Vehicle registration plates of New York

Summary

The U.S. state of New York was the first to require its residents to register their motor vehicles, in 1901. Registrants provided their own license plates for display, featuring their initials until 1903 and numbers thereafter, until the state began to issue plates in 1910.[1]

New York
Current series
NameExcelsior
SloganExcelsior
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC-1234
IntroducedJune 2020 (2020-06)
Availability
Issued byNew York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Manufactured byCorcraft Products, Auburn Correctional Facility, Auburn, New York
History
First issuedAugust 1, 1910 (1910-08-01)
(pre-state plates from 1901 to July 31, 1910)

Plates are currently issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV). Front and rear plates are required on all vehicles except for motorcycles and trailers.

Passenger baseplates edit

1910 to 1965 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 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first New York license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1910 Riveted white serial on dark blue plate; vertical "NY" at right none 12345 1 to 999; 3000 to approximately 61000 Serials 1000 through 2999 reserved for dealers; this practice continued through 1913.[3]
  1911 Embossed white serial on maroon plate; vertical "NY" at right none 12345 1 to 999; 3000 to approximately 85000
  1912 White serial on red porcelain plate; vertical "NY" at right none 123456 1 to 999; 3000 to approximately 106000
  1913 Embossed white serial on purple plate; "NY 1913" at right none 12345 1 to 999; 3000 to 99999 First dated plate.
A1234 A1 to approximately E2000
  1914 Embossed white serial on brown plate; "NY 1914" at left none 12345 1 to 5999; 8000 to 99999 Serials 6000 through 7999 reserved for dealers.[3]
A1234 A1 to approximately F5000
  1915 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "NY 1915" at right none 12345 1 to 999; 3000 to 99999 Serials 1000 through 2999 reserved for dealers (as from 1910 to 1913). Letters A, B, D, E, F, H, K, R, S, V, X and Y used in the A1234 serial format.[3]
A1234 A1 to approximately Y3000
  1916 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "N.Y. 1916" centered at bottom none 123-456
A12-345
B12-345
Coded by district All-numeric serials issued in New York City district; 'A' series in Albany district (eastern upstate New York); and 'B' series in Buffalo district (western upstate New York). This happened again in 1917.[4]
  1917 Embossed white serial on dark olive green plate with border line; "N.Y. 1917" centered at bottom none 123-456
A123-456
B123-456
Coded by district
  1918 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "N.Y. 1918" centered at top none 123-456 Single series of all-numeric serials used for all classes of vehicles, with blocks allocated to passenger vehicles in each of the three districts (above). This practice continued through 1921.[3]
  1919 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "N.Y. 1919" centered at top none 123-456
  1920 Embossed black serial on light green plate with border line; "N.Y. 1920" centered at bottom none 123-456
  1921 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "N.Y. 1921" centered at bottom none 123-456
  1922 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "N.Y. 1922" centered at bottom none 123-456
1-234-567
Issued in blocks by county
  1923 Embossed white serial on purple plate with border line; "N.Y. 1923" centered at top none 123-456
1-234-567
Issued in blocks by county
  1924 Embossed white serial on gray plate with border line; "N.Y. 1924" centered at bottom none 123-456
1-234-567
Issued in blocks by county
  1925 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "N.Y. 1925" centered at top none 1A·12-34 County-coded First use of county codes.
  1926 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "N.Y. 1926" centered at bottom none 1A·12-34 County-coded
  1927 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "NY 27" centered at top none 1A-12-34
A-12-34
County-coded
  1928 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 28" centered at bottom none 1A-12-34
A-12-34
County-coded
  1929 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY·29" centered at bottom none A/1 12-34
A/ 12-34
County-coded
  1930 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 30" centered at top none A 12-34
1A12-34
County-coded
  1931 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY 31" centered at bottom none A-12-34
1A12-34
County-coded
  1932 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 32" centered at top none A-12-34
1A12-34
County-coded
  1933 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY 33" centered at top none A-12-34
1A12-34
County-coded
  1934 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 34" centered at bottom none A-12-34
1A12-34
County-coded
  1935 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY 35" centered at bottom none A-12-34
1A12-34
County-coded
  1936 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 36" centered at top none A-12-34
1A12-34
County-coded
  1937 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY 37" centered at top none A-12-34
1A12-34
County-coded
  1938 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 38" centered at top "NEW YORK WORLD"S FAIR 1939" at bottom A-12-34
1A12-34
County-coded First base to feature the full state name.
  1939 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate "NEW YORK WORLD"S FAIR 1939" at top A-12-34
1A12-34
AB-123
County-coded
  1940 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate "NEW YORK WORLD"S FAIR 1940" at bottom A-12-34
1A12-34
AB-123
County-coded
  1941 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY 41" centered at bottom none A-12-34
1A12-34
AB-123
County-coded
 

 

1942–43 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 42" centered at top none A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded Only rear plates issued due to metal conservation for World War II. Revalidated for 1943 with golden yellow tabs.
  1944 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY 44" centered at top none A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded Restamped and repainted 1942 plates.
  1945 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 45" centered at top none A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded
  1946 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY 46" centered at bottom none A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded
  1947 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 47" centered at bottom none A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded
 

 

1948–49 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY 48" centered at top none A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded Revalidated for 1949 with black tabs.
  1950 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY 50" centered at top none A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded
    1951–52 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY", slogan and "51" at bottom "THE EMPIRE STATE" between state abbreviation and year A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded Revalidated for 1952 with black tabs.
 

 

1953–54 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY", slogan and "53" at bottom "THE EMPIRE STATE" between state abbreviation and year A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded Revalidated for 1954 with golden yellow tabs.
 

 

1955–56 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY", slogan and "55" at top "THE EMPIRE STATE" between state abbreviation and year A-12-34
1A12-34
AB12-34
County-coded Revalidated for 1956 with black tabs.
  1957 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "NY", slogan and "57" at bottom "EMPIRE STATE" between state abbreviation and year A-1234
AB-1234
1234-A
1234-AB
1A-1234
County-coded First 6" x 12" plate.
 

 

1958–59 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "NY", slogan and "58" at bottom "EMPIRE STATE" between state abbreviation and year A-1234
AB-1234
1234-A
1234-AB
1A-1234
County-coded Revalidated for 1959 with black tabs.
 

 

1960–61 As 1957 base, but with "60" at bottom right "EMPIRE STATE" as on 1957 base A-1234
AB-1234
1234-A
1234-AB
1A-1234
County-coded Revalidated for 1961 with golden yellow tabs.
 

 

1962–63 As 1958–59 base, but with "62" at bottom right "EMPIRE STATE" as on 1958–59 base A-1234
AB-1234
1234-A
1234-AB
1A-1234
County-coded Revalidated for 1963 with black tabs.
   1964–65 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "NY", slogan and "64" at bottom "WORLD'S FAIR" between state abbreviation and year A-1234
AB-1234
1234-A
1234-AB
1A-1234
County-coded Revalidated for 1965 with red stickers placed at far right.

1966 to present edit

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1966–72 Embossed orange serial on blue plate; border lines around plate and around registration sticker spot at bottom right; "NEW YORK" centered at bottom none A-1234
AB-1234
1234-A
1234-AB
1A-1234
County-coded Some later plates use the 1973 serial dies; all revalidated with stickers.
  1973–80 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective orange plate; border lines around plate and around registration sticker spot at bottom right; "NEW YORK" centered at bottom none 12-ABC
123-ABC1
County-coded Numbers 51 through 999 were used on the 12-ABC and 123-ABC serial formats. Narrower dies introduced 1979 to accommodate 1234-ABC format. All plates revalidated with windshield decals; plate stickers never used despite sticker box. (Except on Trailer plates)
  1980 – June 30, 1986 1234-ABC1 1000-AAA to approximately 9999-BUR;
1000-TAA to approximately 9999-TCS
  July 1, 1986 – December 2000 Liberty plates. Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate, with red stripes at top and bottom; red Statue of Liberty graphic screened in center (or at left on vanity plates); "NEW YORK" screened in dark blue centered at top none ABC 123
1AB 2342
County-coded Validated with windshield decal.
A1B 234
A12 3BC
AB1 23C2
A2A 100 to Y9Z 999;
A10 0AA to Z99 9ZZ;
AA1 00A to GS9 99E
  January 2001 – March 31, 2010 Empire State plates. Embossed dark blue serial with state-shaped separator on reflective white plate with blue bars above and below; upper blue bar has the words "NEW YORK" in white with dark blue outline, over a skyline of Niagara Falls, the Adirondack Mountains, and New York City, with sky above all "THE EMPIRE STATE" screened in white on lower blue bar ABC-12343 AAA-1000 to EYH-2999 Validated with windshield decal. Letters I, O and Q not used in serials.[3] AAA-1000 through ABZ-9999 reserved for Transit Permit; EYH-3000 through EZZ-9999 may be issued on custom plates. TWY series used by New York State Thruway Authority.
  April 1, 2010[5] – May, 2020 Empire Gold plates. Embossed dark blue serial with state-shaped separator on golden yellow plate, with small blue bar at bottom with thin blue stripe above and curved larger blue bar at top with thin blue stripe below, with orange "NEW YORK" curving to edges of top bar "EMPIRE STATE" screened in dark blue centered at bottom ABC-12344 FAA-1000 to JSF-9999 Validated with windshield decal. JTA-3000 through JZZ-9999 may be issued on custom plates.

 

June 2020[6] – present Excelsior plates. Dark blue serial with state-shaped separator on white plate; images of Niagara Falls and New York City skyline at bottom; "NEW YORK" in dark blue centered at top with gold and blue stripes on either side "EXCELSIOR" in gold, with blue outline, centered at bottom ABC-12346 KAA-1000 to KCH-9999;7
KDA-1000 to LLZ-9999 (as of April 14, 2024)5
Plate design chosen by online vote.[7]

Notes on serials

1. Plus remakes of 1966–72 serials, issued upon request.
2. Plus remakes of 1966–72 and 1973–86 serials, issued upon request.
3. Plus remakes of Liberty serials, issued upon request.
4. Plus remakes of Liberty and Empire State serials, issued upon request.
5. This is the highest serial reserved by the NYSDMV.
6. Plus remakes of Liberty, Empire State and Empire Gold serials, issued upon request.
7. These were originally recalled as being too reflective but have been reprinted and reissued.

Passenger baseplate variations edit

1973–1986: Blue on orange edit

The letter series on the original run of 1973 orange plates were allocated by county and were determined by a number of factors such as geographical names or features found in any said county. The entire 1973–74 allocation list is displayed below.

By 1975, the DMV began to issue letter series that were not part of the original allocation. These were issued alphabetically, beginning with the 'A' series and running until the final 'V' and 'W' plates were issued in 1979–80. This was done on a rotating basis in the alphabetical order of the county name. At times, issuing offices or counties ran short of plates and plates would be diverted to where they were needed, sometimes breaking the intended issuing order.

In late 1979, the state introduced new narrower dies that were to be used on the upcoming seven-character passenger plates. Most of the 'V' series of six-character plates used these dies (except for VS, VV, and the series issued in the original allocation), as well as series UYA through UYH, WXC through WXZ, and WYX through WZZ.

The new seven-character passenger plates started to be issued in late 1980. These plates were issued sequentially, starting at 1000-AAA, with the letters I, O and Q not used, and 0 not used as the first digit. The 'A' series ran until around the end of 1983 and the 'B' series from around the beginning of 1984 until June 1986; there were also a few mis-stamped plates with the GAM suffix in Nassau County. The final known issue was in the BUR series.

The seven-character passenger plates were issued without regard of the meaning of any specific three-letter combination, with one exception: 1000-AUB through 4999-AUB were assigned to Cayuga County for its county seat at Auburn, where the Corcraft plate facility is located.

In 1984 the DMV began to issue plates directly through dealers, using the 'T' series. The plates were issued in the same manner as described above, and can be dated in this manner: TAA-TAZ in 1984, TBA-TBZ in 1985, and TCA-TCS in 1986. The final known issue was in the TCS series.

In July 1986 the DMV began to issue the Liberty plates to replace this issue, and it took two years for the blue-on-orange plates to be fully off the road.

1986–2001: Statue of Liberty edit

All Statue of Liberty plates in the ABC 123 serial format, plus those in the early 1AB 234 format, featured the word "Liberty" in their 3M security marks. During 1990, the security marks changed, with "Liberty" replaced by the last two digits of the year in which the sheeting was manufactured (the plates may actually date from later). In 1993, the marks changed again to feature 3M lot numbers, which were used until the end of Liberty plate manufacture in 2000. Plates were issued two ways: "over-the-counter" from a DMV or County office or "mail-out" in which registrants received new plates directly by mail.

When the 1AB 234 serial format made its first appearance in September 1988, the first serials observed began with 6VB; this was because most plates with serials from 2VA 100 through 9VZ 999 and 2XA 100 through 9XZ 999 were issued from new car dealers, which had exhausted their allocations in the ABC 123 format (roughly VAA 100 through VZZ 999 and XGA 100 through XZZ 999; XAA 100 through XFZ 999 were issued in Suffolk County as mail-out replacement passenger plates).

Most plates, including specialty, vanity, and non-passenger plates, contained embossed characters, except a few in the A12 3BC format, which had screened characters.

To date, these earlier Liberty plates are:

Type One
ABC 123 format, issued from July 1, 1986, through at least July 1989. These plates were issued primarily on a county-code basis (so, for instance, BXW 415 and ULK 767 could have been issued in different parts of the state on the same day in 1986). The letters I, O and Q were used only as the first letter; they were not used at all on subsequent Liberty standard passenger issues, as they could be confused with the numbers 1 and 0.[3]
Type Two
1AB 234 format, issued from around September 1988 through at least October 1991. These plates were at least partially issued on a county-code basis (so, for instance, 4LV 392 and 7TC 806 could have been issued in different parts of the state on the same day in 1989) and became the last standard passenger plates issued in this manner. The numbers 0 and 1 were not used in the first position, to avoid confusion with the letters O and I respectively, while 0 was also not used in the fourth position. Plates stamped out during 1990 featured the "90" security mark.
Type Three
A1B 234 format, issued from around January 1991 through at least November 1993. These plates were issued in strict alphanumeric order, beginning with A2A 100 and ending with Y9Z 999. The numbers 0 and 1 were not used in the second position for the reasons mentioned above, while 0 was also not used in the fourth position. "90", "91" and "92" security marks featured on these plates.
Type Four
A12 3BC format, issued from February 1993 through at least August 1999. The first plates featured "92" security marks and were the final plates on galvanized steel; by the end of the 'A' series, plates had lot-number security marks and were on thin gauge aluminum. Some 'Y' series plates during 1998 had screened, rather than embossed, serials and were issued in the Rochester area.
Type Five
AB1 23C format, issued from May 1999 through February 28, 2001. All had lot-number security marks, and were aluminum. GS9 99E was the final known Type Five issue.
"Preferred" plates
Plates in the 1A 234 format were usually issued by county clerks' offices to constituents who contributed significantly to the counties; some were also issued as remakes of pre-1973 serials.
Rental plates
Plates with serials ZAA 100 through ZZZ 999 were assigned for use on rental cars from 1986 through September 1996. They featured "Liberty", "90", and "91" security marks. They were manufactured as needed in small quantities, and none were made after 1992. The use of rental plates was eventually discontinued and standard passenger plates used instead, in order to discourage carjacking of rental cars.

2001–2010: "Empire State" edit

In 2001, the state began the process of replacing all of the Liberty plates with a new "Empire State" design depicting Niagara Falls, the Adirondack Mountains, and the New York City skyline, including the Empire State Building. This base was the first to use the "Empire State" slogan since 1963. As with the Liberty base, standard passenger plates had embossed serials, but unlike on the Liberty base, all vanity plates, most specialty plates, and many non-passenger plates had screened serials. Existing registrants with Liberty plates were given the option of keeping the serials from these plates on new Empire State plates, for a one-time fee. Many took this option, and thus many Liberty serials can still be seen on the road; plates with these serials have them embossed.

The ABC-1234 serial format for standard passenger plates was introduced with this base, beginning at ACA-1000 (series AAA through ABZ were reserved for Transit Permit plates). The 'A', 'B', and early 'C' series were issued during the replacement of the Liberty plates, the last of which came off the road in early 2003. The 'D' series began in 2004, followed by the 'E' series in 2007. The last standard passenger serial issued was EYH-2999. The letters I, O and Q are not used in this serial format.

2010–2020: "Empire Gold" edit

In 2010, the standard plate was redesigned to "Empire Gold". This plate consists of dark blue numbers on a gold background, and retains the ABC-1234 serial format. As with the Empire State base, standard passenger plates have embossed serials, while all vanity plates, all specialty plates, and many non-passenger plates have screened serials. Originally, the Empire Gold plate was supposed to be a reissue, replacing all of the Empire State plates in two years; however, after controversy over the new design and the $25 fee for reissue plates, mandatory replacement was called off, and the Empire State plates remain valid. All new registrants received Empire Gold plates, while existing registrants with Empire State plates could keep them or pay $25 for new Empire Gold plates;[8] they could also keep their previous serials on new plates for an additional one-time fee of $20.

Standard passenger serials on the Empire Gold plate began at FAA-1000. The 'G' series began in 2012, followed by the 'H' series in 2015 and the 'J' series in 2018.

2020–present: "Excelsior" edit

On August 19, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the initiation of a statewide survey to select a new design for New York's license plates, which would be available in April 2020. A design was selected in September 2019, depicting the words "New York"; images of Niagara Falls and mountains on the bottom left; the state motto "Excelsior" at bottom center; and a New York City skyline and Long Island lighthouse at bottom right.[9][10]

Originally, starting in April 2020, plates older than ten years would have to be replaced upon the renewal of vehicle registration.[11][12] However, as with the Empire Gold plates, there was controversy over the mandatory replacement scheme,[13] leading Cuomo's administration to consider reducing the new-plate fees.[14] Ultimately, the requirement to replace plates greater than ten years old was dropped, as long as the plates remained legible.[15][16]

The first deliveries of the new plate design to state DMVs took place in April 2020, but ended up being returned without entering circulation. These early manufactures, in the series KAA through KCH, were too reflective and thus impossible for toll and speed cameras to read.[17] New York state therefore only started issuing Excelsior plates beginning with the KDA series. The earlier codes are to be reissued in the future. As of February 2022, the earlier codes are being issued to motorists.

Standard passenger serials on the Excelsior Plate began at KAA-1000. The L' series began in 2023, Followed by the M' series 3 to 5 years later.

Optional plates edit

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
 

   

from unknown Blue bar with script New York with thin red stripe below. Logo picture on the left followed by 2 to 6 plate digits. Red and blue stripes run along the bottom. Newer plates have a curved blue banner with yellow stripe below on top, though some of the older designs (such as "regions") have not been transitioned to the new style. Custom Picture plates with sports logos, universities, professions, emergency services, and military organizations. Also used for some official plates, such as those of the press, judges and assemblypeople. Up to six letters and numbers. If number is random it will be in pre-allocated blocks in the 123ABC format. Serial numbers proceed sequentially within their own plate type, but non-sequentially otherwise, setting them apart from standard-issue plates. Validated with windshield decal.

Non-passenger plates edit

Below are the non-passenger plates on the Empire Gold base.[18] Empire State non-passenger plates remain valid as of October 2019.

Image Type Serial format Notes
  Agriculture 12345-GL Embossed.
  Ambulance 12345-EV Embossed. EV = Emergency Vehicle.
 
Apportioned 12345-PF Flat.
  Architect AR-123 Flat.
 
Bus 12345-BT Flat. (Formerly Embossed) The BA Series was used for the 2001 series and The BB Series was used for the 2010 Series.
  Commercial 12345-NA[19] Embossed.

 

Dealer 1234567 Flat. Began at 7100000.
  Disability 123456   Flat. Began at 600000. Wheelchair symbol updated 2014.[20]
  Farm 12345-FR Embossed.
 
Historical Car 12345-HL Flat. Began at 10000-HL
  Livery 12345-LY Flat. (Formerly Embossed) The LA Series was used for the 2001 series and The LV Series was used for the 2010 Series.
  Motorcycle 12AB34 Flat. Began at 10RA00.
 

 

Official R-12345
A/B1234
Older plates with the R-12345 serial format were embossed. Newer plates with the A/B1234 format are flat, and display the political subdivision at the left and the county name at the bottom.
  Press NYP-1234 Flat.
 
School 12345-SV Flat. (Formerly Embossed) The SL Series was used for the 2001 series and The SH Series was used for the 2010 Series.
  Special Commercial 12345-SM Embossed.
  T&LC T123456C Flat. Began at T600000C.
  T&LC – Nassau County N123456C Flat.
  T&LC – Westchester County W123456C Flat.
  Taxi 12345-TY Flat.
  Taxi – NYC medallion cabs Y123456C Flat. New serial format from March 2018. Standby vehicles have the format S123456V.[21] Previous plates display the medallion number with a serial subscript (e.g. 1X97A), or 999SBVA for standby vehicles, and remain valid.
 

 

Tow Truck 12345-TV Flat. (Formerly Embossed) The TW Series was used for the 2001 series and The TT Series was used for the 2010 Series.
 
Tractor 12345-TC Flat.
 
Trailer CA-12345 Flat. Embossed prior to Excelsior Series. Serial format was initially from AE-12345, then changed to BA-12345, and finally to CA-12345 with the introduction of Excelsior Series plates.
 
Transporter 1234567 Flat. Probably began at 2100000.

Vanity plates edit

Prior to 1977, all vanity plates, or special registration plates in NYSDMV parlance, in New York had combinations consisting of up to three letters and up to three digits (e.g. RED-123, JD-555, JIM-1).

In 1977, the NYSDMV began to allow vanity plates featuring up to six letters (e.g. ALBANY, WAYNE, METS-1). In 1978, narrower dies were introduced that allowed for vanity plates featuring up to eight characters (e.g. BROOKLYN, AMERICA, GRADE-12). Until 1982, digits could not be interspersed with letters (e.g. GOOD2GO, ALL4U2, TERMIN8R), and a dash (itself considered a character) could only separate letters and digits. Vanity plates began to be issued for some non-passenger types in 1982, including Commercial, Motorcycle, and Trailer.

Since the introduction of the Empire State base in 2001, all vanity plates have been manufactured with screened, rather than embossed, combinations.

As of 2019, vanity plates continue to feature up to eight characters, including letters, digits, spaces, and state-shaped dashes (the last two are not recognized as characters on the vehicle's windshield decal). All plates must feature at least one letter, and combinations that are currently in use on standard plates are not allowed: for instance, if FAB-1000 is currently in use on a standard passenger plate, then FAB 1000 (with a space instead of a dash) and FAB1000 (without a dash or space) cannot be used. Offensive and questionable combinations are also not allowed, and some are permanently banned. Of 152,430 applications for vanity plates from 2010 to 2015, more than 5,000 were rejected.[22]

County coding edit

New York never placed the full name of the county of registration explicitly on its standard-issue plates. Some states encode the county of issuance into the selection of serial number, with varying degrees of subtlety. New York intentionally encoded county into the serial number from 1946 through 1986. One system was used from 1946 through 1973, and a second system was used from 1973 through 1986. County coding was also used on the first two formats of Liberty plates, 1986 to 1990. While mostly similar, the county coding on Liberty plates did have variations from the 1973-86 orange base (for example, JTA and JTB being used on Liberty plates in Chautauqua County).

1973 base: original allocation edit

On the 1973–86 orange base, plates were issued in letter blocks by county, initially with phonetic combinations similar to the county's name or the names of communities, companies, or colleges/universities within the county.

County Letter blocks
Albany AAA–ABM, ABO–ACB, ACD, ACF–ADK, ADN–AED, AJM, BSM, CEM, CPC, DFG, DFM, EJK, FGS, JAG, JGS, LEA, MAC, RJH, RJR, SPM, WJR
Allegany ALF–ALG, ALL–ALM, ALY, AND, ANG, ARI, BEL, BIS, BOL, CUB, FIL, HOU, HUM, NIL, SWA, WEL
Bronx BWB, BXA–BXZ, BZA–BZZ, CBE, FOR, HWB, JPS, LSG, MSV, NYU, SLG, VCP, XAA–XHZ, XJA–XJJ
Broome BEY–BEZ, BNA–BNZ, BRB–BRC, BRF–BRG, BRI–BRK, BRM–BRU, BRW–BRZ, BTA–BTU, BTW–BTY, ECT, ENA–ENU, ENW–ENZ, IBM, JCI, JON, VES
Cattaraugus AIR, ASP, BBS, BOV, CAC, CAF–CAH, CAK, CAM, CAO, CAQ, CAT–CAX, CCC, CCV, CGS, CTG, CVC, ELC, LTV, OLE, OLN, ROP, SLC, SLN
Cayuga AUB, CAY, CGK–CGR, CGU–CGZ, CYA–CYG, CYI–CYS, CYU–CYX, CYZ
Chautauqua CCA–CCB, CCD–CCS, CCU, CCW–CCZ, CHA, CHC–CHD, CHJ–CHL, CHQ–CHR, CHU, CHW–CHZ, CXA–CXZ, JMT, MAY
Chemung CHE, CHM, CMA–CMO, CMQ–CMS, CMU–CMZ, EHG, ELA, ELD, ELF–ELH, ELJ–ELK, ELM, ELO–ELR, HHD, NBR
Chenango AFT, BBG, BER, CHG, CHN–CHO, EAR, JID, NBL, NRH, NWC, NWH–NWI, REM, SBN, SBR, TYN
Clinton AFB, CDV, CHP, CLI–CLJ, CLL–CLP, CMP, CUH, CZY, DAM, DJW, ELE, KDL, PLA–PLB, PLT, PRU, PTG, ROP, RPT
Columbia AUS, CAA, CHH, CLA–CLB, CLE–CLH, CLQ–CLS, CLU–CLW, COL, FFM, HLD, HUD, KDH, LFN, PLM, TSP, VLT
Cortland CLD, COR, CRA–CRF, CRH–CRL, CRQ–CRV, CRX–CRZ, CSU, GPS, HMR, MCG, MRT
Delaware DEL, DWA–DWL, DWN–DWX
Dutchess BDV, BEA, DCA–DCG, DCI–DDR, DDT–DDZ, DHA–DHZ, DUB–DUZ, FHK, MIL, PAW, PGH, PGK, POK, POU, RHB, TIV
Erie BBA–BBF, BBH–BBR, BBT–BBZ, BFA–BFZ, BQA–BQB, BUA–BYZ, CEA–CEL, CEN–CFR, CFT–CGA, DEP, EEA–EEY, EQA–ERN, ERP–ERZ, EUA–EWZ, EYA–EZZ, HMB, KEA–KEM, KEO–KEQ, KES–KET, KEW–KEZ
Essex ELB, ELI, ELY, ESX, FTY, JAY, KEV, LPE, MIV, NHU, PHE, TYE, WIT
Franklin CHT, CLC, CRP, DBK, DJH, DUA, FRA, FRN, FTC, HAR, JJC, MAL, MLC, PSM, RRL, SRL, TUP, WAV, WDS
Fulton BDA, BRD, EKT, EPH, FLT, FUL, GLO, GLV, JOH, JST, KAT, MCO, MYF, NHB, PER, RWT, SAC, VMI, WPR
Genesee ALE, BAV, BTV, EIL, GNA–GNZ, LER, OAK
Greene ATH, CAI, CGF, CKL, CTK, CTS, GRE, GRN, HNF, HTR, KAR, LED, PHM, PRV, TEM, TMC, WND
Hamilton HAM, LPL
Herkimer DGV, FFT, HRA–HRU, HRW–HRZ, LIT, MOH
Jefferson ADM, ALX, AWP, BRV, CMT, CVI, CYT, DEX, HAL, HDS, JEA–JEY, PHL, SKH, TMB, WTO, WTR, WTT, WTW
Kings (Brooklyn) BMT, DAR, GAP, JJG, KAA–KAG, KAI–KAQ, KAS, KAU–KDG, KDI–KDK, KDM–KDZ, KFA–KGR, KGU–KHR, KHT–KHZ, KIB–KIF, KIH–KIM, KIO–KNF, KNH–KNW, KNY–KNZ, KPA–KZK, KZM–KZZ, WKH
Lewis CGH, CRG, CTL, DMK, LEW, LOW, LWS, LYF, TUR
Livingston LVA–LVY
Madison CAZ, CGT, CHF, CHI, CLK, CST, DYT, MAD, MDA–MDC, MDE–MDR, MRV, PTB, WMP
Monroe BDL, BPT, BSU, CGJ, DJB, EGY, FAI, GRC, GRI, HEN, HNR–HNT, MCA–MCC, MCE–MCF, MCH–MCN, MCP–MCU, MCW–MCZ, MJA–MJZ, MMA–MNE, MNG–MNS, MNU–MOG, MOI–MPA, MQA–MRS, MRU, MRW–MRZ, MUA–MVZ, PIT, PTF, RHA, RHC–RHZ, RMA–RMC, RME–RMR, RMT–RMZ, RPA–RPL, RQA–RQZ, SPP, WEB
Montgomery AMD, AMS, AST, AUR, CAJ, CJH, FDA, FON, MTG, MTI–MTU, NJN, PGT, VPR, VWN
Nassau ADL, AMA, AOA, BHF, BMF, CWP, DGA–DGU, DGW–DGZ, DLC, DNA–DNL, DNN–DNZ, DQA–DRX, DRZ–DTZ, DWM, EJA, ERO, FPA–FPZ, FRB–FRM, FRO–FSZ, GCA–GCZ, HBF, HEM, HIA–HIZ, HMF, HOF, HPA–HPS, HPU–HPZ, JBA–JBZ, LBA–LBX, LBZ, LIA, LIC–LIR, LIU–LIZ, LYA–LYE, LYG–LYL, LYN–LYZ, MLA, MLD–MLK, MLM–MLZ, NAA–NAZ, NCA–NCK, NCM–NCQ, NCS–NCZ, NET, NHI, NNA–NPK, NPM, NPO–NPS, NPU–NPY, RSA–RSB, RSD–RSZ, RVA–RVZ, SRX–SSL, SSN–SSZ, TRI, VSA–VSZ, WBA–WBZ, WMF
New York (Manhattan) AYP, BJP, JPT, YSA–YZZ
Niagara LOA–LOV, LOX–LOZ, LPD, LWT, NFB–NFJ, NFL–NGZ, NIA–NIK, NIM–NIR, NIT–NIZ, NTA–NTU, NTW–NTZ, NWF, OFN, TIR, TNA–TNZ, TUS, YON, YOU
Oneida BON, CDE, DMF, GAB, NHF, NHT, NLP, NYM, ORF, RMS, RNY, ROA–RON, ROQ–ROZ, SYL, UHC, UKA–UKZ, UNY, UQA–UQB, UTA–UTZ, VRN, WML
Onondaga BWT, CIC, DEW, ESY, FAB, FAY, FYV, JMV, JOR, KKV, LEM, LPO, MAN, MAT, NED, ONA–OND, ONF–ONS, ONU–ONZ, OVB–OVZ, POM, SFA–SFE, SFG–SFZ, SLY, SNK–SNZ, SPX, SPZ, SVA–SVM, SVO–SVZ, SWB–SWX, SWZ–SYK, SYM–SYZ, TUL
Ontario CAN, CNA–CNC, CNE, GEN, GVA–GVF, ONT, OTA–OTN
Orange BLG, CHS, CNG–CNZ, CRW, CWL, DPK, GSN, HBG, HLF, KNX, MDT, MIA–MIC, MIE–MIJ, MIM–MIU, MIW–MIZ, MTA–MTB, MTD–MTE, MTH, MTX–MTZ, NBA–NBK, NBM–NBQ, NBS–NBZ, NEW, ORA–ORE, ORG–ORK, PJV, PTJ, TUX, WDY, WRK
Orleans ABN, HLY, LNV, MLL, ORL–ORZ, RGW, SLB, WPT
Oswego AMB, CSQ, CVD, FTO, FUT, HBL, LMG, MXO, OSA–OSB, OSD–OSZ, PLK, PSK, RCM, TEX, VER
Otsego CHV, CPS–CPT, CPW, DBL, DOU, FAM, FEN, JFC, ONE, OTP–OTZ, RIC, RIS
Putnam ACE, AOK, BAL, BCR, BHG, BRE, CAS, CFS, CRM, CRO, CTY, FMP, GAR, KEN, LAK, MAH, NEL, OSC, PAT, PCO, PHI, PTN, PTV–PUZ, VAL
Queens JAA–JAF, JAH–JAJ, JFK, QAA–QBX, QBZ–QZZ
Rensselaer AVP, BRL, BYS, CPH, EGB, ESC, GSM, JRG, LES, PBP, POE, REA–REL, REN–RER, RET–REZ, RJE, RPI, TRJ–TRZ, WSL, WYS
Richmond (Staten Island) RAA–RAP, RAR–RBZ, RGA–RGV, RGX–RGZ, RLA–RLB, RLD–RLZ, RTA–RTC, RTE–RUA, TRA, TRC–TRH
Rockland CKT, HVS, NYA, PJC, PLR, RCA–RCL, RCN–RCQ, RCS–RCZ, RKA–RKZ, RNA–RNX, RNZ, RPO, RZA–RZZ, SFF, SPT, SPV, TJD, TPP, TZB
St. Lawrence ASW, ATC, ATG, BIW, CTT, CLT, CNF, CTN, DEK, DJP, DNM, ELT, GOU, GRA, GUV, HVT, HWF, LIS, LSR, MAS, MTW, NDM, NFA, NFK, NRW, OGB, OGD, PAR, PDM, PTO, RAQ, RMD, ROO, RUS, SLA, SLS, SLU, SSM, SWY, WGT, WTP
Saratoga BLL, BRH, BST, BUR, CTH, DMB, HDL, MCV, MHV, SAR, SGR–SGS, SGU–SGZ, SPA, SRA–SRK, SRM–SRV, TES, WLT
Schenectady AEL, AGL, DBG, DLS, DMC, EAL, GEC, GLN, MAR, NIS, RDJ, RTD, SDA–SDO, SDQ–SDT, SDV–SDZ, SGA–SGD, SGF–SGQ, SNA–SNJ, WGB, WGY
Schoharie SHA–SHM
Schuyler HEC, KYU, MNF, MTF, SCH, SCR, TYR, WGK, WNE, WTK
Seneca SEB–SEW
Steuben STA–STZ, THA–THV
Suffolk BAA–BAK, BAM–BAU, BAW–BAY, BOA, CAE, CAP, CBK–CBL, CGI, COA–COB, ESP, FIA–FIK, FIM–FIZ, FIL, GSA–GSL, GSO–GSX, GSZ, HUA–HUC, HUE–HUL, HUO–HUZ, LDA–LDZ, LEE, LHA–LHZ, LRA–LRZ, MHA–MHU, MHW–MHZ, MID, MLB, PCA, PCP–PCZ, PJA–PJB, PJD–PJU, PJW–PJZ, RFA–RFZ, RIA–RIB, RID–RIR, RIT–RIZ, RRA–RRK, RRM–RRZ, SAG, SAY, SBB–SBM, SBO–SBQ, SBS–SCG, SCI, SCK–SCQ, SCS–SCZ, SEA, SHO–SJZ, SMB–SMZ, SOA–SOZ, SQA–SQZ, SUA–SUJ, SUM–SUZ, SZA–SZZ, TPM
Sullivan GRV, GSY, HRV, KIA, KZL, LBY, LCS, LIB, LLH, LTY, LYM, MGP, MNT, MTC, RSC, SLV–SLX, SUL, SVN, TMR, WDB, WSS, WTB
Tioga APL, BKS, CND, NCL, NKV, OWE, SPN, TIA–TIO, WVL
Tompkins CRN, CYH, DRY, ETN, ITH, MDD, TAU, TOA–TOX, TRB
Ulster ACC, ATW, CUL, ELL, ELN, ELV, ENV, HGH, KER, KGS–KGT, KHS, KIG, KIN, LKT, NEP, NPL, NPN, NPT, NPZ, PHO, SDK, SGT, ULA–ULZ, UST
Warren BLT, CTW, DPT, FWH, GLE–GLF, GOR, LGE, LUZ, NCR, PRS, QBY, SDP, SKI, WRA–WRJ, WRN
Washington ARG, BKK, CBR, CSK, DLT, EDW, FTA, FTE, GIM, GPH, GVL, GWH, HCK, HCM, HFA, HFD, HFL, HPT, WHH, WSA–WSK
Wayne ALT, CHB, CLY, LYO, NWK, PAL, PLY, PMY, RCR, SAV, SDU, WAA–WAQ, WAS–WAU, WAX–WAZ, WIL, WOL, WYN
Westchester AOH, ARM, DOB, HAW, HJD, HOH, JMG, KAH, MAM, MKS, MTV, NER, NRA–NRG, NRI–NRV, NRX, NRZ, PKA–PKZ, PLE, RYA–RYZ, TAA–TAT, TAV–TAZ, TUC, VVA–VVZ, WCA–WDA, WDC–WDR, WDT–WDX, WEA, WEC–WEK, WEM–WEZ, WHA–WHG, WHI–WHZ, WPA–WPQ, WPS, WPU–WPZ, WTA, WTC–WTJ, WTL–WTN, WTQ, WTS, WTU–WTV, WTX–WTZ, YKA–YKZ, YOA–YOM, YOO–YOT, YOV–YOZ, YQA–YQK, YRA–YRZ
Wyoming ARC, ATT, LET, VAR, WAR, WYA–WYM, WYO–WYQ
Yates YCA–YCJ

Alphabetical cross-reference

Letter blocks County     Letter blocks County     Letter blocks County     Letter blocks County     Letter blocks County
AAA–ABM Albany CRM Putnam HGH Ulster MTW St. Lawrence SAY Suffolk
ABN Orleans CRN Tompkins HHD Chemung MTX–MTZ Orange SBB–SBM Suffolk
ABO–ACB Albany CRO Putnam HIA–HIZ Nassau MUA–MVZ Monroe SBN Chenango
ACC Ulster CRP Franklin HJD Westchester MXO Oswego SBO–SBQ Suffolk
ACD Albany CRQ–CRV Cortland HLD Columbia MYF Fulton SBR Chenango
ACE Putnam CRW Orange HLF Orange NAA–NAZ Nassau SBS–SCG Suffolk
ACF–ADK Albany CRX–CRZ Cortland HLY Orleans NBA–NBK Orange SCH Schuyler
ADL Nassau CSK Washington HMB Erie NBL Chenango SCI Suffolk
ADM Jefferson CSQ Oswego HMF Nassau NBM–NBQ Orange SCK–SCQ Suffolk
ADN–AED Albany CST Madison HMR Cortland NBR Chemung SCR Schuyler
AEL Schenectady CSU Cortland HNF Greene NBS–NBZ Orange SCS–SCZ Suffolk
AFB Clinton CTG Cattaraugus HNR–HNT Monroe NCA–NCK Nassau SDA–SDO Schenectady
AFT Chenango CTH Saratoga HOF Nassau NCL Tioga SDK Ulster
AGL Schenectady CTK Greene HOH Westchester NCM–NCQ Nassau SDP Warren
AIR Cattaraugus CTL Lewis HOU Allegany NCR Warren SDQ–SDT Schenectady
AJM Albany CTN St. Lawrence HPA–HPS Nassau NCS–NCZ Nassau SDU Wayne
ALE Genesee CTS Greene HPT Washington NDM St. Lawrence SDV–SDZ Schenectady
ALF–ALG Allegany CTT St. Lawrence HPU–HPZ Nassau NED Onondaga SEA Suffolk
ALL–ALM Allegany CTW Warren HRA–HRU Herkimer NEL Putnam SEB–SEW Seneca
ALT Wayne CTY Putnam HRV Sullivan NEP Ulster SFA–SFE Onondaga
ALX Jefferson CUB Allegany HRW–HRZ Herkimer NER Westchester SFF Rockland
ALY Allegany CUH Clinton HTR Greene NET Nassau SFG–SFZ Onondaga
AMA Nassau CUL Ulster HUA–HUC Suffolk NEW Orange SGA–SGD Schenectady
AMB Oswego CVC Cattaraugus HUD Columbia NFA St. Lawrence SGF–SGQ Schenectady
AMD Montgomery CVD Oswego HUE–HUL Suffolk NFB–NFJ Niagara SGR–SGS Saratoga
AMS Montgomery CVI Jefferson HUM Allegany NFK St. Lawrence SGT Ulster
AND Allegany CWL Orange HUO–HUZ Suffolk NFL–NGZ Niagara SGU–SGZ Saratoga
ANG Allegany CWP Nassau HVS Rockland NHB Fulton SHA–SHM Schoharie
AOA Nassau CXA–CXZ Chautauqua HVT St. Lawrence NHF Oneida SHO–SJZ Suffolk
AOH Westchester CYA–CYG Cayuga HWB Bronx NHI Nassau SKH Jefferson
AOK Putnam CYH Tompkins HWF St. Lawrence NHT Oneida SKI Warren
APL Tioga CYI–CYS Cayuga IBM Broome NHU Essex SLA St. Lawrence
ARC Wyoming CYT Jefferson ITH Tompkins NIA–NIK Niagara SLB Orleans
ARG Washington CYU–CYX Cayuga JAA–JAF Queens NIL Allegany SLC Cattaraugus
ARI Allegany CYZ Cayuga JAG Albany NIM–NIR Niagara SLG Bronx
ARM Westchester CZY Clinton JAH–JAJ Queens NIS Schenectady SLN Cattaraugus
ASP Cattaraugus DAM Clinton JAY Essex NIT–NIZ Niagara SLS St. Lawrence
AST Montgomery DAR Kings JBA–JBZ Nassau NJN Montgomery SLU St. Lawrence
ASW St. Lawrence DBG Schenectady JCI Broome NKV Tioga SLV–SLX Sullivan
ATC St. Lawrence DBK Franklin JEA–JEY Jefferson NLP Oneida SLY Onondaga
ATG St. Lawrence DBL Otsego JFC Otsego NNA–NPK Nassau SMB–SMZ Suffolk
ATH Greene DCA–DCG Dutchess JFK Queens NPL Ulster SNA–SNJ Schenectady
ATT Wyoming DCI–DDR Dutchess JGS Albany NPM Nassau SNK–SNZ Onondaga
ATW Ulster DDT–DDZ Dutchess JID Chenango NPN Ulster SOA–SOZ Suffolk
AUB Cayuga DEK St. Lawrence JJC Franklin NPO–NPS Nassau SPA Saratoga
AUR Montgomery DEL Delaware JJG Kings NPT Ulster SPM Albany
AUS Columbia DEP Erie JMG Westchester NPU–NPY Nassau SPN Tioga
AVP Rensselaer DEW Onondaga JMT Chautauqua NPZ Ulster SPP Monroe
AWP Jefferson DEX Jefferson JMV Onondaga NRA–NRG Westchester SPT Rockland
AYP New York DFG Albany JOH Fulton NRH Chenango SPV Rockland
BAA–BAK Suffolk DFM Albany JON Broome NRI–NRV Westchester SPX Onondaga
BAL Putnam DGA–DGU Nassau JOR Onondaga NRW St. Lawrence SPZ Onondaga
BAM–BAU Suffolk DGV Herkimer JPS Bronx NRX Westchester SQA–SQZ Suffolk
BAV Genesee DGW–DGZ Nassau JPT New York NRZ Westchester SRA–SRK Saratoga
BAW–BAY Suffolk DHA–DHZ Dutchess JRG Rensselaer NTA–NTU Niagara SRL Franklin
BBA–BBF Erie DJB Monroe JST Fulton NTW–NTZ Niagara SRM–SRV Saratoga
BBG Chenango DJH Franklin KAA–KAG Kings NWC Chenango SRX–SSL Nassau
BBH–BBR Erie DJP St. Lawrence KAH Westchester NWF Niagara SSM St. Lawrence
BBS Cattaraugus DJW Clinton KAI–KAQ Kings NWH–NWI Chenango SSN–SSZ Nassau
BBT–BBZ Erie DLC Nassau KAR Greene NWK Wayne STA–STZ Steuben
BCR Putnam DLS Schenectady KAS Kings NYA Rockland SUA–SUJ Suffolk
BDA Fulton DLT Washington KAT Fulton NYM Oneida SUL Sullivan
BDL Monroe DMB Saratoga KAU–KDG Kings NYU Bronx SUM–SUZ Suffolk
BDV Dutchess DMC Schenectady KDH Columbia OAK Genesee SVA–SVM Onondaga
BEA Dutchess DMF Oneida KDI–KDK Kings OFN Niagara SVN Sullivan
BEL Allegany DMK Lewis KDL Clinton OGB St. Lawrence SVO–SVZ Onondaga
BER Chenango DNA–DNL Nassau KDM–KDZ Kings OGD St. Lawrence SWA Allegany
BEY–BEZ Broome DNM St. Lawrence KEA–KEM Erie OLE Cattaraugus SWB–SWX Onondaga
BFA–BFZ Erie DNN–DNZ Nassau KEN Putnam OLN Cattaraugus SWY St. Lawrence
BHF Nassau DOB Westchester KEO–KEQ Erie ONA–OND Onondaga SWZ–SYK Onondaga
BHG Putnam DOU Otsego KER Ulster ONE Otsego SYL Oneida
BIS Allegany DPK Orange KES–KET Erie ONF–ONS Onondaga SYM–SYZ Onondaga
BIW St. Lawrence DPT Warren KEV Essex ONT Ontario SZA–SZZ Suffolk
BJP New York DQA–DRX Nassau KEW–KEZ Erie ONU–ONZ Onondaga TAA–TAT Westchester
BKK Washington DRY Tompkins KFA–KGR Kings ORA–ORE Orange TAU Tompkins
BKS Tioga DRZ–DTZ Nassau KGS–KGT Ulster ORF Oneida TAV–TAZ Westchester
BLG Orange DUA Franklin KGU–KHR Kings ORG–ORK Orange TEM Greene
BLL Saratoga DUB–DUZ Dutchess KHS Ulster ORL–ORZ Orleans TES Saratoga
BLT Warren DWA–DWL Delaware KHT–KHZ Kings OSA–OSB Oswego TEX Oswego
BMF Nassau DWM Nassau KIA Sullivan OSC Putnam THA–THV Steuben
BMT Kings DWN–DWX Delaware KIB–KIF Kings OSD–OSZ Oswego TIA–TIO Tioga
BNA–BNZ Broome DYT Madison KIG Ulster OTA–OTN Ontario TIR Niagara
BOA Suffolk EAL Schenectady KIH–KIM Kings OTP–OTZ Otsego TIV Dutchess
BOL Allegany EAR Chenango KIN Ulster OVB–OVZ Onondaga TJD Rockland
BON Oneida ECT Broome KIO–KNF Kings OWE Tioga TMB Jefferson
BOV Cattaraugus EDW Washington KKV Onondaga PAL Wayne TMC Greene
BPT Monroe EEA–EEY Erie KNH–KNW Kings PAR St. Lawrence TMR Sullivan
BQA–BQB Erie EGB Rensselaer KNX Orange PAT Putnam TNA–TNZ Niagara
BRB–BRC Broome EGY Monroe KNY–KNZ Kings PAW Dutchess TOA–TOX Tompkins
BRD Fulton EHG Chemung KPA–KZK Kings PBP Rensselaer TPM Suffolk
BRE Putnam EIL Genesee KYU a Schuyler PCA Suffolk TPP Rockland
BRF–BRG Broome EJA Nassau KZL Sullivan PCO Putnam TRA Richmond
BRH Saratoga EJK Albany KZM–KZZ Kings PCP–PCZ Suffolk TRB Tompkins
BRI–BRK Broome EKT Fulton LAK Putnam PDM St. Lawrence TRC–TRH Richmond
BRL Rensselaer ELA Chemung LBA–LBX Nassau PER Fulton TRI Nassau
BRM–BRU Broome ELB Essex LBY Sullivan PGH Dutchess TRJ–TRZ Rensselaer
BRV Jefferson ELC Cattaraugus LBZ Nassau PGK Dutchess TSP Columbia
BRW–BRZ Broome ELD Chemung LCS Sullivan PGT Montgomery TUC Westchester
BSM Albany ELE Clinton LDA–LDZ Suffolk PHE Essex TUL Onondaga
BST Saratoga ELF–ELH Chemung LEA Albany PHI Putnam TUP Franklin
BSU Monroe ELI Essex LED Greene PHL Jefferson TUR Lewis
BTA–BTU Broome ELJ–ELK Chemung LEE Suffolk PHM Greene TUS Niagara
BTV Genesee ELL Ulster LEM Onondaga PHO Ulster TUX Orange
BTW–BTY Broome ELM Chemung LER Genesee PIT Monroe TYE Essex
BUA–BYZ Erie ELN Ulster LES Rensselaer PJA–PJB Suffolk TYN Chenango
BUR Saratoga ELO–ELR Chemung LET Wyoming PJC Rockland TYR Schuyler
BWB Bronx ELT St. Lawrence LEW Lewis PJD–PJU Suffolk TZB Rockland
BWT Onondaga ELV Ulster LFN Columbia PJV Orange UHC Oneida
BXA–BXZ Bronx ELY Essex LGE Warren PJW–PJZ Suffolk UKA–UKZ Oneida
BYS Rensselaer ENA–ENU Broome LHA–LHZ Suffolk PKA–PKZ Westchester ULA–ULZ Ulster
BZA–BZZ Bronx ENV Ulster LIA Nassau PLA–PLB Clinton UNY Oneida
CAA Columbia ENW–ENZ Broome LIB Sullivan PLE Westchester UQA–UQB Oneida
CAC Cattaraugus EPH Fulton LIC–LIR Nassau PLK Oswego UST Ulster
CAE Suffolk EQA–ERN Erie LIS St. Lawrence PLM Columbia UTA–UTZ Oneida
CAF–CAH Cattaraugus ERO Nassau LIT Herkimer PLR Rockland VAL Putnam
CAI Greene ERP–ERZ Erie LIU–LIZ Nassau PLT Clinton VAR Wyoming
CAJ Montgomery ESC Rensselaer LKT Ulster PLY Wayne VCP Bronx
CAK Cattaraugus ESP Suffolk LLH Sullivan PMY Wayne VER Oswego
CAM Cattaraugus ESX Essex LMG Oswego POE Rensselaer VES Broome
CAN Ontario ESY Onondaga LNV Orleans POK Dutchess VLT Columbia
CAO Cattaraugus ETN Tompkins LOA–LOV Niagara POM Onondaga VMI Fulton
CAP Suffolk EUA–EWZ Erie LOW Lewis POU Dutchess VPR Montgomery
CAQ Cattaraugus EYA–EZZ Erie LOX–LOZ Niagara PRS Warren VRN Oneida
CAS Putnam FAB Onondaga LPD Niagara PRU Clinton VSA–VSZ Nassau
CAT–CAX Cattaraugus FAI Monroe LPE Essex PRV Greene VVA–VVZ Westchester
CAY Cayuga FAM Otsego LPL Hamilton PSK Oswego VWN Montgomery
CAZ Madison FAY Onondaga LPO Onondaga PSM Franklin WAA–WAQ Wayne
CBE Bronx FDA Montgomery LRA–LRZ Suffolk PTB Madison WAR Wyoming
CBK–CBL Suffolk FEN Otsego LSG Bronx PTF Monroe WAS–WAU Wayne
CBR Washington FFM Columbia LSR St. Lawrence PTG Clinton WAV Franklin
CCA–CCB Chautauqua FFT Herkimer LTV Cattaraugus PTJ Orange WAX–WAZ Wayne
CCC Cattaraugus FGS Albany LTY Sullivan PTN Putnam WBA–WBZ Nassau
CCD–CCS Chautauqua FHK Dutchess LUZ Warren PTO St. Lawrence WCA–WDA Westchester
CCU Chautauqua FIA–FIK Suffolk LVA–LVY Livingston PTV–PUZ Putnam WDB Sullivan
CCV Cattaraugus FIL a Allegany LWS Lewis QAA–QBX Queens WDC–WDR Westchester
CCW–CCZ Chautauqua FIL a Suffolk LWT Niagara QBY Warren WDS Franklin
CDE Oneida FIM–FIZ Suffolk LYA–LYE Nassau QBZ–QZZ Queens WDT–WDX Westchester
CDV Clinton FLT Fulton LYF Lewis RAA–RAP Richmond WDY Orange
CEA–CEL Erie FMP Putnam LYG–LYL Nassau RAQ St. Lawrence WEA Westchester
CEM Albany FON Montgomery LYM Sullivan RAR–RBZ Richmond WEB Monroe
CEN–CFR Erie FOR Bronx LYN–LYZ Nassau RCA–RCL Rockland WEC–WEK Westchester
CFS Putnam FPA–FPZ Nassau LYO a Wayne RCM Oswego WEL Allegany
CFT–CGA Erie FRA Franklin MAC Albany RCN–RCQ Rockland WEM–WEZ Westchester
CGF Greene FRB–FRM Nassau MAD Madison RCR Wayne WGB Schenectady
CGH Lewis FRN Franklin MAH Putnam RCS–RCZ Rockland WGK Schuyler
CGI Suffolk FRO–FSZ Nassau MAL Franklin RDJ Schenectady WGT St. Lawrence
CGJ Monroe FTA Washington MAM Westchester REA–REL Rensselaer WGY Schenectady
CGK–CGR Cayuga FTC Franklin MAN Onondaga REM Chenango WHA–WHG Westchester
CGS Cattaraugus FTE Washington MAR Schenectady REN–RER Rensselaer WHH Washington
CGT Madison FTO Oswego MAS St. Lawrence RET–REZ Rensselaer WHI–WHZ Westchester
CGU–CGZ Cayuga FTY Essex MAT Onondaga RFA–RFZ Suffolk WIL Wayne
CHA Chautauqua FUL Fulton MAY Chautauqua RGA–RGV Richmond WIT Essex
CHB Wayne FUT Oswego MCA–MCC Monroe RGW Orleans WJR Albany
CHC–CHD Chautauqua FWH Warren MCE–MCF Monroe RGX–RGZ Richmond WKH Kings
CHE Chemung FYV Onondaga MCG Cortland RHA Monroe WLT Saratoga
CHF Madison GAB Oneida MCH–MCN Monroe RHB Dutchess WMF Nassau
CHG Chenango GAP Kings MCO Fulton RHC–RHZ Monroe WML Oneida
CHH Columbia GAR Putnam MCP–MCU Monroe RIA–RIB Suffolk WMP Madison
CHI Madison GCA–GCZ Nassau MCV Saratoga RIC Otsego WND Greene
CHJ–CHL Chautauqua GEC Schenectady MCW–MCZ Monroe RID–RIR Suffolk WNE Schuyler
CHM Chemung GEN Ontario MDA–MDC Madison RIS Otsego WOL Wayne
CHN–CHO Chenango GIM Washington MDD Tompkins RIT–RIZ Suffolk WPA–WPQ Westchester
CHP Clinton GLE–GLF Warren MDE–MDR Madison RJE Rensselaer WPR Fulton
CHQ–CHR Chautauqua GLN Schenectady MDT Orange RJH Albany WPS Westchester
CHS Orange GLO Fulton MGP Sullivan RJR Albany WPT Orleans
CHT Franklin GLV Fulton MHA–MHU Suffolk RKA–RKZ Rockland WPU–WPZ Westchester
CHU Chautauqua GNA–GNZ Genesee MHV Saratoga RLA–RLB Richmond WRA–WRJ Warren
CHV Otsego GOR Warren MHW–MHZ Suffolk RLD–RLZ Richmond WRK Orange
CHW–CHZ Chautauqua GOU St. Lawrence MIA–MIC Orange RMA–RMC Monroe WRN Warren
CIC Onondaga GPH Washington MID Suffolk RMD St. Lawrence WSA–WSK Washington
CJH Montgomery GPS Cortland MIE–MIJ Orange RME–RMR Monroe WSL Rensselaer
CKL Greene GRA St. Lawrence MIL Dutchess RMS Oneida WSS Sullivan
CKT Rockland GRC Monroe MIM–MIU Orange RMT–RMZ Monroe WTA Westchester
CLA–CLB Columbia GRE Greene MIV Essex RNA–RNX Rockland WTB Sullivan
CLC Franklin GRI Monroe MIW–MIZ Orange RNY Oneida WTC–WTJ Westchester
CLD Cortland GRN Greene MJA–MJZ Monroe RNZ Rockland WTK Schuyler
CLE–CLH Columbia GRV Sullivan MKS Westchester ROA–RON Oneida WTL–WTN Westchester
CLI–CLJ Clinton GSA–GSL Suffolk MLA Nassau ROO St. Lawrence WTO Jefferson
CLK Madison GSM Rensselaer MLB Suffolk ROP a Cattaraugus WTP St. Lawrence
CLL–CLP Clinton GSN Orange MLC Franklin ROP a Clinton WTQ Westchester
CLQ–CLS Columbia GSO–GSX Suffolk MLD–MLK Nassau ROQ–ROZ Oneida WTR Jefferson
CLT St. Lawrence GSY Sullivan MLL Orleans RPA–RPL Monroe WTS Westchester
CLU–CLW Columbia GSZ Suffolk MLM–MLZ Nassau RPI Rensselaer WTT Jefferson
CLY Wayne GUV St. Lawrence MMA–MNE Monroe RPO Rockland WTU–WTV Westchester
CMA–CMO Chemung GVA–GVF Ontario MNF Schuyler RPT Clinton WTW Jefferson
CMP Clinton GVL Washington MNG–MNS Monroe RQA–RQZ Monroe WTX–WTZ Westchester
CMQ–CMS Chemung GWH Washington MNT Sullivan RRA–RRK Suffolk WVL Tioga
CMT Jefferson HAL Jefferson MNU–MOG Monroe RRL Franklin WYA–WYM Wyoming
CMU–CMZ Chemung HAM Hamilton MOH Herkimer RRM–RRZ Suffolk WYN Wayne
CNA–CNC Ontario HAR Franklin MOI–MPA Monroe RSA–RSB Nassau WYO–WYQ Wyoming
CND Tioga HAW Westchester MQA–MRS Monroe RSC Sullivan WYS Rensselaer
CNE Ontario HBF Nassau MRT Cortland RSD–RSZ Nassau XAA–XHZ Bronx
CNF St. Lawrence HBG Orange MRU Monroe RTA–RTC Richmond XJA–XJJ Bronx
CNG–CNZ Orange HBL Oswego MRV Madison RTD Schenectady YCA–YCJ Yates
COA–COB Suffolk HCK Washington MRW–MRZ Monroe RTE–RUA Richmond YKA–YKZ Westchester
COL Columbia HCM Washington MSV Bronx RUS St. Lawrence YOA–YOM Westchester
COR Cortland HDL Saratoga MTA–MTB Orange RVA–RVZ Nassau YON Niagara
CPC Albany HDS Jefferson MTC Sullivan RWT Fulton YOO–YOT Westchester
CPH Rensselaer HEC Schuyler MTD–MTE Orange RYA–RYZ Westchester YOU Niagara
CPS–CPT Otsego HEM Nassau MTF Schuyler RZA–RZZ Rockland YOV–YOZ Westchester
CPW Otsego HEN Monroe MTG Montgomery SAC Fulton YQA–YQK Westchester
CRA–CRF Cortland HFA Washington MTH Orange SAG Suffolk YRA–YRZ Westchester
CRG Lewis HFD Washington MTI–MTU Montgomery SAR Saratoga YSA–YZZ New York
CRH–CRL Cortland HFL Washington MTV Westchester SAV Wayne

Notes

a. Duplicate use.

FIL: Allegany County (from "Fillmore")

ROP: Clinton County (from "Rouses Point")

LG: Warren County (from "Lake George")

References edit

  1. ^ "Old New York License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. 27 August 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  2. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Tanner, Eric N. "New York License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  4. ^ Tanner, Eric N. "New York License Plates - County Codes". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  5. ^ "DMV Commissioner Announces Empire Gold License Plate Availability" (Press release). New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. April 1, 2010. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  6. ^ Campbell, Jon (June 25, 2020). "New York's new license plates have finally hit the road". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, NY. Retrieved July 1, 2020. The Excelsior plates are being issued in counties that have depleted their supply of Empire Gold. As of Tuesday [June 23], that included Albany, Columbia, Franklin, Greene, Madison, Oneida, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schuyler, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Warren, Wyoming and Yates counties, as well as several auto dealerships across the state.
  7. ^ "Governor Cuomo Launches Statewide Survey Allowing New Yorkers to Choose State's New License Plate Design" (Press release). August 19, 2019.
  8. ^ Frankel, Katherine (July 19, 2010). "Not Everyone Happy With New NYS License Plates". Patch.com. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  9. ^ Campbell, Jon. "This is New York's new license plate. Here's when it will hit the road". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  10. ^ Harding, Robert (2019-09-07). "And the winner is...: NY DMV announces new license plate design". Auburnpub.com. The Citizen, a division of Lee Publications, Inc.
  11. ^ Lombardo, David (August 19, 2019). "Cuomo advances mandatory license plate replacement with $25 fee". www.timesunion.com. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  12. ^ "Governor Cuomo Launches Statewide Survey Allowing New Yorkers to Choose State's New License Plate Design". Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  13. ^ Campanile, Carl (2019-09-17). "New Yorkers strongly oppose license plate replacement plan, poll shows". New York Post. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  14. ^ Hogan, Bernadette (2019-08-29). "Cuomo admin. softens stance on $25 license plate replacement". New York Post. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  15. ^ Hogan, Bernadette; Meyer, David (2019-09-17). "Andrew Cuomo scraps plan to charge New Yorkers for new license plates". New York Post. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  16. ^ Gross, Courtney (2019-09-17). "Cuomo Officially Puts the Brakes on New License Plate Requirement". Spectrum Local News. Charter Communications. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  17. ^ Reisman, Nick (2020-05-12). "New 'Excelsior' License Plates Sent Back Due To Manufacturing Problem". Spectrum News. Charter Communications. Archived from the original on 2020-05-29.
  18. ^ "New York License Plates". LicensePlates.cc. Archived from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  19. ^ "New York plate" (JPG).
  20. ^ "New York Updates the Handicap Symbol". National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. October 22, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  21. ^ "Industry Notice #18-04: DMV to Issue New Taxi Plates" (PDF). New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. March 23, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  22. ^ Eisenstadt, Marnie (March 25, 2015). "In New York, you can't have these 6,942 dirty vanity plates (search for banned licenses)". Syracuse.com. Retrieved September 22, 2016.

External links edit

  • Information about Empire Gold plates | New York State DMV
  • Information on custom plates | New York State DMV
  • Look up and order personalized plates | New York State DMV
  • Order picture and professional plates | New York State DMV
  • New York license plates, 1969–present
  • Scott Smith's New York License Plates at the Wayback Machine (archived May 5, 2016)
  • County codes for NY license plates (1946–1986)