Vehicle registration plates of Alaska

Alaska first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1921, while still an organized incorporated territory of the United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 49th state in January 1959.

State law requires two license plates, one on the front and one on the rear, to be displayed on a motor vehicle, with the exception of motorcycles and trailers. Only the rear plate is required to be stickered.^[1]

Passenger baseplates

1921 to 1952

No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.

Dates issued	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
1921	Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top, "AUTO LICENSE" at bottom and vertical "1921" at left and right	123	1 to approximately 350
1922	Embossed orange numbers on black plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1922" at bottom right	123	1 to approximately 500
1923	Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1923" at bottom right	123	1 to approximately 850
1924	Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1924" at bottom right	123	1 to approximately 999
1925	Embossed white numbers on red plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1925" at bottom right	1234	0001 to approximately 1200
1926	Embossed black numbers on green plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1926" at bottom right	123	1 to approximately 999
1927	Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1927" at bottom right	1234	101 to approximately 1250
1928	Embossed red numbers on light yellow plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1928" at bottom right	1234	101 to approximately 1350
1929	Embossed white numbers on maroon plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1929" at bottom right	1234	101 to approximately 1600
1930	Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1930" at bottom right	1234	101 to approximately 1800
1931	Embossed black numbers on gray plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1931" at bottom right	1234	1 to approximately 2000
1932	Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate; "ALASKA – 1932" at bottom	1234	301 to approximately 3100
1933	Embossed white numbers on red plate; "ALASKA – 1933" at bottom	1234	301 to approximately 3000
1934	Embossed white numbers on green plate; "ALASKA – 1934" at bottom	1234	101 to approximately 3200
1935	Embossed black numbers on orange plate; "ALASKA – 1935" at bottom	1234	101 to approximately 3100
1936	Embossed dark blue numbers on white plate with border line; "ALASKA – 1936" at bottom	1234	1001 to approximately 4300
1937	Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA – 1937" at bottom	1234	1001 to approximately 4300
1938	Embossed red numbers on white plate; "ALASKA – 1938" at bottom	1234	1001 to approximately 5100
1939	Embossed black numbers on silver plate; "ALASKA – 1939" at bottom	1234	1 to approximately 4800
1940	Embossed black numbers on orange plate; "ALASKA – 1940" at bottom	1234	1 to approximately 5200
1941	Embossed white numbers on green plate; "ALASKA – 1941" at bottom	1234	1 to 6000; 7001 to approximately 7900
1942	Embossed black numbers on white plate; "ALASKA – 1942" at bottom	1234	1 to approximately 7900
1943–44	Embossed white numbers on blue plate; "ALASKA – 1943" at bottom	1234	1 to approximately 7800	Revalidated for 1944 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1945	White numbers on green fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1945" centered at bottom	1234	1 to approximately 7800	Fiberboard plates manufactured due to ongoing metal shortage; this continued until 1948.
1946	White numbers on maroon fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1946" centered at top	1234	1 to approximately 8300
1947	Yellow numbers on dark blue fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1947" centered at bottom	1234	1 to approximately 11300
1948	Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1948" at bottom	12345	1 to approximately 15000
1949	Embossed blue numbers on white plate; blue lines at top and bottom borders; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1949" at bottom	12345	1 to approximately 20000
1950	Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1950" at bottom	12345	1 to approximately 26500
1951	Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1951" at top	12345	1 to approximately 35000
1952	Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1952" at top	12345	1 to approximately 35000

1953 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces 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 Alaska license plate that complied with these standards.

All plates issued since 1981 remain valid with proper validation.

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1953–55	Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "53" at top right	none	12345	1 to approximately 96000	Revalidated for 1954 with white tabs, and for 1955 with black tabs.
File:Alaska license plate 1956 graphic.png	1956–57	Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "56" at top right	none	12345	1 to approximately 63000	First 6" x 12" plate. Revalidated for 1957 with red tabs.
	1958–59	Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial/state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "58" at top right	none	12345	1 to approximately 74000	Revalidated for 1959 with white tabs.
	1960–61	Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "60" at top right	none	12345	1 to approximately 93000	Revalidated for 1961 with blue tabs.
	1962–65	Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at bottom; "62" at bottom right	none	12345	1 to 99999	Revalidated for 1963 with blue tabs, and for 1964 and 1965 with stickers.
	1962–65		none	A-1234	A-1000 to approximately E-3250
	1966–67	Embossed yellow numbers on blue plate with border line; embossed eagle totem pole graphic at left; stylized "ALASKA" centered at top; yellow box at top right containing debossed "66"	"NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom, with "1867" to the left and "1967" to the right	12345	1 to 99999	Commemorated the centennial of the Alaska Purchase. Revalidated for 1967 with stickers.
	1968–69	Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; blue box at top right containing debossed "68"	"THE GREAT LAND" centered at bottom	12345	1 to 99999	Revalidated for 1969 with stickers.
	1968–69		"THE GREAT LAND" centered at bottom	B1234	B1000 to approximately B7250	Revalidated for 1969 with stickers.
	1970	Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA–U.S.A." embossed in blue block letters centered at top; embossed blue box in top right corner containing debossed "70" in golden yellow	"NORTH TO THE FUTURE" embossed in small blue block letters centered at bottom	12345	1 to 99999	All plates were valid without stickers until the end of the year of issue, then revalidated with stickers until the end of 1975.
	1970			A1234	A1 to approximately A5200
	1971	As above, but with additional embossed blue box in top left corner containing debossed "71" in golden yellow			B1 to approximately E1100
	1972–73	As above, but with box in top right corner containing debossed "72" instead of "70"			G1 to G9999; K1 to approximately M9999
	(1973)	Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate; border line around plate and around revalidation sticker spot in top left corner; embossed state flag in the center between letters and digits; "ALASKA" embossed in blue block letters centered at top; "73" embossed in top right corner	none	ABC 123	AAA 100 to AAD 999	Not issued; considered prototypes (see 1973 plate controversy section below).
	1974	As 1970, 1971 and 1972–73 plates, but with "ALASKA" centered at top, border line around revalidation sticker spot in top left corner, and "74" embossed in top right corner	"NORTH TO THE FUTURE" as on 1970, 1971 and 1972–73 plates	AB123	AA100 to DB699
	1975	As above, but with "75" embossed in top right corner	"NORTH TO THE FUTURE" as on 1970, 1971 and 1972–73 plates	AB123	DB700 to ED999
	1976–80	Embossed red numbers on reflective white plate; standing brown Kodiak bear screened in the center between letters and digits, with pale brown mountain and forest landscape in the background; "ALASKA" embossed in red serifed letters centered at top	none	ABC 123	AAA 100 to ASZ 999
	1981–96	Embossed blue numbers on reflective golden yellow plate; screened state flag in the center between letters and digits; "ALASKA" screened in blue serifed letters centered at top; indented top corners for revalidation stickers	"The Last Frontier" screened in blue serifed letters centered at bottom	ABC 123	BAA 100 to DJX 999
	1997 – October 2004	Embossed black numbers on reflective graphic plate featuring a blue sky, yellow rising sun, white mountains fading to golden yellow at the bottom, and black silhouettes of gold prospectors from the top center to the bottom left corner; "ALASKA" screened in golden yellow serifed letters, plus mining equipment for the second 'A', centered at top	"Gold Rush" screened in golden yellow serifed letters offset to right below state name; "Centennial" screened in black serifed letters at bottom, also offset to right	ABC 123	DJY 100 to ERT 999	Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new standard-issue license plate of 1998 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Alaska was so honored. Co-recipient with Idaho.
	October 2004	As 1981–97 base, but without indented top corners	"The Last Frontier" as on 1981–97 base	ABC 123	ERU 100 to approximately ERV 489	Serials stamped on leftover 1981–97 blanks, before production of all-embossed variants began (below).
	October 2004 – July 2005	As above, but with embossed state name and flag	"THE LAST FRONTIER" embossed in blue block letters centered at bottom	ABC 123	ERV 490 to EUB 999
	July 2005 – December 31, 2007	As above, but with larger stars in flag		ABC 123	EUC 100 to FGE 999
File:Alaska Statehood license plate.jpg	January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2009^[1]^[3]^[4]	Embossed dark blue numbers on reflective graphic plate featuring a yellow sky, gradient orange sunburst and white mountains fading to blue at the bottom; Alaska 50 logo (featuring the state flag) screened at left; "ALASKA" screened in dark blue block letters centered at top	"CELEBRATING STATEHOOD 1959-2009" screened in red block letters on white section of mountains, offset to right	ABC123	FGF100 to FUW999	Also used for vanity plates.
	January 1, 2010 – present	As 2005–07 base	"THE LAST FRONTIER" as from 2004–07	ABC 123	FUZ 100 to FUZ 999; GAA 100 to GZZ 999; KAA 100 to KCP 999 (as of May 21, 2018)	FUZ series issued in error.

Alternative passenger plates

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
File:Alaska 2015 license plate.png	May 7, 2015^[5] – present	Embossed red numbers on reflective graphic plate featuring a standing brown Kodiak bear in the center against a light blue sky, orange sunset and white mountains; "ALASKA" screened in dark blue serifed letters centered at top	none	ABC 123	JAA 100 to JKE 999 (as of May 3, 2018)	Based on the 1975–81 bear plate. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2015 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Alaska was so honored.

1973 plate controversy

A new plate design was to have been introduced in 1973, featuring the state flag in the center of the plate and a new ABC 123 serial format. During 1972, nine thousand pairs of these plates were produced, but before they could be issued they were rejected by Governor William A. Egan, who objected to the use of dots rather than stars in the state flag. The plates were instead considered prototypes, with their elements being used on future plates: the revalidation sticker box in the top left corner was used on the 1974 and 1975 versions of the 1970 plate; the ABC 123 serial format was adopted in 1976; and the "Last Frontier" plates issued since 1981 have the state flag in the center (with stars).

These prototype plates are common enough to be easily found among license plate collectors.

Non-passenger and optional types

Alaska 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.^[1]

Type	First issued	Serial format	Notes
Alaska State Trooper		123 AST
Amateur Radio		call sign
Charitable/Church Exempt		XYx 123 YYx 123
Children's Trust		KID 012 123 KID	KID-prefixed sequence started with 001.
Collector's Car		HA 123
Disabled Person		HAB 123
Disabled Veteran		DAV 123
Ex-Prisoner of War		POW 012	Started with 001.
Farm Vehicle		1234 FA	"Farm" legend.
Gold Star Family		Personalized
Historic Vehicle		HA 123
Iditarod		IDT 123 or personalized
I Support Our Veterans	2007	Personalized
Low-Speed Vehicle	2007	LSV 012	Started with 001.
Motorcycle		1234 Mx, 1234 Rx, 1234 Tx	Same plates also issued to small trailers.
National Guard		VAB 123
Pearl Harbor Survivor		P/H 123	"PH" is stacked vertically and in center of plate.
Personalized - Passenger		Six alphanumeric characters.	Three different designs.
Prince William Sound College		PWS 123
Purple Heart		VPH 123
Support Our Troops!	2008		Available in personalized format.
University of Alaska Anchorage		UAA 123 UAA123	Two styles; newer style available in personalized format.
University of Alaska Fairbanks		UAF 123	Two styles; newer style available in personalized format.
University of Alaska Southeast		UAS 123
Veteran - Air Force		VAB 123
Veteran - Army		VAB 123
Veteran - Coast Guard		VAB 123
Veteran - Marine Corps		VAB 123
Veteran - Navy		VAB 123

References

^ ^a ^b ^c http://www.state.ak.us/dmv/plates/index.htm Alaska DMV License Plates
^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
^ http://www.akplates.org Royce's Alaskan License Plates
^ LicensePlates.cc: The license plate collector’s portal Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
^ Herz, Nathaniel (June 2, 2015). "State says it's a roaring start for Alaska grizzly bear license plates". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved October 19, 2016.

External links

[autogenerated1-1] ttp://www.state.ak.us/dmv/plates/index.htm Alaska DMV License Plates

[2] Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.

[3] ttp://www.akplates.org Royce's Alaskan License Plates

[4] LicensePlates.cc: The license plate collector’s portal Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine

[5] Herz, Nathaniel (June 2, 2015). "State says it's a roaring start for Alaska grizzly bear license plates". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved October 19, 2016.

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v t e Vehicle license plates of the United States
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v t e Vehicle registration plates of North America
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