New York License Plates

New York License Plates

New York is issuing a new base plate starting in April 2010 for transactions that require new plates. An additional $25 fee will be added to renewal charges for the new plates. New plates will be issued to renewals starting in May 2010. Registrants may keep their current plate number by paying an additional $20 fee. Although the new plates will replace the current blue on white base for common types such as Passenger, Commercial, Motorcycle, and Trailer, it will not be used for Specials for professions or special groups. Those plates will be replaced later by a different design to be announced at a later date.

Update: Due to public outcry, it now seems possible, or even likely, that the new plates WILL NOT become a mandatory general reissue, but will be issued for new registrations only. Many people have been objecting to the steep fees associated with the planned reissue, which has much more to due with raising money for the state to use in their budget shortfall than just replacing the current base plates. Had the original plan to make the new base a general reissue gone through, it would have generated $129 million for the state. In addition to the new plates, registration and insurance surcharge fees are increasing.

We now have an answer regarding the T800205T format Taxi plates. Felice advises: These plates are issued to NYC Taxis while they wait for the plate with their medallion number to be made. These plates started in the 1970s when they were the standard issue for NYC taxis, around 1989-90 they were replaced with medallion numbers.

The new Empire State base came out April 1, 2010. Ron Ridolph advises that Passenger plates will start out in the FAB, FAC, FAD, and FAE series. FAA was skipped.

Non-Passenger types on the new base will appear in the following formats and number blocks:

AGRICULTURE: 10000-GL
AMBULANCE: 10000-EV
APPORTIONED: 10000-PC
BUS: 10000-BB
COMMERCIAL: 10000-MA
DEALER: 7000000
FARM: 10000-FR
HANDICAPPED: 600000
HISTORICAL: HX-50000
LIVERY: 10000-LV
MOTORCYCLE: MT
OFFICIAL: R-10000
SCHOOL: 10000-SH
SPECIAL COMMERCIAL: 10000-SM
T & L C: T600000C
TAXI: 10000-TY
TOW TRUCK: 10000-TT
TRACTOR: 10000-TC
TRAILER: BA-10000
TRANSPORTER: 2000000

Type	Plate	Notes	Reporter
Empire Gold	FYJ-7052	This is the new Empire Gold issue that began April 1, 2010. Low - FAB 1774 John Rotella reports that as of 5/24/10, Cayuga County DMV is offering customers their choice of new Empire Gold or old Empire White plates. Cayuga County's DMV is in Auburn, where the license plates are made at the prison just 4 blocks from the DMV office. The State's official policy was that white plates would be used up before gold were issued in any particular office. Rich Daniels reports the following skipped series: FAG, FAT, FCC, FDA, FDR, FED, FEM, FME were all skipped. All of the FKx series. Most FxK series were skipped up through FMK, except for FAK, FBK and FJK, which were produced and issued. FRK, FWK were skipped in the FxK series, but FPK, FSK, FTK, FXK and FYK were produced. All FxU prefixes were skipped: FAU, FBU, FCU, FDU, FEU, FFU, FGU, FHU, FJU, FLU, FMU. FNx series also skipped. FRT, FTA, FTC, and FTD series skipped. All of the FUx and FVx series were skipped. All FxU series through FXU were skipped.	Mike Vickers 2/01/12
Empire State HIGH	EZC-9900	Series not seen yet: AA-, AB-, AI-, AO-, AQ-, AZZ, BF-, BJ-, BS-, and BU-. AA- & AB- reserved for use on paper In Transit plates. Letters I, O, and Q are not used in any position. After AA- & AB- for paper In-Transit plates, the ZA- series is now being used. Rich reports other prefixes skipped: AFU, ASS, BAD, BAT, BLK, BMW, BRA, BRP, BVD, BYU, BYV, BZB, BZY, BZZ, CAD, CAT, CBA, CBS, CDC, CFU, CHP, CLT, CNN, CNT, CPA, CPR, CUD, CUF, CUM, CUN, CUS, CVS, CYA, DAD, DAH, DAM, DAV, DCJ, DDS, DEA, DEC, DEM, DET, DKS, DLR, DPW, DSU, DTZ, DUD, DUH, DUM, EAG, EAL, EAP, EAT, EEP, EFU, EMS, EMT, EPA, EPT, ERA. Some plates in the DNB 8200 (probably 8250 through 8274 at least) series were produced without the state silhouette between the letters and numbers. They have been seen near Rochester. EYH-2999 was the last Empire State plate produced. Some higher series plates were made, but they were special registrations, not standard issues.	John Rotella 1/19/10
Empire State LOW	ACA-1005	As noted above, the AA- and AB- series were used for paper In Transit plates, so the lowest series on the Empire State base is ACA.	Steven Weinstein 3/22/11
Non-passenger Plates
Agriculture	13119-GL	Probably started at 10000-GR on Empire State. 12042-GR reported as a low. Sal Dodd informs us that Agriculture plates are for individuals/corporations that are moving farm produce or livestock for the purpose of selling retail or wholesale their own products. Registration rates are somewhat less than Commercial plates. Agriculture plates cannot be used on vehicles "for hire" and the vehicles they are used on must be insured. They were first issued on the "Liberty" base in late 1994. Windshield validation stickers are used for these plates and registrations are staggered, issued for a one year period. Empire Gold is using the GL suffix.	Chris Scott 1/29/12
Ambulance	12122-EV	Empire Gold MikeR66 has the lowest plate (Empire State), 10000-ET, in his collection.	Mike Vickers 9/30/11
Apportioned	19310-PC	Empire Gold Appears to have started at 10000-PC. Empire State high: 23135-PB	Chris Scott 1/24/12
Bus	18551-BB	Empire Gold plates started at 10000-BB. Empire State plates started at 10000-BA. 10009-BA reported as a low by MikeR66. This would be the 10th Bus plate issued. Empire State high: 63337-BA	Kevin Gallagher 12/01/11
Commercial	92297-KA	New issue Commercial plates started at 10000-JA, which was spotted by lovefords in Rensselaer Co. Liberty Commercial issues in the 10000-Ax series are being reissued on the new base. Mike V. notes that it has taken nearly 10 years to get from 10000-JA to 99999-JZ, probably because light trucks may now be registered as passenger cars.	John Rotella 10/19/10
Commercial (Empire Gold)	36965-MC	Series began at 10000-MA. John Rotella reports 10207-MA as a low.	Mike Vickers 1/18/12
Coroner	Coroner 11 01	The first number indicates the county. Mrusso66 reports 01 01 as somewhat of a low for this type, although the first 01 represents Albany Co.	Steve/K2WE 7/03/09
Dealer	7104445	Dealer plates appear to have started at 8100000 on the Empire State base, and 7100000 on the Empire Gold base. Empire State high: 8175404	Kevin Gallagher 1/20/12
Division Of State Police	DSP1073		Mtnrider 11/12/09
Farm	38439-FA	Farm plates are for moving equipment between farms, migrant worker buses, or from farm to dump, or any other farming activity. Vehicles with Farm plates do not require insurance. They are registered for one year and all expire in December. Plates are validated with a plate sticker. A legitimate farm or livestock operation must be owned in order to qualify for these plates, and specific information regarding the use of the vehicle must be provided to the DMV.	Kevin Gallagher 7/09/11
Handicapped	604450	Flat Empire Gold probably started at 600000. Wheelchair symbol appears to right of numbers and takes up two of the eight spaces available on the plate. Handicapped plates are in the 200000 and 500000 series and are flat. 400000 series plates are also in use, but are listed here separately as Disabled Veteran since they have that legend. 957363 was just issued to a friend of Bird Man, so no idea why the numbers are jumping around so much.	Kevin Gallagher 12/09/11
Historical	HX-57809	Flat - Empire Gold Cars in their 26th model year are eligible for Historial Plates.	Kevin Gallagher 11/07/11
In Transit Permit	ZDZ-6853	This is the paper permit that began at AAA-1000 because of a computer glitch, which made it necessary to begin the Empire State base at ACA-1000. In Transit permits have been changed to the Z-- series.	Mike Vickers 2/25/11
Limited Use Auto	22276-LU	Spotted on an electric vehicle owned by the NY State Park Police. A Limited Use Auto is defined as a motor vehicle, other than one registered or capable of being registered, which has a maximum speed of not more than forty miles per hour. Jim S. spotted the first of the series, 10000-LU on an electric vehicle of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.	Mike Vickers 8/07/09
Livery	17005-LV		Mike Vickers 1/20/11
Medical Doctor	M D 101504		Felice Batisti 12/30/06
Motorcycle	83GZ02	Series started at 10DA00. Mopeds use same format with 10AA, 10BA, or 10CA depending on weight class. ATV/ORV use same format with red lettering in the 10XA series. Mtnrider reports 46YD36 on 2006-02-24.	Mike Vickers 6/25/10
Motorcycle (Empire Gold)	62RN38	Started at 10RA00.	Kevin Gallagher 11/01/11
Motorcycle - Dealer	21MD49	Empire Gold started at 00MT00.	Mike Vickers 6/20/08
Official	R-25051	This type was used on the "Liberty" plate from A-10000 through the D-nnnnn series. The "Empire State" series started at K-10000. The "Empire Gold" series started at R-10000. Empire State high: M-75533	Kevin Gallagher 1/20/12
School	14293-SH	Embossed Used on smaller school buses not school owned. "Empire Gold" appears to have started at 10000-SH.	Mike Vickers 9/27/11
Semi-Trailer	3507-C6	Embossed From Sal Dodd: Semi-Trailer is a five year dated plate. First issued in Nov. 1989 on liberty base for 1990 model semi-trailers, with a 1995 expiration. Only 1990 or newer trailers can be registered with these plates. The numbering format was 1234A5, with the A5 appearing as a constant on all 1995 expiring plates, the lowest number being 1000A5. Each year a new series is started, generally appearing in November for the next 5 year term, i.e. 1991 trailer = 1996 expiration. The format on this plate would be 1234A6. 1992 trailer = 1997 expiration. Format 1234A7 and onward. The year of the trailer from 1990 onward makes little difference in what plate is displayed though. A 1993 trailer may have displayed a standard trailer plate for two years, then get a five year plate if desired, and expiration will reflect 5 years from issuance, with no relationship to model year. Liberty base: 1995 =A5 1996 =A6 1997 =A7 1998 =A8 1999 =A9 2000 =A0 2001 =A1 2002 =A2 2003 =A3 2004 =A4 2005 =B5 2006 =B6 2007 =B7 2008 =B8 2009 =B9 These were fairly rare, but needed as those renewing exp 00 plates needed plates before the Empire bases were ready, and some were issued in early 2001 due to Empire base not ready in Jan 2001 for some non pass types that were low in registration levels. New 5 year registrants also needed these if registering during Nov or Dec 2000. NY allows up to 60 days before a registration period starts on trailers. Empire Base: 2006= B6 2007= B7 2008= B8 2009= B9 2010= B0 2011= B1 2012= B2 2015= C5	Mike Vickers 7/08/11
Special Commercial	12780-SM	Embossed SC series on Empire State base, SM series on Empire Gold starting at 10000-SM. Used on bulldozers, concrete pumpers, cranes, farm tractors, etc., any specialized equipment that uses the roads. Embossed plate. "SPEC-COMM" on bottom. Empire State high: 46504-SC	Felice Batisti 7/23/11
State	12-5187	Now in Empire Gold. Former type had www.state.ny.us white on dark blue at bottom of plate. Flat plate. New York outline on left side of plate, "STATE" in red letters under outline. First 2 digits indicate model year of the vehicle or equipment.	Chris Scott 9/07/11
State Park Police	1-8A70	Flat First number is State Park District (No. 1-11) then vehicle Radio Call Sign No.	Nicholas 5/31/08
T&LC (Taxi & Limo)	T619558C	Flat - Empire Gold "T&LC" replaces The Empire State bar at the bottom of the plate. Series originally started with T10000C on the Liberty base, then expanded to 8 characters in 1999 with numbers reaching as high as T34xxxxC. All previous numbers on the Liberty base have been replaced with Empire plates starting at T400000C. All T&LC plates are flat. Our thanks go to Felice Batisti for providing this information. Empire Gold low: T600004C	Kevin Gallagher 1/27/12
T&LC - Nassau Co.	N201061C	This is a new issue only for Nassau Co. Used in conjunction with a checkerboard style (black & red) much the same as the regular T&LC. At the bottom of the plate where "THE EMPIRE STATE" usually appears, this type has "NASSAU COUNTY T&LC" on it. Some "door to door" taxis in Nassau Co. have traded their TX suffix Taxi plates for this new type. Empire Gold started at N200000C Low spotted: N200003C	Kevin Gallagher 10/25/11
T&LC - Suffolk Co.	S100003C	Flat in the same style as the other T&LC plates, but legend at the bottom couldn't be verified because of a plate frame.	Bradley Gallagher 11/25/07
T&LC - Westchester Co.	W201170C	Similar to the Nassau Co. type, this issue is for Westchester Co. Empire State high: W104042C Empire Gold started at W200000C.	Kevin Gallagher 1/04/12
Taxi	15002-TY	Now in Empire old in the TY series.	Mike Vickers 1/19/11
Thruway Authority	TWY-851		Kevin G. 12/10/09
Tow Truck	18386-TT	Empire high: 35360-TW Empire Gold started at 10000-TT	Kevin Gallagher 12/02/11
Tractor	13700-TC	Assigned to tractor portion of tractor/trailer rig. Flat plate. "TRACTOR" on bottom of plate.	Mike Vickers 2/17/11
Trailer	BC-15504	The Empire State base began at AA-10000. Low is AA-10181 and the High is AX-37774. AO & AQ series not used. The Empire Gold base began with BA-10000.	Chris Scott 2/03/12
Transporter	2101187	Flat plate. "TRANSPORTER" in place of "EMPIRE STATE" on bottom. Issued to Businesses (not dealers) involved in transporting vehicles from one location to another. NOTE: Transporter plates are issued by the state in blocks to branch offices in descending order, or a backwards progression, but the offices issue the individual plates in an ascending order. Therefore, the low is actually the high for this type. Empire State was in the 3000000 series. Empire Gold are in the 2000000 series.	Kevin Gallagher 9/21/11
Van Pool	VAN-1213	Flat, Empire Gold Base. VAN-POOL on bottom of plate	Kevin Gallagher 1/16/12
Specialty Plates
Assn of Former Troopers	188AFT		Mtnrider 3/07/06
Birthplace of Baseball	5993	Baseball surrounded by words "Birthplace of Baseball" on left. Mike Russo reports a new design for this plate for the Empire Gold series that conforms to the other organization designs on the new plates. Numbers go from 1 to at least 6000. Numbers are "recycled" as old ones expire, or are turned in.	Jim Schaller 3/31/11
Bluebird Plate Environmental	636-BWY	Flat "Conserve Open Space" on bottom, Blue Bird on left side	Kevin Gallagher 1/27/12
Conserve Habitat	155HBT	Bird flying on left, numbers to right, Conserve Habitat on bottom.	Mtnrider 12/22/06
Disabled Veteran	411103	Wheelchair emblem to right of numbers.	Kevin G. 12/08/09
Drive for the Cure	465DFC	Cancer Research and Education	Mtnrider 3/31/06
Emergency Medical Technician	1292-emt	Issued through the DMV with a copy of EMT certificate card.	Chris Scott 8/20/10
EMT- Paramedic	2218EMTP	Flat Same as the "EMT" plates, just for Paramedic Level Providers. The letters EMTP are smaller than the numbers.	Kevin G. 3/12/10
Former Prisoner of War	999	Red Small Letters On left Blue Numbers to Right	Mtnrider 8/12/06
Korean War Veterans	248KWV	Gold medal logo to left of serial.	Mtnrider 7/02/09
Marine Corps League	756 M C L	Large numbers, small letters stacked on right, "Leathernecks" on bottom.	Mtnrider 9/06/06
Our Best Friends	125PTZ	"Our Best Friends" on top left side with box picture of 4 Dogs. The PET suffix has also been used.	Jim Schaller 4/17/07
Pearl Harbor Survivor	99		Jim Sadler 11/12/09
Press	N Y P -6062	New York Press plates, used by members of the news media. Numbered in sequence, NYS does not grant request for low numbers. NYP 1 is usually given to the president of the New York Press Club. Usually seen in New York City area. Weegee reports the NYC Police Department has ceased issuing parking placards to members of the press. NYP plates are now the only method of media vehicle parking. Professional organizations are working with the city to reinstate the placards. Steven Weinstein reports a strange version of an NYP plate was spotted on 2010-08-20. The plate, NYP 4304 had the new gold type New York across the top and the words Empire State (not The Empire State as in the blue/white plate) at the bottom but the plate has the white (not gold) background with blue letters. Sort of a cross between the old and new plates. The plate was spotted in Dobbs Ferry, NY Mike Russo speculates that this will be the "Empire Gold" version of all Special Organization plates with small letters and large numbers. He has seen a few NYPs in this style in addition to an Appellate Court Judge (all three words spelled out to the left of a 3 digit number) in Albany.	Steven Weinstein 10/12/11
Purple Heart	3838 P H	Purple Heart to the left of numbers, normal numbers, P/H stacked at right. Jim Sadler reports TJM 518 on a different design. This one has the words Combat Wounded and a Purple Heart image are on the left.	Mike Vickers 4/07/08
Registered Nurse	1728 R N	This plate is for those nurses who are registered under the New York State Education Department. R/N stacked at right of the numbers.	Kevin G. 2/09/10
Survivor of the Shield	1998	Issued to the spouses and children of New York City Police Officers killed in the performance of their duty. Survivor of the Shield is written to the left of the numbers.	Kevin G. 12/16/09
US Submarine Vet	S S 719	SS stacked before numbers, service logo to left of numbers, Silent Service in red on bottom.	Kevin Gallagher 10/05/11
Veteran	778VTR	American flag to left of numbers, Veteran in red below flag. Veteran plates have appeared with VET, SVC, SRV, VTN, and VTR suffixes. Order of issue is uncertain, but VTN appears to be the last series before the current USV, and VET has been confirmed by Jim S. as being the first used. He had the second plate issued, which was 101VET. Persian Gulf Veteran - 146PGV Vietnam Veteran - 478VNV	Kevin Gallagher 8/26/11
Volunteer Ambulance Service	V A S 9911		Ron Ridolph 4/16/10
Volunteer Firefighter	V F 90728	V/F 8 reported as a low by Steven Weinstein.	Mtnrider 7/02/06
World War II Veteran	343WW2	WW II Veteran on bottom in gold	Kevin Gallagher 8/03/11
Inactive Series
Liberty	GS7 14E	Sal Dodd reports that Statue of Liberty plates expired Apr. 1, 2003, and that Apr. 30, 2003 was the last date for display.	Sal J. Dodd 6/23/01