Vehicle registration plates of Utah

The U.S. state of Utah first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1909. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1915, when the state began to issue plates.[1]

Utah
Current arch license plate
Current series
SloganLife Elevated
(ski and arch plates)
Greatest Snow on Earth
(ski plate only)
In God We Trust; United We Stand
(In God We Trust plate)
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatA12 3BC
IntroducedNovember 19, 2007 (2007-11-19)
(ski and arch plates)
2013 (2013)
(In God We Trust plate; standardized from January 1, 2017 onwards)
Availability
Issued byUtah State Tax Commission, Division of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedMay 11, 1915 (1915-05-11)
(pre-state plates from May 11, 1909 through May 10, 1915)

Plates are currently issued by the Utah State Tax Commission through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Passenger baseplates

1915 to 1967

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 (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[2] The 1954 (dated 1955) issue was the first Utah license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1915 Dark green on white; "U 15" at right none 1234 1 to approximately 7600
1916 Yellow on brown; "U 16" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 13800
1917 Black on gray; "U 17" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 18200
1918 Gray on black; "U 18" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 22000
1919 White on dark olive green; "U 19" at right none 12345 5000 to approximately 34600 Serials 1 through 399 used on dealer plates, and 400 through 4999 on truck plates.[3]
1920 White on blue; "U 20" at right none 12345 5000 to approximately 42300 Dealer and truck plate serials same as 1919.
1921 Orange on black; lines at top and bottom borders; "U 21" at right none 12345 7001 to approximately 47500 Serials 1 through 400 used on dealer plates, and 401 through 7000 on truck plates.
1922 White on black with border line; "U 22" at right none 12-345 8-501 to approximately 49-500 Serial 1 issued to Secretary of State; 2 through 300 used on dealer plates, 301 through 8-000 on truck plates, and 8-001 through 8-500 on trailer plates.
1923 White on red with border line; slanted "UTAH" and "1923" at left none 12-345 8-501 to approximately 65-000 First use of the full state name. Secretary of State, dealer, truck and trailer plate serials same as 1922.
1924 White on dark blue with border line; slanted "UTAH" and "1924" at right none 12-345 10-000 to approximately 79-000 Serial 1 issued to Secretary of State; 2 through 299 used on dealer plates, 300 through 499 on trailer plates, 500 through 999 on exempt plates, and 1-000 through 9-999 on truck plates.
1925 White on green with border line; "UTAH 25" at left none 12-345 13-000 to approximately 91-000 Serial 1 issued to Secretary of State; 2 through 299 used on dealer plates, 300 through 399 on trailer plates, 400 through 999 on exempt plates, and 1-000 through 12-999 on truck plates.
1926 Black on silver with border line; "26 UTAH" at right none 12-345 14-000 to approximately 95-000 Serial 1 issued to Secretary of State; 2 through 299 used on dealer plates, 300 through 499 on trailer plates, 500 through 12-999 on truck plates, and 13-000 through 13-999 on exempt plates.
1927 White on dark blue with border line; "UTAH 27" at left none 12-345 1-500 to approximately 82-000
1928 Black on yellow with border line; "UTAH 28" at right none 12-345 1-500 to approximately 91-000
1929 Black on green with border line; "UTAH 29" at left none 12-345 1-500 to approximately 96-500
1930 White on black with border line; "UTAH 30" at right none 12-345 1-500 to approximately 93-500
1931 Black on silver with border line; "31 UTAH" at right none 12-345 1-500 to approximately 91-500
1932 White on black with border line; "32 UTAH" at left none 12-345 1-500 to approximately 95-500
1933 White on black with border line; "UTAH - 1933" at top none 12-345 1-500 to approximately 78-500
1934 Black on silver with border line; "UTAH - 1934" at bottom none 123-456 30-000 to approximately 133-000
1935 White on black with border line; "1935 - UTAH" at bottom none 123-456 50-001 to approximately 154-000
1936 Black on silver with border line; "UTAH - 1936" at bottom none 123-456 50-001 to approximately 167-500
1937 White on black with border line; "UTAH - 1937" at top none 123-456 50-001 to approximately 179-000
1938 Maroon on white with border line; "UTAH - 1938" at bottom none 123-456 50-001 to approximately 174-000
1939 White on blue/black with border line; "UTAH - 1939" at top none 123-456 100-001 to approximately 229-500
1940 Orange on dark blue with border line; "UTAH - 40" at bottom none A-1234
1941 White on black with border line; "UTAH - 41" at top right none A 1234
1942–43 Black on white with border line; "42 UTAH" at left CENTER SCENIC AMERICA A 1234 Revalidated for 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 Black on white; "UTAH 44" at bottom none A1234 Manufactured on soybean-based fiberboard due to ongoing metal conservation.
1945 White on maroon with border line; "45 UTAH" at left CENTER SCENIC AMERICA A1234
1946 White on black with border line; "46 UTAH" at left CENTER SCENIC AMERICA A1234
1947 Yellow on black with border line; "47 UTAH" at left THIS IS THE PLACE A1234
1948 White on black with border line; vertical "UTAH" and "48" at left THE FRIENDLY STATE A1234
1949 White on black with border line; "UTAH - 49" at bottom right none A 1234
1950 Orange on black with border line; "UTAH - 50" at top right none A 1234
1951 White on green with border line; "UTAH 1951" at top right none A/B 123
1952 White on blue with border line; "UTAH 1952" at bottom left none 123 A/B
1953 Yellow on black with border line; "UTAH 1953" at top right none A/B 123
1954 White on dark green with border line; "UTAH 1954" at bottom right none A/B 123
1955 White on black with border line; "UTAH 1955" at top none AB 123
1956 White on dark red with border line; "UTAH 56" at bottom right none A/B 1234 A/A 1000 to approximately D/J 9999 For each two-letter series, only the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, H, J and K were used. This practice continued until 1970.
1957 White on dark blue with border line; "UTAH 57" at top right none A/B 1234 A/A 1000 to approximately D/J 5000
1958 Yellow on dark blue with border line; "UTAH 58" at top right none A/B 1234 A/A 1000 to approximately D/H 9999
1959 White on red-orange; "UTAH 59" at top none AB 1234 AA 1000 to approximately DK 5000
1960 Dark red on off gray; "UTAH 60" at top none AB 1234 AA 1000 to approximately DK 9999
1961 Dark blue on off white; "UTAH 61" at top none AB 1234 AA 1000 to approximately EC 5000
1962 Red on off gray/white; "UTAH 62" at top none AB 1234 AA 1000 to approximately EE 5000
1963 White on dark blue; "UTAH 63" at bottom none AB 1234 AA 1000 to approximately EH 5000
1964 White on green; "UTAH 64" at top none AB 1234 AA 1000 to approximately EJ 9999
1965 White on blue; "UTAH 65" at bottom none AB 1234 AA 1000 to approximately FA 9999
1966 White on black; "UTAH 66" at top none AB 1234 AA 1000 to approximately FB 9999
1967 White on green; "UTAH 67" at bottom none AB 1234 AA 1000 to approximately FD 5000

1968 to present
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1968–72 White on black; "UTAH" centered at bottom none AB 1234 AA 1000 to
KK 9999;
LL 1000 to approximately PR 9999		 Revalidated for 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972 with stickers. After KK 9999 was issued in 1970, the serial format continued with only the letters L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V and W used.
1973 Black on reflective white; "UTAH 73" at bottom none ABC 123 AAA 001 to approximately HDH 999 Three-letter series used a split-alphabet system, with each letter advancing A, B, C, D, E, F, H, J, K (block 1), or L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V, W (block 2). Progression was as follows: all three letters in block 1, then first letter in block 2 and last two letters in block 1, then first two letters in block 2 and last letter in block 1, then all three letters in block 2, and finally first two letters in block 1 and last letter in block 2.

On the 1974–78 variant, two different designs of beehive were used - one rounded, the other pointed.

All variants are still currently revalidated.
1973 As above, but without year ("UTAH" offset to left) HDJ 001 to approximately HJB 999
1973–74 As above, but with "UTAH" centered HJC 001 to approximately KEE 999
1974–78 As above, but with embossed beehive used as separator in serial KEF 001 to KKK 999;
LAA 001 to WKK 999;
LLA 001 to approximately LWK 999
1978–81 As above, but without beehive (similar to 1973–74) MLA 001 to WWK 999;
LLL 001 to approximately MVW 999
1982–85 As above, but with "UTAH" screened rather than embossed MWL 001 to WWW 999;
AAL 001 to approximately BFP 999
1985–90 Blue on white with skier graphic Greatest Snow on Earth 123 ABC 001 AAA to 999 DWW Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1986 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Utah has been so honored. Letters G, U, X, Y and Z added to serials in late 1992, beginning with the FPG series.[3]
1990–93 As above, but with narrower serial dies 001 EAA to approximately 999 GPY
1993 – November 18, 2007 As above, but with darker blue serials 001 GPZ to approximately 999 PMV
1992–96 Dark blue on Delicate Arch graphic; "UTAH" in white Centennial 123 ABC 001 ZAA to 999 ZEZ Commemorated Utah's 100 years of statehood. Issued concurrently with the 1985 Ski base, first as an extra-fee base and then as a no-cost base from 1997. The first letter in the serial progressed backwards (so 999 ZZZ was followed by 001 YAA, 999 YZZ was followed by 001 XAA, and so on).
1996 – November 18, 2007 As above, but with "UTAH" in blue 001 ZFA to approximately 999 UYL
(see right)
November 19, 2007[4] – present Dark blue on skier graphic Greatest Snow on Earth / Life Elevated A12 3BC A00 1AA to G10 8EU (as of December 11, 2020) Redesigned Ski base and updated Arch base, issued concurrently. On the Arch base, the first letter in the serial progresses backwards (so Z99 9ZZ was followed by Y00 1AA, Y99 9ZZ was followed by X00 1AA, and so on).
Dark blue on Delicate Arch graphic Life Elevated A12 3BC Z00 1AA to U49 0HZ (as of December 28, 2020)
January 1, 2017 – April
2018		 Dark blue on white with national flag at left In God We Trust / United We Stand A123B Z001A to N999Z First issued in 2013 as a specialty plate; standardized from 2017 onwards.[5] In the A123B serial format, the first letter progressed backwards (so Z999Z was followed by Y001A, Y999Z was followed by X001A, and so on).
April 2018 – present 1A2BC 0A0AA to 0M7WV (as of January 9, 2021)

Non-passenger plates
Image Type First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Disabled Person 2008 Dark blue on skier graphic; International Symbol of Access at left Greatest Snow on Earth / Life Elevated AB12C AA00A to present
Motorcycle 1985 Embossed blue on white; "UTAH" embossed in blue at top, offset to left none 123 AB 001 AA to approximately 999 ET
1994 Embossed dark blue on white; "Utah" screened in red at top, offset to right none 123AB 001FA to approximately 999KZ
1992 As 1992 Centennial passenger base, with "UTAH" in white Centennial 123AB 001ZA to approximately 999VP
(see right)		 Issued concurrently with the 1985 and 1994 bases. The first letter in the serial progressed backwards (so 999ZZ was followed by 001YA, 999YZ was followed by 001XA, and so on).
2008 As 2007 Ski passenger base Greatest Snow on Earth / Life Elevated A12BC A01AA to C64SA (as of November 12, 2018) Issued concurrently. On the Arch base, the first letter in the serial progresses backwards (so Z99ZZ was followed by Y01AA, Y99ZZ was followed by X01AA, and so on).
As 2007 Arch passenger base Life Elevated A12BC Z01AA to V15AZ (as of October 4, 2020)
Temporary varies Hand-written date on paper none MM-DD-YY A12345 then hologram on bottom right valid for 30 days
Trailer 1985 As 1985 Ski passenger base Greatest Snow on Earth 12345 A 00001 A to approximately 40000 E
1992 40001 E to approximately 12000 R Narrower serial dies.
2008 As 2007 Ski passenger base Greatest Snow on Earth / Life Elevated 123456A 000001A to present Issued concurrently.
As 2007 Arch passenger base Life Elevated 123456A 000001Z to present

Discontinued
Image Type First issued Design Serial format Notes
Commercial 1/4 Year October 1, 1957 Colors unknown; "4 Expires Dec. 31 1957" at bottom UTAH 1234
October 1, 1963 White on orange; "UTAH 63" at bottom; "EXP 31 DEC" at left 12345
January 1, 1967 White on brown; "UTAH 67" at bottom; "EXP 31 MAR" at left 12345
April 1, 1967 White on red; "UTAH 67" at bottom; "EXP 30 JUNE" at left 12345
July 1, 1967 White on blue; "UTAH 67" at bottom; "EXP 30 SEPT" at left 12345
October 1, 1967 White on black; "UTAH 67" at bottom; "EXP 31 DEC" at left 12345
October 1, 1971 White on green; "UTAH 71" at top; "EXP 31 DEC" at left 12345
July 1, 1972 White on green; "UTAH 72" at bottom; "EXP 30 SEPT" at left 12345
October 1, 1972 White on brown; "UTAH 72" at bottom; "EXP 31 DEC" at left 12345
July 1, 1973 Blue on white; "UTAH 73" at bottom; "EXP 30 SEPT" at left 12345

Optional plates

Utah currently offers over 60 optional license plates.[6] With the exception of the Amateur Radio Operator plate, all use the same serial format – originally 1234A (with a high of 4285U), then A123B (A001A to M999Z), now 12AB3.

Image Type First issued Design Slogan Notes
Amateur Radio Operator The serial number is the operator's FCC call sign.
Autism Awareness
Boy Scouts of America
Boys and Girls Clubs
Cancer Research
Children's Issues
Clean Air
Children's Heart Disease Awareness I ❤ CHD Awareness Approved in 2016.[7]
Brigham Young University
Utah State University Eastern
Dixie State University
LDS Business College
Salt Lake Community College
Snow College
Southern Utah University
University of Utah
Utah State University
Utah Valley University
Weber State University
Western Governors University
Westminster College
Disabled Veteran
EMT
Farm Vehicle
Firefighter
Former POW
Gold Star
Honorary Consulate
Honoring Heroes
Humanitarian Service
In God We Trust
National Guard
No More Homeless Pets
Pearl Harbor Survivor
Prostate Cancer Awareness
Public Education Support
Purple Heart/Combat Wounded
Search and Rescue Teams
Share the Road
Snowmobiler
Soil Conservation
Special Interest Vehicles
State Legislator
US Congress
Utah Housing Opportunity (Realtor)
Veterans - Air Force HONORS VETERANS
Veterans – American Legion HONORS VETERANS
Veteran - Army HONORS VETERANS
Veterans – Coast Guard HONORS VETERANS
Veteran - Marines HONORS VETERANS
Veterans – Navy HONORS VETERANS
Vintage Vehicle Vintage Vehicle
Wildlife - Eagle Assuring Wildlife's Future
Wildlife - Elk Assuring Wildlife's Future
Wildlife - Mule Deer Assuring Wildlife's Future
Wildlife - Trout I SUPPORT WILDLIFE
Zion National Park A CENTURY OF SANCTUARY
Most special types 2008 dark blue on white varies

Discontinued
Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
2002 Winter Olympics 1998 – June 30, 2002 black on multicolored 123A4 000A0 to approximately 888T3

References
  1. "Old Utah License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  2. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. Tanner, Eric N. "Utah Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  4. Richard, Terry (November 20, 2007). "New Utah plate features skier Heidi Voelker". OregonLive.com. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  5. McKellar, Katie (March 21, 2016). "'In God We Trust' Utah license plate to become new standard option". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  7. https://www.intermountainhealinghearts.org/chd-license-plate
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