Vehicle registration plates of Oregon

Some of Oregon's current license plate designs

The U.S. state of Oregon first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911.

Passenger baseplates 1911 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Association that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles, except those for motorcycles, at six inches in height by twelve inches in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Oregon license plate that complied with these standards.

All plates from 1956 until present are still valid, provided they are displayed on the vehicle to which they originally were issued.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1911 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate none 12345
1912 Embossed black numbers on light green plate none 12345
1913 Embossed black numbers on aluminum plate none 12345
1914 Embossed white numbers on red plate none 12345
1915 Embossed white numbers on blue plate none 12345
1916 Embossed white numbers on red plate none 12345
1917 Embossed white numbers on green plate none 12345
1918 Embossed black numbers on light blue plate none 12345
1919 Embossed black numbers on orange plate none 12345
1920 Embossed white numbers on red plate none 12345
1921 Embossed white numbers on green plate none 12345
1922 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate none 12345
1923 Embossed white numbers on dark blue plate none 12345
1924 Embossed white numbers on red plate none 12345
1925 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate none 123-456
1926 Embossed white numbers on black plate none 123-456
1927 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "OREGON-1927" embossed in white block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 261-000
1928 Embossed black numbers on white plate; "OREGON-1928" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 256-000
January 1, 1929 –
June 30, 1930
Embossed white numbers on black plate; "OREGON-1929" embossed in white block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 330-000 Validated from January 1 through June 30, 1930 with windshield sticker.
July 1, 1930 – June 30, 1931 Embossed orange numbers on black plate; "OREGON" and "1931" embossed in orange block letters in bottom left and bottom right corners respectively, with "EXPIRES JUNE 30" embossed in two rows of smaller letters in between none 123-456 1 to approximately 296-000
July 1, 1931 – June 30, 1932 Embossed white numbers on black plate; "OREGON" and "1932" embossed in white block letters in bottom left and bottom right corners respectively, with "JUNE 30" embossed in two rows of smaller letters in between none 123-456 1 to approximately 265-000
July 1, 1932 – June 30, 1933 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "OREGON" and "1933" embossed in white block letters in top left and top right corners respectively, with "JUNE 30" embossed in smaller letters in between none 123-456 1 to approximately 250-000
July 1 – December 31, 1933 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "OREGON" and "1933" embossed in black block letters in bottom left and bottom right corners respectively, with "DEC. 31" embossed in smaller letters in between none 123-456 1 to approximately 218-000
1934 Embossed black numbers on gray plate with border line; "OREGON-1934" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 249-000
1935 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "OREGON-1935" embossed in yellow block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 272-000
1936 Embossed black numbers on silver plate with border line; "OREGON-1936" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 276-000
1937 Embossed silver numbers on black plate with border line; "OREGON-1937" embossed in silver block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 293-000
1938 Embossed black numbers on silver plate with border line; "OREGON-1938" embossed in black block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 327-000
1939 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "OREGON-1939" embossed in black block letters at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 344-000
1940 Embossed blue numbers on white plate with border line; "OREGON-1940" embossed in blue block letters at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 359-000
1941 Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in white block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "41" in bottom right corner none 123-456 1 to approximately 390-000
1942–45 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in white block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "42" in bottom right corner none 123-456 1 to approximately 495-000 Revalidated for 1943, 1944 and 1945 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1946 Embossed black numbers on gray plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom; "46" embossed in bottom left and bottom right corners none 123-456 1 to approximately 480-000 Only rear plates issued due to ongoing metal shortages. A windshield sticker was carried at the front of the vehicle.
1947 Embossed black numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom; "47" embossed in bottom left and bottom right corners none 123-456 1 to approximately 458-000
1948 Embossed red numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in red block letters centered at top; "48" embossed in top left and top right corners none 123-456 1 to approximately 511-000
1949 Embossed black numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "49" in bottom right corner none 123-456 1 to approximately 567-000
1950 Embossed black numbers on aluminum plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in black block letters centered at top; month of expiration embossed in top left corner and "50" in top right corner none 123-456 1 to approximately 999-999 "50" plates were issued to replace 1949 plates, while "51" and undated plates were issued to new registrants. All were revalidated with tabs each year until 1955.
As above, but with "51" embossed in top right corner
1951–54 As above, but with no embossed year in top right corner
1955 Embossed gold numbers on blue plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in gold block letters centered at top; month of expiration embossed in top left corner and "56" in top right corner none 1A-1234 Letter corresponds to month of expiration (see right) Letters A through M (excluding I) were used for January through December respectively. All plates were revalidated with tabs each year until 1960, and with stickers thereafter.
1956–59 As above, but with no embossed year in top right corner
1960–63 As 1955–59 base, but with shorter dies for the numbers, state name and month of expiration, and no embossed year "PACIFIC WONDERLAND" embossed in gold block letters at bottom 1A-1234 Letter corresponds to month of expiration (see right) Letters N through Z (excluding O) were used for January through December respectively. All plates revalidated with stickers.
1964–72 Embossed gold numbers on blue plate; border line around plate and around registration year sticker spot in bottom right corner; "OREGON" embossed in block letters centered at bottom; month of expiration embossed in bottom left corner none Coded by month of expiration:

ABC 123

1973–86 Embossed blue numbers on gold plate; border line around plate and around registration year sticker spot in bottom right corner; "OREGON" embossed in block letters centered at bottom; month of expiration embossed in bottom left corner none Coded by month of expiration:

ABC 123

1987 –
June
1988
Embossed blue numbers on gold plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in block letters centered at bottom none ABC 123 NAA 001 to PDM 999
July
1988 – November 1989
Embossed dark blue numbers on mountain skyline with pale lavender mountains, light khaki sky and pale green Douglas Fir in the center; "Oregon" screened in pale blue serifed letters centered at top none ABC 123 PDN 001 to QNL 999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1988 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Oregon was so honored.
November 1989 – February 2004 Embossed dark blue numbers on mountain skyline with lavender mountains, light blue sky and dark green Douglas Fir in the center; "Oregon" screened in dark blue serifed letters centered at top none ABC 123 QNM 001 to ZZZ 999 Same design as previous, but with the colors changed in response to public criticism of the original colors.[1]
February 2004 – present 123 ABC 001 BAA to 999 JEL (as of May 4, 2016) No change to design or colors. Serials in this format with A as the first letter were skipped to avoid confusion with optional Oregon Trail plates.

Optional types

Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Oregon Trail 1993–2000 Black on blue, yellow and green background. Embossed serials. 123 ABC 001 AAA to 999 ASZ Featured a Covered Wagon print. Printing of plates to this design ceased in 1998,[2] but the design continued to be issued to vehicle owners requesting it until the supply of pre-printed plates ran out, circa early 2000.[3]
Salmon 1998–present Dark blue on multicolored background. Embossed serials. S/L 12345 S/L 00001 to present $30 surcharge supports the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and is charged at each renewal time (every two years). First available in February 1998, the Salmon design has been less popular than had been expected, and by 2002 had only raised about one-third as much revenue as originally predicted.[4]
Crater Lake Centennial 2002–present White on multicolored background. Surface-printed serials. C/L 12345 C/L 00001 to C/L 99999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2002 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Oregon was so honored. Surcharge supports Crater Lake National Park.
C/K 12345 C/K 00001 to C/K 99999
C/A 12345 C/A 00001 to present
Cultural Trust 2006–present Black on multicolored background. Embossed serials. C/U 12345 C/U 00001 to present Surcharge supports the Oregon Cultural Trust.
Pacific Wonderland 2009–present Gold on blue. Embossed serials. 9P-1234 9P-0001 to
9P-9999
Special re-issue of 1960–64 passenger base to celebrate Oregon's 150 years of statehood. Surcharge supports the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and the Oregon Historical Society. Limited to 40,000 plates.
9Q-1234 9Q-0001 to
9Q-9999
9R-1234 9R-0001 to
9R-9999
9S-1234 9S-0001 to present
Higher Education 2005–present As current passenger base, but with school logo replacing two left-most serials. Embossed serials. A BCD Surcharge supports the school of choice. Available for EOU, OSU, U of O, U of P, and Willamette.
Share the Road 2008–present White and yellow text on blue background. Surface-printed serials. ABCD Surcharge supports the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Cycle Oregon.
Wine Country May 14, 2012[5] – present White text on multi-colored background. Surface-printed serials. W/C 12345 W/C 00001 to present Surcharge supports "agricultural and culinary tourism".[5]
Keep Kids Safe October 16, 2012 – early 2015 White text on blue burst background with two children in front of red heart. Surface-printed serials. ABCD Surcharge supported child abuse prevention programs. Production discontinued October 31, 2014 due to low sales.

There are also special plates available for special interest vehicles, antique vehicles, veterans, and various service clubs.

Non-passenger types

Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Amateur Radio Operator Plates begin with “K,” “W” or “N.” Reflects call letters issued to amateur radio operators by Federal Communications Commission. These plates were once issued on the Oregon Trail plate.

They are available on the Salmon, Crater Lake and Cultural Trust plate designs.
Amateur Radio Operator – Motorcycle/Moped Plates begin with “K,” “W” or “N.” Reflects call letters issued to amateur radio operators by Federal Communications Commission.
Bus
Camper before 1973 White on black with "CAMPER" at bottom K123456 K700001 to approximately K760000
1973 to present Blue on gold with "CAMPER" at bottom K760001 to present
Charitable/Non-Profit Blue on gold C/N 12345 C/N 00001 to present
Coach
Dealer
Dealer – Motorcycle/Moped/
Snowmobile/ATV




Disabled Person
Disabled Veteran 1973 to early 1990s Blue on gold with "PERMANENT" at top, "VETERAN" at right and wheelchair under 'D' prefix D12345 D00001 to approximately D06000
As above, but with no wheelchair D06001 to approximately D10000
As above, but with "PERMANENT" at bottom D10001 to approximately D18000
early 1990s to present 1989 Douglas Fir graphic with "PERMANENT" at bottom and "VETERAN" at right D/1 23 45 D/1 80 01 to present Serials continue on from those on the blue-on-gold plates, with D/1 99 99 followed by D/2 00 00, D/2 99 99 followed by D/3 00 00, etc.
Ex-POW
Ex-POW – Motorcycle/Moped
Farm Vehicle 1965–72 Orange on aluminum with sticker box at bottom F12-345 F10-000 to approximately
F71-500
1973 to present Blue on gold with sticker box at bottom F71-501 to
F99-999
F123456 F100000 to present
For-Rent




Government Exempt
Government Exempt – Motorcycle/Moped
Heavy Fixed Load H/F 12345
Heavy Trailer
Light Fixed Load L/F 12345
Low-Speed Vehicle L/S 12345 L/S 00001 to present Issued to four-wheeled vehicles, generally electric-powered, with a maximum speed of more than 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour.
Medium-Speed Vehicle M/S 12345 M/S 00001 to present Issued to a four-wheeled electrical vehicle that is equipped with a roll cage or a crushproof body design with a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour on a paved, level surface and that is fully enclosed and has at least one door for entry.
Mobile Home
Moped 1980s to present Blue on gold M/P 12345 M/P 00001 to present Issued to two or three wheeled cycle or bicycle with independent power source with engine size less than 50 cubic centimeters.

Power source cannot propel vehicle to speeds above 30 miles per hour.

Mopeds also may have Custom, Disabled Veteran or Ex-POW plates.

Motor Home
Motorcycle 1968–70 White on blue with sticker box at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 85000 Issued to any two or three-wheeled self-propelled cycle that is not a moped. White-on-blue and gold-on-blue plates are still valid and may be renewed. In the current serial format, M/2 99999 was followed by M/3 00000, M/3 99999 was followed by M/4 00000 and so on.
M12345 M85001 to approximately M90000
1970–72 Gold on blue with sticker box at bottom M12345
M123456
M90001 to approximately M188000
1973–75 Blue on gold with sticker box at bottom M123456 M188001 to approximately M199999
M/1 23456 M/2 00000 to approximately M/2 55000
1975 to present As above, but without sticker box M/2 55001 to present
National Guard N/G12 345 N/G00 001 to present Issued to current active members of the Oregon National Guard.
Old Timer 1952–54 Black on aluminum with "OLD TIMER" at left A-123 A-1 to approximately
A-636
Issued to any vehicle that is older than half the number of years between 1900 and the current year (so, in 2015, any vehicle that dates from 1957 or before). Black-on-aluminum Old Timer plates were revalidated with tabs until 1955, while gold-on-blue versions were revalidated with tabs until 1960, then with stickers until 1964.
1955–59 Gold on blue with "OLD TIMER" at left A-123 A-1 to A-999
1-234 1-000 to approximately
2-100
1960–63 As above, but with "PACIFIC WONDERLAND" at bottom 2-101 to approximately
3-000
Historic Vehicle 1964–72 Gold on blue with "HISTORIC VEHICLE" at left 3-001 to approximately
6-000
1973 – early 1980s Blue on gold with "HISTORIC VEHICLE" at left 6-001 to approximately
8-500
early 1980s – late 1980s 1234 8501 to 9999
Antique Vehicle late 1980s – late 1990s Blue on gold with "ANTIQUE VEHICLE" at top A/Q 12345 A/Q 00001 to approximately A/Q 02000
late 1990s to present As above, but with "ANTIQUE VEHICLE" at bottom A/Q 02001 to present
Permanent Fleet 1973 to ? Blue on gold with "PERMANENT FLEET" at top P/F 12345 P/F 00001 to approximately P/F 27000 Issued to owners of a fleet of vehicles registered as a fleet rather than individually.
? to present As above, but with "PERMANENT FLEET" at bottom P/F 27001 to present
School Bus S/C 12345 S/C 00001 to present Issued to buses and school activity vehicles used exclusively to transport school children to and from school or school activities.

Bus or vehicle must use trip permit when being used for purposes other than transporting school children. May be issued to both publicly and privately owned vehicles.
Special Use Trailer S/T 12345 S/T 00001 to present
Tow Truck T/W 12345 T/W 00001 to present Issued to individuals who tow vehicles not owned by them in tow and recovery operations for direct or indirect compensation.

Also issued to businesses which must transport damaged, disabled or abandoned vehicles.

References

  1. Goetze, Janet (October 11, 1989). "Oregon plates are getting brighter: '89 Legislature agreed to alter color scheme". The Oregonian, p. B6.
  2. Boone, Jerry (January 5, 1998). "New traffic rules for '98 multiply". The Oregonian, p. B4.
  3. Oliver, Gordon (November 19, 1999). "Oregon Trail license plates going fast". The Oregonian, p. C6.
  4. Martins, Cheryl (January 18, 2002). "License plate goal looks like fish tale". The Oregonian, p. D1.
  5. 1 2 "Wine Country plate available starting May 14". Oregon Department of Transportation. May 3, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.

External links

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