Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives 

Regular trucks

Information about 1942-1949 North Carolina regular truck plates is scant and contradictory.  Apparently, at least between 1944 and 1949, regular truck plates were indistinguishable from passenger car plates, except that car and truck plate numbers were in distinct blocks of numbers. 

The confusion lies in what block of numbers was assigned to what type of vehicle.  I tend to believe the report that truck plates were numbered 100-000 to 199-999 during the years 1942 to 1946, were numbered 800-000 and higher in 1947 and 1948, and in 1949, began somewhere between 760-000 and 800-000 and went up from there, but I'm not prepared to state any of this as fact. 

1942 truck plates were definitely numbered in the 100-000 series and can be confirmed to be truck plates by the presence of a small letter "B" stacked over a numeric weight class code in the center of the plate, as was done in preceding years, instead of the dash used on passenger car plates. 

No 1943 plates were issued; instead, a small "43" tab was attached to the lower right corner of the 1942 plate, covering the year "42". 

1942-1943 interstate trucks

The interstate truck type was apparently issued only from 1933 through 1943.  On the 1942 plate, the letters "IS" over "T" are located to the left of the numeric plate number.  The 1942 plate was renewed for 1943 with a small "43" tab attached to the lower right corner of the plate, covering the year "42". 

Farm trucks

The farm truck plate type was introduced in 1942.  At least it could be readily identified as such; they had the word Farmer across either the top or bottom of the plate during this period, depending on the year.  I believe the location of this text corresponded to the location of the state name on passenger car and regular truck plates.  Serial numbers were in the low 900-000 series between 1942 and 1946, and in the upper 900-000 series between 1947 and 1949. 

Regular trucks

Suffixes S, Sx, T, Tx, V, and Vx (with the lower case "x" indicating a variable letter) were used on plates issued to regular trucks, both privately-owned trucks and commercial trucks not addressed by any other plate type.  These letters were not weight class codes, but rather were just assigned sequentially.  S and Sx suffixes were used during all of these years; the remaining suffixes were added as the number of registered trucks grew in the later years of this range.  The earliest T series plate I've encountered was from 1959, and the earliest V series plate I've come across was dated 1970; of course, either letter might have made its debut earlier. 

Regular truck plates had no identifying legends; the state name, year, and legends were the same as passenger car plates each year.  While other truck plate categories changed serial formats and letter codes in 1973, regular trucks continued with their 1956-1972 formats and letter codes once again in 1973, and then made similar changes beginning in 1974. 

Common carrier trucks (and buses)

Common carrier plates are reported to have been issued to both trucks and buses.  I presume these were used on vehicles carrying cargo or passengers for compensation over fixed routes.  Like regular truck plates, there was no identifying legend; through 1972, the suffix letter(s) F and Fx were the sole means to identify this plate type. 

Contract carrier trucks

I presume these were also used on trucks carrying cargo for compensation, but on variable routes.  Like regular truck plates, there was no identifying legend; through 1972, the suffix letter H was the sole means to identify this plate type.  Apparently charter buses were not issued contract carrier plates, as they had their own plate type. 

Farm trucks

Farm truck plates used suffixes R and Rx from 1956 through 1972.  Farm truck plates bore the legends Farm Truck N.C. during 1956-1963, and Farm Truck – N C beginning in 1964, in place of North Carolina used on passenger cars and regular trucks.  As far as I know, from 1956 to the present, farm truck plates are the only plate type that actually have the word "truck" embossed on the plate.  The year and any other legends corresponded to other plate types. 

Regular trucks, 1973

Unlike other truck types, regular trucks continued with their 1956-1972 serial formats and letter codes for one additional year. 

Regular trucks, 1974-1977

Prefix letters started at AA and went up to at least DZ and probably higher.  Again, there was no legend to identify the plate type.  As far as I know, no distiction was made between light, medium, or heavy trucks. 

Regular light trucks, 1978-1980

Light trucks were segregated from medium and heavy trucks beginning in 1978.  Both were issued green on white 1978 plates with serial format xx-0000 and no identifying legend, but light trucks were issued specific two-letter prefixes in the Cx, Dx, Ex, Hx, Jx, and Kx series.  Also, these light truck plates had the year 1978 located at the top center of the plate, and the state name along the bottom of the plate, both of which differed from medium and heavy truck plates.  Light truck plates were then validated with stickers, the same as those used on passenger plates, for 1979 and subsequent years through 1983.  New light truck plates issued in subsequent years through 1982 continued to be green on white and continued to have the year 1978 embossed on the plate. 

Regular medium and heavy trucks, 1978-1980

Medium and heavy trucks were segregated from light trucks beginning in 1978.  Both were issued green on white 1978 plates with serial format xx-0000 and no identifying legend, but medium and heavy trucks were issued distinct Ax and Bx serial prefixes.  Medium and heavy truck plates also differed from light truck plates in that the year 1978 was indicated in the lower corners of the plate, with 19 in the lower left corner, and 78 in the lower right corner.  The state name was along the top of the plate.  Unlike light trucks, medium and heavy trucks continued to receive new annual plates in subsequent years.  Medium and heavy truck plates continued to use serial prefixes Ax and Bx with no identifying legend in 1979 and 1980. 

Apportioned trucks (and buses)

North Carolina began issuing apportioned plates in 1977.  These were used by commercial trucks, trailers, and fixed-route buses that crossed state lines.  As far as I know, trucks and buses of all weight classes were issued the same type of apportioned plates with serial format Lx-0000.  The state name was spelled out in full along the opposite edge of the plate from the year and Apportioned legend.  These plates were issued annually.  Apportioned trailer plates were different. 

Common carrier trucks (and buses)

Common carrier plates are reported to have been issued to both trucks and buses.  I presume these were used on vehicles carrying cargo or passengers for compensation over fixed routes.  Like regular truck plates, there was no identifying legend; between 1973 and 1980, prefix letters Wx were the sole means to identify this plate type.  I don't have details about the format and placement of the year on 1978-1980 plates. 

Contract carrier trucks

I presume these were also used on trucks carrying cargo for compensation, but on variable routes.  Like regular truck plates, there was no identifying legend; between 1973 and 1980, prefix letters Xx (probably always "XA") were the sole means to identify this plate type.  I don't have details about the format and placement of the year on 1978-1980 plates.  Apparently charter buses were not issued contract carrier plates, as they had their own plate type. 

Exempt trucks

I don't know much about these.  Apparently they were issued for for-hire trucks that were exempt from regulation as motor carriers, becuase they hauled agricultural products and/or were under contract to the federal government.  I've seen one report that these were used between 1977 and 1984, but then I've subsequently discovered they were also used in 1976.  I suspect that they were also around before then, too.   Serial format was EX-0000.  The 1976 and 1977 plate formats were like other truck types, and the 1978 format was the same as was used for regular light trucks.  I have no information on 1979 or 1980 plate formats. 

Farm trucks

Farm trucks serials switched to using prefix Fx in 1973.  Farm truck plates again bore the legend Farm Truck - N C in place of North Carolina used on regular trucks.  On 1978 plates, the location of the embossed year differed from either type of regular truck plate.  These plates continued to be issued annually. 

Regular light trucks, 1981-1983

Light trucks continued to use the green-on-white dated 1978 base plate, renewed with stickers.  Upon the end of the 1980 registration year on February 15, 1981, light trucks were converted to staggered registration along with passenger cars.  Initial staggered registration periods expired between June or August 1981 and July 1982.  There were no natural 1981 regular light truck stickers; only renewals of plates issued prior to staggering. 

1983 was the last expiration year for distinct regular light truck plates; after that, regular light trucks were issued First in Flight passenger car plates, both for new registrations and renewals upon expiration of the 1983 sticker. 

Regular medium and heavy trucks

Medium and heavy trucks continued to be issued new plates annually.  In 1981, the location of the state name was made consistent at the bottom of the plate, and the legend Commercial was added to the top of the plate.  These plates were used regardless of whether a given truck was actually used for commercial or non-commercial purposes.  The year of issue was embossed in the upper corners, with the century on the left and the last two digits of the year on the right.  Serials continued to be in formats Ax-0000 and Bx-0000.  Colors continued to alternate between red on white and green on white each year. 

Apportioned trucks (and buses)

Apportioned plates used by commercial trucks and fixed-route buses that crossed state lines continued using serial format Lx-0000, and continued to be issued annually.  However, beginning in 1981, the legend Commerical was added to the top edge of the plate.  This necessitated moving the Apportioned legend to the bottom, and sticking the state abbreviation N.C. in the upper left corner where the century used to be.  The two-digit year remained in the upper right corner.  Colors continued to alternate between red on white and green on white each year.  Apportioned trailers were issued different type plates than trucks and buses. 

Common carrier trucks (and buses), 1981-1983

Common carrier plates are reported to have been issued to both trucks and buses.  I presume these were used on vehicles carrying cargo or passengers for compensation over fixed routes.  Between 1981 and 1983, these looked just like regular medium and heavy truck plates, including the Commercial legend.  The prefix letters Wx identify this specific plate type.  Common carrier plates were last issued in 1983. 

Contract carrier trucks, 1981-1983

I presume these were also used on trucks carrying cargo for compensation, but on variable routes.  Apparently charter buses were not issued contract carrier plates, as they had their own plate type.  Between 1981 and 1983, contract carrier plates looked just like regular medium and heavy truck plates, including the Commercial legend.  The prefix letters Xx (probably always "XA") identify this specific plate type.  Contract carrier plates were last issued in 1983. 

Exempt trucks, 1981-1983

I don't know much about these.  Apparently they were registered to for-hire trucks that were exempt from regulation as motor carriers, becuase they hauled agricultural products and/or were under contract to the federal government.  They've been reported to have been used between 1977 and 1984, but I've seen a 1976 exempt plate, and I wouldn't be surprised if 1983 was actually the last year issued.  Probably this plate type became redundant as the trucking industry was being deregulated around this time.  Other than the EX prefix, the plate formats were just like regular medium and heavy truck plates, with the legend Commercial flanked by the century and year across the top edge, and North Carolina across the bottom edge. 

Farm trucks

Beginning in 1981, farm trucks went to a multi-year base plate validated with a sticker indicating the expiration date.  These base plates were red on white, bore the legend Commericial at the top, Farm in the lower left corner, and NC in the lower right corner.  The sticker was about six inches long and was placed at the bottom edge between the "Farm" and the "NC".  The sticker bore the word Truck, implying that these base plates could also be issued to other farm vehicles besides trucks, and would receive different stickers.  However, I've been told that in practice, these plates were actually issued only to trucks. 

Farm truck stickers also had the expiration year printed on them, and the expiration month was indicated by punching a hole in one of the twelve months listed along the top edge of the sticker.  I presume that the introduction of these rather strange plates and stickers coincided with the introduction of optional three-month farm truck registration periods.  Annual registrations continued to be available, and they were always indicated by a December expiration month. 

These farm truck base plates are reported to have been first issued in serial format Fx-0000, then later Sx-0000 and Wx-0000.  Pictured at left is one such plate that was still in use in 2007; the 1994 sticker is still showing at the bottom of the plate.  It would seem that standard month and year stickers have been used on these plates since 1995.  At some point the F-series farm truck plates were replaced with new plates as they expired.  Quite possibly the S-series has been replaced as well. 

For hire trucks (and buses and limousines), 1984-1994

This plate type was introduced in 1984.  Apparently several other plate types, including common carrier, contract carrier, charter bus, and exempt truck, were merged into this new "commercial for hire" type.  At the top of the plate reads N.C. Commercial yy, where "yy" is the two-digit year, and at the bottom center the plate reads For Hire.  Serial format is Zx-0000 but the lowest letter combination used was ZB.  The color of embossed areas alternates between red and green. 

This plate type is issued to vehicles which carry property or passengers for compensation, excluding taxis which have a distinct plate type.  So, trucks such as package delivery trucks, household moving trucks, and tow trucks all typically bore these plates, but also charter buses and limousines for hire.  During these years I've seen serial prefixes range between ZB and ZE. 

Regular medium truck standard plates

Medium duty truck plates continued largely unchanged from those used in 1981 through 1994.  Beginning in 1995, serial ranges alternated between Ax-0000 and Bx-0000 in odd (red) years, and Cx-0000 and Dx-0000 in even (green) years. 

Starting in 2004, the plate type legend was changed from Commercial to Weighted.  Presumably this was done in response to the increasing numbers of personal medium duty trucks that were not used for commercial purposes.  I don't know exactly what "weighted" means; I would guess that it somehow refers to this plate type's variable registration fees, which are based on each vehicle's gross vehicle weight. 

Regular medium truck vanity plates

I don't know when these were first issued, but medium duty trucks with vanity registrations were issued a blue-on-white base plate to which expiration stickers were applied.  Through 2005 these plates always indicated a December expiration, to make them consistent with regular annual medium truck plates.  The legend Commerical was stamped along the top edge of plates issued through 2003; beginning in 2004, newly issued plates bore the legend Weighted.  Plates with either legend continue to be renewed today. 

Regular heavy trucks

Beginning in about 1995, heavy trucks over 26,000 pounds G.V.W. were split out from medium trucks into separate plate types.  Regular heavy trucks were issued undated blue on white base plates with the legends N.C. Permanent and Commercial at the top and bottom of the plate, respectively.  Serial format was YA-00000.  Heavy truck plates were issued with a December month sticker but no year sticker; these plates were valid through 2005 without any year sticker. 

Apportioned light and medium trucks (and buses)

Annual apportioned plates continued unchanged from those issued in 1981-2004, alternating between red and green paint on embossed areas each year.  However, beginning in 1995 or so, annual apportioned plates were issued only to trucks under 26,000 pounds G.V.W. as well as to fixed-route interstate buses.  Heavy apportioned trucks were issued multi-year base plates.  The serial format Lx-0000 was now shared between the two types of apportioned truck plates.  Heavy apportioned truck base plates started with the LA prefix with the second letter advancing through the alphabet; as a result, each year the light and medium apportioned truck plates were assigned successively higher second letters that had not yet been issued on the heavy truck base. 

Apportioned heavy trucks

Approximately 1995, apportioned trucks over 26,000 pounds G.V.W. got their own distinct plate type.  These plates were blue on white, undated, and had the legends N.C. Permanent at the top and Apportioned at the bottom.  The serial format for apportioned trucks was always Lx-0000 during these years.  These plates always had a December month sticker in the upper left corner, but no year sticker, through 2005.  Apportioned heavy trailers were issued plates with the same colors and legends but a differnet serial format. 

Farm trucks

Apparently, farm trucks began getting normal month and year stickers beginning in 1995.  Annual registrations always indicated a December expiration, and three month registration periods were also available; these could expire in any month, except possibly December. 

Also apparently, at least some of the 1981-1994 farm truck base plates continued to be renewed, but at some point in 1995 or afterwards, somewhere in the Wx series, a new base plate with the legends Commercial at the top, and Farm Truck – NC at the bottom, began to be issued.  Farm truck plate colors continued to be red on white.  All farm trucks get these plates, regardless of weight. 

The Wx-0000 serial format was eventually exhausted, and serial numbers continued into the Xx-0000 format. 

For hire light and medium trucks (and buses and limousines)

This plate type continued unchanged from earlier years, although heavy trucks began to be issued different plates in about 1995.  This plate type is issued to vehicles which carry property or passengers for compensation, excluding taxis which have a distinct plate type.  So, trucks such as package delivery trucks, household moving trucks, and tow trucks all typically bore these plates, but also charter buses and limousines for hire. 

By 2000, and quite possibly earlier, only prefixes ZB and ZC were used in even (green plate) years, and only prefixes ZF and ZH were used in odd (red plate) years.  ZA was skipped because it's used on the Drive Away plate type.  Why ZD and ZE were skipped, I have no idea.  ZG was skipped because G is a letter that North Carolina normally avoids using on standard-issue plates, although I don't know why this is the case; G seems like a perfectly good letter to me. 

For hire heavy trucks

Sometime in the 1990s heavy trucks for hire were split out from the Commercial For Hire plate type.  Typically, trucks with these plates are heavy dump trucks, cement mixer trucks, or truck tractors.  Heavy trucks were issued undated blue on white plates with the legend N.C. Permanent at top and For Hire at bottom.  Serial format was always ZB-00000.  Through 2005 these plates were issued and were valid with a December month sticker in the top left corner and no year sticker.  I have no explanation for the plate shown at left with a July month sticker, which I photographed in actual use in 2005. 

Regular medium trucks

These have the word Weighted embossed at the top edge.  They're issued for not-for-hire trucks between 7,000 and 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, but are also sometimes seen on lighter not-for-hire commercial trucks.  Serial format is xx-0000; serials began at AA-1001.  Letter prefixes have advanced alphabetically, skipping letters North Carolina avoids on standard plates as well as prefixes used for other plate types. 

Previously, F-series serials were used for farm truck plates, but weighted truck plated were issued with prefixes FA through FK and FR.  My guess is that that farm truck plates with prefixes FA through FK were replaced long enouugh ago that they were no longer in the DMV's computer system, and that for some reason FR plates weren't previously issued.  So, there may be some old farm truck plates still on the road with prefixes FL through FP, and FS through FZ.  However, I can't remember ever seen one.  Narrow serial dies began in either the upper FJ series or at the start of the FK series. 

In 2022, weighted truck plate number KZ-9999 was issued, and then things started getting crazy.  The entire Lx and Mx series (excluding MD, ME, and MF, which were used on other types), and most of the Nx series had been issued to apportioned heavy trucks; and most of the Px series had been issued to state-owned vehicles.  It was a similar story with most of the other prefixes in the second half of the alphabet.  So the state began issuing weighted plates with whatever two-letter prefixes it could find that weren't already in use and weren't taken off the road recently enough to still be in the DMV computer. 

This has been done without regard to whether the first letter was already being used for a different plate type.  So, though apportioned heavy trucks had issued plates with prefixes NA through NP, weighted trucks apparently took most or all prefixes NR though NZ.  That leaves me to wonder what apportined trucks are going to do next.  And it's the pretty much the same thing with other prefixes.  I've put together a table below that spells this out as best as I've been able to determine thus far.  I'm sure this is not complete or entirely accurate. 

Regular medium truck vanity plates

Medium trucks with vanity registrations were already using blue-on-white base plates with expiration stickers applied, so these were not replated in 2006.  Expiration months did convert from always being December to now being staggered.  Older plates with the legend Commerical at the top of the plate continue to be renewed and used; newly issued plates instead have the legend Weighted.  Vanity plates manufactured between mid-year 2008 and mid-year 2011 were made flat. 

Regular heavy trucks

Heavy trucks are those over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.  The N.C. Permanant Commercial plates from 2005 and prior were not replaced, and new registrants were issued the same type plates as before, with serial format YA-00000, at least until YA-99999 was reached in late 2006 or so.  Then, rather than continue with the expected YB-series plates, an odd eight-character format YA000000 was introduced, with very unusual (for North Carolina) lead zeroes in the serial.  The legends at the top and bottom continued unchanged. 

In the spring of 2010, after these plates had reached the YA020000 series or so, the state apparently decided that lead zeroes weren't such a great idea after all, and they suddenly began issuing new plates in the YA100000 series. 

Apportioned light and medium trucks (and buses)

Apportioned vehicles under 26,000 pounds G.V.W. were previously issued annual plates, and so were given new blue-on-white base plates at the start of 2006.  This is an infrequently-seen plate type, at least in the Raleigh area where I live.  The serial format on this base is Lx-00000, so as not to conflict with apportioned heavy truck plate serials, which were approaching the end of the Lx-0000 format at the time.  Apportioned buses are also issued this same plate type. 

Apportioned heavy trucks

Apportioned trucks over 26,000 pounds G.V.W. retained their pre-2006 blue-on-white N.C. Permanent Apportioned plates, with serial format Lx-0000.  These plates continue to be issued and now always have staggered expiraiton month and year stickers.  In 2009, this series reached plate number LZ-9999, and a new series with format Mx-0000 was begun.  The MD, ME, and MF series were skipped because those prefixes had been already used on motorcycle dealer, mobile equipment, and vehicle manufacturer plates, respectively.  I believe the switch to narrow die plate numbers happened somewhere in the MP or early MR series.  Then the Mx series was also exhausted, and numbering continued into the Nx series.  But, as I explained in the weighted truck section above, weighted trucks took over the latter part of the Nx series.  That, in turn, caused apportioned heavy trucks to horn in on the Tx series previously only used for taxis. 

Farm trucks

Prior to 2006, farm trucks already used a base plate to which expiration month and year stickers were applied, so these were not replaced, even though they're colored red on white.  Registration is now staggered, however.  Recently-issued farm truck plates are in the Xx and Yx letter series; but earlier-issued ones in the Wx series may still be on the road.  Farm truck plates are issued to all sizes of farm-use trucks, from compact pickups to big rigs.  I don't know the specific letter series where narrow die plates began. 

For hire light and medium trucks (and buses and limousines)

These plates are issued to a wide variety of commercial vehicles that charge to carry cargo or people.  They can be found on package delivery trucks, local household moving trucks, tow trucks, etc., but also on limousines and charter buses.  They're not issued to taxis, because taxis have their own plate type.  Trucks issued these plates would fall into the light- or medium- categories under 26,000 pounds G.V.W.  Serial format is Zx-0000, but started at ZB-1001; the ZA prefix is reserved for the seldom-seen "Drive Away" plate type, of which I know very little.  The second letter has progressed through most of the first half of the alphabet.  These are now also being made using narrow dies. 

For Hire heavy trucks

Heavy trucks over 26,000 G.V.W. that charge to carry cargo, but which don't travel out of state, continue with these N.C. Permanent For Hire plates that were used prior to 2006 with a December month sticker and no year sticker.  Now, of course, the expiration month varies and year stickers are used.  Typically, dump trucks, cement mixer trucks, and truck tractors used locally run this plate type.  New registrants get the same plate design.  Serial format is always ZB-00000.