978
Handicapped Temporary 1978
LETTER KEY: (All other letters/years are Passenger or Truck)
AB Agricultural Bus 1967-74 RT Rental Trailer 1963-84
AG Agricultural Bus 1971-74 RV Recreational Vehicle 1975-84
B Bus 1955-64 S Salesman 1937-39,
C Commercial 1932-54 School Bus 1939-74
CB Bus 1965-84 SB School Bus 1975-84
D Dealer 1926-74 ST Small Trailer 1955
DE Drivers Education 1964-77 T Trailer 1955-74
DL Dealer 1975-84 TA-TW Trailer 1975-84
DM Manufacturer 1968-84 TX Taxi 1955-84
F Farm 1956-74 TY-TZ Trailer 1984-88
FR Freight Trailer 1973-84 US U.S. Official 1964-84
FT Farm 1975-84 W Wrecker 1971-74
H House Trailer 1955, 1961-74 WD Weight Distance Truck 1979-84
IR Interstate 1975-83 WR Wrecker 1975-84
MH Mobile Home 1973-84 WS Wholesaler 1982-84
MP Mounted Patrol 1956-58 XC Exempt County 1964-84
OF Official 1954-84 XM Exempt Municipal 1964-84
PR Prorate Truck 1964-84
PT Prorate Trailer 1964-72
1943: Windshield sticker - Passenger, Truck, Commercial,
Highway Department, Mounted Patrol,
Official, School Bus, Staff Officer,
State Police, U.S. Official.
New plate - M/C, Dealer, State Police M/C, Trailer.
1960: Tab - Passenger, Truck, Amateur Radio, Farm, Mounted Patrol,
State Representative/Senator, Trailer.
Sticker - Governor.
New plate - M/C, Bus, Dealer, School Bus, Taxi.
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
[ ] = Quantity listed in plate order.
Numbers began at 1 unless noted.
Passenger colors unless noted 1915-59.
1960-83 Plate and sticker colors in Tables 1 and 2.
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
AGRICULTURAL BUS
Ch. 108 P 3/16/1967. Began 1967.
Discontinued 1975; replaced by Commercial Bus.
LEGENDS: No legend, "AB" prefix 1967-74, "AG" prefix late 1974?
(Verify 1970)
1967 AB-95 1970
1968 AB-36 1971-74 AB-61 "19 71"
1969 AB-38 AG-127 - AG-150 "71 "
AMATEUR RADIO
Ch. 91 P 3/20/1953. Began 1953. There were 789 eligible
licensed operators in 1953. $3 extra fee.
Annual plates 1953-72 except 1960, 1962-63.
Dated plates issued 1973-79, but all plates renewed with
stickers 1974-on. Undated base seen 1982.
No legend 1953-84 plates, "RADIO" 1962-63 stickers,
"HAM RADIO" 1974 sticker. Passenger colors 1953-61.
1953 W5AA - W5ZZZ
1962 K5AAA - K5ZZZ (Verify 1958-61)
1962 WA5AAA - WA5ZZZ
(WB5AAA - WB5ZZZ Verify 1972-84)
BOAT
Began 1956. Issued singly by State Park Commission.
Discontinued 7/1/1959 when New Mexico Boat Act took effect.
Same as Motorcycle but without "M" prefix. Prefix indicates
number of persons allowed on board; "O" probably issued to
boathouses. 1956 reverse-color plate may be optional 5-year
registration.
1956 4-514, 6-127 (641)
1956 Reverse colors 4-42, 4-248 (248)
1957 6-111 (111)
1958 O-19, 2-25, 3-131, 4-476, 5-747, 6-491 (1,889)
1959 3-35, 6-476 (511)
BUS
Ch. 138 P 3/20/1953, E 7/1/1953. Began 1955.
(1930 "BUS" is Commercial vehicle plate.)
Previously issued Commercial plates with "BUS" tabs 1931-54.
LEGENDS: No legend, "B" prefix 1955-64, "CB" prefix 1965-84.
"COMMERCIAL BUS" 1969-70 stickers, "BUS" 1973-74 stickers.
1955 has tab covering zia; 1956-on have no tab holes or tabs.
(Verify 1957-59, 1961-63, 1967)
1955 B-570 1964 (B-200 Chart)
1956 B-120 1965 CB-280
1957 1966 CB-45
1958 1967
1959 1968-70 Dated "68" CB-436
1960 B-271 (70) Undated "USA" CB-645 - CB-689
1961-63 1971-74 CB-35 - CB-1200
1975 Border CB-0001 - CB-1234
1975 No border CB-1786 - CB-2400 (615)
UND. Plain CB-2401 - CB-3000 (600)
UND. Graphic CB-3001 -
CITIZENS BAND RADIO
Earliest seen 1964. Not listed 1963.
Last seen 1976. Discontinued in the 1970's. Not listed on 1975,
1978 or 1984 charts.
No legend all years.
Prefix embossed 1964, screened vertically 1965-71, 1976.
(Verify 1964, 1966-67, 1972-75)
1964 KKV-612 1969 KBQ-4409, KBX-5564, KNE-1932, KPE-0236
1965 KGB-261 1970 KLE-0582
1966 KGB-1371 1971 KBV-2164
1967 1976 KPE 3040 (no zia)
1968 KRE-2165
COMMERCIAL
Ch. 96 P 3/10/1923, E 7/1/1923. Began 1923.
Issued to vehicles carrying passengers for hire (Car) or goods
for hire (Truck) 1923-25. Issued to all vehicles operated for
hire 1926-54 (except trucks 1930-54).
Discontinued 1955; replaced by Bus and Taxi plates.
LEGENDS: Vertical "COM" over horizontal "CAR" or "TK." left, vertical "1923" right, "N.M." bottom 1923,
round tab left, vertical "N-M" over horizontal "24" right, "COM. CAR" or "COM. TRUCK" bottom 1924,
same design as 1924 but with vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" left before tab 1925,
"NM/26" left, "COM" over square tab right 1926,
vertical "COM" over square tab right 1927-29,
vertical "BUS" over square tab right 1930,
no legend or letter prefix, rectangular tab right 1931,
no legend, "C" prefix, rectangular tab right 1932-54.
COLORS: Black/Gray 1926, Reverse passenger colors 1927-28,
Passenger colors 1930-54. (Verify 1929)
TABS: (Tab holes 1924-41, no pre-drilled holes 1946-54)
1923 None issued
1924-25 "PASS. WGT." (1925 seen)
"CAP. WGT." (1924-25 seen)
1926-30 "CAR" (1927-28, 1930 seen)
"TRUCK" (1926-29 seen)
1931-55 "BUS" (1931-50 seen)
"DRIVERLESS" (1931 seen, 1938 rep.) [Rental Cars]
"TAXI" (1931 rep., 1933-40 seen)
No double zia 1932-33, 1939, 1944. (Verify all other years)
1940 #*C99* has tab covering right sun symbol.
County-coded 1947 only.
COMMERCIAL CAR COMMERCIAL TRUCK
1923 Black/White 288 White/Green 212
1924 Red/Gray 477 Pass. colors 1-101
1925 Pass. colors 533 ? 452
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
1926 2152 [2,100] 1936 C-499 1946 C-817
1927 1-604 1937 C-342 1947 1*C-350
1928 1-813 [2,190] 1938 C-280 1948 C-511
1929 2-022 1939 C-274 1949
1930 940 [1,000] 1940 C-500 1950 C-175
1931 874 [1,000] 1941 C-500 1951
1932 C-949 1942 1952 C-986
1933 C-486 1943 (W/S) 1953 C*1172
1934 1944 C-19 1954
1935 C-462 1945
COMMERCIAL RADIO
Ch. 155 P 3/31/1959. Began 1959. Earliest seen 1964 chart.
#KVER-TV pictured in Albuquerque Journal 5/31/1963. $3 extra fee.
Last seen 1971. Discontinued in the 1970's. Not listed on 1975,
1978 or 1984 charts. 1967-68 different colors than Personalized,
but 1969 is the same.
No legend all years. (Verify 1959-63, 1965-66, 1970)
1964 (*KFUN chart)
1967 KOAT-10
1968 KENN-2, KVSF-4
1969 KAFE-4
1971 K/V/S/F-NEWS
CONSULAR CORPS
Ch. 15 P 2/17/1972. Began 1972.
LEGENDS: "CONSULAR CORPS" screened between two zias top, country
name center in place of serial 1972, 1974-76,
"CONSULAR CORPS" embossed between two screened zias top,
country name center in place of serial 1973,
"CONSULAR CORPS" above country name center 1977-84.
1972: FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, MEXICO, NORWAY, SPAIN embossed,
COSTA RICA, NICARAGUA screened
DEALER
Ch. 19 P 3/11/1913 provided for Dealer registration, but unknown
when state-issued plates began. Earliest seen 1915 (undated).
Annual plates all years except 1920-23, 1968-70, some 1973-74.
Not issued to used car dealers; pre-owned cars being traded in
already had plates since NM was a plate-to-vehicle state until
4/1/1979. (Unusual, as AZ, IA, ND and OK issued used car dealer
plates, yet were plate-to-vehicle states.)
LEGENDS: "DEALERS LICENSE" top 1915-23, stepped "N.M." right 1915,
state/year legend left of center 1916-23 as follows:
"N-M/16" 1916-17, 1919, "NM/18" 1918, "N.M." over tab 1920-23.
Vertical "N-M" left, vertical "1924" right, "DEALER" bottom 1924,
vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" left, vertical "N-M" over horizontal "25" right, "DEALER" bottom 1925,
no legend, "D" suffix 1926,
no legend, "D" prefix 1927-74, "DEALER" 1969-70 stickers.
(Verify 1930, 1936, 1943-45)
COLORS: Passenger colors 1915-59.
Additional plate set number prefix earliest seen 1939; highest
seen: 1973 109D180. From 1975 on, numbers began at DL-0001, no
more plate set number prefix.
1968: Dated plates have "USA" or no "USA".
1913? [1 - 23] 1933 D-132 1954 D-150
1914? [24 - 102] 1934 D-80 1955 D-164
1915 14 [1 - 80] 1935 D-68 1956 D-165
1916 62 1936 1957 D-222
1917 190 1937 D-50 1958 D-326
1918 292 1938 D-79 1959 D-40
1919 137 1939 D-43 1960 D-626
1920 52 [161] 1940 D-175 1961 D-40
UND. 187 [261] 1941 D-174 1962 D-583
1921 TAB 1942 D-57 1963 D-200
1922 TAB D264 1943 (Plate) 1964 D-576
1923 TAB D187 [261] 1944 1965 D-40
1924 90 1945 1966 D-161
1925 30 1946 D-197 1967 D-578
1926 96 D [139] 1947 D107 1968-70 D-529
1927 D-168 1948 D227 UND.(70) D-631
1928 D-180 [199] 1949 D-220 1971 D-706
1929 D-81 1950 D-173 1972 D-700
1930 [300] 1951 D-370 1973 D-661
1931 D-254 [300] 1952 D-400 1974 D-672
1932 D*198* 1953 D*300
1975-76 DL-6331 1979 DL-6644 1982 DL-7135
1977 DL-3897 1980 DL-5356
1978 DL-5777 1981 DL-5435
1983-84 GRAPHIC BASE DL-0001 - DL-9000 (9001 - 10999
"85" D/L-11000 - D/L-18418 reserved for M/C)
DISABLED VETERAN
Ch. 299 P 4/5/1979. Began 1979.
Earliest seen 1979 undated Red & Blue/White #0020.
DISTRICT JUDGE
May have begun 1978. Earliest seen 1978 #5-4.
LEGENDS: "DISTRICT/JUDGE" screened left 1978.
Prefix number is judicial district #1 to 13, followed by the
judge's rank within the district.
DRIVERS EDUCATION
Earliest seen 1964 chart. #DE-7 pictured in Albuquerque Journal
5/31/1963.
No legend, "DE" prefix all years.
1964 UND. (DE-83) Red/White
1966? UND. DE-31 - DE-89 Maroon/Light Blue (No "USA")
1969? UND. DE-351 - DE-400 Maroon/Light Blue ("USA")
1977 UND. DE-401 - DE-483 No border
DUPLICATE
Earliest seen 1964 Passenger sticker, also 1966-68, 1970.
Discontinued 1972. Non-passenger seen:
Dealer 1968-70 and 1971 plates, "DUPLICATE" embossed top,
M/C 1969-70 stickers, Trailer 1969 sticker, Truck 1968-69 stickers.
ELECTED STATE OFFICIAL
Earliest seen 1945. Probably discontinued 1948; rebegan by 1955.
Corner holes only 1945, no slots.
1945, 1946 "SEC'Y OF STATE" top, *3*
1945, 1946 "SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE" top, *3*
1947 "SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE" top, *4*
1955 "55 SEC'Y OF STATE" top, *3
Series rebegan 1959 as follows (All legends screened):
(All are Red/Yellow except 1968, 1971, 1978, 1984 Yellow/Red,
1972 Red/White)
#3 SECRETARY OF STATE 1969, 1973 reported, 1976
#4 STATE AUDITOR 1968, 1974, 1978
#5 STATE TREASURER 1971, 1975
#6 ATTY. GENERAL 1972, 1976
#7 COMM. of PUBLIC LANDS 1969, 1976
#8 - 10 CORPORATION COMMISSIONER 1969, 1972, 1974
EXEMPT COUNTY
Earliest seen 1964 chart. #XC-533 pictured in Albuquerque Journal
5/31/1963. Listed on 1961 DMV document.
No legend, "XC" prefix all years.
1964 UND. XC-895 - Black/White
1967? UND. XC-717 - Maroon/Light Blue (No "USA")
1969? UND. XC-2235 - XC-3000 Maroon/Light Blue ("USA")
1976 UND. XC-3001 - XC-4987 No border, enclosed box
1983 UND. XC-8433 - No border, open box
EXEMPT COUNTY MOTORCYCLE
Began 1973. No legend, "XC" prefix all years.
1983? UND. XC*21 Maroon/Light Blue "N( )M" top
EXEMPT MUNICIPAL
Earliest seen 1964 chart. Listed in Albuquerque Journal
article 5/31/1963. Listed on 1961 DMV document.
No legend, "XM" prefix all years.
1963? UND. XM-1179 - Blue/Silver
1964? UND. XM-1 - XM-1709 Blue/White
1964 UND. XM-271 - XM-2260 Black/White
1966? UND. XM-3945 - Maroon/Light Blue (No "USA")
1969? UND. XM-5109 - XM-8000 Maroon/Light Blue ("USA")
1976 UND. XM-8001 - XM-9999 No border
1984? UND. XM10000 - XM15497 No border
EXEMPT MUNICIPAL MOTORCYCLE
Earliest seen 1963-66 size. #XM-44 pictured in Albuquerque
Journal 5/31/1963. Not issued yet as of 1957.
No legend, "XM" prefix all years.
1966? UND. XM-91 Maroon/Light Blue "NEW MEXICO" top
1971 XM-111 Maroon/Light Blue "N.M.1971" bottom
1983? UND. XM528 Maroon/Light Blue "N( )M" top
EX-PRISONER OF WAR
Ch. 99 P 3/6/1978. Began 7/1/1978.
Earliest seen 1978 undated Red & Blue/White #217 - 715.
FARM
Ch. 276 P 3/30/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956.
No legend all years. Truck colors, county coded.
1956-57 FORMATS: F1-1 - F1-999, F10-1 - F10-999
1958-74 FORMATS: 1*F-1 - 1*F-999, 1/0*F-1 - 1/0*F-999
1975 Border FT-0001 - FT-6000 (6,000)
1975 No border FT-6001 - FT-6900 (900)
UND. Plain FT-6901 - FT-9999 (3,099)
FT10000 - FT11000 (1,001)
UND. Graphic FT11001 - FT13226 (2,226)
FREIGHT TRAILER
Ch. 7 P 2/12/1972. Began 1973. No sticker validation.
No legend, vertical "FR" left.
UND. Red/White, border F/R 00001 - F/R 14000 (14,000)
UND. Red/White, no border F/R 14001 - F/R 18000 (4,000)
UND. Red/Yellow, no border F/R 18001 - F/R 30000 (12,000)
UND. Red/Yellow, graphic FR30001 - FR36099 (6,099)
GOVERNOR/LT. GOVERNORGovernor began 1928. Lt. Governor began 1932.
1. Governor assigned passenger #1 1924-27; Governor #1 began 1928.
2. First Lady assigned passenger #1A 1927, Governor #01 1928-29,
Governor #0 1930. Passenger #0 listed 1933-34, 1938, seen 1940.
3. Lt. Governor assigned passenger #2 1927-31; Lt. Governor #2 began 1932.
LEGENDS: "GOVERNOR" top 1928-30, 1934, 1936, 1938-40, 1942, 1945,
1947, 1959-60, 1965, 1967, 1973-74,
"GOVERNOR" left 1978, 1984.
"Lt.GOVERNOR" top 1936, 1945, "LT. GOVERNOR" top 1973,
"LIEUTENANT/GOVERNOR" left 1978.
Corner holes only 1945, no slots.
(Verify 1961-63, 1966, 1968, 1970-71, 1975-77, 1979-83)
1928 *1*
1929 *1*, *01*
1930 *1*, *0* (Metallic Gold/Black, not Gold/Black)
1934 *1*
1936 *1*, *2*
1938-40, 1942, 1947 *1*
1945 *1*, *2*
1959 *1 (Flat, "59 NEW MEXICO 59" bottom)
1960 *1 (Flat, mate to '59, 2 1960 #1 stickers)
1964 (*1 chart) (Flat)
1965 *1 (Flat, "19 NEW MEXICO 65" bottom)
1967 *1 (Flat, "19 NEW MEXICO 67" bottom)
1973 *1, *2 (Screened legend)
1974 *1 (Screened legend)
1978 *1 (Screened legend)
GUEST
No law authorized this type; ordered by State Comptroller. Only
issued 1932. Issued singly to tourists as souvenirs for $1 fee,
valid for 6 months. Also issued to salesmen, up to 4 per year,
valid 30 days each. Only 316 plates sold in 1932.
Vertical "GST" prefix; 1-3-digits flanked by two sun symbols.
1932 2-097 [2,500]
HANDICAPPED
Ch. 22 P 3/8/1973. Began 1973. No legend, wheelchair prefix.
Blue wheelchair is screened, red wheelchair is embossed.
Passenger stickers issued 1974-75.
1973 Screened, blue wheelchair 0001 - 0348 (348)
UND. (1974), blue wheelchair 0504 - 0900 (397)
1977 No border, red wheelchair 0901 - 1100 (200)
UND. No border, red wheelchair 1101 - 2200 (1,100)
UND. Graphic, red wheelchair 2201 - 2809 (609)
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Ch. 96 P 3/10/1923, E 7/1/1923. Began 1923.
Not issued 1929-30; merged with Official. (Verify 1947-48)
LEGENDS: "HWY/DEPT" left 1923,
vertical "N-M" left, vertical "1924" right, "HWY. DEPT." bottom 1924,
vertical "N-M" over "25" right, "HWY. DEPT." bottom (no "FRONT" or "REAR") 1925,
"NM/26" left, vertical "H-WAY/DEPT" right 1926,
vertical "HWAY/DEPT" right 1927-28,
"NEW MEXICO" top, "HIGHWAY DEPT." bottom 1931,
"HIGHWAY" bottom 1932, top 1933,
no legend or slogan, "H/D" monogram right 1934-50,
slogan 1951-74, "H/D" monogram right 1951-52, left 1953-54, center 1964.
Tall dies 1940, 1941 #63 - 221, 1942;
short dies 1941 #728 - 768, 1944-46, 1950.
COLORS: 1925 Black/White, 1953 Red/White FR;
all other known plates passenger colors 1923-52.
(Verify 1924, 1926, 1928)
Not issued in Black/White 1964 like most other exempt types.
Number prefix 01 - 05 in 1964?-on indicates maintenance district.
1923 UND. 2 slots 39 - 57
UND. 4 slots 202
1924 154 1934 425 1944 596
1925 154 1935 124 [500] 1945 257
1926 254 1936 325 [700] 1946 576
1927 114 1937 230 [568] 1947
1928 184 1938 422 [569] 1948
1929 (none) 1939 324 1949 330
1930 (none) 1940 583 1950 300
1931 *423* [500] 1941 768 1951 622
1932 *461* 1942 730 1952 591
1933 431 1943 (W/S) 1953 453
1954-55 UND. 701 Blue/White FR Long size
1956-57 UND. 411 Blue/Tan FR 6" x 12"
1958-63? UND. 721 Blue/White FR
1964-67? UND. 03 HD 349 Blue/White
1968? UND. 04 HD 011 Black/Orange
1969? UND. 02 HC 094, 03 HC 025 Maroon/Light Blue
1970? UND. 02HD139 - 02HD800, Same, "USA" added
05HD587
1976 UND. 02HD801 No border
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TRAILER
Earliest seen c.1936, "TRAILER" top, undated Zia left, #154 HD.
200 such plates ordered in 1936.
Earliest seen c.1968. No legend, "T" prefix all years.
1968? UND. T-HC245 Maroon/Light Blue (No "USA")
1970? UND. T-HD381 - T-HD400 Maroon/Light Blue ("USA")
1976 UND. T-HD401 - No border
HORSELESS CARRIAGE
Ch. 51 P 2/27/1963. Began 6/7/1963. 5-year registration issued
to passenger vehicles at least 35 years old. Fee $10 for first
term, $5 renewal. Ch. 5 P 1973 extended registration to trucks.
Undated all years. Slogan above "HORSELESS CARRIAGE" top Types
1-2, "HORSELESS/CARRIAGE" screened left Types 3-10.
Stickers seen 1970, 1979 (issued 1974).
Red/White Types 1-7, Red/Yellow Types 8-10.
Type 1: Flat 1 - 183 (183)
Type 2: Flat with embossed border 252 - 291 (40)
Type 3: Embossed, italic screened legend 309 - 330 (22)
Type 4: Embossed, huge screened legend, "USA" 372 - 391 (20)
Type 5: Embossed, small screened legend, "USA" 403 - 537 (135)
Type 6: Embossed, large screened legend, "USA" 559 - 639 (81)
Type 7: As Type 6, but legend on pre-applied st. 673 - 750 (78)
Type 8: As Type 7, but Red/Yellow, enclosed box 751 - 999 (249)
Type 9: As Type 8, but no zia 1000 - 1285 (286)
Type 10: As Type 9, but open sticker box '83 1470 - 2133 (664)
HOUSE TRAILER
Ch. 138 P 3/20/1953, E 7/1/1953. Began 1955. Discontinued 1956?
Rebegan 1961. Discontinued 1975; replaced by Recreational Vehicle.
No legend, "H" prefix 1955, 1961-74.
Issued Passenger stickers 1962-63, Trailer stickers 1973-74.
NR 1969-70, FR all other years 1961-74.
1974: Late issues have slots H-61253 - H-61379. (Holes H-55854)
1955 H-5833 1967 H-24380
1961-63 H-27640 1968 H-27418
1964 H-22422 1969 H-24067
1965 H-24799 1970 H-30248
1966 H-19030 1971-74 H-61379
INTERSTATE REGISTRATION
May have begun 1975. Earliest seen 1975.
Not on 1984 chart. Probably discontinued after 1978.
1975 Border IR-0001 - IR-1800 (1,800)
1975 No border IR-1801 - IR-2600 (800)
UND. Plain IR-2601 -
LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS STICKER
Only seen 1974, "LPG".
MANUFACTURER
Earliest seen undated in 1968 Dealer colors with "USA", no "19".
LEGENDS: No legend, "DM" prefix 1970?, 1972-73, 1975, 1978-80, 1984.
"DEALER MFG." 1974 sticker.
1970? DM-6 1978 DM-0030
1972 DM-1 1979 DM-0028
1973-74 DM5-1 1980 DM-0041
1975 DM-0069
UND. Graphic (1984)
MEDAL OF HONOR
Ch. 199 P 3/6/1978. Began 11/6/1978 with 4 issued.
Earliest seen 1978 chart.
Undated, Blue & Gold/White, recipient's 3 initials followed by #1.
MOBILE HOME
Ch. 86 P 2/29/1972. Began 1973. No sticker validation.
No legend, vertical "MH" left. No I used.
UND. Red/White, border M/H 00001 - M/H 60000 (60,000)
UND. Red/White, no border M/H 60001 - M/H 71000 (11,000)
UND. Red/Yellow, plain M/H 71001 - M/H 99999 (28,999)
M/H A-0001 - M/H C-5000 (24,998)
UND. Red/Yellow, graphic M/H C-5001 - M/H L-7162 (82,154)
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
MOTORCYCLE UNDER 5 H.P. (See Motorcycle page)
MOTORCYCLE DEALER
Earliest seen 1966. #D-2 pictured in Albuquerque Journal 5/31/1963.
No legend, "D" prefix 1966-74, "DL" prefix 1975-84.
Colors same as Motorcycle except 1974 sticker.
Dealer stickers issued 1969-70. Date is stickered 1977.
1966 D-1 1971 D-1
1967 D-1 1972 D-46
1968-70 D-1 1973-74 D-35
1975-76 DL5143 - DL5146 [DL5000 - DL5200]
1977 DL9054 - DL9113
1978 [DL9001]- DL9122
1979 DL9059 -
1980 DL9141 -
1981 DL9055 -
1982 DL9169 -
UND. (1984) [DL9001 - DL9999]
[D/L10000 - D/L10999]
MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER
Earliest seen 1971. Not listed on 1975 or 1978 charts.
No legend, "DM" prefix 1971-73, 1984.
Colors same as Motorcycle.
1971 DM-6 1973 DM-6
1972 DM-10
UND. (1984) [DM0001]-
MOTOR TRUCK
Ch. 96 P 3/10/1923, E 7/1/1923. Began 1923. Earliest seen 1924.
Issued to non-commercial trucks >3,000 lbs. load capacity.
Discontinued 1930; replaced by Truck.
LEGENDS: Round tab left, vertical "N-M" over "24" right, "MOTOR TRUCK" bottom 1924,
"NM/26" left, "MOTOR/TRUCK" over square tab right 1926,
"MOTOR/TRUCK" over square tab right 1927-29.
No tab issued 1923. Tab holes and tabs 1924-29; tabs have
"CAP. WGT." 1924, "TRUCK" 1926-29. Colors unknown all years.
1923 1927 88
1924 50 1928 55 [201]
1925 1929 161
1926 22 [99]
MOUNTED PATROL
Ch. 149 P 4/16/1941, E immediately, created this agency, which
conducts operations using both horses and motor vehicles.
Began 1941. New plates 1941-42, 1944-47, 1951-59, 1961, 1964-74,
1978, 1980, windshield sticker 1943, stickers 1960, 1962-63, 1975,
1979, some 1974.
LEGENDS: "MOUNTED PATROL" top, no slogan 1941-51, 1953-55, 1959-75,
"MOUNTED PATROL" bottom, no slogan 1952, no legend, slogan 1956-58,
"MOUNTED/PATROL" left 1978, 1984,
"40 YEARS" arched over zia and "MOUNTED/PATROL" left 1981.
"MP" prefix added on some 1954, all 1955-75.
"MOUNTED PATROL" 1975 sticker.
Passenger colors 1941-61, 1966 sticker.
1944 has full zias, unlike passenger.
County coded 1947-on. Not issued 1948. Resumed by 1951.
Undated 1952, 1961. 1954 #3-6 has no prefix, #3-7 has "MP" prefix.
(Verify 1949-50, 1971)
1941 *95* County formats: 1947 1-0
1942 *33* 1951-53 1-00
1943 (W/S) 1954-56 MP*1-00
1944 *17* 1957-74 MP1*00
1945 *85* 1961-63 MP-10*00
1946 23 1964-75 MP10*00
1978-79 18*18
1980 5*24, 25*1
UND. "50 YEARS" (1981) 13, 2014
UND. Plain (1984)
NATIONAL GUARD
Ch. 45 P 2/28/1980. May have begun 1980. Earliest seen 1982.
Undated, Red/Yellow, 11 different suffixes for branches, such as
ANG for Army National Guard. 674-150, 322-ANG, 405-1AW, 102-HHD seen.
NATIONAL GUARD OFFICER
Began 1932. Last seen 1941.
LEGENDS: "OFFICER" top, "NATIONAL GUARD" bottom 1932,
"NATIONAL GUARD OFFICER" top 1933,
"NATL/GUARD/OFFICER" right 1934-41.
Passenger colors all years.
1932 *99* [100] 1936 74 1940 100 [100]
1933 *77* 1937 100 1941 112
1934 46 1938 92
1935 17 1939 16
NEW MEXICO RANGER
Ch. 264 P 4/5/1967. Began 1967. Issued to Bernalillo County
Citizens Unit, an auxiliary police civil defense organization.
Name change to New Mexico Rangers authorized 5/25/1968.
LEGENDS: "BCCU" screened top, "AP" prefix 1967,
small "N.M. RANGER" sticker over screened "BCCU top, "AP" prefix 1968,
large "N.M. RANGER" screened top, slogan screened bottom between embossed "19" and "69" 1969,
large "N.M. RANGER" screened top 1970-71,
"N M RANGER" embossed top 1973,
"NM/RANGER" left 1984. "RANGER" 1975 sticker. (1970 has slogan bottom)
1967 AP-38 1971 NMR1-33, NMR2-33, NMR3-17
1968 AP-7 1972 (NMR4-1 Chart)
1969 NMR-86 1973-78 NMR-1
1970 NMR2-28
UND. (1984)
OFFICIAL
Began 1929. Issued to State, County or Municipal owned vehicles
1929-60; State vehicles only 1961-84. Also issued to U.S. owned
vehicles 1929 and to Highway Dept. vehicles 1929-30.
LEGENDS: "OFFICIAL" top 1929-53, slogan, "OF" prefix 1954-on.
Passenger colors 1929-52, Red/White FR 1953, Blue/White FR 1954.
1-3-digits flanked by two sun symbols 1929-44, 1946, 1948.
1929 *790* 1938 *530* 1947 X*1661
1930 *359* [1,000] 1939 *406* 1948 *1761
1931 *397* [500] 1940 *722* [575] 1949 *868
1932 *446* 1941 *678* 1950 *611
1933 *497* 1942 *692* 1951 *954
1934 *293* 1943 (W/S) 1952 *1630
1935 [488] 1944 *688* 1953 *2020
1936 *490* 1945 *242 1954 OF*2922
1937 *530* 1946 *98*
1955 UND. OF*463 - OF*2338 Blue/White FR Long size
1956-57 UND. OF*1839 - OF*2662 Blue/White FR 6" x 12"
1964 UND. (OF*1642 Chart) Black/White
1966? UND. OF*62 - OF*1995 Maroon/Light Blue (No "USA")
1969? UND. OF*2603 - OF*5000 Maroon/Light Blue ("USA")
1976 UND. OF*5001 - OF*9734 No border
OFFICIAL MOTORCYCLE
Earliest seen 1963-66 size. Listed in Albuquerque Journal article 5/31/1963.
No legend, "NEW MEXICO" top, "OF" prefix.
1966? UND. OF-27 Maroon/Light Blue
1979? UND. OF0097 Maroon/Light Blue
OFFICIAL TRAILER
Undated aluminum plate #X 164 seen with "TRAILER" top, zia right,
"NEW MEXICO" bottom.
#OF-T230 pictured in Albuquerque Journal 5/31/1963.
1968? UND. OF*T538 - OF*T616 Maroon/Light Blue (No "USA")
1969? UND. OF*T855 - Maroon/Light Blue ("USA")
(No 1976 no border style issued as of 1984)
PERSONALIZED
Ch. 65 P 3/13/1967. Began 6/16/1967. Termed "Prestige" plates
in NM. 1-6 figures allowed for $25 annual extra fee, increased
to 7 figures by 1970. Fee reduced to $15 6/20/1969.
Only 43 issued 1967, 147 issued 1968.
No legend all years. Sticker or new plate issued 1974.
Annual plates 1967-82, UND. Plain 1983, UND. Graphic 1984.
Late 1976 issues in new borderless design.
1982-on renewed with stickers.
(Pre-personalized issued in years leading up through 1946 to
Fern Sawyers of Crossroads, a young cowgirl queen, assigned by the
Governor. Plates reported as being either "FERN" or "FERN-S".)
PERSONALIZED HANDICAPPED
May have begun 1977. 5 issued as of April 1977.
Earliest seen 1978 chart.
Limited to 5 characters after wheelchair prefix.
Annual dated plates 1978, undated graphic base 1984.
PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 197 P 3/6/1978. Began 1979. Limited to 6 characters.
Annual dated plates 1979-82, undated base 1983-84.
Some old-die undated bases issued 1983 with "N.M." bottom left.
PRORATE STICKER
Ch. 276 P 3/30/1955, E 1/1/1956. Began 1956 with unknown device.
Earliest seen 1957. Last seen 1974. Stickers issued to trailers
and truck tractors for prorate backing plate 1957-74.
PRORATE TRAILER
Earliest seen 1964. Listed in Albuquerque Journal article
5/31/1963. Last seen 1972. Listed in 1975 chart but not 1978 or
1984 charts. Annual plates 1964-72.
No legend, "PT" prefix 1964-66, 1969-72, 1975.
(Verify 1967-68, 1973-on)
PRORATE TRUCK
Earliest seen 1964. Listed in Albuquerque Journal article
5/31/1963. Annual plates 1964-82.
Issued by the Motor Transportation Department, not the DMV.
No legend, "PR" prefix 1964-78, vertical "PR" prefix 1979-84.
1974 began at #PR-0001, not PR-1.
PRORATE TRUCK PRORATE TRAILER
1964 (PR-3000 Chart) PT-2946
1965 PR-2713 PT-2475
1966 PR-1101 PT-3518
1967 PR-3211 PT-3919
1968 PR-2909
1969 PR-4302 PT-5161
1970 PR-5244 PT-6544
1971 PR-2863 PT-7317
1972 PR-4256 PT-8759
1973 PR-285
1974 PR-1886
1975 PR-1615
1976 PR-3019
1977 PR-0784
1978 PR-2501
1979 P/R-00441 - P/R-05175
1980 P/R-50113 - P/R-53205
1981 P/R-00032 - P/R-05873
1982 P/R-07912 - P/R-10566
1983-84 P/R-02055 - P/R-11958
UND. Plain P/R-13186 - P/R-19905
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Ch. 27 P 2/28/1972, E 1/1/1973. Stickers began 1974; plates
began 1975. Another law amended it to allow issuance of
stickers instead of plates, thus the delay. Stickers issued
only 1974, on 1971 House Trailer, Trailer or Truck base.
Previously issued House Trailer plates, primarily. No I,O,Q,U,V used.
1975 Border R/V A-0001 - R/V F-9999 (59,994)
1975 No border R/V G-0001 - R/V G-5000 (5,000)
UND. Plain R/V G-5001 - R/V L-9999 (44,995)
UND. Graphic R/V M-0001 - R/V Z-9999 (89,991) (Verify P)
R/V AA-001 - R/V AH-752 (7,745) (AL-980 "USA" "AUG 90")
RENTAL TRAILER
Earliest seen 1963. 1962, 1969 sticker reported.
Not listed in 1975, 1978 charts.
May have rebegun 1980 as a 5-year plate. Ch. 370 P 4/6/1979.
No legend, "RT" prefix 1963-64. (Verify 1965-74)
1963 RT-467 1967
1964 RT-23 1968-70
1965 1971-74
1966
1980 (Dated "84") RT-0001 - RT-0836
1985 (Dated "89")
SALESMAN
(Issued $1 Guest plates 1932. Ch. 56 P 2/21/1935, requiring $5
license fee. No prefix 1935-36; perhaps a certain number block
of passenger plates was assigned.)
Ch. 120 P 3/15/1937. Began 1937.
Discontinued by Ch. 117 P 3/11/1939, E immediately.
Some unused 1939 plates repackaged as School Bus plates.
No legend, "S" prefix 1937-39.
Numbers began at #S-1 1938, possibly all years.
1937 S-4491
1938 S-4367
1939 S3-309
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1920. (Verify 1921-23, 1925)
1920 92000 1948 *000*, 0-0000
1924 00-000 1949-50 0-0000
1926-27 00000 1951-53 0-00000
1928-31 00-000 1954-57 0-0000
1932 90-000 1958-71 0-00000
1933 00-000 1972 000-000, AZA-000
1934-46 *000* UND. (1973?) 000-000, SAM PLE
1947 0-000 UND. (1977) 000-000, SAM*PLE
SCHOOL BUS
Ch. 20 P 2/24/1939, E immediately. Began 1939.
1939 plates are repackaged Salesman plates.
No legend, "S" prefix 1939-74, "SB" prefix 1975-84.
No legend 1962, 1972, "SCHOOL BUS" 1969-70 stickers.
Some 1947 are county-coded; 3*S-24, 11*S-37, 20*S-14, 29*S-11 seen.
1957: Old dies S*327, new dies S*1522.
Passenger stickers issued 1963; Bus stickers issued 1973-74.
1939 S-298 1946 S-622 1953 S*1209
1940 S-1182 1947 S-145 1954 S*1129
1941 S-1170 1948 S-770 1955 S*1101
1942 S-924 1949 S-1022 1956 S*1248
1943 (W/S) 1950 S-1316 1957 S*1522
1944 S-884 1951 S-1014 1958 S*1632
1945 S-440 1952 S-1588 1959 S*1516
1960 S-1847 1967 S-1828
1961-63 S-2038 1968-70 Dated, no "USA" S-2424
1964 S-2411 Dated, "USA" S-2593 -
1965 S-1526 (70) Undated, "USA" S-2601 - S-2725
1966 S-1535 1971-74 S-3041
1975 Border SB-0001 - SB-5000 (5,000)
UND. Graphic SB-5001 - SB-7382 (2,382)
SMALL TRAILEROnly issued 1955. Issued to trailers under 1,000 lbs.
No legend, "ST" prefix 1955.
1955 ST-4178
SPECIAL EVENT1. 1966 "ASSEMBLY/OF BORDER/STATES/SANTE FE" screened center,
"JUNE NEW MEXICO 1966" screened bottom, embossed border,
Red/Yellow.
2. 1972 Slogan embossed top, "NEW MEXICO USA" embossed bottom,
"1912" left, "1972" right, "60" inside zia above curved
"ANNIVERSARY" center (alll screened), Red/Yellow.
SPECIAL PERMIT
Unknown purpose. "SPECIAL PERMIT" screened top.
1968? UND. * - 9 Red/Yellow (No "USA")
STAFF OFFICER
Earliest seen 1929. Issued to Honorary Governor's Staff members.
$2 fee added 1947. Discontinued by Ch. 15 P 2/20/1947, E 1/1/1948.
LEGENDS: "STAFF OFFICER" top 1929-33,
"STAFF/OFFICER" right 1934-42, 1945-46,
"STAFF/OFFICER" left, "44" zia right 1944,
"STAFF/OFFICER" center between two flanking "47" zias, no serial 1947.
1929 *632* 1935 1941 234
1930 *X-17* 1936 1942 250
1931 [100] 1937 X27 1943 (W/S)
1932 X*6* 1938 X27 1944 186
1933 *X-14* 1939 X61 1945 368 [400]
1934 1940 167 1946 359
STATE POLICE
New Mexico Motor Patrol was organized 1933 and renamed State Police in
1935. First assigned only ten motorcycles in 1933, the fleet included
cars starting in 1935, and issued Official plates, with #490 seen 1938.
Began mid-1938. "STATE POLICE" top, no slogan 1938-74. Issued in pairs 1964.
1938 UND. *9* [10] 1944 1950
1939? 1945 1951 *12*
1940 1946 *40* 1952 *6
1941 *23* 1947 *50* 1953
1942 *1* 1948 *40*
1943 (W/S) 1949 *46*
1954 UND. Reflective Blue/White base issued
1964 UND. *158 - *199 Black/White
1966? UND. *145 - *225 Maroon/Light Blue (No "USA")
1969? UND. *280 - *333 Maroon/Light Blue ("USA")
1971? UND. 293 - 310 Maroon/Light Blue ("USA")
In 1976, the 3M Company presented a gift of 350 pairs of
multicolored bases, numbered 1 - 350. Numbers 351 on have
"STATE POLICE" screened instead, made at NM prison, still in pairs.
STATE POLICE MOTORCYCLE
New Mexico Motor Patrol was organized 1933 and renamed State Police in
1935. They were issued regular motorcycle plates #M-216 - M-225 in
1933 and #M-1 - M-10 in 1934-35, with 1936-38 blocks unknown.
Began mid-1938. Last seen 1947. Still listed in Albuquerque
Journal article 5/31/1963.
"STATE-POLICE" top, large "N.M.-" prefix 1938-47.
All are undated in passenger colors; 1940 has "40" painted
above hyphen. 1943 is White/Black. 1946 has a lighter yellow
and darker red than 1941.
1938 23 [50] 1942 1946 26
1939? 1943 16 1947 5
1940 14 1944
1941 26 1945
STATE REPRESENTATIVE/STATE SENATOR
Began 1953 as a gift from a plate manufacturer. Not issued 1954.
Ch. 113 P 3/11/1955, reinstating this type. Rebegan 1955.
Issued in pairs 1958-59.
Number of State Representatives: 55 1953-56, 66 1957-64,
77 1965-66, 70 1967-2017.
Number of State Senators: 31 1953-54, 32 1955-66, 42 1967-2017.
(1 per county 1955-66)
Representative county coded 1953-72 (Bernalillo 2-1 - 2-6),
district number 1973-74; Senator county coded 1953-66, district
number 1967-74. Representative #26/21-1 seen 1967-69, #2-17 and
#13-3 seen 1969.
Annual plates 1953, 1955-74, 1976-79 except stickers 1960, 1962-63.
1953 made by Hal Wolfe Screw Machine Products, Portland, OR.
Flat 1953-68, flat w/embossed border 1968-70, screened type
legends 1971-72, 1974, all embossed 1973.
LEGENDS:
STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Vertical "REP" left 1953,
"STATE REPRESENTATIVE" top, "55 NEW MEXICO 55" bottom 1955, 1959,
"56" top, vertical "STATE" left, vertical "REPR" right 1956-59,
"STATE REPRESENTATIVE" top 1961-72, 1974, "19 NEW MEXICO 64"
bottom 1964-70, "19 NEW MEXICO USA 71" bottom 1971-74, 1976,
slogan above "REPRESENTATIVE" top 1973, "DISTRICT" left 1973-74
1976, "STATE/REPRESENTATIVE" left, "DIST." top right 1977-79.
STATE SENATOR: Vertical "SEN" left 1953, "STATE SENATOR" top,
"55 NEW MEXICO 55" bottom 1955, "56" top, vertical "STATE" left,
vertical "SEN" right 1956-59, "STATE SENATOR" top 1961-72, 1974,
1976, "19 NEW MEXICO 64" bottom 1964-70, "19 NEW MEXICO USA 71"
bottom 1971-74, 1976, slogan above "STATE SENATOR" top 1973,
"DISTRICT" below top line 1968, "DISTRICT" center 1969-70,
"DIST." left 1971-72, "DISTRICT" left 1973-74, 1976,
"STATE/SENATOR" left, "DIST." top right 1977-79.
BOTH: No legend 1960 sticker, "STATE OFFICIAL" 1962-63 stickers.
Additonal types seen:
1959 Chief Clerk of House/Senate began
1960 Sergeant at Arms (Senate) began
1969 "HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE/CHIEF CLERK" top, #4-5
1969 "SENATE/CHIEF CLERK" top, #1-2
1969 "STATE REPRESENTATIVE/MAJORITY LEADER" top, #15-3
1963 "STATE SENATE/PRES. PRO TEM" top, #4
1969 "STATE SENATOR/MAJORITY FLOOR WHIP" top, District #31
1969 "STATE SENATOR/MINORITY LEADER" top, District #23
STATE TRANSPORTATION POOL
May have begun 1976. Undated, White/Red,
"N.M. STATE TRANS. POOL" screened in fancy font bottom, #OF-3282.
(OF-3354 also seen, but with legend in plain font)
TAXI
Chapter 138 P 3/20/1953, E 7/1/1953. Began 1955.
Earliest seen 1959. Previously issued Commercial plates with
"TAXI" tabs 1933-54.
No legend, "TX" prefix 1955-84.
"TAXI" 1973 sticker. Passenger stickers issued 1974.
1955 may have tab covering zia; 1956-74 have no tab holes or tab.
(Verify 1955-58, 1961-63, 1965, 1970)
1955 1960 TX-574 1967 TX-311
1956 1961-63 1968 TX-350
1957 1964 (TX-189 Chart) 1969 TX-245
1958 1965 1970
1959 TX-175 1966 TX-223 1971-74 TX-513
1975 Border TX-0001 - TX-0500 (500)
1975 No border TX-501 - TX-650 (150)
UND. Plain TX-651 - TX-1500 (850)
UND. Graphic TX-1501 - TX-1557 (57)
TRAILER
Ch. 96 P 3/10/1923, E 7/1/1923. Began 1923. Earliest seen 1924.
Small size 1924-31, full size 1932-84. No I,O,Q,U,V,X used.
House Trailer plates issued 1955, 1961-74, causing lower Trailer
registrations.
PLATE LEGENDS: Vertical "N-M" left, vertical "1924" right, "TRAILER" bottom 1924,
"N.M. 1927" top, "T" prefix 1927-31,
vertical "TRLR" prefix 1932,
"TRAILER" top, no slogan 1933-54,
no legend, "T" prefix 1955-74,
"TA" to "TZ" prefix 1975-84, vertical "TR" prefix 1984.
STICKER LEGENDS: "TRAILER" 1960, 1962, 1973-74, no legend 1963, 1972,
"T TRAILER" 1969-70.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1927-42, 1946-52, 1955-59,
White/Black 1943, Truck colors 1944-45, 1953-54.
(Verify 1923-26)
1927-29: All have square "TRAILER" tabs right.
1932-46: 1-3-digits flanked by two sun symbols.
1947: County coded - formats 1-0000, 10-000.
1949: Waffle aluminum 3801, smooth aluminum 6103.
1974: Late issues have slots T-64324. (Holes T-63684)
1923 1935 701 1947 (By county)
1924 34 1936 1-224 1948 4763
1925 1937 2-891* 1949 6103*
1926 1938 2-836* [1,950] 1950 5046
1927 T-27 1939 3-185* 1951 7691
1928 T-13 [350] 1940 3-002* 1952 10622*
1929 T-8 1941 3-792* 1953 12340*
1930 T-296 [500] 1942 2-948 1954 12958
1931 T-602 [850] 1943 2-197 1955 T-6841
1932 111 1944 2-450 1956 T-11928
1933 996* 1945 3-504* 1957 T-21719
1934 120 1946 4-040 1958 T-25875
1959-60 T-52364 1967 T-29102
1961-63 Und. T-42401 1968-70 Dated "68" T-31453
1964 T-25048 (69) Und. "19 USA" T-35028 -
1965 T-26801 (70) Und. "USA" T-37119 - T-44153 (7,035)
1966 T-29193 1971-74 T-64324
1975 Border TA-0001 - TF-9999 (59,994)
1975 No border TG-0001 - TG-9999 (9,999)
UND. Plain TH-0001 - TM-7000 (46,996) (Some dated "81")
UND. Graphic TM-7001 - TZ-9999 (72,992) (Verify R)
"MAR 88" T/R A-0001 - T/R D-9451 (39,448) (TX = Taxi)
(USA Graphic T/R E-4980)
TRUCK (See Truck page)
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
Ch. 11 P 2/8/1955. Began 1955. (Verify 1956-63, 1965-71)
New Mexico had 2 U.S. Representatives 1955-82, 3 since 1983,
and 2 U.S. Senators all years.
1955 #US-SEN-2
UND. "U.S. SENATE" bottom, #1 Red/White, 1964 sticker, flat
1970 "U.S. CONGRESS" bottom, #1, light/dark, 1971 sticker, flat
1972 "U.S. CONGRESS" top, #1 Red/White
1973 "U.S. CONGRESS" top, #1 Red/Yellow
1974 "U.S. CONGRESS" top, #1 Red/Yellow
1978 "UNITED STATES/REPRESENTATIVE" or "UNITED STATES/SENATE" left
UNITED STATES OFFICIAL
Began 1928. Earliest seen 1931.
Issued to vehicles owned by the U.S. Government.
Carlsbad Current-Argus, January 27, 1928:
"For the first time motor vehicles owned by the federal government
are to have special New Mexico license plates, Deputy State
Comptroller, H. C. Hoehl, said in Santa Fe, this week. Federal,
state and municipal cars numbering about 670 obtain plates free.
One hundred new federal plates are lettered "U.S.".
Not issued 1929; merged with Official.
LEGENDS: "OFFICIAL" top, taller "U.S." right 1931,
"OFFICIAL" top 1932-48, no legend 1964?-on.
Passenger colors 1931-48.
1930 [400] 1938 US-204 1946 US-97
1931 240 U.S. [250] 1939 US-144 1947
1932 US-136 1940 US-250 [250] 1948 US-11
1933 US-8 1941 US-250 1949
1934 1942 US-200 1950
1935 US-299 1943 (W/S) 1951
1936 US-238 1944 1952
1937 US-244 1945 US-148 1953
1964 UND. (US-527 Chart) Black/White
1966? UND. Maroon/Light Blue (no "USA")
1969? UND. US-1240 - US-1500 Maroon/Light Blue ("USA")
1976 UND. US-1501 - US-3216 No border
UNITED STATES OFFICIAL MOTORCYCLE
Earliest seen undated on 1984 chart. Not listed on 1978 chart.
Same as Official Motoroycle except "US" prefix, not "OF".
WEIGHT DISTANCE FARM TRUCK
Began 1979. No law. Issued to all farm trucks over 26,000 lbs.
1979 plate only issued to new registrations very late in the year.
Annual plates 1979-82.
LEGENDS: Vertical "WD" left, horizontal "FT" prefix all years.
WEIGHT DISTANCE INTERSTATE REGISTRATION
Only seen 1983, vertical "WD" left, horizontal "IR" prefix,
#IR0369 - IR2766.
WEIGHT DISTANCE TRUCK
Began 1979. No law. Issued to all trucks over 26,000 lbs.
1979 plate only issued to new registrations very late in the year.
Annual plates 1979-82.
LEGENDS: Vertical "WD" prefix all years.
WD TRUCK WD FARM TRUCK
1979 W/D-00880 - W/D-01129
1980 W/D-51244 - W/D-61001 (9,758)
1981 W/D-01906 - W/D-11201
1982 W/D-05610 - W/D-16484
1983-84 W/D-00673 - W/D-15621
UND. Plain "86" W/D-17552 - W/D-25269
WHOLESALER
Earliest seen 1982.
1982 WS-0103
UND. Graphic "84" WS-0077
WRECKER
Earliest seen 1971.
No legend, "W" prefix 1971-72, "WR" prefix 1975, 1978, 1980-81,
1984. Sticker issued 1974.
1971 W-44 1980 WR-0083
1972 W-39 1981 WR-0010
1975 WR-0044
1978 (WR-0069 Chart)
UND. Graphic "84" WR-0057
PERMITS:
HANDICAPPED PLACARD
Began 1978. Parking permit to be displayed on dashboard.
Undated, motorcycle-size, Red/Yellow, screened wheelchair all years.
I,Q used.
UND. Type 1 0001 - 0179 (179)
(79) Type 2 1113 -
Type 3 3462 - 9323 (5,862)
Type 2a A019 - A686 (668)
Type 3a B302 - D758 (2,455)
(85) Type 4 E148 - N779 (8,624) (Verify K)
Type 5 P-617 - T-390 (3,770) (No O used)
Type 6 U-556 - Z-999 (4,440) (Verify V)
Type 1 - "HANDICAP" top, "PARKING" bottom (thin legends), border, round dies, slots
Type 2 - "HANDICAP" top, "PARKING" bottom (thin legends), border, square dies, slots
Type 3 - As Type 2, but wide legends
Type 4 - "N( )M" screened top, "HANDICAP/PARKING" screened in box,
no border, thin (TX?) dies, holes
Type 5 - No "NM", "HANDICAP" screened across box top,
"PARKING" screened bottom, no border, square dies, slots
Type 6 - "N( )M" embossed top, "HANDICAP/PARKING" screened in box,
no border, square dies, slots
HANDICAPPED TEMPORARY
Began 1978. Cardboard plate issued as a parking permit to be
displayed on dashboard for those who are temporarily handicapped.
None seen.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING PERMIT
As a result of the U.S. Beautification Act passed in November
1965, Ch. 65 P 3/2/1966, E 5/18/1966. Began 1966, enforced
8/1/1966. Earliest seen 1966. Stickers issued 1966-67.
Undated, motorcycle-size, Red/Yellow, "NMSHD" bottom, #468 - 4471
flush right, round (pre-1979) dies.
PRESS
Began 1939. None seen. Gallup Independent, 9/16/1939:
"Gov. Miles Sends Press Car Plates To State Editors"
"Through the courtesy of Governor John E. Miles, every
newspaper editor in the state has been supplied with a set of
special automobile license plates, carrying the inscription,
"New Mexico Press, 1939." In sending these to members of the
press, Governor Miles announced that they are being furnished
as a mark of appreciation..."
Dated 1940 plates also issued, according to the Deming Headlight,
1/4/1940.
TOURIST
Ch. 150 P 3/17/1919, E 1/1/1920. Began 1920. Earliest seen
1921. Issued to tourists staying longer than 30 days for $3 fee,
valid for remainder of calendar year. 1921 diamond-shaped
unpainted tab with "TOURIST" to be attached to home-state plate.
All 1921 tags are probably overstamped since only 25 tags were
sold in 1920. Discontinued by Ch. 96 P 3/10/1923, E 7/1/1923.
1920 1922
1921 1805 (1921 stamped over 1920) 1923
TABLE 1 - PLATE COLORS 1960-83
1960 Red/Yellow B, D, S, TX
Green/White M/C
1961 Red/White Passenger, Amateur Radio, H, M/C, MP, S,
State Repr./Senator, T
Green/White D, Truck
1962 Green/White M/C
Dark Blue/White D
1963 Dark Blue/White M/C
Orange/White D
1964 Black/Yellow B, H, M/C, PR, PT, RT, S, TX, T, Truck
Red/Yellow D
Green/White Amateur Radio, Commercial Radio,
Governor, MP, State Repr./Senator
1965 Yellow/Red Amateur Radio, C.B. Radio, D, Governor,
H, M/C, MP, PR, S, State Repr./Sen., T
1966 Dark Blue/White Amateur Radio, CB, D, H, M/C, M/C D, PR,
PT, S, TX, T, Truck
Red/White State Repr./Senator
1967 Dark Blue/Tan AB, Amateur Radio, Commercial Radio, D,
H, M/C, M/C D, MP, PT, S, TX, T
Dark Blue/White Governor, PR, State Repr./Senator
Maroon/Light Blue N.M. Ranger
Red/Yellow Personalized
1968 Black/Orange CB, D, H, M/C, M/C D, PR, RT, S, TX, T
Dark Blue/Tan Amateur Radio, C.B. Radio,
Commercial Radio, MP, N.M. Ranger
Red/Yellow Personalized, PT
Yellow/Red Elected State Official, State Repr./Sen.
1969 Yellow/Red AB, Amateur Radio, C.B. Radio,
Commercial Radio, Personalized, TX
Red/Yellow Governor, N.M. Ranger, PR, PT,
State Repr./Senator
Black/White H
Dark Blue/Gold MP
1970 Red/Gold Amateur Radio, C.B. Radio
White/Light Green H
Dark Blue/White MP
Red/White Personalized, PR, PT
Yellow/Red N.M. Ranger, State Repr./Senator
1971 White/Light Green AB, Amateur Radio, C.B. Radio, CB,
Commercial Radio, D, H, M/C, M/C D,
M/C M, PR, PT, S, TX, T, Truck, W
Red/White N.M. Ranger
Dark Blue/Yellow Personalized
Yellow/Red State Repr./Senator
1972 Red/White Passenger, Amateur Radio,
Consular Corps, D, Governor, Mfr., M/C,
M/C D, M/C Mfr., MP, N.M. Ranger,
Personalized, State Repr./Senator, W
Dark Blue/Tan PR, PT
1973 Red/White Amateur Radio, D, Mfr., M/C, M/C D,
M/C M, MP, Personalized
Red/Yellow Consular Corps, Governor/Lt. Governor,
N.M. Ranger, PR, State Repr./Senator
Red & Blue/Yellow Handicapped
1974 Red/White Passenger, Amateur Radio, Consular Corps,
D, MP, Personalized
Red/Yellow Governor, State Repr./Sen., U.S. Congress
White/Light Blue PR
1975 Red/Yellow All types except Passenger, Handicapped,
MP, N.M. Ranger, PR, PT, permanent types
Dark Green/Beige PR, PT
1976 Red/White Amateur Radio
Red/Yellow Consular Corps, Dealer, M/C Dealer,
State Repr./Senator
White/Red & Blue Personalized
Dark Blue/White PR
1977 Red/White Amateur Radio, PR
Red/Yellow Consular Corps, Dealer, M/C Dealer
Turquoise/White Personalized
Yellow/Red State Repr./Senator
1978 Red/Yellow Amateur Radio, Dealer, Mfr., M/C Dealer,
Mounted Patrol, Personalized types, PR,
Wrecker
Yellow/Red District Judge, Elected State Official,
Governor,
State Repr./Senator, U.S. Repr./Senator
1979 Red/Yellow Amateur Radio, Dealer, Mfr., M/C Dealer
Yellow/Turquoise Personalized types
Black/Yellow PR, WD
Yellow/Red State Repr./Senator
1980 Red/Yellow Dealer, Mfr., M/C Dealer, Mounted Patrol,
Personalized types, WR
Dark Green/Yellow PR, WD, WD FT
1981 Red/Yellow Dealer, M/C Dealer, Personalized types,
PR, WD, WD FT, WR
Yellow/Red U.S. Congress
1982 Red/Yellow Dealer, M/C Dealer, Personalized types,
Wholesaler
Black/White PR, WD, WD FT
Yellow/Red U.S. Congress
1983 Red/Yellow WD, WD FT, WD IR
TABLE 2 - STICKER COLORS 1960-78
1960 Red/White Passenger (Red Tab) (Amateur Radio,
Governor, State Repr./Senator)
Black/White Trailer, Truck (Gold Tab)
1962 Red/Yellow Passenger, State Official
(House Tlr., School Bus, Truck)
White/Green Trailer
Black/Yellow Amateur Radio, Mounted Patrol
1963 Red/White & Lt.Blue Passenger
(House Tlr., School Bus, Trailer, Truck)
Red/White Amateur Radio
Black/Yellow Mounted Patrol
Black/Red State Official
1964 Silver/Green Passenger
Black/Yellow Truck (pre-applied)
1965 Red/Yellow Passenger (pre-applied)
Silver/Red Truck
1966 Red/White Passenger (also used on Mounted Patrol)
Dark Blue/White Truck (pre-applied)
1967 Silver/Blue Passenger
Silver/Red Truck
1968 Blue/White Passenger
Red/Gold Truck
1969 White/Light Green Passenger
White/Blue Truck
Black/White Bus, Dealer, M/C, School Bus, Trailer
1970 Silver/Red Passenger
Black/Orange Truck
Black/Gold Bus, Dealer, M/C, School Bus, Trailer
1971 White/Light Blue Passenger
1972 Black/Gold All Types (no type legends)
1973 Black/Red Passenger
Black/Light Blue Truck
Black/White Trailer (House Trailer)
Black/Orange Taxi
White/Black Bus
1974 Silver/Black Passenger, M/C
Silver/Blue Bus, Recreational Vehicle
Silver/Red Amateur Radio, Dealer, Mfr., M/C Dealer,
N.M. Ranger, Personalized, Wrecker
Silver/Gold Trailer
Black/Silver Truck
Red/Silver Mounted Patrol
Black/Red Horseless Carriage "79"
Black/Orange Liquid Petroleum Gas
1975 Black/White Passenger, MP, N.M. Ranger
1978 White/Blue All other types
