My "Whatzit" page is intended to be a supplement to the information found in the ALPCA Archives. The Archives
are sort of like a dictionary; you have know what you are looking for in order to find it easily. The "Whatzit"
page is better suited for those situations where you only know the definition, and you need to find a word. It can
get you pointed in the right direction so that you can go either to the ALPCA Archives or to my own Pictorial History
pages, and be able to find what you need without wading through pages of irrelevant data.
I sincerely hope that you find this information useful. If you find an error or have additional information,
, please send me an
e-mail. There's a link to my e-mail address at the bottom of every page.
Most all Maryland plates expiring in 1975 or earlier were dated in some way. The major exceptions to this rule
are plates issued to police and fire department vehicles, and plates issued to vehicles owned by specific state government
agencies; such plates are not addressed here. Eventually, I will add these plates to this page, but for now, please
visit my History of Maryland Government Plates and
History of Maryland Emergency Vehicle Plates pages. Otherwise, chances are very good
that an undated plate was issued in 1975, on what's called the "1976 base" based on its initial expiration date, or
later.
Red on white, formats G 0000 or G 00000 with
Local Govt. legend. |
 |
Used March 1975 through April 1980 without stickers. Local (city or county) government-owned vehicle,
generally used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes. (There
were a few known exceptions to this.) |
Red on white, format S 00000 with State
legend. |
 |
Used March 1975 through April 1980 without stickers. State government-owned vehicle generally
used for law enforcement purposes. |
Red on white motorcycle plate; sticker box in the lower right corner. |
 |
This base plate was used March 1975 through March 1980. Valid through March 1976 without stickers, then
renewed with year stickers. |
Other red on white plates, with sticker box in the upper right corner. |

 |
This base plate was used March-April-May 1975 through March-April-May 1980. Valid through March-April-May
1976 without stickers. (Month determined by vehicle class.) Renewed with year stickers front and
back. |
Black on white with embossed Maryland, formats
G 0000 or G 00000 with
Local Govt. legend. |
 |
Used March 1980 through about April 1987 without stickers. Local (city or county) government-owned
vehicle, generally used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes.
(There were a few known exceptions to this.) |
Black on white with embossed Maryland, format
S 00000 with State legend. |
 |
Used March 1980 through about April 1987 without stickers. State government-owned vehicle generally
used for law enforcement purposes. |
Black on white motorcycle plate with embossed Md.; sticker box in lower right
corner. |
 |
This base plate was issued March 1980 through January 1986. Valid through March 1981 without stickers,
then renewed with year stickers through March 1986, and with month and year stickers through September
1987. |
Other black on white plates with embossed Maryland, sticker box with lightly
embossed border in upper right corner. |

 |
This base plate was issued March-April-May 1980 through early 1986. Valid through March-April-May 1981
without stickers. (Month determined by vehicle class.) Renewed with year stickers front and back
through March-April-May 1986, and then with month and year stickers on only the rear plate through September
1987. |
Black on dark yellow motorcycle plate with embossed Md.; sticker box in lower right
corner. |
 |
This is a State Police motorcycle plate, likely from approximately 1983 or 1984. (I know, I said I
wasn't covering police plates, but you might not have known that this even is a police plate without a
little help.) Sticker box was never used.
|
Black on reflective white with screened Maryland, serial formats
L/G*00000, S/G*00000,
*00000L/G, and *00000S/G with graphic shield
emblem. |

 |
Used February 1986 to present without stickers. Hologram indicates year of manufacture. State
web site legend appears on plates manufactured since 2005. L/G plates are for local government vehicles;
S/G plates are for state government vehicles, in both cases generally for law
enforcement or fire or rescue applications.
(both plates in actual use)
|
Black on reflective white with screened Maryland, actual serials
NAA*000, NAA*001, or SAM*PLE with graphic shield
separator, or SAMPLE without graphic shield separator. |
 |
Sample plates distributed February 1986 to present without stickers. Hologram indicates year of
manufacture. State web site legend appears on plates manufactured since 2005 or so.
(SAM*PLE – on display at the Maryland MVA)
|
Black on reflective white motorcycle plate with screened Maryland, actual serials
00000D, 0000D0, 000D00, or SAMPLE. |
 |
Motorcycle sample plates distributed February 1986 to present without stickers. Hologram indicates year
of manufacture. State web site legend probably appears on recently manufactured plates. |
Other black on reflective white with screened Maryland, various serial formats with
or without graphic shield separator. |

 |
This base plate design has been issued February 1986 to present. Rear plates always have stickers
indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. Hologram indicates
year of manufacture. Plates with no legend were generally made between 1986 and 2005; those with the state
web site legend were made since 2005; plates with other legends could be from any time between 1986 and the
present. |
Green on white-to-blue fade Treasure the Chesapeake, various serial formats with or
without graphic bird in center. |
 |
These first generation Chesapeake plates were issued very late 1990 to
late 2003 and are still in use. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of
expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serials
SAM*PLE and SAMPLE are, obviously, sample plates.
Hologram indicates year of manufacture. |
Black on blue-to-white fade Treasure the Chesapeake, various serial formats with
or without graphic bird at left. |
 |
Second generation Chesapeake plates were issued January 2004 to October 2018.
Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front
plates. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate. Hologram
indicates year of manufacture. |
Black on orange-to-yellow-fade Our Farms, Our Future, various serial
formats. |
 |
These plates have been issued early 2001 to present. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month
and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serial
SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate. Hologram indicates year of
manufacture. |
Blue on white War of 1812. |
 |
This design was the standard plate issued to new registrants between June 2010 and September 2016, for various
personal vehicle types. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration.
Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serials SAMPLE and
0A/A0000 are both sample plates. Hologram indicates year of
manufacture. |
Black on yellow 1910 Vintage, various serial formats. |
 |
1910 Vintage plates were issued only in 2014 but are still in use. Rear
plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front
plates.
(Crum photo and plate) |
Black on white with state flag graphic at the bottom. |
 |
This design is the new standard plate issued to new registrants beginning September 26, 2016, for various
personal vehicle types. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration.
Unstickered plates are front plates. However, plate number SAMPLE is obviously
a sample plate. Hologram indicates year of manufacture. |
Protect the Chesapeake, various serial formats. |
 |
Third generation Chesapeake plates have been issued October 2018 to present.
Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front
plates. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate. Hologram
indicates year of manufacture.
(plate in actual use) |
Serial format xx-00-00, with dash, diamond, or colon separators. |
 |
Passenger car. Some letter combinations were reserved for members of certain organizations.
Some of the more common organizational serial letters include AL, BB, CC, EE, FD, and LC. Serial
AA-00-00 is a sample. |
Serial format 00-00-xx, with dash, diamond, or colon separators. |
 |
Non-passenger vehicle; first letter or letters indicate vehicle type as follows:
BA = taxi or limousine for hire, CA = commercial ambulance or funeral vehicle, Ex = truck, Gx = trailer,
HE = truck for hire. Suffix letters AE are truly a mystery. |
Serial format S/R00-00T. |
 |
A special type of plate used on some trailers. "S/R" stands for "shuttle relay", but what exactly that
means is unknown to me. "T" stands for trailer. Similar plates with "TRAC" instead of "T" are shuttle
relay truck tractor plates. |
Embossed star figure on the left, followed by a four-character serial number in format
00-00. |
 |
Government-owned motor vehicle or trailer, most likely used for law
enforcement or fire or rescue purposes and a school bus. |
Motorcycle plate in serial format 00-00, with dot separator. |
 |
Regular motorcycle plate.
(Sallmen photo / plate)
|
Motorcycle plate in serial format D000; "D" is smaller than the numeric
digits. |
 |
Motorcycle dealer plate. |
Small 1954 plate with serial LG-19-53, 5 inches by 2 1/4 inches. |
 |
This is a toy license plate that was a promotional item for Wheaties cereal in 1953. |
Small 1955 plate with serial MG-10-01, 5 inches by 2 1/4 inches. |
 |
This is a toy license plate that was a promotional item for Wheaties cereal in 1954. |
Serial formats xx-00-00, xx-0000, and xx 0000,
with dash, diamond, or colon separator(s), or space separator; 3-31 expiration date. |

 |
Passenger car. Some letter combinations were reserved for members of certain organizations.
Some of the more common organizational serial letters include: AL, BB, CC, EE, FD, and LC. Serial
letters AA and AB followed by all zeroes are sample plates. |
Serial formats 00-00-xx, 0000-xx, and 0000 xx,
with dash, diamond, or colon separator(s), or space separator; 4-30 expiration date. |

 |
Non-passenger vehicle; first letter or letters indicate vehicle type as follows:
BA = taxi or limousine for hire, CA = commercial ambulance or funeral vehicle, Ex = truck, Gx = trailer,
HE and HF = truck for hire. Suffix letters AE are truly a
mystery. |
Various three-letter prefix formats, such as xxx-0, xxx-00, xxx-000, xxx-00x, xxx-0x0,
xxx-x00, and xxx0000, with dash, diamond, colon, or space separator, or no
separator. |

 |
Organizational member plate; letters indicate organization: DAV = Disabled American Veterans,
VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars. |
Serial format S/R00-00T. |
 |
A special type of plate used on some trailers. "S/R" stands for "shuttle relay", but what exactly that
means is unknown to me. "T" stands for trailer. Similar plates with "TRAC" instead of "T" are shuttle
relay truck tractor plates. |
Embossed star figure on the left, followed by a four-character serial number; 3-31 expiration
date. |

 |
Local (city or county) government-owned passenger car, most likely used for
law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions to this). These "star"
plates with expirations in 1960 and earlier may have also been used for state government passenger
cars. |
Embossed large star figure on the left, or small star figure over the word Truck on
the left, followed by a four-character serial; 4-30 expiration date in either case. |


 |
Local (city or county) government-owned non-passenger vehicle, most likely
used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions to this) and
a school bus. Plates without the Truck
legend were used for both trucks and other non-passenger vehicles through 1967 expirations. These "star"
plates with expirations in 1960 and earlier may have also been used for state government non-passenger
vehicles. |
Other serial formats. |
 |
Probably an amateur radio operator plate. 3-31 expiration date indicates a passenger car; 4-30
expiration date indiciates a truck or other non-passenger vehicle. |
Motorcycle plate with serial formats 00-00, 0000, x000, or 000x,
with dot or colon separator or no separator; serial letter, if any, is the same size as the numbers. |

 |
1967 plate with a full-sized "D" prefix is a motorcycle dealer plate.
Serials that are all-numeric or have other serial letters are standard motorcycle plates; letters or lack of
letters have no significance. Plates with a full-sized "D" from 1968 or later are also standard motorcycle
plates.
|
Motorcycle plate in formats D0-00 or D000, with dot,
colon, or diamond separator or no separator; "D" is smaller than the numeric digits. |
 |
Motorcycle dealer plate.
|
Small plate with 3-31-60 expiration date and serial AM-19-27; 4 3/4 inches by 2 inches. |
 |
This is a toy license plate that was a promotional item for Baker's Chocolate in 1959. |
Serial format x 00000. |
 |
Automotive business interchangeable plate; letter indicates business type as follows: D = motor vehicle
dealer, W = automotive wrecker (not a tow truck, but rather issued to a junkyard operator to allow them to move
driveable unregistered vehicles). The plain "D" dealer plates replaced earlier plates on this base that
had either New Car Dealer or Used Car Dealer embossed on
the plate. |
Serial format xx 0000. |

 |
Passenger car. Some letter combinations were reserved for members of certain organizations.
Some of the more common organizational serial letters include: AL, BB, CC, EE, FD, and LC. Serial
AA 0000 is a sample plate. |
Serial format 0000 xx. |

 |
Non-passenger vehicle; first letter or letters indicate vehicle type as follows: BA = taxi or limousine
for hire, BM = bus; CA = commercial ambulance or funeral vehicle, Dx = truck, Ex = truck; FA, FB, FC = truck tractor;
FD = Firemen's Association organizational member plate assigned to a personal truck; FR = PSC freight truck,
Gx = trailer, Hx = trailer, Jx = truck; PB = bus. |
Various three-letter prefix formats such as xxx 0, xxx 00, xxx 000,
and xxx0000. |
 |
Organizational member plate; letters indicate organization: DAV = Disabled American Veterans,
VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars. Other letter combinations are probably vanity plates. |
Embossed star figure on the left, followed by a four-character serial number. |
 |
Local (city or county) government-owned passenger car, most likely used for
law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions to this). |
Four-character serial number, followed by an embossed star figure on the right. |
 |
Local (city or county) government-owned non-passenger vehicle, most likely
used for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions to this), and
a school bus. Serial letters or lack of letters have no
significance. |
Embossed maltese cross containing the letters "F/D" on the left, followed by a five-digit numeric
serial. |
 |
These plates were used on actual firefighting equipment. They were
Firemen's Association organizational member plates issued for personal cars. These replaced earlier
plates on this base that looked like normal passenger car plates and had serial format
FD 0000. |
Five-digit numeric serial, followed by an embossed maltese cross containing the letters "F/D" on the
right. |
 |
These plates were used on actual firefighting equipment. They were
Firemen's Association organizational member plates issued for personal trucks. These replaced earlier
plates on this base that looked like normal non-passenger plates and had serial format
0000 FD. |
Other serial formats. |

 |
Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate. (One of each is shown.) |
Motorcycle plate with serial formats 0000, x000, 000x, xx00, or
00000. |
 |
Standard motorcycle plates; letters or lack of letters have no significance. |
Most non-passenger plates of this era were fairly clearly identified with an embossed legend at the bottom of the
plate. This section deals with those plates with no legend or an ambiguous legend.
Two letter serial formats AL 0, AL 00, AL 000, and
xx 0000. |

 |
Letters indicate type: AL = American Legion organizational member; CA = commercial ambulance or funeral
vehicle. Other letter combinations are probably vanity plates. |
Serial format xxx 000. |

 |
Passenger car. Vehicles later registered as multi-purpose vehicles (usually passenger vans, SUVs, motor
homes, or not-for-hire buses) used passenger car plates through 1980. Some alpha combinations were reserved
for members of certain organizations. Some of the more common organizational serial letters include: BBx,
DAV, EEx, FPx, HGx, KCx, LCx, NGx, RIx, TCx, and VFW. Serial AAA 000 is a
sample plate. |
Other three letter formats xxx 0, xxx 00, xxx0000, and
xxx 0000, with or without the legend Truck at the
bottom. |

 |
Organizational member plates; letters indicate the organization: DAV = Disabled American Veterans,
ELK = Elks Lodge, VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars. Other letter combinations are probably vanity
plates. No legend at bottom indicates a plate issued for a passenger car; Truck
legend was used on a plate issued for a personal truck. |
Embossed maltese cross containing the letters "F/D" on the left, followed by a five-digit numeric
serial, with or without the legend Truck at the bottom. |

 |
These plates were used on actual firefighting equipment. They were
Firemen's Association organizational member plates issued for personal vehicles. No legend at bottom
indicates a plate issued for a passenger car; Truck legend was used on a plate issued
for a personal truck. |
Other serial formats. |

 |
Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate. (One of each is shown.) No legend at
bottom indicates a plate issued for a passenger car; Truck legend was used on a plate
issued for a personal truck. |
Motorcycle plate in format 00000 or
000000. |

 |
Standard motorcycle plate. |
Motorcycle plate in other formats; black on white plate only. |
 |
Almost certainly a vanity plate. |
Bicentennial, serial format
000 xxx. |
 |
Extra-cost optional issue plate for passenger cars and multi-purpose vehicles, 1976-1980. Most serial
suffixes were sequentially-issued, but ANG, ART, and DAV suffixes are organizational member plates. VFW
suffixes would be, too, if they exist. Serial number 000 AAA is a sample
plate. |
Bicentennial, other three letter formats 0 xxx,
00 xxx, and xxx0000,. |
 |
Extra-cost optional issue plate for members of specific organizations, 1976-1980. I've seen a couple of
examples of DAV = Disabled American Veterans plates; I'm guessing that VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars plates may
also exist. |
Bicentennial, other serial formats. |

 |
Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate. (One of each is shown.) |
350th Anniversary, serial format 000*xxx. |
 |
Extra-cost optional issue plate for passenger cars, 1984-1987. Serial number
000*AAA is a sample plate. |
350th Anniversary, serial formats 00000 X and
00000X, with no shield graphic. |

 |
Extra-cost optional issue plate for multi-purpose vehicles (usually passenger vans, SUVs, and motor homes),
1984-1987. |
350th Anniversary, other serial formats. |

 |
Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate. (One of each is shown.) |
Many non-passenger and most organizational plates of this era are clearly identified with a screened legend at the
bottom of the plate and/or a logo of some type. This section deals with plates without such identifiers, and also
with Apportioned and Farm plates, whose legends do not indicate
the vehicle type. The state government web site address www.maryland.gov was
added to the bottom of many plate types beginning in 2005. This base stopped being issued to new registrants for
some, but not all, vehicle types in June 2010; those vehicle types are now issued War of 1812
base plates.
Serial formats 000*000 and 00x*000, with shield
separator. |

 |
Regular truck. Format 00x*000 was introduced in 1992. Letter (or lack of
letter) has no significance other than to identify the age of the plate. Regular truck plates are no longer
issued effective June 2010, but may continue to be renewed. |
Serial format I00*000, with shield separator. |
 |
Charter bus; this plate type became obsolete in 1988.
(Doernberg photo / plate) |
Serial format 000*00x, with shield separator. |

 |
Letter indicates type of vehicle: B = taxi; C = commercial ambulance or funeral
vehicle; F = truck tractor; J = van pool; K = farm area truck with limited on-road privileges, and since 2006,
a vehicle used on an island with no access to the mainland; P = bus for hire. |
Serial formats TT0*000 and 000*0TT, with shield
separator. |
 |
Tow truck. |
Serial formats xxx*000 and 0xx*x00, with shield
separator. |

 |
Passenger car. Serials NAA*000 and NAA*001 are
sample plates. Format 0xx*x00 debuted in September 2004. State web site
legend began in February 2005. Passenger car plates are no longer issued on this base effective June 2010,
but may continue to be renewed. |
One letter, six number serial formats, with no separator: 000000x, x000000,
000x000, and 00000x0. |

 |
Letter indicates type of vehicle: G = trailer; M = multi-purpose vehicle (usually a passenger van, SUV,
motor home, or not-for-hire bus); X = trailer. Among these formats, trailers use only 000000x;
multi-purpose vehicles use all four formats. Multi-purpose vehicle plates are no longer issued effective
June 2010, but may continue to be renewed. |
Serial format x/x*00000, with shield separator. |

 |
Letters indicate vehicle use: D/R = rental car, L/G = local government-owned motor vehicle or trailer,
S/G = state government-owned motor vehicle or trailer. Rental cars used stickers on rear plates; government
vehicles do not. Rental car plates became obsolete in the mid-1990s. These government plates are
generally used on law enforcement or fire or rescue vehicles. (There are
a few known exceptions to this.)
(plate with web site legend in actual use) |
Serial formats xx00000 and xxx0000 with no
separator. |
 |
Organizational member plate; letters indicate the specific organization. Most also have a legend
identifying the organization, but these do not: BB = Boumi Temple (Shriners), BNA = B'nai B'rith,
CCC = Grace Bible Church of North Carroll, DV = Disabled American Veterans, FP = Fraternal Order of Police,
FPA = Fraternal Order of Police Associate Members, JWV = Jewish War Veterans,
NOW = National Organization for Women, ROJ = Royal Order of Jesters,
YG = Yedz Grotto (Masons). |
Serial format *00000x/x, with shield graphic at the far left. |
 |
Letters indicate vehicle use: L/G = local government-owned motor vehicle or trailer,
S/G = state government-owned motor vehicle or trailer. Neither plate type uses expiration stickers.
These government plates are generally used on law enforcement or fire or
rescue vehicles. (There are a few known exceptions to this.)
(plate in actual use) |
Serial format 00000xx with no separator. |

 |
Letters indicate type of vehicle: LM = limousine for hire, TL = trailer, TT = tow truck.
(limo plate in actual use) |
Serial format E00000D with no separator. |

 |
Dump truck plate; also issued to cement mixer trucks. |
Other serial formats with shield separator, and no identifying
legend. |
 |
Probably a vanity plate. (This one is a vanity plate.) However, serial
SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate. Vanity plates are no longer issued on
this base effective June 2010, but may continue to be renewed.
(unstickered front plate) |
Apportioned plates, serial formats 000*x00 and
000*x/x00, both with shield separator. |

 |
Letter or letters indicate type of vehicle: E = regular truck, E/D = dump truck, F = truck tractor,
G = trailer, P = bus for hire, T/E = tow truck. |
Farm plates, format 000*00x/x with shield
separator. |
 |
Letters indicate type of vehicle: F/T = farm truck, T/R = farm-use "big rig" truck
tractor. |
Motorcycle plates with serial formats 00000D, 0000D0, 000D00, 000M00, 0D0000, or
D00000. |


 |
Regular motorcycle plates; however, motorcycle plates with these actual serial numbers are
samples. Regular motorcycle plates are no longer issued on this base effective June 2010, but may continue
to be renewed. |
Motorcycle plates with other serial formats. |

 |
Probably a vanity plate. However, serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample
plate. Motorcycle vanity plates are no longer issued on this base effective June 2010, but may continue
to be renewed. |
War of 1812, serial format
0x/x0000. |
 |
The War of 1812 base was the standard plate issued to new registrants between
June 14, 2010 and September 25, 2016, but only for some specific vehicle types. This odd serial format was
issued to passenger cars as well as multi-purpose vehicles (primarily SUVs, mini-vans, and motor homes) and
regular trucks regardless of weight. The M/D series was issued first, followed by the A/A series, and then
progressing alphabetically to the C/N series. Actual serial number 0A/A0000 is
a sample plate. |
War of 1812, other serial formats without stacked letters. |
 |
Vanity plates issued to new registrants between June 14, 2010 and September 25, 2016. However, serial
SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate.
|
War of 1812 motorcycle plate, serial formats
D00000 and 00000Y. |
 |
Regular motorcycle plate issued to new registrants between June 14, 2010 and September 25, 2016.
|
War of 1812 motorcycle plate, other serial formats. |
photo unavailable |
Probably a vanity motorcycle plate issued to new registrants between June 14, 2010 and
September 25, 2016. |
Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, serial format
x00*000, with bird separator. |
 |
First generation Chesapeake non-passenger plate, issued 1991 to 2003 and still in
use. Letter indicates type of vehicle: B = taxi, G = trailer. |
Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, serial format
0xx*000, with bird separator. |
 |
First generation Chesapeake light truck plate; issued 1991 to 2003 and still in
use. |
Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, serial format
000*xxx, with bird separator. |
 |
First generation Chesapeake passenger car plate; issued 1991 to 2003 and still in
use. |
Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, serial format
xxx*00x, with bird separator. |
 |
First generation Chesapeake multi-purpose vehicle (usually a passenger van, SUV,
motor home, or not-for-hire bus) plate; issued 1991 to 2003 and still in use. |
Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, other serial formats, with
bird separator. |
 |
First generation Chesapeake plates without the bird were used only for handicapped,
vanity, and sample plates. Issued 1991 to 2003 and still in use. Serial
SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample plate. |
Treasure the Chesapeake, black on blue-to-white fade, serial formats
00000B/Y and 00000C/x, with bird graphic at
left. |
 |
Second generation Chesapeake passenger car plate, issued 2004 to October 2018.
On this base, passenger car serial formats were issued not only for cars, but also for multi-purpose vehicles,
light trucks, and taxis. |
Treasure the Chesapeake, black on blue-to-white fade, serial format
00000G/A, with bird graphic at left. |
 |
Second generation Chesapeake trailer plate, issued 2004 to October
2018. |
Treasure the Chesapeake, black on blue-to-white fade, other serial formats with
stacked letters, with or without the bird graphic at left. |

 |
Second generation Chesapeake plate without stacked serial letters are used only
for vanity and sample plates. The bird graphic is omitted for serials with seven characters and
spaces. Issued 2004 to October 2018. Serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a
sample plate. |
Our Farms, Our Future, serial format A000000, where the
first numeric digit is other than a "9". |
 |
Passenger car, issued 2001 to present. On this base, however, the passenger car serial format is issued
not only for cars, but also for multi-purpose vehicles, light trucks, and taxis. |
Our Farms, Our Future, serial format A900000, where the
first numeric digit is a "9". |
 |
Trailer, issued 2001 to present.
(plate in actual use) |
Our Farms, Our Future, serial format
F/T 00000. |
 |
Farm truck, issued 2001 to present.
(unstickered front plate) |
Our Farms, Our Future, other serial formats. |
 |
Probably a vanity plate, issued 2001 to present. However, serial SAMPLE is,
obviously, a sample plate.
(plate in actual use) |
1910 Vintage, serial format VR00000. |
 |
Passenger car plate, issued only in 2014. On this base, however, the passenger car serial format is
issued not only for cars, but also for multi-purpose vehicles and light trucks.
(Crum photo / plate) |
1910 Vintage, numbering formats other than Vx00000. |
photo unavailable |
Probably a vanity plate, issued only in 2014. |
Protect the Chesapeake, serial format 00000C/x. |
 |
Third generation Chesapeake passenger car plate, issued October 2018 to present.
On this base, passenger car serial formats are issued not only for cars, but also for multi-purpose vehicles and
light trucks. |
Protect the Chesapeake, serial format 00000G/A. |
photo unavailable |
Third generation Chesapeake trailer plate, issued October 2018 to
present. |
Protect the Chesapeake, other serial formats with
stacked letters. |
 |
Third generation Chesapeake plate without stacked serial letters are used only
for vanity and sample plates. Serial SAMPLE is, obviously, a sample
plate.
(Mattes photo of plate in use) |
Thanks to those who have directly contributed to the information on this page:
"Tiger" Joe Sallmen, David Doernberg, and Greg Crum.
O'Connor photograph © copyright by Tim O'Connor. All rights reserved. Used with
permission.
Sallmen, Doernberg, Crum, and Mattes photographs are presumed to be copyrighted by
"Tiger" Joe Sallmen, David Doernberg, Greg Crum, and Justin Mattes,
respectively, and are used with permission.