Vehicle registration plates of Alabama

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Alabama
Alabama Standard Licence Plate.jpg
Current series
SloganHeart of Dixie
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial format1AB1234
10AB123
10A1B23
(county-coded)
IntroducedJanuary 2, 2014 (2014-01-02)
Availability
Issued byAlabama Department of Revenue
History
First issuedOctober 1, 1911 (1911-10-01)

The U.S. state of Alabama first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911.

As of 2021, plates are issued by the Alabama Department of Revenue. Only rear plates have been required on standard passenger vehicles since 1963.

History[]

Some Alabama municipalities issued their own license plates for horse-drawn vehicles as well as automobiles prior to 1911. The earliest known plate is a bronze plate, "No. 1", issued by the city of Bessemer on a two-horse wagon in 1901, while the earliest known plate for an automobile is a 1906 dash plate[1] issued by the city of Birmingham, originally assigned to a 1904 6-cylinder Ford.[1] Between 1909 and 1911, Birmingham and Mobile issued annual plates made of porcelain-coated steel, while Montgomery, the state capital, issued a similar plate only in 1909. Dothan also issued a porcelain plate in 1911.[2]

The state first issued annual license plates on October 1, 1911, with plate #1 being issued to the Leak Funeral Home in Montgomery.[1] Until 1980, the license year was October 1 to September 30. Porcelain plates were originally used, before the state switched to embossed metal plates in 1915. The 1916–17 plate was the first to feature the year of expiration, while the 1921–22 plate was the first to use a horsepower class system, with each class denoted by a letter.[3] Kilby Prison near Montgomery took charge of all plate manufacture in 1928.[1]

In 1933, the horsepower classes were replaced by weight classes, using the same letter system; these lasted until 1952.[4] County coding was introduced in 1941.

A 1951 law added a heart shape and the phrase "Heart of Dixie" to the state's license plates (beginning with the 1954–55 plate), adopting a slogan created by the Alabama Chamber of Commerce. The heart motif and slogan remain in use on all standard-issue plates today.[1]

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.[5] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Alabama license plate that complied with these standards.

Since 1980, Alabama has used a staggered registration system based on the first letter of the registrant's last name. Registrations expire January through November, with fleet, leased, and commercial vehicles expiring in November.[1][6]

Passenger baseplates[]

1911 to 1976[]

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1912 AL passenger plate.jpg 1911–12 White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "ALA" at left none 1234 1 to approximately 4000
1913 AL passenger plate.jpg 1912–13 Black serial on orange porcelain plate; vertical "ALA" at left none 1234 1 to approximately 4800
1914 AL passenger plate.jpg 1913–14 Black serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "ALA" at left none 1234 1 to approximately 8300
1915 AL passenger plate.jpg 1914–15 White serial on green porcelain plate; vertical "ALA" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 12100
1916 Alabama passenger license plate - restored.jpg 1915–16 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; vertical "ALA" at left none 12345 1 to 10000;
15001 to approximately 24100
First embossed plate.
1917 Alabama passenger license plate - restored.jpg 1916–17 Embossed red serial on white plate; vertical "ALA" and "1917" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to 25000;
35001 to approximately 36600
First dated plate.
1918 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1917–18 Embossed blue serial on gray plate; vertical "1918" and "ALA" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 30200
1919 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1918–19 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; vertical "ALA" and "19" at left and right respectively none 12345 00001 to approximately 49500
1920 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1919–20 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; vertical "20" and "ALA" at left and right respectively none 12345 00001 to approximately 64700
1921 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1920–21 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; vertical "21" and "ALA" at left and right respectively none 12345 00001 to approximately 69600
1922 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1921–22 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; vertical "ALA" and "22" at right; "PRIVATE" centered at bottom none A-12345 Coded by horsepower class (A)
1923 Alabama passenger license plate - restored.jpg 1922–23 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "23" and vertical "ALA" at right; "PRIVATE" centered at bottom none A-12345 Coded by horsepower class (A)
1924 Alabama passenger license plate - restored.jpg 1923–24 Embossed brown serial on cream plate with border line; "ALA. PRIVATE 1924" at bottom none A-123-456 Coded by horsepower class (A)
1925 Alabama passenger license plate - restored.jpg 1924–25 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "1925 PRIVATE ALA." at bottom none A-123-456 Coded by horsepower class (A)
1926 Alabama passenger license plate - restored.jpg 1925–26 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "1926 PRIVATE ALA." at bottom none A-123-456 Coded by horsepower class (A)
Alabama 1927 passenger license plate - restored.jpg 1926–27 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "ALABAMA 1927" at bottom none A-123-456 Coded by horsepower class (A) First use of the full state name.
1928 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1927–28 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at bottom, offset to left; "28" at bottom right none 123-456A Coded by horsepower class (A)
1929 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1928–29 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at bottom, offset to left; "29" at bottom right none 123-456A Coded by horsepower class (A)
1930 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1929–30 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at top, offset to left; "30" at top right none 123-456A Coded by horsepower class (A)
1931 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1930–31 Embossed yellow serial on green plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at top, offset to right; "31" at top left none A123-456 Coded by horsepower class (A)
1932 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1931–32 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at top, offset to left; "32" at top right none 123-456A Coded by horsepower class (A)
1933 AL passenger plate - restored.jpg 1932–33 Embossed white serial on light blue plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at bottom, offset to left; "33" at bottom right none 123-456A Coded by horsepower class (A)
1934 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1933–34 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at top, offset to left; "34" at top right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A)
1935 Alabama passenger license plate - restored.jpg 1934–35 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at bottom, offset to left; "35" at bottom right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A)
1936 Alabama passenger license plate - restored.jpg 1935–36 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at top, offset to left; "36" at top right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A)
1937 Alabama passenger license plate - front restored.jpg
1937 Alabama passenger license plate - rear restored.jpg
1936–37 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "ALA. FRONT" (on front plates) or "ALABAMA" (on rear plates) at bottom, offset to left; "37" at bottom right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A) Separate front and rear plates.
1938 AL passenger plate.jpg 1937–38 Embossed red serial on dark blue plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at top, offset to left; "38" at top right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A)
1939 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1938–39 Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "ALABAMA" at bottom, offset to right; "39" at bottom left none A123-456 Coded by weight class (A)
1940 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1939–40 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "ALA." at top, offset to left; "40" at top right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A)
1941 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1940–41 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "ALA. 1941" centered at top none A 123-456 Coded by weight class (A)
1942 AL passenger plate.jpg 1941–43 Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "ALABAMA 1942" centered at bottom none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A) First use of county codes. Revalidated through September 30, 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.[7]
1944 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1943–44 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "ALABAMA 1944" centered at top none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1945 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1944–45 Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "ALABAMA 1945" centered at bottom none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1946 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1945–46 Embossed white serial on black plate; "ALABAMA 1946" centered at top none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1947 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1946–47 Embossed black serial on silver plate; "ALABAMA 1947" centered at bottom none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1948 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1947–48 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "ALABAMA 1948" centered at top none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1949 AL passenger plate.jpg 1948–49 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "ALA. 49" centered at bottom none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1950 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1949–50 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "ALA. 50" centered at top none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1951 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1950–51 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "ALA. 51" centered at bottom none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1952 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1951–52 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "ALA. 52" centered at top none 1A12·345
10A1·234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
1953 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1952–53 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "ALA. 53" centered at bottom none 1-123·456
10-12·345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1954 AL passenger plate.jpg 1953–54 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "ALA. 54" centered at bottom none 1-123·456
10-12·345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1955 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1954–55 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; heart shape around county code at left; "ALABAMA" centered at bottom; "55" at bottom right "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1 12·345
1A 12·345
10 12·345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) First use of the "Heart of Dixie" slogan. One-letter serial format used in Jefferson County after 1 99·999 was reached; this occurred on each subsequent plate until 1976, with Mobile County following suit from 1960.
1956 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1955–56 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "56" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12·345
1A-12·345
10-12·345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) First 6" x 12" plate.
1957 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1956–57 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "57" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12·345
1A-12·345
10-12·345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1958 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1957–58 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "58" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12·345
1A-12·345
10-12·345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1959 AL passenger plate.jpg 1958–59 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "59" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12·345
1A-12·345
10-12·345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1960 AL passenger plate.jpg 1959–60 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "60" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12·345
1A-12·345
10-12·345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1961 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1960–61 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "61" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12·345
1A-12·345
10-12·345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1962 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1961–62 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "62" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1963 AL passenger plate.jpg 1962–63 Embossed reflective white serial on dark blue plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "63" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1964 AL passenger plate.jpg 1963–64 Embossed reflective white serial on red plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "64" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Issued in the colors of the University of Alabama.
1965 AL passenger plate.jpg 1964–65 Embossed reflective orange serial on blue plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "65" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Issued in the colors of Auburn University.
1966 AL passenger plate.jpg 1965–66 Embossed reflective white serial on black plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "66" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1967 AL passenger plate.jpg 1966–67 Embossed reflective yellow serial on blue plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "67" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1968 AL passenger plate.jpg 1967–68 Embossed reflective white serial on red plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "68" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1969 AL passenger plate.jpg 1968–69 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "69" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1970 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1969–70 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "70" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1971 AL passenger plate.jpg 1970–71 Embossed black serial on reflective yellow plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "71" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1972 AL passenger plate.jpg 1971–72 Embossed black serial on reflective mint green plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "72" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1973 AL passenger plate.jpg 1972–73 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "73" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1974 Alabama passenger license plate.jpg 1973–74 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "74", "ALABAMA" and heart shape at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Alabama 1975 passenger plate.jpg 1974–75 Embossed black serial on reflective yellow plate with border line; heart shape, "ALABAMA" and "75" at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1976 AL passenger plate.jpg 1975–76 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "76", "ALABAMA" and heart shape at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" centered at top 1-12345
1A-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)

1976 to present[]

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Alabama 1977 license plate.jpg
Alabama license plate, 1976–1981 with 1978 sticker.png
October 1976 – December 1981 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; red Alabama State Capitol graphic screened in the center; state flag, blue rectangle and U.S. Bicentennial logo screened at bottom; "ALABAMA" screened in blue centered at top "HEART OF DIXIE" in white within red heart screened at top left ABC 123 AAA 001 to approximately HDZ 999 Early plates carried the county of issuance on a sticker over the blue rectangle. Later plates used taller serial dies. Letters I and Q not used in serials.[3]
1982 AL passenger plate.jpg January 1982 – December 1986 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "Alabama" screened in dark blue centered at top "HEART OF DIXIE" in white within dark blue heart screened at top left 1A 12345
10A 1234
47 12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) All-numeric serials issued in Madison County after 47Z 9999 was reached.
1988 AL passenger plate.jpg January 1987 – December 1991 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; two red hearts screened at top left and top right, connected by two red lines; "Alabama" screened in red centered at bottom "HEART OF DIXIE" screened in red centered at top, between red lines 1AB 1234
10AB 123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1993 AL passenger plate.jpg January 1992 – December 1996 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; "ALABAMA" screened in blue centered at top, with blue line on either side "Heart of Dixie" screened in red centered between state name and serial, with heart outline around the "of" 1ABC123
10ABC12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Letters E, I, O, Q, U and X not used in serials; this practice continues today.[3]
Blank License Plate Shape.svg January 1997 – December 2001 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; pale blue fade with stars at top and pale red fade at bottom; "Alabama" screened in red at bottom "Heart of Dixie" screened in blue centered at top; with red heart behind the "of" 1AB1234
10AB123
47ABC12
47A1B23
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Three-letter and letter-number-letter serial formats used in Madison County after 47ZZ999 was reached.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg January 2002[8] – December 31, 2008 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; blue bar with white falling stars and musical notes screened at top; "Alabama" screened in red centered at bottom "Stars Fell On" screened in white centered on blue bar; "HEART OF DIXIE" in white within red heart screened above and to right of state name 1A1234B
10A123B
47A1B2C
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Alternating letter-number serial format used in Madison County after 47Z999Z was reached. Plates with screened serials issued in counties that had exhausted their supplies of embossed plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg June – December 31, 2008 As above, but with serial screened rather than embossed
Blank License Plate Shape.svg January 2, 2009[8] – December 31, 2013 Black screened digits with Alabama Gulf Coast graphic;[9] blue cursive "Alabama" centered at bottom "Sweet Home" in blue centered at top; "HEART OF DIXIE" in blue within blue heart outline to right of "Sweet Home" 1A12B34
10A12B3
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Alabama Standard Licence Plate.jpg January 2, 2014 – present Black screened serial with lake and forest graphic "HEART OF DIXIE" in white within white heart outline at bottom right 1AB1234
10AB123
10A1B23
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Letter-number-letter serial format used in Madison and Shelby Counties after 47ZZ999 and 58ZZ999, respectively, were reached.

Non-passenger and specialty plates[]

Alabama 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.[10]

Non-passenger types[]

Many non-passenger types are both county-coded and weight-coded. Where noted, the county code is the first one or two regularly sized number of the serial, while the weight code is a small number beneath the letter that indicates the vehicle type.

Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Ambulance/Hearse October 2013 0K/0 12345
00K/0 1234
Annual plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Apportioned January 2012 1234567 Annual plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Bus October 2013 0Q/0 12345
00Q/0 1234
Annual plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Consular Official October 2013 12 Annual plates. "Consular Official" legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Cotton Module October 2013 CM12345 Annual plates. "Cotton Module" legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg County Government - Motorcycle CM 123 Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg County Government - Passenger 12345 CO "County" legend. Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg County Government - Passenger - Disabled A12 CO "County" legend. Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Dealer - Motorcycle 1234 Annual plates. "Dealer" legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Dealer - Passenger 12345 Annual plates. "Dealer" legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Dealer Transit - Motorcycle 12345 Annual plates. "Dealer" legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Dealer Transit - Passenger 12345 Annual plates. "Dealer" legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Disabled Person - Motorcycle 12G34
1998 Alabama license plate Disabled.jpg Disabled Person - Passenger 123 AB
1A2B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Farm Truck or Farm Truck Tractor 0F/0 12345
00F/0 1234
Annual plates. "Forest" legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg For-Hire - Limited 0X/L 12345
00X/L 1234
Annual plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Forest Truck 0L/0 12345
00L/0 1234
Annual plates. "Farm" legend.
Alabama 2009 manufacturer license plate.jpg Manufacturer MA1234 Annual plates. "Manufacturer" legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Motorcycle January 2014 123456M
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Municipal Government - Motorcycle MM 123 Permanent plates.
Alabama 2005 municipal license plate.jpg Municipal Government - Passenger 12345 MU "Municipal" legend. Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Municipal Government - Passenger - Disabled A12 MU "Municipal" legend. Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Municipal Government - Public Utility 1234 PUD "Municipal" legend. Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Permanent Trailer A123456 Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Motor Home 0R/0 12345
00R/0 1234
Annual plates. Weight class as legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Rental Trailer 0R/T 12345
00R/T 1234
Annual plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Taxi 0Z/0 12345
00Z/0 1234
Annual plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Semi Trailer 0TR 1234
00T/R 1234
Annual plates. "Forest" legend.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg State Defense Force 123SDF
Blank License Plate Shape.svg State Government - Motorcycle S M12 Permanent plates.
AL state government plate.jpg State Government - Passenger S 1234A Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg State Government - Passenger - Disabled S 12A Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg State Government - Passenger - State motor pool SMP 123 Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Truck or Truck Tractor - 8,001 to 10,000 lb. 0P/0 12345
00P/0 1234
1996 Alabama license plate 11X9 130.jpg Truck or Truck Tractor - greater than 10,000 lb. 0X/0 12345
00X/0 1234
Annual plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Government-Loaned GL 1234 "US GOV'T LOANED" legend. Permanent plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Vintage Vehicle - Motorcycle
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Vintage Vehicle - Passenger VAB 123
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Volunteer Fire Department VF1234

Specialty types[11][]

Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Active Reserve Redesigned 2009 12AB
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Alabama A&M University Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Alabama Cattlemen's Association 1A23B Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Alabama Children's Trust Fund Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Alabama State University ABC123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Alabama Wildlife Federation 1A23B Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Amateur Radio various
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Athens State University Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Atomic Nuked Veteran A12B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Atomic Nuked Veteran - Disabled A12B
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Auburn University 12A3B Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum - Motorcycle Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum - Passenger Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Birmingham-Southern College Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama 2009 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Choose Life 1A23B
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Curing Childhood Cancer 12A3B Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Desert Shield/Desert Storm Veteran A12B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Desert Shield/Desert Storm Veteran - Disabled A12B
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Disabled Veteran V12345 Sticker with name of conflict placed between lower bolt holes.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Disabled Veteran - Disabled AB12 Sticker with name of conflict placed between lower bolt holes.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Drive Out Ovarian Cancer 2009 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Ducks Unlimited ABC123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Educator Redesigned 2009 AB123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Faulkner University Redesigned 2009 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Farming Feeds Alabama ABC123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fight Breast Cancer 2009 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fire Fighter F12345
Blank License Plate Shape.svg First to the Moon and Beyond ABC123 Serials were initially embossed but were later surface-printed. Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Forests Forever ABC123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Forever Wild 1234FW Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Former Prisoner of War POW 1234 "God Bless America" legend
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Former Prisoner of War POW 1AB "God Bless America" legend
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fraternal Order of Police 123FA
12AB3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Generic specialty plate: Alabama Association of Realtors; Civitan International; Delta Sigma Theta; Letter Carrier; NASCAR-themed; Organ Donor; Retired Educator; Square Dancer; Take a Kid Fishing 12A3B
1A2B3
Decal promoting organization or cause applied to left of serial. Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Global War on Terrorism Veteran 12A3B
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Global War on Terrorism Veteran - Disabled
Alabama 2016 license plate 1807AN1 God Bless America.png God Bless America 2006
redesigned 2013
AB12345 and 12345AB
1234AB5
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Helping Schools HS123A Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Helping Uninsured Children c. 2008 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Huntingdon College 1A23B Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Jacksonville State University Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Judson College Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Korean War Veteran A12B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Korean War Veteran - Disabled A12B
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Medal of Honor MOH 1
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Medal of Honor - Disabled 1AB
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Miles College Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg National Guard Redesigned 2008 12345 (until 2008)
N/G (2008—present)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg National Guard - Disabled 1AB (until 2008)
unknown (2008—present)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg National Wild Turkey Federation Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Oakwood College 1A23B Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Pearl Harbor Survivor 1A2
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Pearl Harbor Survivor - Disabled AB1
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Protect Our Environment ABC123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Purple Heart Redesigned c. 2009 PH12A "Combat Wounded" legend
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Purple Heart—Disabled Redesigned c. 2009 AB1 "Combat Wounded" legend
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Rescue Squad Redesigned 2009 RS 12345
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Samford University Redesigned 2009 SU12A Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Save the Cahaba Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Selma University 1A23B Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Shriners Hospitals for Children AB 12
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Sons of Confederate Veterans AB123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Spay and Neuter 2009 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Spring Hill College SHC123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Stillman College 123 SC Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Support the Arts Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Talladega College 12 TC
123 TC
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Tuskegee University T123U
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Troy University Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Alabama Redesigned c. 2004, 2009 ABC123 Serials were initially embossed but were later surface-printed. Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Alabama Birmingham A1B23 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Alabama in Huntsville Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Mobile A1B23 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Montevallo Redesigned c. 2008 A123B Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of North Alabama Redesigned c. 2009 UNA123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of South Alabama Redesigned c. 2009 SA123 Available in personalized format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of West Alabama Redesigned c. 2009 123WA Available in personalized format.
AL passenger plate - Retired Military.jpg U.S. Armed Forces - Retired A1B23 Sticker with branch of service placed between lower bolt holes.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Armed Forces - Retired - Disabled 1234A Sticker with branch of service placed between lower bolt holes.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Vanity various
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Vietnam Veteran A12B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Vietnam Veteran - Disabled A12B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg World War II Veteran - American Campaign A12B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg World War II Veteran - American Campaign - Disabled A12B
Blank License Plate Shape.svg World War II Veteran - Asiatic Campaign A12B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg World War II Veteran - Asiatic Campaign - Disabled A12B
Blank License Plate Shape.svg World War II Veteran - Battle of the Bulge A12B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg World War II Veteran - Battle of the Bulge - Disabled A12B
Blank License Plate Shape.svg World War II Veteran - European Campaign A12B3
Blank License Plate Shape.svg World War II Veteran - European Campaign A12B

County coding[]

Alabama established a numerical county-code system for its license plates in 1941, with codes 1, 2 and 3 assigned to the three most populous counties of the time (Jefferson, Mobile and Montgomery), and codes 4 through 67 assigned to the remaining counties in alphabetical order.[12] Code 70 was added in 1948 for replacement plates, followed in 1966 by code 80 for supplemental plates in counties that had run out of standard plates.[3] The system remains in use today on passenger plates and some non-passenger types.

Code County
1 Jefferson
2 Mobile
3 Montgomery
4 Autauga
5 Baldwin
6 Barbour
7 Bibb
8 Blount
9 Bullock
10 Butler
11 Calhoun
12 Chambers
13 Cherokee
14 Chilton
15 Choctaw
16 Clarke
17 Clay
18 Cleburne
19 Coffee
20 Colbert
21 Conecuh
22 Coosa
23 Covington
24 Crenshaw
25 Cullman
26 Dale
27 Dallas
28 DeKalb
29 Elmore
30 Escambia
31 Etowah
32 Fayette
33 Franklin
34 Geneva
35 Greene
36 Hale
37 Henry
38 Houston
39 Jackson
40 Lamar
41 Lauderdale
42 Lawrence
43 Lee
44 Limestone
45 Lowndes
46 Macon
47 Madison
48 Marengo
49 Marion
50 Marshall
51 Monroe
52 Morgan
53 Perry
54 Pickens
55 Pike
56 Randolph
57 Russell
58 Shelby
59 St. Clair
60 Sumter
61 Talladega
62 Tallapoosa
63 Tuscaloosa
64 Walker
65 Washington
66 Wilcox
67 Winston
70 Replacement
80 Supplemental

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Harris, Len (June 2007) "Heart of Plates: Alabama". Plates. The Magazine of ALPCA. Vol. 53, No. 3
  2. ^ Taylor, Eric Robert. "Alabama Archive". PorcelainPlates.net. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Tanner, Eric N. "Alabama Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  4. ^ "A preview of 1953 state tag" (July 1952) Birmingham News via Birmingham Rewound
  5. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  6. ^ Motor Vehicle Division - Registration FAQs
  7. ^ License Plates of the World - Alabama 1940s
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Lowry, Bob (October 8, 2008). "'Stars' fall from car tags for 'Sweet Home' at beach". The Huntsville Times.
  9. ^ State of Alabama - Office of Governor Bob Riley - Press Release: State’s New License Plates Feature Beach Scene and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ Archived 2008-11-19 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division.
  11. ^ http://revenue.alabama.gov/motorvehicle/specialty.cfm
  12. ^ "Alabama Automobile Tags Numerical by County". Alabama Department of Archives and History. 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2015.

External links[]

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