Vehicle registration plates of Michigan


The U.S. state of Michigan first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1910, when the state began to issue plates.
, plates are issued by the Michigan Secretary of State. Only rear plates have been required since 1981. For an extra charge, drivers can request a personalized plate serial as well as a second duplicate plate. Since January 1, 2015, drivers have been required to replace their plates every ten years.

Passenger baseplates

1910 to 1970

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 Michigan license plate that complied with these standards.
ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
1910Black on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1910" at leftnone123451 to approximately 18500Front and rear plates issued; this practice continued until 1944.
1911White on black porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1911" at leftnone123451 to approximately 27500
1912Black on yellow porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1912" at leftnone123451 to approximately 40000
1913White on green porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1913" at leftnone123451 to approximately 55000
1914Red on white porcelain; state seal and "MICH 1914" at leftnone123451 to approximately 77000
1915White on blue; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1915" at leftnone123451 to 99999First embossed plate. Only letters C and E used in the A1234 serial format.
1915White on blue; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1915" at leftnoneA1234C0000 to approximately E6000First embossed plate. Only letters C and E used in the A1234 serial format.
1916Blue on white; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1916" at leftnone123451 to 99999
1916Blue on white; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1916" at leftnoneA1234A1 to approximately F5000
1917White on black; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1917" at leftnone123451 to 99999
1917White on black; aluminum state seal and "MICH 1917" at leftnoneA1234A1 to approximately O9000
1918White on green; aluminum state seal and "MICH 18" at leftnone1234561 to approximately 245000
1919White on brown; aluminum state seal and "MICH 19" at leftnone123451 to 99999
1919White on brown; aluminum state seal and "MICH 19" at leftnoneA1234A1 to approximately Z9000
1920Black on orange; stylized "MICH 20" at leftnone123-4561 to approximately 414-000
1921White on black; stylized "MICH 21" at leftnone123-4561 to approximately 476-000
1922White on red; stylized "MICH 22" at leftnone123-4561 to approximately 577-000
1923White on green; stylized "MICH 23" at leftnone123-4561 to approximately 730-000
1924Black on yellow; stylized "MICH 24" at leftnone123-4561 to approximately 879-000
1925Black on gray; stylized "MICH 25" at leftnone123-4561 to approximately 996-000
1926White on black; "MICH 26" at leftnone123-4561 to 999-999On both these bases, plates with the M123-456 serial format had the 'M' surrounded by a diamond, and are thus informally known as "Diamond M" plates.
1926White on black; "MICH 26" at leftnoneM123-456M1 to approximately M133-000On both these bases, plates with the M123-456 serial format had the 'M' surrounded by a diamond, and are thus informally known as "Diamond M" plates.
1927Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1927" at bottomnone123-4561 to 999-999On both these bases, plates with the M123-456 serial format had the 'M' surrounded by a diamond, and are thus informally known as "Diamond M" plates.
1927Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1927" at bottomnoneM123-456M1 to approximately M226-000On both these bases, plates with the M123-456 serial format had the 'M' surrounded by a diamond, and are thus informally known as "Diamond M" plates.
1928White on green; "MICHIGAN 1928" at topnone1 to approximately 1-116-000
1929Yellow on black; "MICHIGAN 1929" at bottomnone1 to approximately 1-234-000
1930Black on yellow; "MICHIGAN 1930" at bottomnone1 to approximately 1-248-000
1931Red on black; "MICHIGAN 1931" at bottomnone1 to approximately 1-223-000
1932White on dark blue; "MICHIGAN 1932" at topnone1 to approximately 1-139-000
1933Black on white; "MICHIGAN 1933" at bottomnone12-345
A12-345
Issued in blocks by county
1934Black on yellow; "19 MICHIGAN 34" at topnone12-345
A 12345
Issued in blocks by county
1935Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 35" at bottomnone12-345
A 12345
Issued in blocks by county
1936Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 36" at topnone12-345
A 12345
Issued in blocks by county
1937Yellow on dark blue; "1937 MICHIGAN" at bottomnone12 345
A 12345
Issued in blocks by county

1938Black on light green; "1938 MICHIGAN" or "MICHIGAN 1938" at topnoneA 12345Issued in blocks by county
1938Black on white; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-38" at topnone1234561 to approximately 552000Half-year plates issued at lower cost to full-year plates, due to the Depression.
1939Black on beige; "19 MICH 39" at bottomnoneA 12345
AB 1234
Issued in blocks by county
1939White on dark blue; vertical "MICH" at left; "PASS EXP 8-31-39" at bottomnone1234561 to approximately 552000Half-year plate.
1940Black on silver; "MICH 40" at topnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1940White on black; "MICH EXP. 8-31 40" at topnoneAB-12-34County-codedHalf-year plate.
1941White on maroon; "MICH 41" at topnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1941Maroon on white; "MICH EXP. 8-31 41" at topnoneAB-12-34County-codedHalf-year plate.
White on olive green; "MICHIGAN" at top and "42" at bottomnoneAB-12-34County-codedFull and half-year plates revalidated for 1943 with metal tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
As above, but with "EXP. 8-31-42" at bottomnoneAB-12-34County-codedHalf-year plate.
1944White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "44" at topnoneAB-12-34County-codedOnly rear plates issued for both full-year and half-year plates. For full-year plates, this practice continued until 1957.
1944Maroon on white; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-44" at topnoneAB-12-34County-codedHalf-year plate.
1945Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at top and "45" at bottomnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1945White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "EXP. 8-31-45" at bottomnoneAB-12-34County-codedHalf-year plate.
1946White on dark olive green; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "46" at topnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1946White on maroon; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "EXP. 8-31-46" at topnoneAB-12-34County-codedLast half-year plate.
1947Black on golden yellow; "MICHIGAN" at top and "47" at bottomnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1948Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "48" at topnoneAB-12-34County coded
1949White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "49" at bottomnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1950Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "50" at topnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1951White on black; "MICHIGAN" at top and "51" at bottomnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1952Black on silver; "MICHIGAN" at bottom and "52" at topnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1953White on black, "MICHIGAN" at top and "53" at bottomnoneAB-12-34County-coded
1954Yellow on dark blue; "19 MICHIGAN 54" at topWater WonderlandAB-12-34County-coded
1955White on green; "19 MICHIGAN 55" at topWater WonderlandAB-12-34County-coded
1956Dark green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 56" at topWater WonderlandAB-1234County-codedFirst 6" x 12" plate.
1957White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 57" at topWater WonderlandAB-1234County-codedFront and rear plates issued ; this practice continued until 1981.
1958Black on gray; "19 MICHIGAN 58" at topWater WonderlandAB-1234County-coded
1959–61Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 59" at topWater WonderlandAB-1234County-codedRevalidated for 1960 with yellow tabs, and for 1961 with silver tabs.
1962–64Green on white; "19 MICHIGAN 62" at topWater WonderlandAB-1234County-codedRevalidated for 1963 with green tabs, and for 1964 with olive tabs.
1965Yellow on blue; "MICH 65" at topWater-Winter WonderlandAB-1234County-codedFirst year using galvanized steel. First year using state school colors: 1965 honored University of Michigan.
1966Dark blue on buff; "MICH 66" at topWater-Winter WonderlandAB-1234County-coded
1967Maize on dark blue; "MICH 67" at topWater-Winter WonderlandAB-1234County-codedIssued in the colors of the University of Michigan, in honor of its sesquicentennial.
1968Yellow on green; "19 MICHIGAN 68" at topGreat Lake StateAB-1234County-coded
1969White on red; "19 MICHIGAN 69" at topGreat Lake StateAB-1234County-coded
1970White on light gold; "19 MICHIGAN 70" at topGreat Lake StateABC-123BBB-000 to approximately NGS-999Issued in the colors of Oakland University, which became independent from Michigan State University in 1970. Vowels and Q not used in serials; this practice continued until 1983.

County coding

Michigan used two-letter county codes from 1940 to 1969, after using county coding blocks from 1933 to 1939. The letters I, O and Q were not used in these codes.
County1942–19431955–611962–641965–69
WayneAA-DZAA–FZAA–FZAA–FZ
OaklandEA-ENGA–HHGA–HZGA–HZ
WashtenawJU-JZHJ–HUNA–NLNA–NL
AlleganLY-LZHV–HZNM–NRNM–NR
KentFA-FKJA–JZJA–JZJA–JZ
GeneseeGA-GKKA–KZKA–KZKA–KZ
InghamHA-HHLA–LNLA–LNLA–LN
SaginawHS-HXLP–LZLP–LZLP–LZ
MacombHJ-HHMA–MTMA–MZMA–MZ
ShiawasseeLJ-LLMU–MZNS–NVNS–NV
KalamazooJG-JMNA–NJPA–PLPA–PL
CalhounJA-JFNK–NTPM–PWPM–PW
OttawaKS-KVNU–NZRL–RSRL–RS
BerrienJN-JTPA–PJRA–RKRA–RK
St. ClairKL-KRPK–PSRT–RZRT–RZ
TuscolaLS-LTPT–PWTL–TNTL–TN
BarryNV-NWPX–PZTP–TRTP–TR
MuskegonKF-KKRA–RJTA–TKTA–TK
BayKW-KZRK–RSUA–UGXA–XG
MonroeLE-LHRT–RZUH–UPXH–XP
JacksonKA-KESA–SHSA–SJSA–SJ
IoniaLW-LXSJ–SMSK–SMSK–SM
Van BurenLU-LVSN–SSSN–SSSN–SS
St. JosephLM-LNST–SWST–SVST–SV
AlpenaPC-PDSX–SZSW–SXSW–SX
EatonMN-MPTA–TDPX–PZPX–PZ
SanilacMT-MUTE–THSY–SZSY–SZ
MontcalmMA-MBTJ–TMTV–TXTV–TX
LapeerMC-MDTN–TPTY–TZTY–TZ
HuronME-MFTT–TUTS–TUTS–TU
ManisteePG-PHTX–TYNY–NZNY–NZ
GratiotMG-MHUA–UBVE–VGVE–VG
HillsdaleMJ-MKUE–UFVH–VKVH–VK
ClintonNL-NMUJ–UKVL–VNVL–VN
LenaweeLA-LDUN–URUR–UVYA–YE
Grand TraverseNA-NBUU–UVUW–UYXR–XT
CharlevoixPW-PXUYUZXZ
MidlandMR-MSVA–VCVA–VDVA–VD
BranchMV-MWVF–VGVP–VSVP–VS
LivingstonNC-NDVK–VLVT–VVVT–VV
CassNJ-NKVP–VRNW–NXNW–NX
NewaygoNR-NSVU–VVVW–VXVW–VX
IsabellaNN-NPVX–VZVY–VZVY–VZ
MasonPA-PBWA–WCWA–WBWA–WB
MecostaPL-PMWD–WEWC–WDWC–WD
WexfordPE-PFWF–WGWE–WFWE–WF
OceanaPS-PTWHWGWG
EmmetPN-PRWKWHWH
OsceolaPU-PVWMWJWJ
CheboyganRA-RBWPWKWK
ClarePY-PZWSWLWL
Presque IsleRC-RDWUWMWM
ArenacRE-RFWWWNWN
OgemawRG-RHWYWPWP
GladwinRL-RMXAWRWR
IoscoRR-RSXCWSWS
BenzieRV-RWXEWTWT
MissaukeeSD-SEXGWUWU
OtsegoSH-SJXJWVWV
LeelanauSK-SLXLWWWW
KalkaskaSM-SNXNWXWX
RoscommonSU-SVXRWYWY
AlconaSP-SRXTWZWZ
AntrimSA-SCXUXAXU
LakeSW-SXXVXBXV
CrawfordXWXCXW
MontmorencySY-SZXXXDXX
OscodaTC-TDXYXEXY
MarquetteLP-LRYA–YCXF–XJUA–UC
HoughtonME-MFYE–YHXK–XLUD–UE
DeltaMX-MYYJ–YKXM–XNUF–UG
DickinsonNG-NHYN–YPXP–XRUH–UJ
IronPJ-PKYT–YUXS–XTUK
ChippewaNT-NUYW–YXXU–XVUL–UM
MenomineeNX-NYZA–ZBXW–XXUN–UP
GogebicNE-NFZE–ZFXY–XZUR–US
SchoolcraftRJ-RKZJYAUT
OntonagonRN-RPZLYBUU
AlgerRT-RUZNYCUV
BaragaRX-RYZRYDUW
LuceSF-SGZTYEUX
MackinacSS-STZVYFUY
KeweenawTE-TFZXYGUZ

Special plates

Organizations

Special plates are available to members of certain groups. Each is currently made with the Pure Michigan base, with an emblem to the serial's left, and a 5-character serial format.
ImageGroupEmblemSerial formatNotes
Amateur radio operatorsRadio towerFCC call sign
Fraternal Order of PoliceFOP emblem1AB23
FreemasonsSquare and Compasses1AB23
Michigan Professional Fire Fighters UnionMPFFU emblem1AB23"Professional Fire Fighter" at bottom
Michigan State Firemen's AssociationMSFA emblem1AB23"Firefighter" at bottom
Police Officers' Association of MichiganPOAM emblem1AB23"The Choice of Professionals" at bottom

University fundraising

Since September 2000, special plates have been offered to raise funds for each of Michigan's 15 public universities. Each uses the Pure Michigan baseplate with the college's name at the bottom and the university's logo to the serial's left, and all share the same serial format and range.
ImageUniversityEmblemSerial formatNotes
Central Michigan University"Block C" logoAB12C
Eastern Michigan University"Block E" logoAB12C
Ferris State UniversityBulldogs logoAB12C
Grand Valley State University"Block GV" logoAB12C
Lake Superior State UniversityAnchor logoAB12C
Michigan State University"Block S" logoAB12C
Michigan State University"Sparty" emblemAB12C
Michigan Technological University"1885" logoAB12C
Northern Michigan UniversityWildcats logoAB12C
Oakland UniversityGolden Grizzly logoAB12C
Saginaw Valley State UniversityCardinal logoAB12C
University of Michigan"Block M" logoAB12C
Bottom reads "GO BLUE" rather than "University of Michigan"
University of Michigan-Dearborn"Block M" UM-Dearborn logoAB12C
University of Michigan-Flint"Block M" UM-Flint logoAB12C
Wayne State University"W" logoAB12C
Wayne State University"W" shield logoAB12C
Introduced in 2018
Western Michigan UniversityCircle "W" logoAB12C

Special cause fundraising

Special plates have been offered since 2001 to raise funds for certain charitable causes. State law limits the number of fundraising plates available at one time to 20, and 14 are currently in production. Each is currently made with the Pure Michigan base, with an emblem to the serial's left, and a 5-character serial format; prior to 2013, they were made with the 2007-2013 passenger base.
ImageCauseEmblemTaglineYears issuedSerial formatNotes
Agricultural heritageBarn and fields insignia"Agricultural Heritage"2001–presentAB12C
Breast cancer awarenessPink ribbon"Early Detection Saves Lives"2014–presentAB12C
Children's Trust Fund"Just Love 'Em""Children"from 2001AB12C
Children's Trust FundHand"Children's Trust Fund"until 2022AB12C
Children Trust MichiganPinwheel"Strength Through Abuse Prevention"2022–presentAB12C
Detroit Lions CharitiesLions logo"Detroit Lions"2019–presentAB12C
Detroit Pistons FoundationPistons logo"Detroit Basketball"2019–presentAB12C
Detroit Red Wings FoundationRed Wings logo"Detroit Red Wings"2019–presentAB12C
Detroit Tigers FoundationTigers "English D" logo"Detroit Tigers"2019–presentAB12C
Donate LifeDonate Life logo"Be an Organ, Eye, & Tissue Donor"2012–presentAB12C
Ducks UnlimitedDucks Unlimited logo"Ducks Unlimited"2014–presentAB12C
Lighthouse preservationWhite Shoal Light"Save Our Lights"2001–2017AB12C
Lighthouse preservationGeneric lighthouse insignia"Protect Michigan Lighthouses"2017–presentAB12C
NMU Olympic Education CenterTeam USA logo"Go Team USA"2012–presentAB12C
American Red Cross & Salvation ArmyUnited States flag"Proud to be an American"2001–presentAB12C
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency"Veterans" emblem"Support Michigan Veterans"2001–presentAB12C
Michigan Vietnam Veterans MonumentDog tags"Lest We Forget"2001–presentAB12C
Water qualitySailboat insignia"Protecting Our Waters"2001–presentAB12C
Wildlife habitat conservationLoon"Conserve Wildlife Habitat"2001–2017AB12C
Wildlife habitat conservationElk"2018 Marks 100 Years of Elk"2018–2021AB12C
Wildlife habitat conservationKirtland's warbler"Conserve Wildlife Habitat"2022–presentAB12C

As of November 2023, three new fundraising plates are currently being considered in the Michigan Legislature: one supporting Michigan's 4-H organizations, another funding sickle cell anemia research, and a third supporting prostate cancer prevention.
Legislation was passed in June 2017 to offer an anti-abortion Choose Life plate in Michigan, but was vetoed by Governor Rick Snyder.

Veterans

ImageTypeDesignSerial formatNotes
Afghanistan Campaign MedalAfghanistan Campaign Medal with "AFGHANISTAN" topped at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Afghanistan"AFGHANISTAN" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Air ForceUnited States Air Force logo at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
ArmyUnited States Army logo at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Blue Star FamilyState inside an outlined star at left, stars before and after "BLUE STAR FAMILY" centered at bottom1ABC2
Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard emblem at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Cuban Missile Crisis"CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Disabled Veteran"DISABLED VETERAN" centered at bottomDV123A
DV1234A
Disabled Veteran
"DISABLED VETERAN" centered at bottom, "NON-EXP" at bottom rightDV123A
DV1234A
Dominican Republic"DOMINICAN REPUBLIC" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Ex-Prisoner of War"EX POW" stacked at left, "EX-PRISONER OF WAR" centered at bottom12A34
Gold Star FamilyGold Star service banner at left, "GOLD STAR FAMILY" centered at bottom12 GS 34
Grenada"GRENADA" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Iraq Campaign MedalIraq Campaign Medal with "IRAQ" topped at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Iraq"IRAQ" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Korean War"KOREA" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Laos"LAOS" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Lebanon"LEBANON" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps emblem at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Medal of HonorUnited States Medal of Honor at left, stars before and after "MEDAL OF HONOR" centered at bottomMH 12
Merchant MarineMerchant Marine seal at left, "MERCHANT MARINE" centered at bottom
Military Reserve"MILITARY RESERVE" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ZA23
National GuardNational Guard logo at left, "NATIONAL GUARD" centered at bottom1ABC2
NavyUnited States Navy emblem at left, "VETERAN centered at bottom1ABC2
Panama"PANAMA" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Pearl Harbor Survivor"PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR" centered at bottom1A2345
Persian Gulf"PERSIAN GULF" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Prisoner of War"POW" stacked at left, "PRISONER OF WAR" centered at bottom12P34
Purple HeartPurple Heart medal at left, "COMBAT WOUNDED VETERAN" centered at bottom123A4
Somalia"SOMALIA" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Vietnam Service MedalVietnam Service Medal with "VIETNAM" topped at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Vietnam"VIETNAM" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2
Woman Veteran"HER SERVICE, OUR FREEDOM" at left, "WOMAN VETERAN" centered at bottom
World War I"WWI" stacked at left, "WORLD WAR I VETERAN" centered at bottom12W34
World War II"WORLD WAR II" at left, "VETERAN" centered at bottom1ABC2