Vehicle registration plates of Louisiana

Summary

The U.S. state of Louisiana first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1915.[1] As of 2024, plates are issued by the Public Safety Services division of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections, through the division's Office of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1952.

Louisiana
Current series
SloganSportsman's Paradise
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial format123 ABC
IntroducedFebruary 2005 (2005-02) (issued continuously since January 1, 2016)
Availability
Issued byLouisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections, Public Safety Services, Office of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1915 (1915-01-01)

Passenger baseplates edit

1915 to 1963 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.[2] The 1954 (dated 1955) issue was the first Louisiana license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1915 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; vertical "LA" and "1915" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 10500
  1916 Embossed white serial on green plate; stylized "LA" and "16" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 16000
  1917 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; stylized "LA" and "17" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 27000
  1918 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "18" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 40000
  1919 Embossed black serial on light green plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "19" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 50000
  1920 Embossed white serial on maroon plate; stylized "LA" and "20" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 54000
  1921 Embossed black serial on gray plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "21" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 79000
  1922 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "22" at left none 123456 1 to 20000; 100001 to approximately 105000 Separate bases issued for vehicles up to 23 hp and for vehicles above this power; this practice continued through 1929. In all years, the base with low-numbered serials (starting from 1) was issued on the vehicles above 23 hp.[3]
  Embossed maroon serial on white plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "22" at left none 20001 to 100000
  1923 Embossed black serial on gray plate with border line; "LA 23" at left none 123456 1 to 30000
  Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "LA 23" at left none 30001 to approximately 116000
  1924 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "LA 24" at right none 123456 1 to 30000
  Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "LA 24" at right none 30001 to approximately 143000
  1925 Embossed red serial on gray plate with border line; "LA 25" at right none 123456 1 to 40000
  Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "LA 25" at right none 40001 to approximately 179000
  1926 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "LA-1926" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 40-000; 200-001 to approximately 205-000
  Embossed maroon serial on white plate with border line; "LA-1926" centered at bottom none 40-001 to
200-000
  1927 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "LA-1927" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 50-000
  Embossed black serial on cream plate with border line; "LA-1927" centered at bottom none 50-001 to approximately 224-000
  1928 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "LA-1928" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 70-000
  Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "LA-1928" centered at bottom none 70-001 to approximately 232-000
 
 
1929 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "LOUISIANA 1929" at bottom, slightly offset to right; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456 1 to 70-000; 234-001 to approximately 268-000 First use of the full state name.
 
 
Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "LOUISIANA 1929" at bottom, slightly offset to right; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 70-001 to
234-000
 
 
1930 Embossed yellow serial on green plate with border line; "LOUISIANA-30" centered at bottom; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 254-000
 
 
1931 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1931" centered at top; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 249-000
 
 
1932 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on red plate with border line; "LOUISIANA" centered at top; vertical "1932" at right and vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office[3] First base to feature a pelican in any form.
  1933 Embossed black serial with pelican separator on orange plate with border line; "LA–33" centered at top none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
  1934 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark blue plate with border line; "LA" and "34" above and below pelican respectively none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
  1935 Embossed yellow serial with pelican separator on purple plate with border line; "35" and "LA" above and below pelican respectively none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
  1936 Embossed light blue serial with pelican separator on olive green plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1936" centered at top none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
  1937 Embossed golden yellow serial with pelican separator on maroon plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1937" centered at bottom none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
  1938 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on red plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1938" centered at top none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
  1939 Embossed orange serial with pelican separator on black plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1939" centered at bottom none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
  1940 Embossed dark blue serial with state-shaped separator on orange plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1940" centered at top none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
  1941 Embossed black serial with state-shaped separator on white plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1941" centered at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 406-000
  1942–43 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on red plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1942" centered at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 384-000 Revalidated for 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
  1944 Black serial with pelican separator on yellow fiberboard plate; "LOUISIANA - 1944" centered at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 380-000 Manufactured on soybean-based fiberboard due to ongoing metal conservation.
  1945 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on black plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 45" at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 341-000
  1946 Embossed black serial with pelican separator on white plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 46" at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 337-000
  1947 Embossed black serial with pelican separator on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 47" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 356-000
  1948 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 48" at top none 123-456 1-001 to
380-000;
400-001 to approximately 410-000
  1949 Embossed black serial with pelican separator on yellow plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 49" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to
380-000;
435-001 to approximately 485-000
  1950 Embossed yellow serial on royal blue plate with border line; pelican decal used as separator; "19 LOUISIANA 50" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to
490-000;
550-001 to approximately 615-000
  1951 Embossed yellow serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1951" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 566-000
  1952 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 52" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 590-000
  1953 Embossed yellow serial with pelican separator on green plate with border line; "LOUISIANA-1953" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 638-000
  1954 Embossed blue serial with pelican separator on beige plate with border line; "19" at bottom left and "54" at bottom right "LOUISIANA-YAMS" centered at bottom 123-456 1-001 to approximately 700-000
  1955 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on black plate with border line; "LOUISIANA 1955" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 740-000 First 6" x 12" plate.
  1956 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 56" at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 801-000
  1957 Embossed golden yellow serial with pelican separator on purple plate with border line; "LOUISIANA 1957" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 865-000
  1958 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on red plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 58" at bottom "SPORTSMEN'S PARADISE" at top 123-456 1-001 to approximately 880-000
  1959 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark blue plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 59" at top "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at bottom 123-456 1-001 to approximately 910-000
  1960 Embossed golden yellow serial with pelican separator on purple plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 60" at bottom "LSU CENTENNIAL" at top 123-456 1-001 to approximately 934-000
  1961 Embossed golden yellow serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 61" at bottom "SPORTSMEN'S PARADISE" at top 123-456 1-001 to approximately 948-000
  1962 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on brown plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 62" at bottom "SPORTSMEN'S PARADISE" at top 123-456
1234567
1-001 to approximately 1006000 Plates with seven-digit serials omitted the pelican. This happened again in 1963.
  1963 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 63" at bottom "SPORTSMEN'S PARADISE" at top 123-456
1234567
1-001 to approximately 1036000 Last base to feature the embossed pelican.

1964 to present edit

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1964–65 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "64 LOUISIANA 65" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
  1966–67 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "66 LOUISIANA 67" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
  1968–69 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "68 LOUISIANA 69" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
  1970–71 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "70 LOUISIANA 71" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
  1972–73 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "72 LOUISIANA 73" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
  1974–75 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "LOUISIANA" centered at bottom; "74" at top left and "75" at top right "BAYOU STATE" centered at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
  1976–77 As above, but without years
  1978–83 "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top
  1983–84 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; logo of the 1984 World's Fair screened at bottom left; "Louisiana" screened in blue centered at top "World's Fair" screened in blue centered at bottom 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
  1984–89 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "LOUISIANA" centered at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
  1989–93 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; screened dark blue graphics of mother pelicans with chicks at top corners; "LoUiSiAna" screened in red and dark blue (the 'U', 'S' and 'A' in dark blue) centered at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" screened in red centered at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
  1993 – December 31, 2001 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate, with or without border line; "Louisiana" screened in red handwritten font centered at top "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" screened in blue centered at bottom ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately KLK 999 Known as the "Lipstick" base. All 1974–93 plates were replaced with this design during 1995–96.
  January 1, 2002 – July
2004
As 1993–2001 base, but with a screened blue compass graphic in the center containing a map of the contiguous U.S. with the area of the Louisiana Purchase highlighted "Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 1803-2003" screened in blue centered at bottom ABC 123 KLL 000 to approximately MSN 999 Limited-run plate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase.
  July 2004 – February 2005 As 1993–2001 base "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" as from 1993–2001 ABC 123 MSP 000 to approximately NFU 999
  February 2005 – January 2, 2011 Embossed black serial on reflective white, yellow and pink gradient plate with black border line; screened pelican graphic in the center; "Louisiana" screened in red handwritten font centered at top "Sportsman's Paradise" screened in red at bottom, offset to left ABC 123 NFV 000 to approximately VCS 999 Initial plates featured a larger font for the state name. 'Q' and 'U' series of serials not used.[3]
  January 3, 2011 – December 31, 2012[4] Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with pale green grass graphic and black border line; white pelican within green state shape screened at left; "Louisiana" screened in red handwritten font centered at top "200 YEARS" screened in black centered at bottom, with "1812" and "2012" on small red banners at left and right respectively ABC123 VCT000 to approximately WUG999 Limited-run plate to commemorate 200 years of statehood. Pelican and state shape later reduced in size.
  January 1, 2013 – January 2014 As 2005–11 base "Sportsman's Paradise" as from 2005–11 ABC 123 WUH 000 to approximately XRZ 999
  January 2014 – December 2015 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; logo of the Battle of New Orleans Bicentennial Commission (featuring a bucking horse and rider) screened at left; "LOUISIANA" screened in red centered at top "www.louisianatravel.com" screened in dark blue centered at bottom ABC123 XSA000 to approximately ZPC999 Limited-run plate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans.
  January – May 2016 As 2005–11 base "Sportsman's Paradise" as from 2005–11 ABC 123 ZPD 000 to ZZZ 999
May 2016 – present 123 ABC 000 AAA to 916 HBH (as of February 15, 2024)[5]

Non-passenger plates edit

Image Type Design First issued Serial format Notes
  Boat Trailer Embossed blue on white with border line; "LOUISIANA" at bottom; "BOAT TRAILER" at top unknown D123456 Likely to have begun at D500000.
  As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "BOAT TRAILER" in place of slogan c. 1993 D123456
K123456
  Commercial As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "COMMERCIAL" in place of slogan c. 1993 A123456
N123456
  Dealer As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "DEALER" in place of slogan DI12345 DI99999 followed by D/I100000 and up.
  Embossed black on yellow with border line; "LOUISIANA" at top; "DEALER" at bottom c. 2012 DI12345
D/I123456
  Motorcycle Embossed red on white with border line; "LA." at bottom; "MOTORCYCLE" at top 1983 123456
  Similar to 1993–2001 passenger base; "MC" embossed at bottom 1995
  Private Truck Embossed green on white with border line; "LOUISIANA" at bottom; "PRIVATE" at top 1978 A123456 T, R and part of S series issued.
  As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "PRIVATE" in place of slogan c. 1993 Rest of S series issued, followed by V and part of W.
  As 1993–2001 passenger base, with screened "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" slogan c. 2004 Rest of W series issued, followed by X and Y; issuing Z series as of October 2023.
  Tractor "TRACTOR" embossed at top; weight of vehicle embossed in top right corner. 1963 123456
  Truck "TRUCK" embossed at top; weight of vehicle embossed in top right corner. 1966 B123456, now at C123456
  Truck "TRUCK" embossed at top; weight of vehicle embossed in top right corner. 1967 123456
  Trailer Embossed red on white with border line; "LOUISIANA" at bottom; "TRAILER" at top mid 1980s A123456 D series issued up to D499999 (higher numbers reserved for Boat Trailer), followed by part of E series.
  As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "TRAILER" in place of slogan c. 1993 Rest of E series issued; currently issuing L series.

Optional plates edit

Optional plates do not use leading zeros in their serials.

Image Type Design First issued Serial format Notes
  American Indian A/I 1234
  Animal Friendly F/A 1234
  Bring Back the Bobwhite 12
  Chez Nous Autres[6] "our home" in Cajun French spelling "Louisiane" printed instead of English spelling "Louisiana" C/Z 123
  Choose Life C/L 1234
  Emergency Medical Technician
  Firefighter—Retired 123
  "In God We Trust" T/G 1234
  Louisiana Tech University 123
  Marine Corps League 12
  New Orleans Pelicans Introduced January 29, 2024.[7]
  Our Environment...Our Future Black on reflective light blue, white, and dark blue with multicolored graphic of pelican at right. 123
E/E 1234
  "Preserve Our Hunting Heritage" W/D 1234
  Save the Louisiana Black Bear B/B 1234
  Sons of Confederate Veterans C/V 1234
  Special Olympics 12
  Think Safe Kids 12
  U.S. Veteran—Marine Corps "USMC" printed diagonally to left of serial M/A 1234
  U.S. Veteran—Navy—Retired "NAVY" printed diagonally and "RETIRED" printed horizontally to left of serial 123

Government plates edit

Image Type Design First issued Serial format Notes
  Public "PUBLIC" embossed vertically at left; "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" screened at bottom. 123456
  Wildlife & Fisheries Enforcement SF 12

State Police troop codes edit

From 1964 until 1993, Louisiana State Police troop area codes were used as part of the serial on the plate, invariably in the center of the serial. From 1993 until 1996, stickers were used to show the troop. This was done to give some idea of where the plates were issued. However, registrants who applied via the mail got plates with the "X" code, which was used for Baton Rouge.

Code Troop or area
A Baton Rouge
B New Orleans (troop office in Kenner since 1995)
C Raceland, (later Gray after troop office was moved in the mid 1970s)
D Lake Charles
E Alexandria
F Monroe
G Shreveport
H Leesville (eliminated in 1988)
I Lafayette
K Opelousas (eliminated in 1988)
L Covington
M Raceland (eliminated in 1973)
N New Orleans (overflow)
X Baton Rouge/statewide mail

References edit

  1. ^ Shearer, Benjamin F.; Shearer, Barbara S. (2001). State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols: A Historical Guide (3rd ed.). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. p. 200. ISBN 0-313-31534-5.
  2. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. ^ a b c Tanner, Eric N. "Louisiana Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Louisiana Bicentennial Commission web site [1].
  5. ^ "Louisiana License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  6. ^ "Private Site".
  7. ^ Pellittieri, Raley (January 29, 2024). "Pelicans license plates now available". WAFB. Retrieved February 16, 2024.

External links edit

  • Louisiana license plates, 1969–present
  • Louisiana License Plates