Vehicle registration plates of Iowa

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Iowa
Iowa 2020 plate.jpg
Current series
Slogancounty name
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC 123
IntroducedApril 1, 2018 (2018-04-01)
Availability
Issued byIowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1911 (1911-01-01)
(pre-state plates from 1904 to December 31, 1910)

The U.S. state of Iowa first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1904. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1911, when the state began to issue plates.[1]

Plates are currently issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation through its Motor Vehicle Division. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles, trailers and the 1945 base plate.

Passenger baseplates[]

Prestate[]

Image Dates issued Description Serial format Serials issued Notes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1904 to 1910 (prestate) Riveted metal numbers on black leather plate, "IA" riveted on right 12345 1 to approximately 13000 Serial numbers 1 to 2000 were only issued on this plate before the 1916-1918 plates were issued.

1911 to 1971[]

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 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Iowa license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Description Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1911 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IA 1911" at right none 12345 2001 to approximately 30000
Iowa 1912 license plate.jpg 1912 Embossed white serial on black plate; "IA 1912" at right none 12345 3001 to approximately 46000
Iowa 1913 65764.jpg 1913 Embossed black serial on white plate; "IA 1913" at right none 12345 3001 to approximately 75000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1914 Embossed white serial on black plate; "IA 1914" at right none 123456 6001 to approximately 112000
Iowa 1915 151168.jpg 1915 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "IA 1915" at right none 123456 7001 to approximately 152000
Iowa 1918 license plate - Number 132874.jpg 1916–18 Embossed beige serial on dark olive green plate; "IA" and dash at right none 123456 1 to approximately 341000 Used for three years straight due to metal conservation for World War I.
Iowa 1919 86047.jpg 1919 Embossed white serial on brown plate; "IA 19" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 362000
Iowa 1920 184015.jpg 1920 Embossed black serial on light green plate with border line; "IA 20" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 438000
1921 Iowa license plate.jpg 1921 Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "IA 21" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 441000
Iowa 1922 license plate - Number 7-680.jpg 1922 Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "IA 22" at right none 1-12345
10-1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) First use of county codes.
Iowa 1923 license plate - Number 45-3179.jpg 1923 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "IA 23" at right none 1-12345
10-1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1924 74-49.jpg 1924 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IA 24" at right none 1-12345
10-1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1925 74-49.jpg 1925 Embossed black serial on gray plate with border line; "IA 25" at right none 1-12345
10-1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1926 license plate - Number 2 -3752.jpg 1926 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "IA 26" at right none 1-12345
10-1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1927 1-546 license plate.jpg 1927 Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IA 27" at right none A-12345
1-1234
10-1234
Coded by county of issuance (A, 1 or 10)
1928 Iowa license plate.JPG 1928 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IA 28" at right none A-12345
1-1234
10-1234
Coded by county of issuance (A, 1 or 10)
Iowa 1929 B-5354.jpg 1929 Embossed black serial on green plate with border line; vertical "IOWA" and "1929" at right Truck plates have a vertical "TRUCK" instead of the dash A-12345
1-1234
10-1234
Coded by county of issuance (A, 1 or 10) First use of the full state name.
Iowa 1930 license plate - Number 77-37837.jpg 1930 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1930" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1931 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1931" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1932 license plate - Number 85-3891.jpg 1932 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "IOWA-1932" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Image-1933 IA passenger plate.jpg 1933 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1933" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1934 license plate - Number 7- 8883.jpg 1934 Embossed yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1934" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1935 license plate - Number 68-2222.jpg 1935 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1935" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1936 license plate - Number 77-14435.jpg 1936 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1936" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1937 license plate - Number 25 - 23.jpg 1937 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "1937-IOWA" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1938 Iowa license plate.jpg 1938 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1938" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1939 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA-1939" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1940 license plate - Number 15-865.jpg 1940 Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate with border line; "IOWA-1940" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1941 license plate - Number 57-9767.jpg 1941 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1941" centered at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
1942 Iowa license plate.jpg 1942–44 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA-1942" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Revalidated for 1943 and 1944 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1945 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA-1945" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Only rear plates issued due to ongoing metal conservation; a windshield sticker was carried at the front of the vehicle.
Iowa 1946 license plate - Number 54-1687.jpg 1946 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA-1946" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1947 license plate - Number 77-2469.jpg
Iowa 1948 license plate - Number 23-1487.jpg
1947–48 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "1947-IOWA" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Revalidated for 1948 with silver tabs.
1949 IA passenger plate.jpg 1949 Embossed white serial on waffle-textured black plate with border line; "IOWA-1949" centered at top none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1950 license plate - Number 86-534.jpg
Iowa 1951 license plate - Number 91-6667.jpg
1950–51 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "50" at top right none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) Revalidated for 1951 with silver tabs.
Iowa 1952 license plate - Number 61-2518.jpg 1952 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "52" at top right none 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1953 license plate - Number 57-43049.jpg
1954 Iowa license plate.jpg
Iowa 1955 license plate - Number 55-9861.jpg
1953–55 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "53" at top right "THE CORN STATE" centered at bottom 1-12345
10-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) First use of a slogan of any kind, with the state's unofficial nickname chosen over the official nickname of "The Hawkeye State". Revalidated for 1954 and 1955 with silver tabs.
Iowa 1956 50-3990.jpg
Iowa 1957 license plate - Number 29-3551.jpg
1956–57 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "56" at top right none 1-1234
1-A123
1-1A23
10-1234
10-A123
10-1A23
77-12A3
77-123A
77-AB12
1-0001 to approximately 99-9999
1-A000 to approx. 99-Z999 (212,762 plates were issued in 20 counties)
1-0A00 to approx. 99-9Z99 (76,955 in 6 counties)
77-00A0 to 77-99Z9 (20,000 in Polk county)
77-000A to 77-999Z (20,000 in Polk county)
77-AA00 to 77-FC79 (10,280 in Polk County)
a disaster for all serials being restricted in 6 characters in length
First 6" x 12" plate. I, M, O, Q, W and Y not used in lettered serial formats.[3] Revalidated for 1957 with silver tabs. Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10)
Iowa 1958 license plate - Number 9-5361.jpg 1958 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "58" at top right none 1-12345
1/0-12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1959 6-3388.jpg 1959 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "59" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 12345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1960 42 6361.jpg 1960 Embossed black serial on light gray plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "60" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1961 license plate - Number 91 4454.jpg 1961 As 1959 base, but with "61" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1962 license plate - Number 77 14405.jpg 1962 As 1960 base, but with "62" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1963 78 534.jpg 1963 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "63" at top right none 1 12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1964 license plate - Number 42 5258.jpg 1964 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "64" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1965 license plate - Number 42 5344.jpg 1965 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "65" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1966 license plate - Number 77-29519.jpg 1966 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "66" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1967 5 -3761.jpg 1967 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "67" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1968 license plate - Number 91 8896.jpg 1968 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "IOWA" centered at top; "68" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1969 license plate - Number 50 7981.jpg 1969 As 1967 base, but with "69" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1970 license plate - Number 50-5807.jpg 1970 As 1968 base, but with "70" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)
Iowa 1971 license plate - Number 25 8740.jpg 1971 As 1967 base, but with "71" at top right none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 1/0)

1972 to present[]

Image Dates issued Description Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Iowa 1972 license plate - Number 77 107471.jpg 1972–74 Embossed black serial on reflective yellow plate with border line; "IOWA 72" centered at top; black sticker box at top right none 1 123456
1/0 123456
1 1 to approximately 0/0 9999 Revalidated for 1973 and 1974 with stickers.
Iowa 1975 license plate - Number 57 DNW595.jpg 1975–78 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "IOWA 75" centered at top Non-resident plates initially had "NON RESIDENT" at the bottom and no 0/0 code at the far left. 1 ABC123
1/0 ABC123
1 AAA000 to 0/0 HNZ999 Three-letter serials assigned in blocks to each county (1 or 1/0); this practice continues today. See the County Coding table below for each assignment. Non-resident plates initially had "NON RESIDENT" at the bottom and no 0/0 code at the far left.[4][5]
Iowa 1980 BGN 804.jpg 1979 – December 1984 Reflective white serial on green plate with border line; "IOWA" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively; "79" at top right; all embossed. Plate elements either embossed (above) or debossed (below) Standard issue plates have the county name embossed on bottom ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately KCZ 999 County codes abolished after 57 years, replaced by county names at bottom of plate. Whether the plate was embossed or debossed depended on the county of issuance. The serial blocks initially assigned were the same as those on the 1975–78 base. Non-resident plates had blank bottoms.
Iowa 1979 GMC 569.jpg
Iowa license plate, 1986–1996 series with November 1994 sticker.png January 1985 – December 1996 Embossed reflective white serial on blue plate with border line; "IOWA" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively; "86" at top right ABC 123 LAA 000 to
YZZ 999
Non-resident plates discontinued. Month and year stickers are separate, and vanity plates had blank bottoms.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg January 1997 – 1998 Embossed blue serial on reflective graphic plate with light blue sky, white city skyline and gray farm scene; "IOWA" screened in blue centered at top; county name on sticker centered at bottom none 123 ABC 000 AAA to 399 FSK 'D' series not used.[3]
Iowa 2010 467 GYA.jpg 1998 –
mid
2001
As above, but with county name screened in blue county name screened centered at bottom Exclusively from 400 FSK to approximately 999 HMY; intermittently from 000 HMZ to approximately 999 JYC
Blank License Plate Shape.svg mid
2000 –
July
2011
As above, but with serial screened rather than embossed Intermittently from 000 HMZ to approximately 999 JYC;
exclusively from 000 JYD to approximately 999 YPK
Originally issued in eight most populous counties (Black Hawk, Dubuque, Johnson, Linn, Polk, Pottawattamie, Scott, Woodbury); issued in all counties from mid-2001. Series KDA through KZC skipped in error; SAA through SHG reserved for Special plates; 'U' and 'V' series not used.[3]
Blank License Plate Shape.svg July
2011 –
late
2012
As above, but with serial, state name and county name in black rather than blue 000 YPL to
999 ZZZ
Elements changed from blue to black in order to reduce costs and improve legibility.[6] Zeros in serials became slashed at the beginning of the YYA series (early 2012).
Iowa license.png late
2012 – April
2018
ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately GXV 199 No I, O, Q used as 3rd letter.
Iowa 2020 plate.jpg April 2018 – present Screened black serial on reflective graphic plate with blue sky, white city skyline, farm and wind turbine, and green grass field; "IOWA" screened in white centered at top; county name screened in black centered at bottom county name ABC 123 GXV 200 to
LAC 089 (as of November 6, 2021)
In August 2017, this "City and Country Reboot" design was chosen by voters at the 2017 Iowa State Fair and on the Iowa State Fair's website. Competing against a "Flying Our Colors" design and a "Great Wide Open" design, the new "City and Country Reboot" license plate won the contest with 113,299 votes cast out of a total of 291,095 votes.[7][8][9] No I, O, Q used as 3rd letter.

County coding[]

Current non-passenger and optional plates[]

Non-passenger plates[]

Image Type First issued Design Serial format Notes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Apportioned Power Unit c. 1998 Green on white PB 1234
SB 1234
Issued to trucks and tractor units.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Apportioned Trailer c. 1998 Green on white RB 1234
TB 1234
Issued to semi-trailers.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg County Sheriff's Department Green on white with Sheriff's star-shaped seal at left S00-1234 Uses the numeric county-code system that was used on standard passenger plates until 1979 (so, for instance, a plate whose serial starts with S77 would indicate a deputy from Polk County). The numbers to the right of the hyphen correspond to the deputy's badge number. These plates are used only on marked units.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Dealer Black on white with blue state name D1
D12
D123
D1234
Plus three-digit suffix that ascends for each dealer.
Iowa 2003 trailer license plate - 4744 KL.jpg Motorcycle Similar to standard passenger base 1234 AB
AB 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Official Black on white 123456
Iowa 1986 Official County license plate - 36946.jpg Official County Black on white 12345
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Special As standard passenger base, but with vertical "SPECIAL" at left 123 SBC (000 SAA to 999 SHG)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg State Patrol 1975 Black on yellow with two red stars either side of serial 12
123
The serial number corresponds to the badge number for that state trooper, excluding post 16, who drive pool cars assigned numbers which are currently not being used by another trooper. These plates are used only on marked units; unmarked units use regular state-issued plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Trailer As standard passenger base 1234 AB
AB 1234

Optional plates[]

Iowa offers its motorists a number of optional issue designs that are available upon the payment of an additional fee.

Plates of all types other than the university types are available for both automobiles and motorcycles, the latter using a smaller overall plate size. University Plates are the only plates not colored the same as the standard issue plate, the color scheme is a yellow base, with the university's main sports team color on both the numbers, and a header denoting the school (i.e. red for Iowa State University, black for University of Iowa, purple for UNI, et cetera).

Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Air Force Cross Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued. Issuance is strictly regulated by the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the Iowa Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Airman's Medal Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued. Plate issuance is strictly regulated by the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the Iowa Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Breast Cancer Awareness 123BA
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Bronze Star Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued. As with all plates denoting high issue military medals, the issuance of this plate is strictly regulated by the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the Iowa Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Cattlemen Care CA123
123CA
123CI
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Congressional Medal of Honor—Air Force Plate number is medal issuance number plate is light blue on white, with the words "Medal of Honor" in place of county name. Plate is issued by the state Veterans Administration.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Congressional Medal of Honor—Army Plate number is medal issuance number county name replaced with the words "Medal of Honor." Plate is light blue on white. Plate is issued by state Veterans Administration. Must provide Military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal, as well as a copy of the medal certificate. Medal of Honor plates issued for all branches of service are strictly regulated.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Congressional Medal of Honor—Navy Plate number is medal issuance number county name replaced with the words "Medal of Honor." Plate is light blue on white. Plate is issued by state Veterans Administration
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Distinguished Service Cross DSC123
DSC1234
Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Education Must show NEA membership card and hold credentials as a schoolteacher to be issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Emergency Medical Services 123EM
123EN
You need your signature and your director's signature notarized proving that you are indeed a member of a paid or volunteer EMS service in Iowa
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Masons Must provide membership in an area Freemasons Lodge to be issued this plate
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Ex-Prisoner of War POW123
POW1234
Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of the POW medal before issuance.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Firefighter FF123
123FF
FD123
123FD
1234F
F1234
Must have Firefighter's Identification before issuance. Plate is red on white, with nationally recognized firefighter's insignia in far left side, and reads "Firefighter," in place of county name.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg God Bless America US123
123US
123UA
123UD
123UE
123UK
123UP
123UQ
123UR
123UT
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Gold Star Mothers/Wives Must have proof of membership within Gold Star Mother's, or Gold Star Wives in order to be issued this plate
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Iowa Heritage
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Iowa State University ISU1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Legion of Merit Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Love Our Kids K1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Motorcycle Rider
Blank License Plate Shape.svg National Guard N1234 Must have Military Identification denoting member of National Guard in order to be issued this plate.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Natural Resources – Bald eagle AB 123
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Natural Resources – Goldfinch/wild rose AB123
AB 123
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Natural Resources – Pheasant AB 123
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Navy and Marine Corps Medal Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Navy Cross NC123
NC1234
Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness U1234
1234U
Must provide proof as an organ, or tissue donor (usually found on drivers license), to be issued this plate
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Persons with Disabilities C1234
1234C
J1234
1234J
Y1234
1234Y
1234Z,
Z1234
Must have proof of disability, as well as the signature of a board certified doctor before plate is issued. Nobody can be issued this plate without the approval of the Iowa Department of Transportation. The plate is marked with the universal handicapped symbol on the far left hand side, with the serial number following, the one letter four number combination can either be with the letter first, or last in sequence.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Purple Heart P1234 Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Retired Air Force R1234 Must present Military Identification Card denoting retirement to be issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Retired Army R1234 Must have military identification card denoting retirement to be issued
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Retired Coast Guard R1234 Must present Coast Guard identification card showing retirement to be issued
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Retired Marines R1234 Must have military identification card denoting retirement to be issued
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Retired Navy R1234 Must have military identification card denoting retirement to be issued
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Share the Road SR123 (passenger)
123SU (motorcycle)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Shriners ZA123
ZB123
Must present a Shriners membership card to be issued
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Silver Star Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Soldier's Medal Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Iowa UI 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Northern Iowa UNI1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Veteran V1234 Plate appears as standard plate, with an American flag to the far left, with the word "Veteran" above, plate is issued by the state Veteran's Administration, all applying must have copy of Military form DD-214 denoting Honorable Discharge in order to receive the Veterans plate.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Police Department 1234567 Plate is white on dark blue, with a police officer's badge from the corresponding city on the left side, along with a seven digit number, and at the bottom, the City Police Department of issuance. These are issued only by the local police departments within the state, and placed on marked units only upon receipt of vehicle. They are illegal to be displayed by non-police officers.

Previous non-passenger and optional plates[]

Optional plates[]

Image Type First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Pearl Harbor Survivor 1979? Same as passenger baseplate, but with Pearl Harbor Survivor logo, used until 2011 or when the last Pearl Harbor Survivor from Iowa died "Pearl Harbor Veteran"
county name
ship's hull number ship's hull number Must have proof to be issued this plate. Proof would consist of Military form DD-214, denoting that applicant was stationed on any one of the eight Battleships moored at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, or any smaller vessel that was documented to be at Pearl Harbor during the attack. In place of county name, the plate reads "Pearl Harbor Veteran" before 1997, when the slogan became the county name sticker. Can have ship's hull number placed as plate number for no extra charge, provided the sequence is not already taken by another motorist.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Antique 1975? Same as passenger baseplate "ANTIQUE" This plate was discontinued on at most 1997.

Sesquicentennial plates[]

Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Iowa 1992 Sesquicentennial license plate - S082488.jpg Sesquicentennial (Patriotic) 1992 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "IOWA" screened in blue centered at top, with blue state shape to right; "Sesquicentennial" screened in red centered at bottom; blue bands screened at top left and top right, with "1846-1996" on left band and "92" on right band S123456 S000001 to approximately S125000 Both these plates commemorated Iowa's 150 years of statehood. They remained valid until 1997.
Iowa 1992 Sesquicentennial - Scenic.jpg Sesquicentennial (Scenic) 1992 Embossed red serial on reflective graphic plate with pale blue sky, green grass, pale green tree and blue city skyline; "IOWA" screened in red at top, offset to right; "SESQUICENTENNIAL 1846 * 1996" (in two lines) screened in black to left; "92" screened at top right 123456S 000001S to approximately 130000S

References[]

  1. ^ Swarm, Curt (February 15, 2013). "Moulton man has 100-year collection of Appanoose County license plates". Daily Gate City. Keokuk, IA. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  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. "Iowa Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Tanner, Eric N. "Iowa License Plate Variations". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  5. ^ "76 Iowa". Plateshack.com. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  6. ^ Sutterman, Kelli (July 10, 2011). "Standard license plates to adopt black lettering". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  7. ^ "Iowa announces winning license plate". WHBF-TV. Nexstar Media Group. 2017-08-21. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  8. ^ Maricle, Kelly (2017-08-21). "New Iowa License Plate Design Revealed". WHO-DT. Tribune Broadcasting. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  9. ^ "New Iowa license plate: 'City and Country Reboot'". Cedar Rapids Gazette. The Gazette Company. 2017-08-22. Retrieved 2017-12-17.

External links[]

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