Vehicle registration plates of Iowa

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

Passenger plates 1911 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Association that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles, except those for motorcycles, at six inches in height by twelve inches in width, with standardized mounting holes. 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
1911 White lettering on blue base none 12345 1 to approximately 15000
1912 White lettering on black base none 12345 1 to approximately 18700
1913 Black lettering on white base none 12345 1 to approximately 21400
1914 White lettering on dark blue base none 12345 1 to approximately 24000
1915 Black lettering on yellow base none 12345 1 to approximately 26700
1916-18 Yellow lettering on black base none 12345 1 to approximately 28900
1919 White lettering on brown base none 123456 1 to approximately 313000
1920 Black lettering on light green base none 123456 1 to approximately 329000
1921 Silver lettering on black base none 123456 1 to approximately 354000
1922 Black lettering on silver base none 1-23456
12-3456
1 to approximately 3-69000
1923 Yellow-orange lettering on black base none 1-23456
12-3456
1 to approximately 3-95000
1924 White lettering on black base none 1-23456
12-3456
1 to approximately 4-35000
1925 Black lettering on gray base none 1-23456
12-3456
1 to approximately 4-78000
1926 White lettering on maroon base none 1-23456
12-3456
1 to approximately 5-23000
1927 Orange lettering on dark blue base none 1-23456
12-3456
1 to approximately 5-68000
1928 Black lettering on white base none 1-23456
12-3456
1 to approximately 6-12000 Prefix letters used to avoid 7-digit plates
1929 Black lettering on dark green base none 1-23456
12-3456
1 to approximately 6-430000 Prefix letters used to avoid 7-digit plates
1930 White lettering on dark blue base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 70-40000
1931 Dark blue lettering on white base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 72-90000
1932 White lettering on maroon base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 75-80000
1933 White embossed lettering and border on navy background none Coded by county of issuance (e.g., "1" for Adair County)
12-3456
1934 Yellow lettering on dark blue base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 83-70000
1935 White lettering on dark blue base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 87-60000
1936 Dark blue lettering on white base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 88-80000
1937 White lettering on dark blue base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 89-30000
1938 Dark blue lettering on white base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 91-90000
1939 White lettering on dark blue base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 93-30000
1940 Dark blue lettering on orange base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 95-20000
1941 Black lettering on white base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 97-10000
1942-45 White lettering on black base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 99-80000 Revalidated for 1943, 1944, and 1945 with windshield stickers
1945 (New Registrations Only) Black lettering on white base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 99-70000
1946 White lettering on black base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 99-60000
1947 Black lettering on white base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 99-50000
1948 Yellow on silver tab used on 1947 base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 99-40000
1949 White embossed lettering and border on black background none Coded by county of issuance
12-3456
1 to approximately 99-30000 Aluminum with "waffle" pattern hatching texture for strength
1950 Black lettering on white base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 99-20000
1951 Red on silver tab on 1950 base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 99-10000
1952 White lettering on black base none 12-34567 1 to approximately 99-00000
1953 Black lettering on white base The Corn State 12-34567 1 to approximately 79-00000 First year a motto of any kind appeared on the plate. Rather than use the official nickname of "The Hawkeye State", they chose the unofficial nickname of "The Corn State".
1954 Black on silver tab on 1953 base The Corn State 12-34567 1 to approximately 59-00000
1955 Orange on silver tab on 1953 base The Corn State 12-34567 1 to approximately 39-00000

1956–57 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in white block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in top left corner and "56" in top right corner none 1-1234
1-A123
1-1A23
10-1234
10-A123
10-1A23
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) First 6" x 12" plate. Revalidated for 1957 with silver tabs.
1958 Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in black block letters centered at top; "58" embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0-12345
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1959 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in black block letters centered at top; "59" embossed in top right corner none 1 12345
1/0 12345
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1960 Embossed black numbers on light gray plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in black block letters centered at top; "60" embossed in top right corner none 1 12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1961 As 1959 base, but with "61" embossed in top right corner none 1 12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1962 As 1960 base, but with "62" embossed in top right corner none 1 12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1963 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in white block letters centered at top; "63" embossed in top right corner none 1 12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1964 Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in white block letters centered at top; "64" embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1965 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in white block letters centered at top; "65" embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1966 Embossed white numbers on red plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in white block letters centered at top; "66" embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1967 Embossed black numbers on reflective white plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in black block letters centered at top; "67" embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1968 Embossed red numbers on reflective white plate with border line; "IOWA" embossed in red block letters centered at top; "68" embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1969 As 1967 base, but with "69" embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1970 As 1968 base, but with "70" embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1971 As 1967 base, but with "71" embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
1972–74 Embossed black numbers on reflective yellow plate with border line; "IOWA 72" embossed in black block letters centered at top; black sticker box embossed in top right corner none 1-12345
1/0 123456
Coded by county of issuance
(1 or 1/0)
Revalidated for 1973 and 1974 with stickers.
1975–78 Embossed black numbers on reflective white plate with border line; "IOWA 75" embossed in black block letters centered at top none 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.[2][3]
1979–85 White numbers on green plate with border line; "IOWA" and county name in white block letters centered at top and bottom respectively; "79" in top right corner. Plate elements either embossed (above) or debossed (below). county name 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.
1986–96 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "IOWA" and county name embossed in white block letters centered at top and bottom respectively; "86" embossed in top right corner county name ABC 123 LAA 000 to
YZZ 999
Non-resident plates discontinued.
1996–98 Embossed blue numbers on graphic plate with light blue sky, white city skyline and gray farm scene; "IOWA" screened in blue serifed letters centered at top; county name on sticker centered at bottom county name 123 ABC 000 AAA to approximately 399 FSK
1998 – mid 2001 As above, but with county name screened in blue block letters Exclusively from 400 FSK to approximately 999 HMY; intermittently from 000 HMZ to approximately 999 JYC
mid 2000 – late 2011 As above, but with numbers 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. Serials 000 KDA through 999 KZC skipped in error; 000 SAA through 999 SHG reserved for Special plates; U and V not used as first letters.
late 2011 – late 2012 As above, but with numbers, state name and county name in black rather than blue[4] county name 123 ABC 000 YPL to
999 ZZZ
Zeros in serials became slashed at the beginning of the YYA series (early 2012).
late 2012 – present ABC 123 AAA 000 to
EHT 999 (as of August 19, 2016)

County coding

CountyCode, 1930-783-letter block, 1975-85
Adair 1 AAA–AAZ
Adams 2 ABA–ABZ
Allamakee 3 ACA–ACZ
Appanoose 4 ADA–ADZ
Audubon 5 AEA–AEZ
Benton 6 AFA–AGZ
Black Hawk 7 AHA–AMZ
Boone 8 ANA–AOZ
Bremer 9 APA–AQZ
Buchanan 10 ARA–ARZ
Buena Vista 11 ASA–ATZ
Butler 12 AUA–AUZ
Calhoun 13 AVA–AVZ
Carroll 14 AWA–AXZ
Cass 15 AYA–AYZ
Cedar 16 AZA–AZZ
Cerro Gordo 17 BAA–BCZ
Cherokee 18 BDA–BDZ
Chickasaw 19 BEA–BEZ
Clarke 20 BFA–BFZ
Clay 21 BGA–BGZ
Clayton 22 BHA–BIZ
Clinton 23 BJA–BLZ
Crawford 24 BMA–BMZ
Dallas 25 BNA–BOZ
Davis 26 BPA–BPZ
Decatur 27 BQA–BQZ
Delaware 28 BRB–BRZ
Des Moines 29 BSA–BUZ
Dickinson 30 BVA–BVZ
Dubuque 31 BWA–CAZ
Emmet 32 CBA–CBZ
Fayette 33 CCA–CDZ
Floyd 34 CEA–CFZ
Franklin 35 CGA–CGZ
Fremont 36 CHA–CHZ
Greene 37 CIA–CIZ
Grundy 38 CJA–CJZ
Guthrie 39 CKA–CKZ
Hamilton 40 CLA–CMZ
Hancock 41 CNA–CNZ
Hardin 42 COA–CPZ
Harrison 43 CQA–CQZ
Henry 44 CRA–CRZ
Howard 45 CSA–CSZ
Humboldt 46 CTA–CTZ
Ida 47 CUA–CUZ
Iowa 48 CVA–CVZ
Jackson 49 CWA–CWZ
Jasper 50 CXA–CYZ
Jefferson 51 CZA–CZZ
Johnson 52 DAA–DDZ
Jones 53 DEA–DEZ
Keokuk 54 DFA–DFZ
Kossuth 55 DGA–DHZ
Lee 56 DIA–DLZ
Linn 57 DMA–DTZ
Louisa 58 DUA–DUZ
Lucas 59 DVA–DVZ
Lyon 60 DWA–DWZ
Madison 61 DXA–DXZ
Mahaska 62 DYA–DZZ
Marion 63 EAA–EBZ
Marshall 64 ECA–EEZ
Mills 65 EFA–EFZ
Mitchell 66 EGA–EGZ
Monona 67 EHA–EHZ
Monroe 68 EIA–EIZ
Montgomery 69 EJA–EJZ
Muscatine 70 EKA–ELZ
O'Brien 71 EMA–EMZ
Osceola 72 ENA–ENZ
Page 73 EOA–EOZ
Palo Alto 74 EPA–EPZ
Plymouth 75 EQA–ERZ
Pocahontas 76 ESA–ESZ
Polk 77 FAA–FPZ
Pottawattamie 78 FQA–FUZ
Poweshiek 79 FVA–FVZ
Ringgold 80 FWA–FWZ
Sac 81 FXA–FXZ
Scott 82 GAA–GHZ
Shelby 83 GIA–GIZ
Sioux 84 GJA–GKZ
Story 85 GLA–GNZ
Tama 86 GOA–GOZ
Taylor 87 GPA–GPZ
Union 88 GQA–GQZ
Van Buren 89 GRA–GRZ
Wapello 90 GSA–GUZ
Warren 91 GVA–GWZ
Washington 92 GXA–GXZ
Wayne 93 GYA–GYZ
Webster 94 HAA–HCZ
Winnebago 95 HDA–HDZ
Winneshiek 96 HEA–HEZ
Woodbury 97 HFA–HKZ
Worth 98 HLA–HLZ
Wright 99 HMA–HMZ
Non-resident 00 HNA–HNZ

Current non-passenger and optional types

Non-passenger types

Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
Apportioned Power Unit PA 1234 Plate color is green on white, issued to semis, or commercial vehicles only
Apportioned Trailer TA 1234 Plate is green on white. Issued to semi trailers only.
Dealer D1
D12
D123
D1234
Plus one- to three-digit suffix that ascends for each dealer. Plate color is red and blue on white.
Motorcycle 1234 AB With the exception of the size (1/4 that of a standard plate), and that only one plate is issued, there is no difference in the motorcycle plate and the standard issue license plate.
Official 123456 All official plates are black on white.
State Patrol 123 or 1234 State trooper's plates are official plates that are colored black on yellow, with two red stars on either side of the plate number. The plate number of each car is also the badge number for that trooper, excluding post 16, who drive pool cars assigned numbers which are currently not being used by another trooper.. The sequence is never below 2 numbers, and never higher than 3 numbers. These are placed on marked units only. Unmarked units have regular issued State of Iowa plates.
Official County 12345 County plates appear the same as the standard official plates.
County Sheriff's Department S00-1234 Plates are forest green on white, with the symbol of the Sheriff's star on the far left side of the plate. A two number prefix with an S in front of it and to the left of the hyphen refers to the county to which the car is attached (i.e. the prefix S29 would be a deputy from Des Moines County while a prefix of S56 would denote a deputy from Lee County), the numbers appearing to the right of the hyphen correspond to the badge number of the deputy that is driving. These are placed on marked units only.
Special 123 SAB (000 SAA to 999 SHG) "Special" screened vertically to left of serial.
Trailer 1234 AB

Optional types

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
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.
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.
Breast Cancer Awareness 123BA
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.
Cattlemen Care CA123
123CA
123CI
Congressional Medal of HonorAir 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.
Congressional Medal of HonorArmy 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.
Congressional Medal of HonorNavy 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
Distinguished Service Cross DSC123
DSC1234
Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Education Must show NEA membership card and hold credentials as a schoolteacher to be issued.
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
Masons Must provide membership in an area Freemasons Lodge to be issued this plate
Ex-Prisoner of War POW123
POW1234
Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of the POW medal before issuance.
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.
God Bless America US123
123US
123UA
123UD
123UE
123UK
123UP
123UQ
123UR
123UT
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
Iowa Heritage
Iowa State University ISU1234
Legion of Merit Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued.
Love Our Kids K1234
Motorcycle Rider
National Guard N1234 Must have Military Identification denoting member of National Guard in order to be issued this plate.
Natural Resources – Bald eagle AB 123
Natural Resources – Goldfinch/wild rose AB123
AB 123
Natural Resources – Pheasant AB 123
Navy and Marine Corps Medal Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued.
Navy Cross NC123
NC1234
Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued.
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
Pearl Harbor Survivor 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 Survivor". Can have ship's hull number placed as plate number for no extra charge, provided the sequence is not already taken by another motorist.
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.
Purple Heart P1234 Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Retired Air Force R1234 Must present Military Identification Card denoting retirement to be issued.
Retired Army R1234 Must have military identification card denoting retirement to be issued
Retired Coast Guard R1234 Must present Coast Guard identification card showing retirement to be issued
Retired Marines R1234 Must have military identification card denoting retirement to be issued
Retired Navy R1234 Must have military identification card denoting retirement to be issued
Share the Road SR123 (passenger)
123SU (motorcycle)
Shriners ZA123
ZB123
Must present a Shriners membership card to be issued
Silver Star Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
Soldier's Medal Must present military form DD-214 showing receipt of medal to be issued
University of Iowa UI 1234
University of Northern Iowa UNI1234
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.
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 types

Optional types

Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Sesquicentennial (Patriotic) 1992 Embossed red numbers on reflective white plate; "IOWA" screened in blue serifed letters centered at top, with blue state shape to right; "Sesquicentennial" screened in red block letters centered at bottom; blue bands screened in top left and top right corners, 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.
Sesquicentennial (Scenic) 1992 Embossed red numbers on reflective graphic plate with pale blue sky, green grass, pale green tree and blue city skyline; "IOWA" screened in red serifed letters at top, offset to right; "SESQUICENTENNIAL 1846 * 1996" screened in two lines of black serifed letters to left; "92" screened in top right corner 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. "Iowa License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  3. "76 Iowa". Plateshack.com. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  4. http://thegazette.com/2011/07/10/standard-license-plates-to-adopt-black-lettering/

External links

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