Vehicle registration plates of Michigan

Michigan
Current series

Slogan	Pure Michigan
Size	12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm
Material	Aluminum
Serial format	ABC 1234
Introduced	April 2013 (2013-04)
Availability
Issued by	Michigan Secretary of State
History
First issued	January 1, 1910 (1910-01-01) (pre-state plates from 1905 to December 31, 1909)
v t e

The U.S. state of Michigan first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1910, when the state began to issue plates.^[1]

As of 2022^[update], plates are issued by the Michigan Secretary of State. Only rear plates have been required since 1981. For an extra charge, drivers can request a personalized plate serial as well as a second duplicate plate. Since January 1, 2015, drivers have been required to replace their plates every ten years.^[2]

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Passenger baseplates

1910 to 1970

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.^[3] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Michigan license plate that complied with these standards.

Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
1910	Black on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1910" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 18500	Front and rear plates issued; this practice continued until 1944.
1911	White on black porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1911" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 27500
1912	Black on yellow porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1912" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 40000
1913	White on green porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1913" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 55000
1914	Red on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1914" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 77000
1915	White on blue; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1915" at left	none	12345	1 to 99999	First embossed plate. Only letters C and E used in the A1234 serial format.^[4]
1915	White on blue; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1915" at left	none	A1234	C0000 to approximately E6000
1916	Blue on white; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1916" at left	none	12345	1 to 99999
1916	Blue on white; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1916" at left	none	A1234	A1 to approximately F5000
1917	White on black; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1917" at left	none	12345	1 to 99999
1917	White on black; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1917" at left	none	A1234	A1 to approximately O9000
1918	White on green; aluminum state seal and "MICH 18" at left	none	123456	1 to approximately 245000
1919	White on brown; aluminum state seal and "MICH 19" at left	none	12345	1 to 99999
1919	White on brown; aluminum state seal and "MICH 19" at left	none	A1234	A1 to approximately Z9000
1920	Black on orange; stylized "MICH 20" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 414-000
1921	White on black; stylized "MICH 21" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 476-000
1922	White on red; stylized "MICH 22" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 577-000
1923	White on green; stylized "MICH 23" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 730-000
1924	Black on yellow; stylized "MICH 24" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 879-000
1925	Black on gray; stylized "MICH 25" at left	none	123-456	1 to approximately 996-000
1926	White on black; "MICH 26" at left	none	123-456	1 to 999-999	On both these bases, plates with the M123-456 serial format had the 'M' surrounded by a diamond, and are thus informally known as "Diamond M" plates.
1926	White on black; "MICH 26" at left	none	M123-456	M1 to approximately M133-000
1927	Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1927" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to 999-999
1927	Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1927" at bottom	none	M123-456	M1 to approximately M226-000
1928	White on green; "MICHIGAN 1928" at top	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-116-000
1929	Yellow on black; "MICHIGAN 1929" at bottom	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-234-000
1930	Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1930" at bottom	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-248-000
1931	Red on black; "MICHIGAN 1931" at bottom	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-223-000
1932	White on dark blue; "MICHIGAN 1932" at top	none	1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-139-000
1933	Black on white; "MICHIGAN 1933" at bottom	none	12-345 A12-345	Issued in blocks by county
1934	Black on yellow; "19 MICHIGAN 34" at top	none	12-345 A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
1935	Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 35" at bottom	none	12-345 A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
1936	Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 36" at top	none	12-345 A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
1937	Yellow on dark blue; "1937 MICHIGAN" at bottom	none	12 345 A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
1938	Black on light green; "1938 MICHIGAN" or "MICHIGAN 1938" at top	none	A 12345	Issued in blocks by county
1938	Black on white; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-38" at top	none	123456	1 to approximately 552000	Half-year plates issued at lower cost to full-year plates, due to the Depression.
1939	Black on beige; "19 MICH 39" at bottom	none	A 12345 AB 1234	Issued in blocks by county
1939	White on dark blue; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-39" at bottom	none	123456	1 to approximately 552000	Half-year plate.
1940	Black on silver; "MICH 40" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1940	White on black; "MICH EXP. 8-31 40" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Half-year plate.
1941	White on maroon; "MICH 41" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1941	Maroon on white; "MICH EXP. 8-31 41" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Half-year plate.
1942–43	White on olive green; "MICHIGAN" at top and "42" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Full and half-year plates revalidated for 1943 with metal tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1942–43	As above, but with "EXP. 8-31-42" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Half-year plate.
1944	White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "44" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Only rear plates issued for both full-year and half-year plates. For full-year plates, this practice continued until 1957.
1944	Maroon on white; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-44" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Half-year plate.
1945	Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at top and "45" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1945	White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "EXP. 8-31-45" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Half-year plate.
1946	White on dark olive green; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "46" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1946	White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-46" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded	Last half-year plate.
1947	Black on golden yellow; "MICHIGAN" at top and "47" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1948	Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "48" at top	none	AB-12-34	County coded
1949	White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "49" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1950	Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "50" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1951	White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "51" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1952	Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "52" at top	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1953	White on black, "MICHIGAN" at top and "53" at bottom	none	AB-12-34	County-coded
1954	Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 54" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-12-34	County-coded
1955	White on green; "19 MICHIGAN 55" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-12-34	County-coded
1956	Dark green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 56" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	First 6" x 12" plate.
1957	White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 57" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	Front and rear plates issued (as from 1910–43); this practice continued until 1981.
1958	Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 58" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded
1959–61	Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 59" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	Revalidated for 1960 with yellow tabs, and for 1961 with silver tabs.
1962–64	Green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 62" at top	Water Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	Revalidated for 1963 with green tabs, and for 1964 with olive tabs.
1965	Yellow on blue; "MICH 65" at top	Water-Winter Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	First year using galvanized steel. First year using state school colors: 1965 honored University of Michigan.
1966	Dark blue on buff; "MICH 66" at top	Water-Winter Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded
1967	Maize on dark blue; "MICH 67" at top	Water-Winter Wonderland	AB-1234	County-coded	Issued in the colors of the University of Michigan, in honor of its sesquicentennial.
1968	Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 68" at top	Great Lake State	AB-1234	County-coded
1969	White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 69" at top	Great Lake State	AB-1234	County-coded
1970	White on light gold; "19 MICHIGAN 70" at top	Great Lake State	ABC-123	BBB-000 to approximately NGS-999	Issued in the colors of Oakland University, which became independent from Michigan State University in 1970. Vowels and Q not used in serials; this practice continued until 1983.^[4]

County coding

Michigan used two-letter county codes from 1940 to 1969, after using county coding blocks from 1933 to 1939. The letters I, O and Q were not used in these codes.

County	1942-1943^[5]	1955–61	1962–64	1965–69
Wayne	AA-DZ	AA–FZ	AA–FZ	AA–FZ
Oakland	EA-EN	GA–HH	GA–HZ	GA–HZ
Washtenaw	JU-JZ	HJ–HU	NA–NL	NA–NL
Allegan	LY-LZ	HV–HZ	NM–NR	NM–NR
Kent	FA-FK	JA–JZ	JA–JZ	JA–JZ
Genesee	GA-GK	KA–KZ	KA–KZ	KA–KZ
Ingham	HA-HH	LA–LN	LA–LN	LA–LN
Saginaw	HS-HX	LP–LZ	LP–LZ	LP–LZ
Macomb	HJ-HH	MA–MT	MA–MZ	MA–MZ
Shiawassee	LJ-LL	MU–MZ	NS–NV	NS–NV
Kalamazoo	JG-JM	NA–NJ	PA–PL	PA–PL
Calhoun	JA-JF	NK–NT	PM–PW	PM–PW
Ottawa	KS-KV	NU–NZ	RL–RS	RL–RS
Berrien	JN-JT	PA–PJ	RA–RK	RA–RK
St. Clair	KL-KR	PK–PS	RT–RZ	RT–RZ
Tuscola	LS-LT	PT–PW	TL–TN	TL–TN
Barry	NV-NW	PX–PZ	TP–TR	TP–TR
Muskegon	KF-KK	RA–RJ	TA–TK	TA–TK
Bay	KW-KZ	RK–RS	UA–UG	XA–XG
Monroe	LE-LH	RT–RZ	UH–UP	XH–XP
Jackson	KA-KE	SA–SH	SA–SJ	SA–SJ
Ionia	LW-LX	SJ–SM	SK–SM	SK–SM
Van Buren	LU-LV	SN–SS	SN–SS	SN–SS
St. Joseph	LM-LN	ST–SW	ST–SV	ST–SV
Alpena	PC-PD	SX–SZ	SW–SX	SW–SX
Eaton	MN-MP	TA–TD	PX–PZ	PX–PZ
Sanilac	MT-MU	TE–TH	SY–SZ	SY–SZ
Montcalm	MA-MB	TJ–TM	TV–TX	TV–TX
Lapeer	MC-MD	TN–TP	TY–TZ	TY–TZ
Huron	ME-MF	TT–TU	TS–TU	TS–TU
Manistee	PG-PH	TX–TY	NY–NZ	NY–NZ
Gratiot	MG-MH	UA–UB	VE–VG	VE–VG
Hillsdale	MJ-MK	UE–UF	VH–VK	VH–VK
Clinton	NL-NM	UJ–UK	VL–VN	VL–VN
Lenawee	LA-LD	UN–UR	UR–UV	YA–YE
Grand Traverse	NA-NB	UU–UV	UW–UY	XR–XT
Charlevoix	PW-PX	UY	UZ	XZ
Midland	MR-MS	VA–VC	VA–VD	VA–VD
Branch	MV-MW	VF–VG	VP–VS	VP–VS
Livingston	NC-ND	VK–VL	VT–VV	VT–VV
Cass	NJ-NK	VP–VR	NW–NX	NW–NX
Newaygo	NR-NS	VU–VV	VW–VX	VW–VX
Isabella	NN-NP	VX–VZ	VY–VZ	VY–VZ
Mason	PA-PB	WA–WC	WA–WB	WA–WB
Mecosta	PL-PM	WD–WE	WC–WD	WC–WD
Wexford	PE-PF	WF–WG	WE–WF	WE–WF
Oceana	PS-PT	WH	WG	WG
Emmet	PN-PR	WK	WH	WH
Osceola	PU-PV	WM	WJ	WJ
Cheboygan	RA-RB	WP	WK	WK
Clare	PY-PZ	WS	WL	WL
Presque Isle	RC-RD	WU	WM	WM
Arenac	RE-RF	WW	WN	WN
Ogemaw	RG-RH	WY	WP	WP
Gladwin	RL-RM	XA	WR	WR
Iosco	RR-RS	XC	WS	WS
Benzie	RV-RW	XE	WT	WT
Missaukee	SD-SE	XG	WU	WU
Otsego	SH-SJ	XJ	WV	WV
Leelanau	SK-SL	XL	WW	WW
Kalkaska	SM-SN	XN	WX	WX
Roscommon	SU-SV	XR	WY	WY
Alcona	SP-SR	XT	WZ	WZ
Antrim	SA-SC	XU	XA	XU
Lake	SW-SX	XV	XB	XV
Crawford		XW	XC	XW
Montmorency	SY-SZ	XX	XD	XX
Oscoda	TC-TD	XY	XE	XY
Marquette	LP-LR	YA–YC	XF–XJ	UA–UC
Houghton	ME-MF	YE–YH	XK–XL	UD–UE
Delta	MX-MY	YJ–YK	XM–XN	UF–UG
Dickinson	NG-NH	YN–YP	XP–XR	UH–UJ
Iron	PJ-PK	YT–YU	XS–XT	UK
Chippewa	NT-NU	YW–YX	XU–XV	UL–UM
Menominee	NX-NY	ZA–ZB	XW–XX	UN–UP
Gogebic	NE-NF	ZE–ZF	XY–XZ	UR–US
Schoolcraft	RJ-RK	ZJ	YA	UT
Ontonagon	RN-RP	ZL	YB	UU
Alger	RT-RU	ZN	YC	UV
Baraga	RX-RY	ZR	YD	UW
Luce	SF-SG	ZT	YE	UX
Mackinac	SS-ST	ZV	YF	UY
Keweenaw	TE-TF	ZX	YG	UZ

1971 to present

Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
1971–72	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on maroon plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 71" at top.	"GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom	ABC-123	BBB-000 to approximately RMH-999	Plates available by mail for the first time. Revalidated for 1972 with stickers.
1973–75	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 73" at top.	"GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom	ABC-123	BBB-000 to approximately VRM-999	Personalized and disabled plates available for the first time. Some aluminum plates issued. Revalidated for 1974 and 1975 with stickers.
1976–78	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on red and dark blue plate with border line; two embossed flag stripes at bottom and four embossed stars at left; "MICHIGAN" centered at top.	none	ABC123	BBB000 to approximately XSD999	Commemorated the US Bicentennial. All plates issued were aluminum. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1976 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Michigan was so honored.^[6] Revalidated for 1977 and 1978 with stickers.
1979–82	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on black plate with border line; "19 MICHIGAN 79" at top.	"GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom	ABC-123	BBB-000 to ZZZ-999	Serials BBB-000 through NVM-999 were issued by county.^[4]^[7] Front and rear plates issued until April 1, 1981; only rear plates have been issued ever since.
1982–83		"GREAT LAKE STATE" centered at bottom	123-ABC	999-ZZZ to approximately 000-ZMD	Serials progressed backwards.
1983–90	Embossed reflective (glass-beaded) white serial on blue plate; "MICHIGAN" centered at top.	"GREAT LAKES" centered at bottom	123 ABC	000 AAA to 999 ZZZ	All variants of this base revalidated with stickers until 2007. Letters I and O not used in serials; this practice continues today.
1990–2001			ABC 123	AAA 000 to UDT 999
2001–04			ABC 123	UDU 000 to ZZZ 999	Narrow serial dies introduced.
2004–06			ABC1234	AAA0000 to AFP8999
2006–07			ABC 1234	AFP 9000 to AJX 1999	Narrower serial dies introduced and space added between letters and digits.
January 1, 2007– April 2013	Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; blue band screened at top with "MICHIGAN" in white in the center.	"www.Michigan.gov" screened in blue centered at bottom	ABC 1234	BAA 0000 to approximately CPS 0999	First standard baseplate reissue since 1983. Validated until April 2023 when renewed at Secretary of State, however kiosks continue to print out new tabs.
April 2013–present	Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; wavy blue band screened at bottom; screened blue Pure Michigan logo centered at top.	"michigan.org" screened in white in center of wavy blue band	ABC 1234	DAA 0000 to EVW 0028 (as of March 2024)

Optional plates

Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
1996	Blue serial on background featuring the seal of the American Automobile Centennial Commission and a gold silhouette of an antique automobile outlined in red.	World's Motor Capital	ABC 12	AAA 00 to ZZZ 99	Validated with sticker until 2015 expiration.^[8]
1996		World's Motor Capital	12 ABC	00 AAA to approximately 99 LPZ	Validated with sticker until 2015 expiration.^[8]
1997–December 31, 2006	Blue serial on background featuring a sunset and the Mackinac Bridge.	Great Lakes Splendor	1AB C23	0AA A00 to approximately 0GR A99	Validated with sticker until 2017 expiration.^[8]
January 1, 2007–December 1, 2021	Black serial on background featuring buildings from the skylines of Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Flint, the forests of Michigan, all five Great Lakes, and the Mackinac Bridge.	Spectacular Peninsulas	1AB C23	0HA A00 to approximately 9NB L99	Increment from second character
August 29, 2013–October 12, 2014	Embossed white serial on sunrise scene featuring the Mackinac Bridge, with gradient orange sky and light blue water; screened white rectangle centered at top containing Pure Michigan logo.	The Mackinac Bridge	ABC 123	AAA 000 to approximately AJG 999	Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2013 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Michigan was so honored.^[6]
October 13, 2014–present	Embossed black serial on sunrise scene featuring the Mackinac Bridge, with gradient orange and white sky and light blue water; screened Pure Michigan logo centered at top.	The Mackinac Bridge	ABC 123	AJH 000 to EAS 001(as of August 2023)	Revision of the original Mackinac Bridge base for better visibility.
December 2, 2021–present	Embossed yellow serial on dark blue plate; screened yellow Michigan at top.	"Water - Winter Wonderland" screened in yellow centered at bottom	1ABC23	0NBM00 to 7QFQ67 (as of March 2024)	Reintroduced in 2021 as an homage to the original 1965 Water-Winter Wonderland plate.^[9] Carries on serials from Spectacular Peninsulas plates, with increment from second character. Renewal tab is placed in the lower right corner.^[10]
January 27, 2024–present	Embossed white serial on green plate; screened Pure Michigan logo in white at top.	"Water Wonderland" in white centered at bottom.	12ABC3	00AAA0 to 15ADU4 (as of March 2024)	Reintroduced in 2024 as an homage to the original 1963 Water Wonderland plate.^[11]

Disability plates

Base	Dates Issued	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
2007–2013 passenger	January 1, 2007–April 2013	1234A5	0000E0 to approximately 9149G9	International Symbol of Access embossed at left
Spectacular Peninsulas	January 1, 2007–December 1, 2021	1A2345	0J0000 to 1K7937
Pure Michigan	April 2013–present	1234A5	0000J0 to 2468M9 (as of June 2023)
Mackinac Bridge	October 13, 2014–present	A1234	A7708 to approximately L0003 (as of June 2023)
Water-Winter Wonderland	December 2, 2021–present	1K2345	2K0000 to 4K6063 (as of June 2023)	International Symbol of Access screened at bottom left

Non-passenger plates

Type	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
State Government	2007-2013 passenger base, with "STATE GOVT" at bottom	123456 1234567
State Government	Pure Michigan logo at top, "STATE GOVT" at bottom	123456 1234567
State Police	2013–present passenger base with serial in black; Michigan State Police emblem to left of serial	State Police fleet number		Front and rear plates on blue marked patrol vehicles; first digit usually corresponds to MSP district number
Commercial	Identical to 2007-2013 passenger base	CA 12345	CA 00000 to CF 13999
	Identical to 2013-present passenger base	DA 12345	DA 00000 to DF 24206 (as of January 2024)
	Identical to 2014 Mackinac Bridge plate	AA 1234	AA 0000 to AD 1458 (as of September 2023)
Dealer	Pure Michigan logo at top, "DEALER" at bottom	123 D 45 123 D 456
Historical	Maize on dark blue, "HISTORICAL VEHICLE" embossed below.	123 456	000 000 to approximately 077 633	Issued to cars and trucks that are at least 26 years old.
	2007—2013 passenger base with "HISTORICAL" at bottom.	123456	078000 to 228983
	Pure Michigan logo at top, "HISTORICAL" at bottom	123456	300000 to 382808 (as of July 2023)
In-Transit Repair	Pure Michigan logo at top, "IN-TRANSIT REPAIR" at bottom	12G345 123G456
Manufacturer	Pure Michigan logo at top, "MANUFACTURER" at bottom	123M456
Municipal	2007-2013 passenger base, with "MUNICIPAL" at bottom	123 X 456	000 X 000 to ~127 X 000 (as of November 2023)	used on almost all government-owned vehicles (including police), except county sheriff's departments and State of Michigan-owned vehicles
Nonprofit	2007-2013 passenger base, with "NONPROFIT" at bottom	123 Y 456		offered at no cost to certain nonprofit organizations (including private schools) to allow them to save funds for their operations
Nonprofit	Pure Michigan logo at top, "NONPROFIT" at bottom	123 Y 456
Repossession	2007-2013 passenger base, "REPOSSESSION" at bottom	123R456
Special Equipment	2007-2013 passenger base, "SPECIAL EQUIPMENT" at bottom	123S456
Special Farm	Pure Michigan logo at top, "SPECIAL FARM" at bottom	123F456	011F000 to 018F012 (As of March 24, 2024)
Transporter	Pure Michigan logo at top, with "TRANSPORTER" at bottom	123T456
Fleet	2007-2013 passenger base, "FLEET" at bottom	PF 12345		usually used on utility service trucks & UPS trucks
Fleet	Pure Michigan logo at top, "FLEET" at bottom	PF 12345		usually used on utility service trucks & UPS trucks
Rental Fleet	Pure Michigan logo at top, "FLEET" at bottom	12345 RF	00000 RF to 08801 RF (as of January 2024)	used on rental vehicles
Apportioned	2007–2013 passenger base with "APPORTIONED" at bottom	RA 12345	RA 00000 to approximately RA 92999	often used on commercial trucks & motorcoaches
Apportioned	Pure Michigan logo at top, "APPORTIONED" at bottom	RA 12345	RB 00000 to RC 27961 (as of July 2023)	often used on commercial trucks & motorcoaches
Truck	Pure Michigan logo at top, weight class sticker at bottom	AB12345	BA00000 to BD52911 (as of July 2023)	front and rear plates on tractor-trailers
Wrecker	Pure Michigan logo at top, "WRECKER" sticker at bottom			used on tow trucks
Farm	Pure Michigan logo at top, "FARM" at bottom
Trailer	2007-2013 passenger base; "PERMANENT TRAILER" screened at bottom	A123456
Trailer	Pure Michigan logo at top, "PERMANENT TRAILER" screened at bottom	A123456	D000000 to E896014 (as of July 2023)
Sheriff's Department	2007-2013 passenger base, with serial in black, gold "SHERIFF" at bottom & Michigan Sheriffs' Association emblem in center	12 345		First two digits county coded alphabetically; for example, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office is assigned "63" as "Oakland" falls 63rd in an alphabetical list of Michigan counties
Sheriff's Department	Black with "SHERIFF" at bottom	12🟌345

Special plates

Organizations

Special plates are available to members of certain groups. Each is currently made with the Pure Michigan base, with an emblem to the serial's left, and a 5-character serial format.

Group	Emblem	Serial format	Notes
Amateur radio operators	Radio tower
Fraternal Order of Police	FOP emblem	AB12C
Freemasons	Square and Compasses
Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union	MPFFU emblem		"Professional Fire Fighter" at bottom
Michigan State Firemen's Association	MSFA emblem		"Firefighter" at bottom
Police Officers' Association of Michigan	POAM emblem		"The Choice of Professionals" at bottom

University fundraising

Since September 2000, special plates have been offered to raise funds for each of Michigan's 15 public universities.^[12]^[13] Each uses the Pure Michigan baseplate with the college's name at the bottom and the university's logo to the serial's left, and all share the same serial format and range.

University	Emblem	Serial format	Notes
Central Michigan University	"Block C" logo	AB12C
Eastern Michigan University	"Block E" logo
Ferris State University	Bulldogs logo
Grand Valley State University	"Block GV" logo
Lake Superior State University	Anchor logo
Michigan State University	"Block S" logo
Michigan State University	"Sparty" emblem
Michigan Technological University	"1885" logo
Northern Michigan University	Wildcats logo
Oakland University	Golden Grizzly logo
Saginaw Valley State University	Cardinal logo
University of Michigan	"Block M" logo		Bottom reads "GO BLUE" rather than "University of Michigan"
University of Michigan-Dearborn	"Block M" UM-Dearborn logo
University of Michigan-Flint	"Block M" UM-Flint logo
Wayne State University	"W" logo
Wayne State University	"W" shield logo		introduced in 2018^[12]
Western Michigan University	Circle "W" logo

Special cause fundraising

Special plates have been offered since 2001 to raise funds for certain charitable causes.^[13] State law limits the number of fundraising plates (excluding universities) available at one time to 20, and 14 are currently in production.^[14] Each is currently made with the Pure Michigan base, with an emblem to the serial's left, and a 5-character serial format; prior to 2013, they were made with the 2007-2013 passenger base.^[15]

Cause	Emblem	Tagline	Years issued	Serial format
Agricultural heritage	Barn and fields insignia	"Agricultural Heritage"	2001–present^[16]	AB12C
Breast cancer awareness	Pink ribbon	"Early Detection Saves Lives"	2014–present^[17]
Children's Trust Fund	"Just Love 'Em"	"Children"	from 2001^[18]
Children's Trust Fund	Hand	"Children's Trust Fund"	until 2022
Children Trust Michigan	Pinwheel	"Strength Through Abuse Prevention"	2022–present^[19]
Detroit Lions Charities	Lions logo	"Detroit Lions"	2019–present^[20]
Detroit Pistons Foundation	Pistons logo	"Detroit Basketball"	2019–present^[20]
Detroit Red Wings Foundation	Red Wings logo	"Detroit Red Wings"	2019–present^[20]
Detroit Tigers Foundation	Tigers "English D" logo	"Detroit Tigers"	2019–present^[20]
Donate Life	Donate Life logo	"Be an Organ, Eye, & Tissue Donor"	2012–present^[21]
Ducks Unlimited	Ducks Unlimited logo	"Ducks Unlimited"	2014–present^[22]
Lighthouse preservation	White Shoal Light^[23]	"Save Our Lights"	2001–2017^[24]
Lighthouse preservation	Generic lighthouse insignia	"Protect Michigan Lighthouses"	2017–present^[25]
NMU Olympic Education Center	Team USA logo	"Go Team USA"	2012–present^[26]
American Red Cross & Salvation Army	United States flag	"Proud to be an American"	2001–present^[27]
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency	"Veterans" emblem	"Support Michigan Veterans"	2001–present
Michigan Vietnam Veterans Monument	Dog tags	"Lest We Forget"	2001–present^[15]
Water quality	Sailboat insignia	"Protecting Our Waters"	2001–present^[28]
Wildlife habitat conservation	Loon	"Conserve Wildlife Habitat"	2001–2017^[29]
	Elk	"2018 Marks 100 Years of Elk"	2018–2021^[29]
	Kirtland's warbler	"Conserve Wildlife Habitat"	2022–present^[30]

As of November 2023, three new fundraising plates are currently being considered in the Michigan Legislature: one supporting Michigan's 4-H organizations, another funding sickle cell anemia research, and a third supporting prostate cancer prevention.^[14]

Legislation was passed in June 2017 to offer an anti-abortion Choose Life plate in Michigan, but was vetoed by Governor Rick Snyder.^[31]^[32]

References

^ "Old Michigan License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
^ Grenke, Nicholas (December 2, 2013). "State law calls for license plates to be replaced at least every 10 years". Huron Daily Tribune. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
^ ^a ^b ^c Tanner, Eric N. "Michigan Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
^ "License plate letters explained". Hastings Banner. November 27, 1941.
^ ^a ^b Smith, Jay Scott (March 31, 2014). "Mackinac Bridge license plate designed by Lansing native wins annual 'world's best' award". MLive. Booth Newspapers. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
^ Reback, Brian P. (December 29, 2010). "Michigan - county codes". BPRlicenseplates.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Renewing at a Branch Office". Michigan Secretary of State. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
^ Huschka, Amy. "Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson brings back popular Michigan license plate". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
^ "SOS - Water-Winter Wonderland Plate". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
^ James, Janelle (December 21, 2023). "Green 'Water Wonderland' license plates to return in Michigan". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Warrior Strong license plates now available". Today@Wayne. Wayne State University. 2018-05-15. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
^ ^a ^b Gray, Kathleen (2016-05-12). "House votes to put limits on specialty license plates". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2023-12-02 – via Gannett.
^ ^a ^b Orner, Ben (2023-11-27). "Eight new Michigan license plates are in the works". MLive. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
^ ^a ^b "Order your Veterans Memorial License Plate today!" (PDF). Michigan Department of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2001-11-27.
^ "Order your Agricultural Heritage License Plate today!" (PDF). Michigan Department of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2001-11-27.
^ "Michigan launches 'pink ribbon' license plate". WNWO. Sinclair Broadcast Group. 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
^ "Order your Children License Plate today!" (PDF). Michigan Department of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2001-11-30.
^ "New Name, Same Mission". Children Trust Michigan. 2022-05-19 – via YouTube.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Walker, Micah (2019-04-26). "Detroit sports license plates unveiled: How to get one". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
^ "Michigan Gets Donate Life License Plate". Gift of Life Michigan. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
^ "Snyder OKs Michigan License Plate For Ducks Unlimited". CBS News Detroit. 2013-03-23. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
^ "State debuts redesigned lighthouse license plate". WLNS 6 News. 2017-06-13. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
^ "Order your Lighthouse License Plate today!" (PDF). Michigan Department of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2001-11-27.
^ "Michigan's lighthouse fundraising license plate gets new look". WCMU. 2017-06-21. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
^ Oosting, Jonathan (2012-09-05). "Olympian Jordyn Wieber unveils new Michigan license plate to support Team USA". MLive. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
^ "More than 10,000 patriotic license plates sold in just one month". Michigan Department of State. 2001-11-19. Archived from the original on 2001-11-27.
^ "Order your Water Quality License Plate today!" (PDF). Michigan Department of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2001-11-30.
^ ^a ^b Zaniewski, Ann. "Elk is in, loon is out for Michigan's wildlife license plate". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
^ Bingham, Emily (2021-12-06). "Kirtland's warbler to appear on Michigan license plates in 2022". mlive. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
^ Lawler, Emily (2017-06-30). "Gov. Rick Snyder vetoes bill that would have allowed 'choose life' license plates". MLive.
^ Oosting, Jonathan (2017-06-30). "Snyder vetoes 'Choose Life' license plate". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-12-03.

External links

Michigan license plates, 1969–present
"License plate fact sheet" (PDF). Michigan Secretary of State.

v t e Vehicle license plates of the United States
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This page was last edited on 2 April 2024, at 06:22

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