Sample 1923
State/City/Town 1924 Not listed 1918
Trailer 1934 5/14/23 Ch. 2328 P 5/14/1923
Taxi 1931 10/1/29 Ch. 1423 E 10/1/1929
State Police 1930 Agency began 4/2/1925
Police 1937 1/1/34
Farm 1938 4/27/37 Ch. 2541 P 4/27/1937
40/8 Voiture 1940 3/31/38 Ch. 2582 P 3/31/1938
State Official 1938
Motor Vehicle Registry [1955] 4/1/40
State 1942 4/1/40
Transporter 1946 4/26/45 Ch. 1640 P 4/26/1945
Replacement 1945 1/14/46
Unknown Types 1946
Veteran 1947 4/29/47 Ch. 1844 P 3/28/1947
National Guard 1949
National Guard M/C 1949
House/Senate 1949 1949 Ch. 2397 P 4/30/1949
Antique 1953 1953 Ch. 3236 P 6/18/1953
Bailee 1953 1953
U.S. House/Senate 1955
City/Town 1957 4/1/57
Fire Apparatus 1957 Law P 4/25/1952
Amateur Radio 1958 10/1/58 Ch. 196 P 5/16/1958
Racer Tow 1959 Ch. 2299 P 5/9/1949
In Transit 1959 7/1/59 Ch. 123 P 5/21/1959
Temporary (Cardboard) 1965 6/11/60 Ch. 33 P 4/25/1960
Personalized 1961 8/31/61 Ch. 79 P 6/6/1961
Salvation Army Ch. 5 P 2/15/1963
Civil Defense Director 1964 9/2/64 Ch. 212 P 5/7/1964
Suburban 1964 11/?/64 Ch. 214 P 5/7/1964
Emeritus UND. 1965?
News Photographer 1967 1966? Announced 11/2/1966
Camper 1967 1967 Ch. 217 P 5/31/1967
Sheriff 1973 Ch. 155 P 5/14/1969
Mayor Ch. 208 P 5/10/1974
Palestine Shrine 1974
(Personalized M/C "JUN 97" 1996 Ch. 301 P 5/22/1975)
School Bus 1976 Ch. 213 P 5/21/1975
State Police M/C UND. Pre-1977 style
Manufacturer 1977
M/C Dealer 1983 Ch. 22 P 4/17/1979
PERMITS: (Used in addition to registration plates, except boat
and snowmobile)
Dealer Operator License UND. 6/1/08 Ch. 1592 P 5/26/1908
Commercial Fishing Boat 1928 9/1/12 Ch. 852 P 5/6/1912
Trailer Permit 1924 1/1/17 Ch. 1371 P 1916
Poultry License 1941 7/1/30 Ch. 1615 P 4/25/1930
Common Carrier 1935 7/1/35 Ch. 2268 P 5/28/1935
Contract Carrier 1935 7/1/35 Ch. 2268 P 5/28/1935
Interstate Carrier 1935 7/1/35 Ch. 2268 P 5/28/1935
Dealer's/Repairer's Lic. JUL 37 7/1/36 Ch. 2371 P 5/5/1936
Volunteer Fireman Permit UND. 1940 Ch. 789 P 5/9/1939
Civilian Defense UND. 1942
Public Utilities 1955 1955
Handicapped Parking Priv. UND. 1956?
Cattle Dealer 6/30/67
Snowmobile (decal) 10/31/71 Ch. 117 P 6/24/1971
Snowmobile Dealer (decal)10/30/72 10/31/71 Ch. 117 P 6/24/1971
LETTER PREFIX KEY: (All other letters/years are passenger)
A Dealer 1904-12, S State/City/Town 1924-25,
State/City/Town 1930-56 State 1940-42
B Motorcycle 1904-08 T Taxi 1933, 1937,
L Trailer 1934-37 Transporter 1946-50
MV Motor Vehicle Registry 1940-56 V Veteran 1947-51
P Public 1922-36 X Commercial 1912-37, 1947-55
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
Numbers assumed to begin at #1 unless noted.
Numbers shown in 1964 book in [ ].
Dated 1968 bases have full-size serial dies, "RHODE ISLAND 68"
bottom right in small letters; undated 1968 bases have small
serial dies, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom left in large letters.
References to 2/4/1973 are to Providence Sunday Journal article.
1943: Windshield sticker assumed issued for all types except
Boat, Common/Contact/Interstate Carrier - new plates.
1944-50: Tab assumed issued for all types except
Boat, Common/Contract/Interstate Carrier - new plates.
Passenger colors assumed unless noted.
1951-61: Commercial, Farm, M/C, National Guard M/C, and Trailer
plates and tabs are one-year-delayed passenger colors.
1965-67: White/Black Antique, City, Dealer, Farm, Jitney,
Police, Public, State, Taxi, Town, Trailer, Veteran.
1968-79: Black/White Antique, City, Dealer, Farm, Jitney,
Public, State, Taxi, Town, Trailer, Veteran.
White/Blue Police.
Newport Mercury, 9/21/1945: 220,000 1946 tabs ordered, plus new
plates for Passenger 9,500 (S-501 - S-9999), Commercial 3,000, Farm
1,000, Trailer 1,000, Jitney 200, Public 200, Miscellaneous 100.
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
AMATEUR RADIO
Ch. 196 P 5/16/1958, applications accepted 7/9/1958, plates
issued 10/1/1958 using "58" tab on 1957 base.
Passenger design, no legend all years. No slogan 1967-72 base.
Reportedly made in CT in 1966 to accomodate 6-character calls.
1958 W1AA - W1ZZZ, K1AAA - K1ZZZ
1969 WA1AAA - WA1ZZZ (Verify 1966-68)
1977 WB1AAA - WB1ZZZ
ANTIQUE
Ch. 3236 P 6/18/1953; plates ready immediately. Began 1953.
Issued for $5 annual fee to vehicles over 25 years old.
111 registered as of 1/31/1955. 180 1957 pairs ordered.
LEGENDS: "ANTIQUE" top, "RHODE 53 ISLAND" bottom 1953-56,
"ANTIQUE" top, "RHODE ISLAND 57" bottom 1957-60,
"ANTIQUE" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom left 1961-72,
"ANTIQUE" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1973-79.
All have caricature of old car left.
1968 base undated, identical to 1961-64 base.
1953-54 98 1961-64 448
1955-56 175 1965-67 659
1957-58 185 1968-79 899
1959-60 255 1973-79 902 - 2245
BAILEE
Began 1953. (Previously issued Transporter plates.)
Lebanon (PA) Daily News, 6/11/1953: "Rhode Island has issued a
new-type license plate with the word "bailee" above the
registration numbers. Sets are issued to finance companies,
automobile repairmen or automobile painters who might be required
to re-possess vehicles. The plates are not issued to bail
bondsmen." 86 registered as of 1/31/1955. Numbers are believed
to have begun at #1001 1955-65. 600 1957 plates ordered.
LEGENDS: "BAILEE" top, "R.I. 53" bottom 1953-60,
"BAILEE" top, "R.I." bottom left 1961-63,
"R.I. 64" top, "BAILEE" bottom 1964,
"R.I." top left, "BAILEE" bottom 1965-67,
"BAILEE" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968,
"BAILEE" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1979.
1953-54 89 A 1964 1056 - 1994 White/Black
1955-56 1164 1965 1034 - 1945 Red/Blue
1957-58 1645 1965-67 646 - 2198 Black/White
1959-60 1634 1968 110 - 2000 Black/White, dated
1961-63 1364 Jun. 79 182 - 196 Black/Beige, plastic
CAMPER
Ch. 217 P 5/31/1967, E immediately. Began 1967.
LEGENDS: "CAMPER" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1967, 1972-79,
"CAMPER" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968-71.
1967-79 2 - 354 Undated
1968-79 767 - 4103 Dated "68"
1972-79 4588 - 5065 Undated, identical to 1967 base
5397 - Dated "68"
1974-79 5902 - 17211 New dies, FR
- 11199 Undated, old dies, fully reflective
CITY/TOWN
Began 4/1/1957. (Previously issued State/City/Town plates 1924-56.)
Issued to vehicles owned by the 8 cities and 31 towns in R.I.
700 City and 700 Town 1957 pairs ordered. Assumed to have been
also issued to county-owned vehicles.
LEGENDS: "CITY" or "TOWN" top, "RHODE ISLAND 57" bottom 1957-60,
"CITY" or "TOWN" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom left 1961-72,
"CITY" or "TOWN" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1973-79.
1968 base is undated, identical to 1961-64 base.
CITY TOWN
1957-58 375 669
1959-60 606
1961-64 [74] 791
1965-67 1150 1151
1968-79 1111 1439
1973-79 1269 - 2402 1503 - 2069
CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR
Ch. 212 P 5/7/1964. Began 9/2/1964.
#1 - 39 assigned, one to each of the state's municipalities in
alphabetical order (listed in RI Book).
LEGENDS: "CIVIL" over "CD" logo over "DEFENSE" left, town name
sticker and "64" sticker over "DIRECTOR" top,
"RHODE ISLAND" bottom, all in Black, Red & Blue/White.
Later versions are fully reflective.
COMMERCIAL (See Truck page)
Ch. 821 P 4/26/1912, E immediately. Began 1912.
DEALER
Ch. 1157 P 4/13/1904, E immediately. Began 1904.
Letter suffix defaulted to "A" for uniformity in tables 1918-79.
Also issued to repair businesses.
1904-08: Undated 1st issue, pairs issued, #A.53 seen, #A.104
highest listed.
1908-12: Undated 2nd issue, any number of pairs of the same
number issued, A109 - A132 plus reissued dormant
numbers seen, A108 - A134 listed.
1912-17: Undated 3rd issue, any number of pairs issued using
letter suffixes A - Z, AA - ZZ (repeaters only) and
AAA - ZZZ (repeaters only, authorized March 1915).
Numbers began at #1 A; #240 A highest seen.
1918-21: 5 pairs (A-E) issued automatically, additional pairs
available at extra cost. #1-A - 150-E (750 P) ordered
for 1918.
1921-29: Effective 7/1/1921, 1 pair (A) issued automatically,
additional pairs available at extra cost.
Highest letter suffix seen E.
1930-79: 3 pairs (A-C) issued automatically, additional pairs
available at extra cost. Highest letter suffix seen X.
524 registered as of 1/31/1955. 500 1957 sets ordered.
First 1965 issue replaced by 5/31/1965. Ch. 103 P
5/14/1968 for second 1968 issue, mandatory by 7/31/1968.
LEGENDS: No legend, "A" prefix 1904-12, letter suffix 1912-22,
"DEALER" top 1924, bottom 1926,
vertical "1931" left, vertical "DEALER" right, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom 1931, 1937,
vertical "DEALER" left, vertical "1932" right, "RHODE ISLAND" top 1932,
"DEALER" top, "R.I. 1938" bottom 1938,
"DEALER" top, "R.I. 40" bottom 1940-42, 1951, 1953-60,
"DEALER" top, "R.I." bottom left 1944-46, 1948-50, 1961-63,
"R.I. 64" top, "DEALER" bottom 1964,
"R.I." top left, "DEALER" bottom 1965-67,
"DEALER" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968-72,
Passenger design, vertical "DLR" left 1973-79.
(Verify 1923, 1925, 1927-30, 1933-36, 1939, 1946-47, 1952)
1918 1930 90-A 1942 271 A
1919 1931 249-A 1944-46 316 A
1920 111-A 1932 248-A 1946-47
1921 1933 248-A 1948-50 155 A
1922 8-A 1934 1951 284 A
1923 1935 1952
1924 279-A 1936 1953-54 452 A
1925 1937 7-A 1955-56 500 A
1926 21-A 1938 47A 1957-58 401 A
1927 1939 1959-60 318 A
1928 1940 316 A 1961-63 472 A
1929 1941 386 A
1964 418 A White/Black, dated
1965 149 A Red/Blue
1965-67 499 A Black/White
1968 35 A Black/White, pairs, dated
1968-74 596 A White/Black, singles, dated
1973-74 596 A Black/White, fully reflective
1975-79 700 A White/Green, fully reflective
Jun. 79 32 A - 628 A Black/Yellow, plastic (New Car Dealer)
122 A - 863 A Black/Orange, plastic (Used Car Dealer)
EMERITUS
One-of-a-kind plate types issued to retired state officials.
First type, Speaker Emeritus, reportedly issued January 1965
(1964 sticker). Only plate seen is undated 1973 base, passenger
design, "CHIEF/EMERITUS" screened left, #1. (Not listed 2/4/1973.)
FARM
Ch. 2541 P 4/27/1937. Began 1937 with 44 registered.
Earliest seen 1938. 2,126 registered as of 1/31/1955.
1968 base is undated, identical to 1961-64.
LEGENDS: Small serial top, large "FARM" center, "R.I. 40" bottom 1940-42, 1952-57,
small serial top, large "FARM" center, "R.I." bottom left 1944-51,
"FARM" top, "RHODE ISLAND 58" bottom 1958-61,
"FARM" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom left 1961-72,
"FARM" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1973-79.
(Verify 1937-39)
1937 1944-46 1318 1958-59 3975
1938 1946-47 2341 1960-61 3972
1939 500 1948-51 2383 1962-64 2420
1940 812 1952-53 3826 1965-67 2502
1941 657 1954-55 3916 1968-79 2522
1942 503 1956-57 3718 1973-79 2747 - 3652
FIRE APPARATUS
Law P 4/25/1952 requiring registration and a "permanent" plate.
Earliest seen 1957.
LEGENDS: "FIRE/APPARATUS" top, "R.I. 57" bottom 1957-60,
"FIRE/APPARATUS" top, "R.I." bottom left 1961-64,
"R.I." top left, "FIRE/APPARATUS" bottom 1965-72,
"FIRE APP." top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom 1973-79.
1957-60 2 - 263 White/Red, legend and number screened
1961-64 [65]- 396 Red/White, legend screened
1965-67 235 - 667 White/Red, all embossed
1968-79 15 - 734 Red/White, all embossed
1973-79 850 - 1015 Red/White, fully reflective
40/8 VOITURE
Ch. 2582 P 3/31/1938, E immediately. Began 1938. Earliest seen 1940.
Issued to locomotive parade vehicles used by La Societe Des 40 Hommes
et 8 Cheveaux. Plate number represents 1 of 7 local RI chapters
("voitures"): 252, 1109, 1122, 1127, 1144, 1166, 1188.
8 registered as of 1/31/1955. 4 1957 pairs ordered.
#252, 1109, 1144 and 1166 listed 1964. 1968 base is undated.
Only 1 registered as of 2/4/1973.
LEGENDS: "40/8" left, Rhode Island Red hen graphic inside circle center,
"V" over serial right, "R.I. 41" bottom 1941-42, 1955-58,
"40/8" left, hen graphic inside circle center,
stepped serial right, "R.I." bottom left 1961-67,
"40/8" screened left, hen graphic inside circle embossed center,
serial screened right, "R.I." bottom left 1968-72,
Passenger design, "40/8" screened left, hen graphic inside
broken circle screened center, serial screened right 1973-79.
(Verify 1938-40, 1944-54, 1959-60)
1940 V 1166 1955-56
1941 V 1122 1957-58 V 252
1942 V 1188, V 1127 1959-60
1944-46 1961-64 1144, [252]
1946-47 1965-67 1144
1948-50 1968-79 252, 1144
1951-52 V 1166 1973-79 252, 1166, 1188
1953-54
HOUSE/SENATE
Ch. 2397 P 4/30/1949; plates announced as being ready 8/19/1949.
Began 1949. Rhode Island has 75 State Representatives and 38
State Senators in 2015, but the number of seats has varied over
the years. As of 1949-64, plate number represents seat number
(and district number in Senate) as follows: House 1 - 100,
Senate 1 - 44. 63 House, 33 Senate registered as of 1/31/55.
All 100 House and 44 Senate 1957 pairs ordered.
1973 base Senate #50 also seen.
LEGENDS: "HOUSE" or "SENATE" top, "RHODE ( ) ISLAND" bottom 1949-50,
"HOUSE" or "SENATE" top, "RHODE 51 ISLAND" bottom 1951-56,
"HOUSE" or "SENATE" top, "RHODE ISLAND 57" bottom 1957-60,
"HOUSE" or "SENATE" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom left 1961-72,
"HOUSE" or "SENATE" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1973-79.
All have hand-painted gold/blue state seal left.
1967-72 base is identical to 1961-66 base.
HOUSE SENATE HOUSE SENATE
1949-50 1 12 1959-60 59 23
1951-52 99 12 1961-66 93 37
1953-54 100 24 1967-79 64 38
1955-56 94 43 1973-79 85 38, 50
1957-58 85 44
IN TRANSIT
Ch. 123 P 5/21/1959. Began 7/1/1959.
Issued to special mobile equipment.
LEGENDS: "IN-TRANSIT" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom left 1959-72,
"IN TRANSIT" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1973-79.
1959 White/Orange, all flat, 4" x 12"
1960 Black/White, screened legend, 6" x 12"
1961-64 48 -[1000] White/Orange, screened legend
1965-67 48 - 575 White/Green
1968-79 372 - 1714 Black/White, undated
1973-79 2001 - 2390 Black/White, fully reflective
JITNEY
Ch. 2221 E 7/3/1922. Began 1922. Earliest seen 1924. Issued to
municipal and commercial buses operating on fixed routes. (Issued
as a supplemental permit in addition to Public plates 1922-29.)
680 registered as of 1/31/1955. 800 1957 pairs ordered.
No 1973 bases issued due to sufficient stock of 1968 bases.
LEGENDS: Vertical "RI" left, vertical "1924" right, "JITNEY" bottom 1924,
vertical "RI" left, vertical "1932" right, "JITNEY" top 1932,
vertical "1933" left, vertical "RI" right, "JITNEY" top 1933,
vertical "1934" left, vertical "RI" right, "JITNEY" bottom 1934,
"JITNEY" top, "R.I." bottom left 1946-50, 1961-64,
"JITNEY" top, "R.I. 53" bottom 1953-60,
"R.I." top left, "JITNEY" bottom 1965-67,
"JITNEY" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968-79.
(Verify 1922-23, 1925-31, 1935-46, 1951-52)
1922 1933 298 1946-47 741
1923 1934 J-300 1948-50 971
1924 241* 1935 1951
1925 1936 1952
1926 1937 1953-54 780
1927 1938 1955-56 775
1928 1939 1957-58 943
1929 1940 1959-60 1202
1930 1941 1961-64 [1800]
1931 1942 1965-67 1074
1932 57 1944-46 1968-79 1769
MANUFACTURER
Earliest seen 1977. (Not listed 2/4/1973.)
Passenger design, vertical "MFG" left 1977-79, #1 - 70.
MAYOR
Ch. 208 P 5/10/1974, E immediately. None seen.
(Since at least 1947, Providence Mayor assigned passenger plate
#10000. By 1964, mayors of Warwick, Cranston and Newport were
being issued #20000, 30000 and 40000.)
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 1157 P 4/13/1904, E immediately. Began 1904.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER
Ch. 22 P 4/17/1979, E 7/1/1979. Earliest seen 1983.
MOTORCYCLE WITH SIDECAR (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 1354 P 3/29/1916, E 4/10/1916, but passenger plates issued
1916-17. Began 1918. Pairs 1918-21, unlike Motorcycle plates.
Discontinued 7/1/1921; replaced by Motorcycle plates.
MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY
Began 1940. Earliest seen 1955 chart.
Newport Mercury, 3/15/1940: "Mr. Beane has announced that after
April 1 investigators in the registry of motor vehicles will have
distinct registration plates on their automobiles. A new plate
for the investigators has been designed. It will carry the letters
MV with the departmental registration number following the letters."
Issued to Registrar, Deputy Registrar and Registry inspectors.
27 registered as of 1/31/1955.
In 1964, numbers 1 - 46, 600 and 650 were assigned.
1970 is fully reflective.
LEGENDS: No legend, "MV" prefix 1940-56,
"REGISTRY M.V." top 1959-64,
"REGISTRY" top, "MOTOR/VEHICLES" left, large "RHODE ISLAND" bottom 1967,
Passenger design, "MOTOR VEHICLE/REGISTRY" left 1970-79.
(Verify 1940-47, 1957-58, 1965-66, 1968-69)
Also seen: 1973 base "REGISTRAR", no serial, and 1973 base
full-size "MV" followed by small "REGISTRAR".
1940 1948-50 1959-60 16
1941 1951-52 1961-64 [46]
1942 1953-54 1967 4
1944-46 1955-56 [MV000] 1970 45
1946-47 1957-58 1 1973-79 53
NATIONAL GUARD
Earliest seen 1949 in Providence Journal 2/?/1950 news article.
Issued only to State National Guard officers.
14 registered as of 1/31/1955.
1955 dated plate shown on DMV chart. 30 1957 pairs ordered.
LEGENDS: "NAT'L/GUARD" left, "R.I. 55" bottom 1955-56,
"NAT'L/GUARD" right, "RHODE ISLAND" top left 1961-64,
Passenger design, "NAT'L/GUARD" left 1973-79.
(Verify 1949-54, 1957-60, 1965-72)
1957 1
1961-64 3 White/Black
1974 6 Black/White, old dies, fully reflective
NATIONAL GUARD MOTORCYCLE
Earliest seen 1949 in Providence Journal 2/?/1950 news article.
Issued only to State National Guard officers.
Motorcycle design, "NAT'L/GUARD" left 1954-55, 1958-59, 1962-64.
(Verify 1949-53, 1956-57, 1960-61)
Last seen 1964 AAMVA book. Discontinued by 2/4/1973.
1958 2
1962-64 [1]
NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER
Announced 11/2/1966, but issuance date uncertain.
Earliest seen 1967-79, passenger design, "NEWS/PHOTOG" left.
1967-79 29
1973-79 38 - 44
PALESTINE SHRINE
Earliest seen 1974. (Not listed 2/4/1973.)
The Palestine Temple of Shriners is based in Providence.
Two 1973 bases seen, both passenger design:
A. 1974, #1, small screened "PALESTINE" above and "SHRINE" below screened number.
B. 1986, #5, large screened "PALESTINE/SHRINE" left.
PERSONALIZED
Ch. 79 P 6/6/1961. (Pre-vanities #CDS-1 and LDS-1 issued 1/3/1961
to departing Governor and his wife.) Termed "courtesy", plates
began 8/31/1961 with 2-4 letters only for $10 extra annual fee; 5
letters added 1963, 6 letters added 1967. In 1968, numbers 1 - 9
allowed after 3-5 letters, expanded 1969 to numbers 10 - 999
after 3-5 letters as long as total characters didn't exceed six.
Passenger design all years; no slogan on 1967 base.
Fully reflectorized plates began 11/27/1968 for this type only.
PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 301 P 5/22/1975 permitting the Registrar the option of issuing
"courtesy" plates to motorcycles. However, none were ever issued
until February 1996, after a new law requiring their issuance was
signed by the Governor 6/20/1995.
POLICE
Began 1934. Earliest seen 1937. Plates ordered 7/12/1933,
announced 9/1/1933 to begin issuance 1/1/1934.
261 registered as of 1/31/1955. 300 1957 pairs ordered.
1968 base undated, White/Blue.
LEGENDS: "POLICE" top 1937,
"POLICE" top, "RHODE ISLAND 39" bottom 1939,
"POLICE" top, "R.I." bottom left 1946-50,
"POLICE" top, "R.I. 53" bottom 1953-56,
"POLICE" top, "RHODE ISLAND 59" bottom 1959-60,
"POLICE" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom left 1961-72,
Passenger design, "POLICE" left 1973-79.
(Verify 1934-36, 1938, 1940-46, 1951-52, 1957-58)
1934 1942 1957-58 1
1935 1944-46 1959-60 127
1936 1946-47 140 1961-64 [305]
1937 O-380 1948-50 165 1965-67 804
1938 1951 256 1968-79 582
1939 O-1 1952 1973-79 925 -
1940 1953-54 256
1941 1955-56 104
PUBLIC
Began 7/1/1921. Earliest seen 1922. Issued to vehicles used for
transportation of passengers for hire.
921 registered as of 1/31/1955. 800 1957 pairs ordered.
LEGENDS: No legend, "P" prefix 1922-36,
"PUBLIC" top, "R.I. 42" bottom 1942, 1951, 1955-58,
"PUBLIC" top, "R.I." bottom left 1948-50, 1961-64,
"R.I." top left, "PUBLIC" bottom 1965-67,
"PUBLIC" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968-72,
"PUBLIC" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1973-79.
(Verify 1937-41, 1944-47, 1952-54, 1959-60)
1921 1933 1948-50 767
1922 P-351 1934 P-140 1951 530
1923 1935 P-177 1952
1924 P-2-370* 1936 P-177 1953-54 22
1925 1937 P-177 1955-56 737
1926 P-241 1938 96 1957-58 192
1927 1939 476 1959-60 397
1928 P-1-428 1940 24 1961-64 [900]
1929 1941 1965-67 315
1930 P-1-428 1942 155 1968-79 1200
1931 P-630 1944-46 24 1973-79 1561 - 1781
1932 P-548 1946-47 530
RACER TOW
Ch. 2299 P 5/9/1949, E immediately. Earliest seen 1959.
Not listed 1950, 1955. Numbers 101 - 200 assigned in 1964.
LEGENDS: "RHODE ISLAND 59" top, "RACER-TOW" bottom 1959-60,
"RACER-TOW" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom left 1961-64,
"RACER TOW" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom left 1965-72,
Passenger design, vertical "RACER" followed by vertical "TOW" left 1973-79.
Legend screened all years except 1968 base, which is on a sticker.
1959-60 101 - White/Orange
1961-64 137 - 257 White/Yellow
1965-67 108 - 118 Black/Yellow
1968-79 59 - 185 Black/White
16 Black/White FR
1973-79 302 - 377 Black/White FR, vertical legend
REPLACEMENT (See Passenger page)
Began 1/14/1946 using 1945 tabs on undated 1944 bases.
Passenger design all years. Discontinued 1967.
SALVATION ARMY
Ch. 5 P 2/15/1963, E immediately. None seen.
Section 1: "No registration fee shall be required to be paid
for the registration of the motor propelled emergency canteen
vehicle owned by the Salvation Army of Providence."
ALPCA April 1964: William Wood #159 reported "Salvation Army
plate with two Red Shields on either side of the number 1."
2/4/1973: "One-of-a-kind plate issued to a Salvation Army
vehicle."
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1923. 1963, 1965-66 have smaller letters; plates
with full-size letters are personalized, as are 1970 with no
slogan. No sample stickers seen.
1923-37 00-000
1938 000
1939 A-0, A-0000, C-0, C-0000, R-00
1940 B-0000
1941 A-0, E-000, F-000, G-00, H-000, J-00, R-000, S-0
1942 00, A-0, J-0000, L-00, M-00, R-00, W-0
1944-46 G-0000, H-0, H-000, N-000, N-0000
1946-47 C 0, F 00, L 00, O 0000, W 0, W 000
1948-50 B 000 (also seen with C,M,N,O,R,S,W), D0000
1951-52 B0000, G 00, L 00, L 000, R 00, R 000, S 00, S 000
1953-54 B0000
1955-56 0000, K 000 (000, B 000 reported)
1957-61 0000
1959 0
1962-66 SP000
1967-71 SP000, SP-000
1972-79 00-000
SCHOOL BUS
Ch. 213 P 5/21/1975, E immediately. Earliest seen 1976.
"SCHOOL BUS" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1976-79.
1976-79 405 - 1895
SHERIFF
Ch. 155 P 5/14/1969, E immediately. Earliest seen 1973.
(Not listed 2/4/1973.) Only #1 - 9 authorized by law.
"SHERIFF" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1973-79.
1973 11 Black/White (1967 dies)
1973-79 4 White/Blue
STATE/CITY/TOWN
Earliest seen 1924. (Not listed 1918.) Issued to State, City
and Town vehicles 1924-39, City and Town vehicles 1940-56.
Assumed to have also been issued to county-owned vehicles.
Discontinued 1957; replaced by City and Town.
Passenger design, "S" prefix 1924-25, "A" prefix 1930-56.
"A" seen in 12/?/29 Providence Journal photo. Full-size "A" with
hyphen 1938, unlike passenger. 1,841 registered as of 1/31/1955.
1924 S-498 1933 A-408 1942
1925 S-126 1934 A-425 1944-46 A-764
1926 1935 1946-47 A 71
1927 1936 1948-50 A 409
1928 1937 A-211 1951 A 783
1929 1938 A-645 1952?
1930 A-309 1939 1953-54 A1079
1931 1940 1955-56
1932 A-444 1941
STATE
Began 1940. Earliest seen 1942.
(Previously issued State/City/Town plates 1924-39.)
999 1957 pairs ordered.
Newport Mercury, 3/15/1940: "Mr. Beane said that all A plates
will be assigned to city and town-owned cars, and all S plates
will be assigned to state-owned cars including trucks."
Newport Mercury, 4/14/1944: "As a matter of fact, state cars
were registered S101 and up while the first 100 "S" plates went
on private cars. This year, however, all "S" plates have been
distributed generally and special "STATE" plates have been
assigned to state-owned vehicles."
LEGENDS: No legend, "S" prefix 1940-42,
"STATE" legend began 1944,
"STATE" top, "R.I. 51" bottom 1951, 1953-60,
"STATE" top, "R.I." bottom left 1961-64,
"R.I." top left, "STATE" bottom 1965-67,
"STATE" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968-72,
"STATE" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1973-79.
(Verify 1940-41, 1944-50, 1952)
1940 1951 100 1961-64 [1500]
1941 1952 1965-67 1616
1942 S-780 1953-54 64 1968-79 1800
1944-46 1955-56 160 1973-79
1946-47 1957-58 829
1948-50 1959-60 264
STATE OFFICIAL
Earliest seen 1938.
Passenger design all years except 1946-47 which is in 1944-46
design. #1 has two state seals flanking number, others have one
state seal at left. Starting July 1965, #2 - #5 also have two
seals. All seals are hand-painted gold/blue except 1959 #1.
#6 and #7 discontinued, last seen 1957, listed 1964.
Numbers seen: #1 1938-79, #2 1957-79, #3 1946-79, #4 1973-79,
#5 1939, #6 1957-58, #7 1955-79
Number assignments (may have varied over the years):
#1 = Governor #5 = General Treasurer
#2 = Lieutenant Governor #6 = Speaker of the House
#3 = Secretary of State #7 = Senate President Pro-Tem
#4 = Attorney General
STATE POLICE
Agency formed 4/2/1925. Earliest seen 1930.
77 registered as of 1/31/1955. 100 1957 pairs ordered.
1961-62 is fully reflective.
LEGENDS: "RHODE ISLAND" top, "STATE POLICE" bottom, "19" left, "30" right 1930, 1932, 1937-38, 1951, 1953-56,
"RHODE ISLAND" top, "STATE POLICE" bottom 1961-62,
"RHODE ISLAND" top left, "STATE/POLICE" left 1963-72,
Passenger design, "STATE/POLICE" left 1973-79.
(Verify 1931, 1933-36, 1939-50, 1952, 1957-60)
1930 42 1939 1953-54 50
1931 1940 1955-56
1932 30 1941 1957-58 1
1933 1942 1959-60
1934 1944-46 1961-62 76 Black/Red
1935 1946-47 1963-64 [48] Black/White
1936 1948-50 1965-79 116 White/Black
1937 98 1951 78 1973-79 134 White/Black
1938 1952
STATE POLICE MOTORCYCLE
(Not listed 2/4/1973, but neither is State Police.)
Non-reflective base reported, which would pre-date 1977.
Black/White, fully reflective, Motorcycle design, "STATE/POLICE"
left. It has been suggested that these were unissued errors, as
the colors should have been White/Black.
UND. 3 - 20
SUBURBAN
Ch. 214 P 5/7/1964. Began 11/?/1964. Issued to station wagons.
LEGENDS: "SUBURBAN" top, "R.I." bottom left 1964-67,
"SUBURBAN" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968-72,
Passenger design, vertical "SUB" left 1973-79.
1964 239
1965-67 726 White/Black, SUBURBAN top
(3 - 1616 seen with SUBURBAN bottom, all unissued)
1968-79 1977 Dated "68"
3120 Undated
1973-79 4633 (Also, dormant numbers)
TAXI
Ch. 1423 E 10/1/1929. Issuance began by 9/26/1929.
Earliest seen 1931. Issued to vehicles carrying 7 or less
persons which can be solicited for hire.
317 registered as of 1/31/1955. 600 1957 pairs ordered.
No 1973 bases issued due to sufficient stock of 1968 bases.
LEGENDS: Vertical "1931" left, vertical "RI" right, "TAXICAB" bottom 1931,
no legend, "T" prefix 1933,
vertical "RI" left, vertical "1935" right, "TAXICAB" bottom 1935,
vertical "RI" left, vertical "1936" right, "TAXICAB" top 1936,
vertical 1937 left, vertical "RI" right, "T" prefix 1937,
"TAXI" top, "R.I. 41" bottom 1941, 1953-56,
"TAXI" top, "R.I." bottom left 1961-67,
"TAXI" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968-79.
(Verify 1929-30, 1932, 1934, 1938-40, 1942-52, 1957-60)
1929 1938 1952
1930 1939 1953-54 583
1931 28 1940 1955-56 541
1932 1941 284 1957-58
1933 T-36 1942 1959-60
1934 1944-46 367 1961-64 [489]
1935 T-79 1946-47 1965-67 460
1936 T-79 1948-50 1968-79 716
1937 T-78 1951
TEMPORARY (Cardboard)
Ch. 33 P 4/25/1960. Began 6/11/1960 as 10 Day Temporary; changed
to 20 Day 5/6/1963. Called "Special Use Indentification Tags",
issued by dealers only to non-residents until 5/6/1976, after
which this type became much more common.
TOWN (See City/Town)
TRAILER
Ch. 2328 P 5/14/23, E immediately, requiring the registration of
all trailers, not just those previously needing Trailer Permits.
It is believed that Trailer plates began in mid-1923.
Although there is no direct evidence, it is assumed that 1934-37
L-prefix plates are Trailer plates.
All 1944-46 bases are new plates, not restamped 1942 plates.
1948 tabs are M/C size. #10200 reached in 1953.
Hyphen dropped 1954. 10,766 registered as of 1/31/1955.
1955 >#13000 reported as undated.
LEGENDS: No legend, "L" prefix 1934, 1936-37,
vertical "TRAILER" left, vertical "1938" right, "R.I." bottom 1938,
vertical "TRAILER" left, vertical "1939" right, "R.I." top 1939,
"TRAILER" top, "R.I. 40" bottom 1940-42, 1952-61,
"TRAILER" top, "R.I." bottom left 1944-51, 1962-64,
"R.I." top left, "TRAILER" bottom 1965-67,
"TRAILER" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968-71,
"TRAILER" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1972-78,
Passenger design, vertical "TRL" left 1979.
(Verify 1923-33, 1935)
1923 1933 1944-46 3197
1924 1934 L-170 1946-47 762
1925 1935 1948-51 7-345
1926 1936 L-162 1952-53 9-577
1927 1937 L-444 1954-55 15331
1928 1938 364 1956-57 17734
1929 1939 387 1958-59 18918
1930 1940 1016 1960-61 23458
1931 1941 430 1962-64 35056
1932 1942 1547 1965-67 38592
1968-79 BASE (After #99999, dormant numbers reissued)
1968 Type 1: Dated "68", sticker box 6 - 43725(43,720)
1972 Type 2: Undated, no sticker box 46308 - 61605(15,298)
1974 Type 3: As Type 2, but FR 62826 - 79107(16,282)
1974 Type 4: Undated, new dies, "TRAILER" 80500 - 86690 (6,191)
1978 Type 5: As Type 4, but bright white 91084 - 99999 (8,916)
1978 Type 5a 11130 - 12705 (dorm.)
1979 Type 6: As Type 5, but vertical "TRL" 15274 - 21859 (dorm.)
1979 Type 5b 22757 - 30488 (dorm.)
TRANSPORTERCh. 1640 P 4/26/1945, E immediately, requiring a special series
of plates to be issued to vehicle repairers, body manufacturers
and repossessors. Discontinued 1953; replaced by Bailee.
No legend, small "T" prefix, small letter suffix 1946-50.
1945-46
1946-47 T 53 B
1948-50 (T 43 A shown in Providence Journal 2/?/1950 article)
1951-52
Ch. 189 P 5/23/1966, providing for a special plate for businesses
delivering vehicles for the purposes of testing, sale, repair or
repossession. Rebegan 1966; Bailee continued to be issued also.
"TRANSPORTER" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center all years.
1966-67
1968 578 TR - 1175 TR Black/White, undated (1972 st.?)
1968-79 103 TR White/Black, undated
1976-79 1224 TR - 1637 TR Black/White, new dies, fully refl.
1977-79 1223 TR - 1426 TR Black/White, old dies, fully refl.
Jun. 79 117 - 749 Black/Beige, plastic
UNITED STATES HOUSE/SENATE
Earliest seen 1955. (Not issued as of 1949.) Since 1933, Rhode
Island has always had 2 U.S. Representatives and 2 U.S. Senators.
Longer plate issued 1955-56.
Screened "A" suffix seen 1971 for second vehicle.
LEGENDS: "U.S. HOUSE" or "U.S. SENATE" top all years.
UNKNOWN TYPES
All passenger design with 1946 tabs.
1944-46 #WFCI (White/Black, commercial radio station)
1944-46 #VS (White/Dark Green, state seal prefix)
1946-47 #PAROLE/BOARD (Black/Silver, steel, state seal prefix)
VETERAN
Ch. 1844 P 3/28/1947. Began 4/29/1947.
274 registered as of 1/31/1955. 325 1957 pairs ordered.
LEGENDS: No legend, "V" prefix 1947-51,
"VETERAN" top, "R.I. 52" bottom 1952-58,
"VETERAN" top, "R.I." bottom left 1961-64,
"R.I." top left, "VETERAN" bottom 1965-67,
"VETERAN" top, "( ) RHODE ISLAND 68" bottom 1968-72,
"VETERAN" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom center 1973-79.
(Verify 1959-60)
1947 V 5 1955-56 300 1965-67 380
1948-50 (V) 1957-58 262 1968-79 450 Dated
1951 (V) 1959-60 506 Undated
1952 59 1961-64 [283] 1973-79 44
1953-54 192
PERMITS:
CATTLE DEALER
Only seen expire 6/30/1967, Black/White,
"STATE OF RHODE ISLAND/CATTLE DEALER" top,
"EXPIRES JUNE 30, 1967" bottom, #16.
Not in effect yet as of 4/17/1957, when Governor vetoed a bill
passed by the House and Senate, requiring cattle dealers to
obtain an annual license.
CIVILIAN DEFENSEA. Issued by State Council of Defense to its officials around the
state, according to Newport Mercury and Weekly News 4/10/1942.
Undated, flat, Blue and Red/White, "CIVILIAN" top in reverse-
color red box, "DEFENSE" bottom in reverse-color blue box,
state shield above vertical "RI" left (red) and right (blue),
"MADE BY WPA" stamped in LR corner, #211 - 480.
B. 1957-style base known with (added?) "R.I." and standard 1950
tab bottom, state seal left, "CD" logo center above what
appears to be the word "RADIO", and "LINCOLN/R.I." right,
all in Blue, Red & Black/White. No serial number.
COMMERCIAL FISHING BOAT
Ch. 852 P 5/6/1912, E 9/1/1912. Earliest seen 1928.
Section 7: "The commissioners of shell fisheries shall provide
a number for each boat licensed by them and the same shall be
displayed upon all boats licensed, in such manner as the
commissioners may direct."
Issued singly by Commissioners of Shell Fisheries.
2,000 produced and issued 1953/54. Discontinued 1981.
MATERIAL: Canvas 1912, metal 1928-77, plastic 1978/79 - 80/81.
SIZES: Small size 1928-74, 1978/79 - 80/81, full size 1975-77.
1975 has small number dies.
LEGENDS: "R.I. 1928" bottom 1928,
"EXPIRES AUG.31,29" bottom 1929-47, same with comma omitted 1950-61,
"EXPIRE SEPT.30 64" bottom 1964-74,
"RHODE ISLAND" bottom, undated 1975,
"COMMERCIAL" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom, undated 1976-77,
"SHELLFISH" top, "RHODE ISLAND" bottom, "78" left, "79" right 1978/79 - 79/80,
stickers 1980/81.
No state name 1929-74.
BORDER: Dropped between 1942 and 1946; re-added between 1959 and 1961.
DATES: 1967, 1973 are dated; 1969-72, 1974 are undated with
stickers but believed to be annual. 1975-77 are
undated but assumed to be attributed to those years.
1975 #783 in envelope postmarked 2/24/1976.
COLORS: White/Black odd years 1929-41, even years 1946-76,
Black/White even years 1928-42, odd years 1947-77,
(Fully reflective 1975, non-reflective 1976-77)
Stickers: 1969 Black/Red, 1970 Black/Yellow,
1971 Black/White, 1974 Passenger sticker.
(Verify 1944-45, 1948-49, 1960, 1968, 1977/78)
1928 358 1942 33 1956 1698 1970
1929 392 1943 504 1957 1312 1971
1930 376 1944 10 1958 1972 624
1931 484 1945 10 1959 237 1973 550
1932 1946 264 1960 1974 420
1933 1947 4 1961 1100 1975 1155
1934 1948 1962 1976 1183
1935 1949 75 1963 1977 1535
1936 1950 125 1964 1046 1977/78
1937 415 1951 467 1965 1978/79 2823
1938 1952 466 1966 837 1979/80 344
1939 272 1953 1074 1967 868 1980/81 sticker
1940 1954 681 1968
1941 1955 426 1969 53
COMMON/CONTRACT/INTERSTATE CARRIER
Ch. 2268 P 5/28/1935, E 7/1/1935, mandatory by 10/1/1935.
Issued by Division of Public Utilities.
Discontinued 1955; replaced by Public Utilities.
Large size 1935, small size 1936-54.
LEGENDS (using COMMON as example):
Vertical "RI" left, vertical "1935" right, "COMMON/CARRIER" bottom 1935,
"1936 R.I." top, "COMMON/CARRIER" bottom 1936,
"R.I. 39" top, "COMMON/CARRIER" bottom 1939-44, 1947-48,
"COMMON CARRIER" top, "R.I. 45" bottom 1945, 1949-54.
(Verify 1937-38, 1946)
COMMON CONTRACT INTERSTATE
1935 White/Green 1-152 - 1-404
1936 White/Red 1-893 -
1937 White/Green 2-399 - 139 -
1938 White/Red 57 -
1939 White/Green 3222 - 5688
1940 Black/Orange 1160 - 4704
1941 White/Green 343 - 7964
1942 Black/Orange 1532 - 4395
1943 White/Green 2669 - 5883
1944 Black/Orange 4180 - 5396
1945 White/Green 7 - 2983 5888 -
1946 Black/Orange 1724 -
1947 White/Green 2798 - 1885 -
1948 Black/Orange 33 - 1 - 8694
1949 White/Green 1734 - 2533 371 - 7877
1950 Black/Orange 1969 - 3393 2287 - 13249
1951 Orange/Black 2545 - 2031 - 13940
1952 Black/Orange 2264 - 14800
1953 Orange/Black 2906 - 3058 3272 - 13984
1954 Black/Orange 3408 - 2007 - 14956
DEALER OPERATOR LICENSE
Ch. 1592 P 5/26/1908. Began 6/1/1908. Anyone driving a Dealer's
or Manufacturer's car was required to display their operator's
license number in addition to the Dealer plate.
All are 4 1/2" x 12", smaller than regular plates, but the same
size as 1912-17 plates. Undated, White/Black, no legend or "RI".
D.718 - D.1380
DEALER'S/REPAIRER'S LICENSE
Ch. 2371 P 5/5/1936. Began 7/1/1936, expire 7/1/1937, according
to Newport 11/13/1936 news article. Business license ($25 fee)
to be mounted at place of business of dealership (or dealers who
were also in the business of repairing vehicles); mandatory before
being issued Dealer plates. Last seen expire 7/1/1940.
LEGENDS: "DEALER'S LICENSE" or "REPAIRER'S LICENSE" top,
"EXP. JULY 1, 1937" bottom, no state name 1937-40.
EXP. DEALER'S LICENSE REPAIRER'S LICENSE
JULY 1, 1937 White/Green 1016 -
JULY 1, 1938 Black/Silver 417 - White/Red 1016 -
JULY 1, 1939 White/Green 1155 - 1160
JULY 1, 1940 Black/Yellow 1103 - 1393
HANDICAPPED PARKING PRIVILEGEBegan 5/29/1947 with windshield stickers. By 1956, undated,
flat, numbered attachment plates were issued.
"PARKING PRIVILEGE" arched top,
"EXTENDED BY LAW/R.I. REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES" bottom, #82.
POULTRY LICENSECh. 1615 P 4/25/1930, E 7/1/1930. Earliest seen 1941.
"R.I. DEPT. of AGRICULTURE/AND CONSERVATION/POULTRY LICENSE" top,
"EXPIRES DEC 31, 1941" bottom 1941, 1946, 1953, 1966-67.
(Date changed to "MAR 31" by 1946.) Pairs issued.
Some 1966 have "BONDED" sideways left. Last seen 3/31/1967.
DEC 31, 1941 7
MAR 31, 1946 134
MAR 31, 1953 89
MAR 31, 1966 41 Black/White
MAR 31, 1967 1 White/Black
PUBLIC UTILITIESBegan 1955. (Previously issued Common, Contract and Interstate
Carrier plates 1935-54.) Issued by Division of Public Utilities.
Motorcycle size, "PUBLIC UTILITIES" top, "R.I. 55" bottom 1955-71.
Discontinued 1972. CT, ME and MA Interstate also last seen 1971.
1955 Orange/Black 6700 - 29682 1964 Black/Orange 9513 - 41593
1956 Blue/White 36 - 29150 1965 White/Green 3504 - 43420
1957 White/Green 6365 - 30355 1966 Black/Yellow 2578 - 61300
1958 Black/Orange 1897 - 33480 1967 Black/Orange 1850 - 69883
1959 Blue/White 2164 - 32571 1968 Black/Yellow 3924 - 70517
1960 Yellow/Blue 7029 - 32172 1969 Black/Orange 5407 - 72549
1961 Black/White 3838 - 9916 1970 White/Green 276 - 61978
1962 Black/Orange 3967 - 40869 1971 White/Black 5 - 56291
1963 White/Green 6642 - 34986
SNOWMOBILE (Decal)
Ch. 117 P 6/24/1971, E 10/31/1971. None seen.
Black/Yellow 4" x 7" decal issued by Department of Natural
Resources for $10 annual fee, expire 10/30/1972.
Small Black/Yellow year decals issued to revalidate larger decal
starting "10/30/73".
SNOWMOBILE DEALER (Decal)
Ch. 117 P 6/24/1971, E 10/31/1971. Began "10/30/72".
Black/Yellow 4" x 7" decal (#005D seen) issued by Department of
Natural Resources for $25 annual fee, expire 10/30/1972.
Small Black/Yellow year decals issued to revalidate larger decal
starting "10/30/73". Fee for snowmobile manufacturers was $100
but it is believed none were ever registered.
TRAILER PERMIT
Ch. 1371 P 1916, E 1/1/1917. Only seen 1924.
Single annual plate to be displayed on front of towing vehicle
(along with its own plates) on vehicle/trailer combinations over
2 tons, or maybe 1 ton as specified in later section of the law.
100 plates ordered for 1918. Discontinued 1924.
Many 1924 plates found (possibly unissued) including #TP-1 and #TP-7.
It is believed that 1924 plates had already been ordered and produced
(contract signed 4/11/1923), but that they were rendered obsolete by
a new law passed 5/14/1923 requiring all trailers to be registered,
regardless of weight. Motorcycle size, no legend, "TP" prefix 1924.
1917 1920 1923
1918 1921 1924 TP-88
1919 1922
VOLUNTEER FIREMAN PERMIT
Ch. 789 P 5/9/1939, but plates began 1940.
Undated, embossed, numbered pairs of attachment plates with "V F"
designation, no state name. "VF" top Type 1, "V" left, fireman's hat
above serial center, "F" right Types 2-3.
(1940) Type 1 - White/Red, no hat 378 - 2263
(By 1949) Type 2 - White/Red, hat 125 - 2941
(1955 or 56) Type 3 - Red/White, hat 45 - 3845
