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Vehicle registration plates of Alaska

Summary

Alaska first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1921, while still an organized incorporated territory of the United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 49th state in January 1959.

Alaska
Current Last Frontier license plate
Current series
SloganLast Frontier plate:
The Last Frontier
Bear plate:
none
Artistic License plate:
Alaska Artistic License
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC 123
IntroducedLast Frontier: July 2005 (2005-07) (issued continuously since January 1, 2010)
Bear: May 2015 (2015-05)
Artistic License: July 2018 (2018-07)
Availability
Issued byAlaska Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles
Manufactured byIrwin-Hodson Company, Portland, Oregon
History
First issuedMay 21, 1921 (1921-05-21)
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As of 2023, plates are issued by the Alaska Department of Administration through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required for standard passenger vehicles since August 11, 2022.[1] On vehicles with two license plates, only the rear plate is required to be stickered.[2]

Passenger baseplates edit

1921 to 1952 edit

No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.

Image Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1921 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top, "AUTO LICENSE" at bottom and vertical "1921" at left and right 123 1 to approximately 350
  1922 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1922" at bottom right 123 1 to approximately 500
  1923 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1923" at bottom right 123 1 to approximately 850
  1924 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1924" at bottom right 123 1 to approximately 999
  1925 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1925" at bottom right 1234 0001 to approximately 1200
  1926 Embossed black serial on green plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1926" at bottom right 123 1 to approximately 999
  1927 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1927" at bottom right 1234 101 to approximately 1250
  1928 Embossed red serial on light yellow plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1928" at bottom right 1234 101 to approximately 1350
  1929 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1929" at bottom right 1234 101 to approximately 1600
  1930 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1930" at bottom right 1234 101 to approximately 1800
  1931 Embossed black serial on gray plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1931" at bottom right 1234 1 to approximately 2000
  1932 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "ALASKA – 1932" at bottom 1234 301 to approximately 3100
  1933 Embossed white serial on red plate; "ALASKA – 1933" at bottom 1234 301 to approximately 3000
  1934 Embossed white serial on green plate; "ALASKA – 1934" at bottom 1234 101 to approximately 3200
  1935 Embossed black serial on orange plate; "ALASKA – 1935" at bottom 1234 101 to approximately 3100
  1936 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "ALASKA – 1936" at bottom 1234 1001 to approximately 4300
  1937 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA – 1937" at bottom 1234 1001 to approximately 4300
  1938 Embossed red serial on white plate; "ALASKA – 1938" at bottom 1234 1001 to approximately 5200
  1939 Embossed black serial on silver plate; "ALASKA – 1939" at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 4800
  1940 Embossed black serial on orange plate; "ALASKA – 1940" at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 5200
  1941 Embossed white serial on green plate; "ALASKA – 1941" at bottom 1234 1 to 6000;
7001 to approximately 7900 		Serials 6001 through 7000 reserved for vehicles for hire.[3]
  1942 Embossed black serial on white plate; "ALASKA – 1942" at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 7900
  1943–44 Embossed white serial on blue plate; "ALASKA – 1943" at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 7800 Revalidated for 1944 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
  1945 White serial on green fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1945" centered at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 7800 Fiberboard plates manufactured due to ongoing metal shortage; this continued until 1948.
  1946 White serial on maroon fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1946" centered at top 1234 1 to approximately 8300
  1947 Yellow serial on dark blue fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1947" centered at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 11300
  1948 Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1948" at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 15000
  1949 Embossed blue serial on white plate; blue lines at top and bottom borders; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1949" at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 20000
  1950 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1950" at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 26500
  1951 Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1951" at top 12345 1 to approximately 35000
  1952 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1952" at top 12345 1 to approximately 35000

1953 to present edit

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[4] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Alaska license plate that complied with these standards.

All plates issued since 1981 remain valid with proper validation.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
 
  		1953–55 Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "53" at top right none 12345 1 to approximately 96000 Revalidated for 1954 with white tabs, and for 1955 with black tabs.
  1956–57 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "56" at top right none 12345 1 to approximately 63000 First 6" x 12" plate. Revalidated for 1957 with red tabs.
  1958–59 Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial/state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "58" at top right none 12345 1 to approximately 74000 Revalidated for 1959 with white tabs.
  1960–61 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "60" at top right none 12345 1 to approximately 93000 Revalidated for 1961 with blue tabs.
  1962–65 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at bottom; "62" at bottom right none 12345 1 to 99999 Revalidated for 1963 with blue tabs, and for 1964 and 1965 with stickers.
A-1234 A-1000 to approximately E-3250
  1966–67 Embossed yellow serial on blue plate with border line; embossed eagle totem pole graphic at left; stylized "ALASKA" centered at top; yellow box at top right containing debossed "66" "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom, with "1867" to the left and "1967" to the right 12345 1 to 99999 Commemorated the centennial of the Alaska Purchase. Revalidated for 1967 with stickers.
  1968–69 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; blue box at top right containing debossed "68" "THE GREAT LAND" centered at bottom 12345 1 to 99999 Revalidated for 1969 with stickers.
B1234 B1000 to approximately B7250
  1970 Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA–U.S.A." centered at top; blue box at top right containing debossed "70" "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom 12345 1 to 99999 All plates were valid without stickers until the end of the year of issue, then revalidated with stickers until the end of 1975.
A1234 A1 to approximately A5200
  1971 As above, but with additional blue box at top left containing debossed "71" B1 to approximately E1100
  1972–73 As above, but with box at top right containing debossed "72" instead of "70" G1 to G9999; K1 to approximately M9999
  (1973) Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate; border line around plate and around revalidation sticker spot at top left; embossed state flag in the center; "ALASKA" centered at top; "73" at top right none ABC 123 AAA 100 to AAD 999 Not issued; considered prototypes (see 1973 plate controversy section below).
  1974 As 1970–73 plates, but with "ALASKA" centered at top, border line around revalidation sticker spot at top left, and "74" at top right "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom AB 123 AA 100 to DB 699 Letter Q not used in this serial format.[3]
  1975 As above, but with "75" at top right DB 700 to ED 999
  1976–81 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; standing brown Kodiak bear screened in the center, with pale brown mountain and forest landscape in the background; "ALASKA" embossed in red centered at top none ABC 123 AAA 100 to ASZ 999 Letters I, O and Q not used in this serial format.[3]
  1981–97 Embossed blue serial on reflective golden yellow plate; screened state flag in the center; "ALASKA" screened in blue centered at top; indented top corners for revalidation stickers "The Last Frontier" screened in blue centered at bottom ABC 123 BAA 100 to CZZ 999; DFA 100 to DJX 999 Series DAA through DEZ reserved for Disabled Veteran plates.[5]
  1997 – October 2004 Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate featuring a blue sky, yellow rising sun, white mountains fading to golden yellow at the bottom, and black silhouettes of gold prospectors from the top center to the bottom left; "ALASKA" screened in golden yellow centered at top, with mining equipment for the second 'A' "Gold Rush" screened in golden yellow below state name and "Centennial" in black at bottom, both offset to right ABC 123 DJY 100 to ERT 999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new standard-issue license plate of 1998 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Alaska was so honored. Co-recipient with Idaho.
  October 2004 As 1981–97 base, but without indented top corners "The Last Frontier" as on 1981–97 base ABC 123 ERU 100 to approximately ERV 489 Serials stamped on leftover 1981–97 blanks, before production of all-embossed variants began (below).
  October 2004 – July
2005 		As above, but with embossed state name and flag "THE LAST FRONTIER" embossed in blue centered at bottom ABC 123 ERV 490 to EUB 999
  July 2005 – December 31, 2007 As above, but with larger stars in flag EUC 100 to FGE 999
  January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2009[2][6][7] Embossed dark blue serial on reflective graphic plate featuring a yellow sky, gradient orange sunburst and white mountains fading to blue at the bottom; Alaska 50 logo (featuring the state flag) screened at left; "ALASKA" screened in dark blue centered at top "CELEBRATING STATEHOOD 1959-2009" screened in red on white section of mountains, offset to right ABC123 FGF100 to FUW999 Also used for vanity plates.
  January 1, 2010 – December 2022 As 2005–07 base "THE LAST FRONTIER" as from 2004–07 ABC 123 FUZ 100 to FUZ 999; GAA 100 to GZZ 999; KAA 100 to KKC 460 (as of May 27, 2023)[8] FUZ series issued in error; 'H' series reserved for Disabled plates; 'J' series used on alternative bear plates (below).
  January 2023 - present As above, but with thinner, squarer serial dies (using North Carolina dies), and only the plate number is embossed. "THE LAST FRONTIER" as from 2004–22

Alternative passenger plates edit

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  May 7, 2015[9] – December 2022 Embossed red serial on reflective graphic plate featuring a standing brown Kodiak bear in the center against a light blue sky, orange sunset and white mountains; "ALASKA" screened in dark blue centered at top none ABC 123 JAA 100 to JVN 999 (as of May 17, 2023) Based on the 1976–81 bear plate. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2015 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Alaska was so honored.
  January 2023 - present As above, but with thinner, squarer characters (using North Carolina dies)
  July 2018 – mid 2019 Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate with northern lights and full moon above pale gray mountains and dark gray forest; "ALASKA" screened in black centered at top "ALASKA ARTISTIC LICENSE" screened in black centered at bottom, with the logo of the Alaska State Council on the Arts above ABC 123 LAA 100 to approximately LBR 999 The design was by UAA student Anita Laulainen and was chosen after an online vote in the fall of 2017.[10]
  mid 2019 – December 2022 LBS 100 to LGY 999 (as of February 12, 2024) Colors faded in response to legibility concerns.
  January 2023 - present As above, but with thinner, squarer characters (using North Carolina dies)

1973 plate controversy edit

A new plate design was to have been introduced in 1973, featuring the state flag in the center of the plate and a new ABC 123 serial format. During 1972, nine thousand pairs of these plates were produced, but before they could be issued they were rejected by Governor William A. Egan, who objected to the use of dots rather than stars in the state flag. The plates were instead considered prototypes, with their elements being used on future plates: the revalidation sticker box in the top left corner was used on the 1974 and 1975 versions of the 1970 plate; the ABC 123 serial format was adopted in 1976; and the "Last Frontier" plates issued since 1981 have the state flag in the center (with stars).

These prototype plates are common enough to be easily found among license plate collectors.

Non-passenger and optional types edit

Alaska offers a variety of optional plates that motorists may display upon the payment of an additional fee as well as non-passenger plate types that are displayed on vehicles for specialized uses.[2]

Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
  Alaska State Trooper 123 AST
  Amateur Radio FCC call sign
  Charitable/Church Exempt XYx 123
YYx 123
  Children's Trust KID 012
123 KID 		KID-prefixed sequence started with 001.
  Collector's Car HA 123
  Commercial Trailer 1234 SB
  Disabled HBC 123 Serials feature wheelchair symbol between letters and digits.
 

 

Disabled Veteran DBC 123 Serials began at DAV 100. May or may not feature wheelchair symbol between letters and digits.
  Ex-Prisoner of War POW 012 Started with 001.
  Farm Vehicle 1234 FB "Farm" legend.
 

 

Gold Star Family Personalized
  Historic Vehicle HA 123
  Iditarod IDT 123 or personalized
  I Support Our Veterans 2007 Personalized
  Low-Speed Vehicle 2007 LSV 012 Started with 001.
  Motorcycle and Non-Commercial Trailer 1999 1234 RB
1234 TB
  National Guard VNG 123
VHA 123
VNA 123
  Pearl Harbor Survivor P/H 123 "PH" is stacked vertically and in center of plate.
  Personalized - Passenger Six alphanumeric characters. Three different designs.
  Prince William Sound College PWS 123
  Purple Heart VPH 123
VPA 123
VPB123
  Support Our Troops! 2008 Available in personalized format.
  University of Alaska Anchorage UAA 123
UAA123 		Two styles; newer style available in personalized format.
  University of Alaska Fairbanks UAF 123 Two styles; newer style available in personalized format.
  University of Alaska Southeast UAS 123
  Veteran - Air Force VBC 123
  Veteran - Army VBC 123
  Veteran - Coast Guard VCG 123
VCB 123
VCC123
  Veteran - Marine Corps VBC 123
  Veteran - Navy VBC 123

Discontinued edit

Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
  Motorcycle 1976–81 Red on white 1234 M/B 1000 M/C to 9999 M/G Motorcycle discontinued as a separate type in 1999; merged with Non-Commercial Trailer.
  1981–99 Blue on golden yellow 1000 M/H to 9999 M/N

References edit

  1. ^ https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaDMV/posts/pfbid02xQPmwMYLV63MrQdjBTU2U1uLdF2PvhGnw4zEyWdkkrqhVwS9zovWBp2Df4wmw7T4l [user-generated source]
  2. ^ a b c http://www.state.ak.us/dmv/plates/index.htm Alaska DMV License Plates
  3. ^ a b c Tanner, Eric N. "Alaska Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  4. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  5. ^ Williams, Royce. "Handicap and Disabled Vet plates". Royce's Alaskan License Plates. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  6. ^ http://www.akplates.org Royce's Alaskan License Plates
  7. ^ LicensePlates.cc: The license plate collector’s portal Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Alaska License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  9. ^ Herz, Nathaniel (June 2, 2015). "State says it's a roaring start for Alaska grizzly bear license plates". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
  10. ^ Polk, Leroy (November 30, 2017). "Take a look at Alaska's newest license plate, selected after statewide vote". Alaska's News Source. Retrieved January 21, 2021.

External links edit

  • Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles—License Plate Information
  • Alaska license plates, 1969–present
  • Alaska License Plates - Alaska requirements and procedures for license plates and driver licenses
  • Royce's Alaskan License Plates

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