Delaware License Plates

Delaware passenger plates are six-digit with chosen numbers permitted at any time. Numbers from range 1 through 999999 recycled continuously so a regular sequential high does not exist here.

Reid Williamson reported that a DMV official confirmed that plate number 1000000 was issued by a former DMV Commissioner to a friend, but no other seven-digit passenger plates have been made thus far.

The original five-digit "C" Commercial series ran through C99999. Since the earlier large number font did not allow for seven digits, the stacked C/L prefix (tracked elsewhere on this site) was established as a workaround continuation for commercial plates.

Plates marked "APPORTIONED" signify a truck or bus operating in more than one jurisdiction as part of the International Registration Plan (IRP). Delaware started issuing apportioned plates in 1995 with both C and C/L series numbers. Most newer issues are in the C/L 1x series along with the occasional old C-prefix number remake.

Around 1995, a smaller font that finally enabled seven character plates came into use and this traditional single-C prefix commercial series was revived and expanded into new ranges.

C100000 block: C101054 - C103036 observed

C200000 block: C270000 - C271082 observed

C300000 block: C342120 - C394949 observed

C400000 block: C486304 - C499953 observed

C500000 block: C500x - C505x observed

C600000 block: appeared in 2022, see History tab for details.

C outliers/special requests: C999999 and C552104

The earlier Delaware large number font did not allow for seven digit plates so this stacked C/L ("C"ommercia"L") prefix was initially established as a workaround extension of the C series. Numbering started at C/L 9000, low C/L 9005.

Around 1995, a smaller font that enabled seven character plates came into use and this C/L series expanded to seven digits starting at 100000, special request outlier C/L 302382.

Plates marked "APPORTIONED" signify a truck or bus operating in more than one jurisdiction as part of the International Registration Plan (IRP). Delaware started issuing apportioned plates in 1995 with both C and C/L series numbers. Most newer IRP issues are in the C/L 1x series including the occasional high special request or lower old number remake.

Plate allows owner special parking privileges.

Starting point LX1001 observed.

M/C appears bottom left in small font below the registration number.

Handicapped Motorcycle:

HP 94 Manny Jacob 2005-07-05.

HPMC259 Jordan Irazabal 2009-07-04

P/C plates are issued in random large blocks:

P/C 1 - P/C 199999 have been issued

P/C 200000 block: 205963 - 234078 observed

P/C 300000 block: 300000 - 305376 observed

P/C 400000 block: 400000 - 499998 observed

P/C 500000 block: normal sequence Sept 2024+

P/C 600000 block: 600x - 614918 observed

P/C 700000 block: Only one observed, likely oddball or special request.

P/C 800000 block: 800001 - 803778 observed

P/C 900000 block: Only two observed, likely oddballs/special requests.

Introduced in October 2023 beginning at ST8500, possibly the only embossed Delaware plate type. Uses the same JR Wald print-to-emboss method as New Mexico Chile Capital plates.

Low - TX206

Trailer plate numbering expanded from five to six digits in the mid-2000s. Various numbers used, see History tab for details.

Delaware trailer plates marked "APPORTIONED" along the top usually signified a semi-trailer operated in more than one jurisdiction. Delaware started issuing apportioned plates in 1995 including a T-prefix trailer version but it was only issued for a short time until 2001.

Fire station number appears inside the round center of the Maltese cross.

SP3410 also spotted, but it was out of sequence and undoubtedly a "hand-picked" number.

Fire station number appears inside the round center of the Maltese cross.