Vehicle registration plates of Kansas
The U.S. state of Kansas first required its residents to register their vehicles and display license plates in 1913. Plates are currently issued by the Kansas Department of Revenue through its Division of Vehicles and only rear plates have been required since 1956.
Passenger baseplates
1913 to 1975
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 at in height by in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1955 issue was the first Kansas license plate that complied with these standards.| Image | Dates issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| 1913 | Embossed black serial on white plate; diagonal "KAN" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 39000 | ||
| 1914 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "KAN" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 59000 | ||
| 1915 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; diagonal "KAN" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 86000 | ||
| 1916 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "KAN" monogram at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 140000 | ||
| 1917 | Embossed black serial on light green plate with border line; vertical "KAN" at left | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 183000 | ||
| 1918 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; vertical "KAN" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 205000 | ||
| 1919 | Embossed dark blue serial on light green plate with border line; vertical "KAN" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 260000 | ||
| 1920 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; vertical "KAN" at left | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 290000 | ||
| 1921 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "KAN 21" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 274-000 | First dated plate. | |
| 1922 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "KAN 22" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 304-000 | ||
| 1923 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; vertical "KAN" and "1923" at left and right respectively | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 350000 | ||
| 1924 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; vertical "KAN" and "24" at left | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 369-000 | ||
| 1925 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "KAN 25" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 409-000 | ||
| 1926 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "KAN 26" at left | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 442-000 | ||
| 1927 | Embossed black serial on gray plate with border line; vertical "1927" and "KAN" at left and right respectively | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 459-000 | ||
| 1928 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "KAN 28" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 472-000 | ||
| 1929 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate; black lines at top and bottom borders; "KANSAS 1929" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 507-000 | First use of the full state name. | |
| 1930 | Embossed white serial on black plate; white lines at top and bottom borders; "KANSAS - 1930" at top | none | 1C12345 10C1234 100C123 | Coded by county of issuance | First base to use numeric county codes. | |
| 1931 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "KAN 31" at right | none | 1-12345 10-1234 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1932 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "KAN 32" at left | none | 1-12345 10-1234 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1933 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "KAN 33" at right | none | 1-12345 10-1234 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1934 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "KAN 34" at left | none | 1-12345 10-1234 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1935 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "KAN 35" at right | none | 1-12345 10-1234 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1936 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "KAN 36" at left | none | 1-12345 10-1234 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1937 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "KAN 37" at right | none | 1-12345 10-1234 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1938 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "KAN. '38" centered at bottom | none | 1-12345 10-1234 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1939 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "'39 KAN." centered at top | none | 1-12345 10-1234 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1940 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "KANSAS '40" centered at bottom | none | 1-12345 10-12345 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1941 | Embossed yellow serial on dark red plate with border line; "41 KANSAS" centered at bottom | none | 1-12345 10-12345 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1942 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "KANSAS '42" centered at bottom; sunflower decals at bottom corners | none | 1-12345 10-12345 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1943 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "KANSAS '42" centered at bottom; sunflower decals at bottom corners | none | 1-12345 10-12345 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | Revalidated for 1943 with zinc "43" tabs over the '42, due to metal conservation for World War II. | |
| 1944 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "KANSAS-44" at top | none | 1-12345 10-12345 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1945 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "KANSAS-45" centered at top | none | 1-12345 10-12345 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1946 | Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate; "KANSAS-46" centered at top | none | 1-12345 10-12345 100-123 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1947 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "19 KANSAS 47" at top | none | 1-12345 10-12345 100-1234 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1948 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 KANSAS 48" at top | none | 1-12345 10-12345 100-1234 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1949 | Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "19 KANSAS 49" at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" at bottom | 1-12345 10-12345 100-1234 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1950 | Embossed green serial on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "KANSAS 50" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom | 1-12345 10-12345 100-1234 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1951 | Embossed white serial on dark blue state-shaped plate with border line; "KANSAS 51" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | First base to use two-letter county codes. | |
| 1952 | Embossed white serial on dark blue state-shaped plate with border line; "KANSAS 51" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | Revalidated for 1952 with white tabs, and for 1953 with yellow tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War. | |
| 1953 | Embossed white serial on dark blue state-shaped plate with border line; "KANSAS 51" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | Revalidated for 1952 with white tabs, and for 1953 with yellow tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War. | |
| 1954 | Embossed black serial on white state-shaped plate with border line; "KANSAS 54" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1955 | Embossed white serial on black state-shaped plate with border line; "KANSAS 55" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1956 | Embossed black serial on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 56" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" centered at bottom | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | 1956 was the first year that Kansas plates complied with the new standardized 6" x 12" measurements. | |
| 1957 | Embossed red serial on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 57" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" at bottom, offset to right | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1958 | Embossed yellow serial on blue plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 58" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" at bottom, offset to right | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1959 | Embossed blue serial on yellow plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 59" centered at top | "THE WHEAT STATE" at bottom, offset to right | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1960 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 60" centered at top | "CENTENNIAL 1961" at bottom, offset to right | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | Both this and the 1961 base commemorated Kansas' 100 years of statehood. | |
| 1961 | Embossed brown serial on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 61" centered at top | "CENTENNIAL 1961" at bottom, offset to right | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1962 | Embossed white serial on green plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 62" centered at top | none | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1963 | Embossed green serial on white plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 63" centered at top | none | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1964 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 64" centered at top | none | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1965 | Embossed white serial on red plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 65" centered at top | "MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1966 | Embossed white serial on black plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 66" centered at top | "MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1967 | Embossed white serial on Columbia blue plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 67" centered at top | "MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1968 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 68" centered at top | "MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1969 | Embossed white serial on black plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 69" centered at top | "MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom | A/''B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1970 | Embossed white serial on pale green plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 70" centered at top | "MIDWAY USA" centered at bottom | A''/B-12345 | Coded by county of issuance | ||
| 1971 | Embossed white serial on red plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS" and month of expiration centered at top and bottom respectively | none | A/''B 12345 | Coded by county of issuance | Staggered registration introduced, with the month of expiration determined by the initial letter of the registrant's surname. The A''/B 12345 serial format was used only on plates expiring on July 31. | |
| 1971 | Embossed white serial on red plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS" and month of expiration centered at top and bottom respectively | none | A/''B C''12345 | Coded by county of issuance and month of expiration | These plates using A/''B C''12345 expired from July 31 through December 31, 1971. | |
| 1972 | Embossed white serial on black plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS" and month of expiration centered at top and bottom respectively | none | A/''B C''12345 | Coded by county of issuance and month of expiration | Plates expired from February 29 through December 31, 1972. | |
| 1973 | Embossed gold serial on green plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS" and month of expiration centered at top and bottom respectively | none | A/''B C''12345 | Coded by county of issuance and month of expiration | Plates expired from February 28 through December 31, 1973. | |
| 1974 | Embossed white serial on red plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS" and month of expiration centered at top and bottom respectively | none | A/''B C''12345 | Coded by county of issuance and month of expiration | Plates expired from February 28 through December 31, 1974. The first "KANSAS 74" plates expired on July 31, 1974, and the first "Wheat Centennial" plates on August 31, 1974. In 1974, Kansas hosted a "Wheat Centennial" celebration commemorating the first Turkey Red wheat planting, according to folklore. | |
| 1974 | As above, but with "KANSAS 74" at top, and without month of expiration | none | A/''B C''12345 | Coded by county of issuance and month of expiration | Plates expired from February 28 through December 31, 1974. The first "KANSAS 74" plates expired on July 31, 1974, and the first "Wheat Centennial" plates on August 31, 1974. In 1974, Kansas hosted a "Wheat Centennial" celebration commemorating the first Turkey Red wheat planting, according to folklore. | |
| 1974 | As above, but with "KANSAS 74" at top, and without month of expiration | "WHEAT CENTENNIAL" centered at bottom | A/''B C''12345 | Coded by county of issuance and month of expiration | Plates expired from February 28 through December 31, 1974. The first "KANSAS 74" plates expired on July 31, 1974, and the first "Wheat Centennial" plates on August 31, 1974. In 1974, Kansas hosted a "Wheat Centennial" celebration commemorating the first Turkey Red wheat planting, according to folklore. | |
| 1975 | Embossed white serial on green plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 75" centered at top | "WHEAT CENTENNIAL" centered at bottom | A/''B C''12345 | Coded by county of issuance and month of expiration | Plates expired from February 28 through December 31, 1975. The first plates without the slogan expired on August 31, 1975. | |
| 1975 | Embossed white serial on green plate with state-shaped border; "KANSAS 75" centered at top | none | A/''B C''12345 | Coded by county of issuance and month of expiration | Plates expired from February 28 through December 31, 1975. The first plates without the slogan expired on August 31, 1975. |
1976 to present
Replacement plates
Most specialty Kansas license plates are available to be reissued with the same serial number at the owner's request if they become damaged or illegible over time. Since Kansas does not have a rolling replate system, this duty falls on the vehicle owner to make sure their plates are legible to law enforcement and other motorists at all times.This process includes all Collegiate, Firefighter, EMS, Disabled, and most other specialty plates. However, they will not be reissued with an embossed serial or original designs, even if the plate holder has an older design, such as the first edition Agriculture plates. Instead, they will be issued with the most current design of the plate, and will be completely flat.
The only style of plates that are not eligible to be reissued with the same serial are the standard Ad Astra or Capitol bases. If the owner wishes to retain their standard serial number, they can request it on a personalized plate.
County coding
Kansas has a system of county codes used for identification of the home county of a state resident or company on license plates and state tax forms.The codes are two letters based on the first letter of and another letter in the name of the county. There is no true convention for the selection of the letters; for example, Bourbon County is the only county that begins with "BO," yet its code is "BB." In most cases, but not all, as noted above, the only county that begins with two particular letters gets those letters. Exceptions are De'catur, D'ickinson, Hodgeman, Leavenworth, Lo'gan, M'cPherson, Norton, Pawnee, and Po't'tawatomie.
The two-letter code began appearing on Kansas license plates in 1951. From 1930 to 1950, the code was a number based on the order a county ranked in terms of population based on the 1920 United States Census. From 1951 until 1988, the two letters were stamped on the license plate on the far left side, one letter on top of the other. Since then, the letters are on a sticker applied to the upper-left corner of the plate.
There is also a place on the address form of Kansas tax forms to place the county code.
Decals
Yearly Registration Decals
- Regular Auto decals started issuance in 1976 for 1977 expirations of the redesigned 1976 standard license plate. Trucks and other non-highway vehicles using the green 1975 plates were issued 1976 decals upon expiration.- The decal sizing was changed from square to rectangular in 1994/1995 to be able to fit a similarly sized month sticker above the registration decal.
- The sizing was again changed in some 2012/2013 and all 2014 registrations to a square "smart sticker" that now includes the month, plate number, and registration year on one decal. Smart stickers for 2012 registrations were only issued to new plates in OCT, NOV, & DEC, and 2013 smart sticker issuance began in mid-May. Since the expiration month is now printed directly on the registration, separate month stickers were phased out and newer plates removed the debossed sticker well that had previously been used for the decal.
^ Denotes a decal issued to non-auto, vanity or specialty plate holders.
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981* | 1981^ | 1982 |
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| Year | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989* |
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| Year | 1989^ | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1994^ |
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| Year | 1995* | 1995^ | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
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| Year | 2001 | 2002* | 2002^ | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
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| Year | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2012 |
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| Year | 2013 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
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Optional plates
Personalized Plates
Starting January 1, 2025, all Kansas distinctive plates are now eligible for personalization.| Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| Personalized passenger | 1975 registration year | Embossed white serial on green plate with "KANSAS 75" at top and county abbreviation/truck weight code at bottom | various | various | Kansas first issued vanity plates in 1975 to trucks only | |
| Personalized passenger | 1976 to 1979 registration years | Embossed white serial on blue plate with "KANSAS 76" at top and county abbreviation/month of expiration at bottom | various | various | 1976 was the first year that vanity plates were issued to cars | |
| Personalized passenger | 1980 to 1984 registration years | Embossed dark blue serial on gold reflective plate with "KANSAS" at top and county abbreviation/month of expiration at bottom | various | various | ||
| Personalized passenger | 1985 to 1989 registration years | Embossed dark blue serial on beige background with dark blue band at top containing "KANSAS" in the center in beige | various | various | ||
| Personalized passenger | 1990 to 1994 registration years | Embossed dark blue serial on beige background with orange fade at top and stalk of wheat in the center; "KANSAS" in dark blue at top | various | various | ||
| Personalized passenger | 1995 to 1999 registration years | Embossed blue serial on white plate with sky blue fade at top and blue sunflower graphic at bottom; "KANSAS" in blue at top | various | various | ||
| Personalized passenger | 2000 to 2004 registration years | Embossed black serial on white plate with gold fade and wild sunflowers at bottom; "KANSAS" in yellow and black at top | various | various | ||
| Personalized passenger | 2005 to 2009 registration years | Embossed brown serial on tan plate with embossed brown state-shaped border, brown buffalo in the center, and "Home On The Range" in brown at bottom; "KANSAS" in brown at top | various | various | Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2005 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the third time Kansas was so honored. | |
| Personalized passenger | 2010 to 2014 registration years | Embossed brown serial on sunset graphic background plate with old-fashioned windmill at left, modern wind turbine at right, grass at bottom, state seal in the center, and "America's Heartland" in white at bottom; "KANSAS" in dark brown at top | various | various | ||
| Personalized passenger | 2015 to 2018 registration years | Embossed black serial on sunflower graphic background plate with "KANSAS" and "SUNFLOWER STATE" in black at top and bottom, respectively | various | various | Kansas stopped taking orders for personalized plates in April 2018 to prepare for the launch of flat plates in August. | |
| Personalized passenger | 2018 to 2019 registration years | Screened black serial on sunflower graphic background plate with "KANSAS" and "SUNFLOWER STATE" in black at top and bottom, respectively | various | various | Serial and county stickers became screened in August 2018. | |
| Personalized passenger | 2020 to 2024 registration years | Screened white serial on gradient red and yellow background plate with three wind turbines at left; "KANSAS" and "Powering the Future" at top and bottom, respectively | various | various | The background of these plates tend to turn into a single shade of brown from any distance. | |
| Personalized passenger | 2025 to 2029 registration years | Screened black serial on sunrise graphic overlooking the rolling green Flint Hills with "KANSAS" and "To the Stars" at top and bottom, respectively. | various | various | Kansas stopped taking personalized plate orders on October 11, 2024, to prepare for the new design starting January 1, 2025. | |
| Personalized passenger | January 1, 2022 – present | Same as 2018 state seal passenger base, with "PERSONALIZED" in black between the bolt holes at the bottom | various | various | Optional choice for personalized plates instead of the regular graphic design. |
Educational Institution Plates
These plates share a common all-numeric serial format that started at 1 with K-State in 1997.| Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Notes |
| Baker University | 2005 - 2009 | Embossed black serial on white plate with the college's logo and "BAKER UNIVERSITY" at left; "KANSAS" in black at top | Discontinued due to minimum number of yearly registrations not met. Still valid for renewals | |
| Benedictine College | 2016 - 2018 | Embossed black serial on white plate with the college's logo at left; "KANSAS" and "BENEDICTINE COLLEGE" in red at top and bottom, respectively | ||
| Benedictine College | 2018–present | Screened black serial on white plate with the college's logo at left; "KANSAS" and "BENEDICTINE COLLEGE" in red at top and bottom, respectively | ||
| Emporia State University | 2001 - 2018 | Embossed black serial on white plate with the university's mascot, Corky the Hornet, at left and "KANSAS" in black at top | ||
| Emporia State University | 2018–present | Screened black serial on white plate with the university's "Power E" logo at left and "KANSAS" in black at top | ||
| Fort Hays State University | 2003 - 2018 | Embossed black serial on white plate with the university's tiger mascot at left and "KANSAS" in black at top | ||
| Fort Hays State University | 2018–present | Screened black serial on white plate with the university's tiger mascot at left and "KANSAS" in black at top | ||
| Friends University | 2016 - 2018 | Embossed black serial on white plate with the university's logo at left and "KANSAS" in scarlet at top | ||
| Friends University | 2018–present | Screened black serial on white plate with the university's logo at left and "KANSAS" in scarlet at top | ||
| Kansas State University | 1997 - 2018 | Embossed purple serial on white plate with the university's mascot, Willie the Wildcat, at left and "KANSAS" in purple at top | #1 issued in 1997 is still currently in active use | |
| Kansas State University | late 2018 | Screened black serial on white plate with the university's mascot, Willie the Wildcat, at left and "KANSAS" in purple at top | These plates were issued between 40800 and 42000 | |
| Kansas State University | 2019–present | Screened black serial on white plate with the university's mascot, Willie the Wildcat, at left; "KANSAS" and "GO WILDCATS" in purple at top and bottom, respectively | ||
| Ottawa University | 2005 - 2009 | Embossed black serial on white plate with the university's logo and "OTTAWA UNIVERSITY" at left; "KANSAS" in black at top | Discontinued due to minimum number of yearly registrations not met. Still valid for renewals | |
| Pittsburg State University | 2000 - 2018 | Embossed crimson serial on white plate with the university's mascot, Gus the Gorilla, at left and "KANSAS" in crimson at top | ||
| Pittsburg State University | 2018–present | Screened black serial on white plate with the university's mascot, Gus the Gorilla, at left and "KANSAS" in crimson at top | ||
| University of Kansas | 1998 - 2018 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with the university's mascot, Big Jay, at left and "KANSAS" in blue at top | ||
| University of Kansas | 2018–present | Screened black serial on white plate with the university's mascot, Big Jay, at left; "KANSAS" and "ROCK CHALK" in blue at top and bottom, respectively | ||
| Washburn University | 2005 - 2018 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with the university's mascot, the Ichabod, at left and "KANSAS" in dark blue at top | ||
| Washburn University | 2018–present | Screened black serial on white plate with the university's mascot, the Ichabod, at left and "KANSAS" in dark blue at top | ||
| Wichita State University | 2000 - 2018 | Embossed black serial on white plate with the university's mascot, WuShock, at left and "KANSAS" in black at top | ||
| Wichita State University | 2018–present | Screened black serial on white plate with the university's mascot, WuShock, at left and "KANSAS" in black at top |