Vehicle registration plates of Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1920, while still a British dominion. It became a province of Canada in 1949.

Newfoundland and Labrador
Current series
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
Serial formatABC 123
IntroducedJanuary 12, 2024 (2024-01-12)
Availability
Issued byDigital Government and Service NL, Motor Registration Division
Manufactured byWaldale Manufacturing Limited, Amherst, Nova Scotia[1]
History
First issued1925 (1925)

In 1956, Canada, the United States, 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 licence 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 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first Newfoundland licence plate that fully complied with these standards: the issues from 1951 (dated 1952) through 1955 (dated 1956) were all 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.

The last complete re-registration of all registered vehicles in Newfoundland and Labrador was in 1981, with a switch from a numerical system to an alphanumeric system.

All plates issued since 1982 (beginning AAA-001) remain valid today. Plates remain with the vehicle to which they are originally registered, rather than with the owner. Used vehicles with expired plates are issued new licence plates, while used vehicles with valid plates retain their original licence plate.

Since 1985, the province has not used the letters I, Q, U or Y on licence plates,[3] except on plates that use "VO1" (or "VO2" for Labrador) followed by two or three letters issued to Amateur radio operators.[4] However, the HAY series was issued on the 1996-97 Cabot 500 base, while the TFI series was issued on trailers in 2010. The letter I is skipped because it closely resembles the number 1, while the letter Q is skipped because it closely resembles the letter O (which the province does use) and the number zero.

Since September 1997, the province requires only a rear plate for most registrations, except for B, C, E and G plates (see below). Some older cars still display both front and rear plates. Some early "World of Difference" and Cabot 500 base plates were issued in duplicate for the front and rear.

In 2019 the province announced[5] it would be designing licence plates for electric "green" vehicles.

On Newfoundland licence plates, the first letter (or two letters) designates the registration class of the vehicle. For example, HMT-999 would be assigned to a passenger car, while TZD-019 would be assigned to a trailer.

Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in Canada that does not allow vanity licence plates to be registered.

Vehicle class

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First letter(s) Vehicle type Notes on use/expiration/issue Current/last issue
A Private car Began at AAA-001 in 1982; ended at AZZ-999 on World of Difference base in 1998. Front and rear plates required until 1997. AZZ-999
AA Antique Auto Issued to cars and trucks eligible to be considered antique. Cars must be at least 25 years old to be considered. ‘Antique Auto’ is screened onto the plate on the left of the serial 4433
B Bus BAx for public-use buses, BPx for private-use buses (e.g. tour buses). Front and rear plates required. BAJ-976 BPD-893
C Truck/heavy vehicle Issued to pickup trucks, SUVs and large vans. Began at CAA-001 in 1982; reached CZZ-999 on pitcher plant base in 2017, followed by CA0 001 onwards. Front and rear plates required. CRx indicates large mobile crane units that are generally overwidth and need special permits and escort on public roadways. Some trucks and vans may now be registered as private cars. CL7-999
D Dealer Issued to auto dealers for test driving and transporting cars. DAW-768
E Emergency vehicle Emergency vehicles (fire trucks or police cars) are registered as provincial or municipal, as private ambulance companies operate in NL. Front and rear plates required. Also used by search and rescue vehicles. EAD-692
F Farm vehicle FAx for farm tractors, FEx for farm equipment, FTx for farm trucks that operate on roads. Infrequently issued. FAD-638 FEC-654 FTD-273
FF Fire Fighter Issued to cars and trucks belonging to firefighters. Have the FD crest on the left of the serial. 6163FF
G Government vehicle GMx on municipal vehicles, GPx on provincial, GFx on federal. Front and rear plates required. GMO-320 GPR-292 GFM-154
H Private car Issued as next available letter after 'A' series. Began at HAB-001 on Cabot base in fall of 1996; issued on World of Difference base from 1998; ended at HZZ-999 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013. HZZ-999
J Private car Issued as next available letter after 'H' series. Began at JAA-001 on pitcher plant base in summer of 2013. JUH-002
M Motorcycle Began at MCA-001 in 1982. MEO-723
PR Apportioned Issued to transport trucks. Began at PRP-001 in 1982; reached PRZ-999 on pitcher plant base in 2012, followed by PRA-001 onwards. PRC-228
S Snowmobile Began at SAA-001. These are decals and older ones can also be 12345 format. Used to all be orange text on white but the current decal is black text on white. SMN-942
T Trailer Began at TAA-001 in 1982; jumped from TET-999 to TVT-001 when flag base was introduced in 2001; reached TZZ-999 then jumped back to TEV-001 on pitcher plant base in 2008. TXx reserved for taxi plates. TMJ-999
TX Licensed taxi Supplemented with a municipal taxi licence sticker. TXP-999
W Tow truck Tow trucks display a second plate (in addition to a 'C' series plate). Infrequently issued. WAE-592
X Heavy machinery Issued to tractors, backhoes, forklifts, etc. XAX-203
V (VBC-123) Off-Road Issued to quads and UTVs, VJO-091
VO1 (VO1-XXX) Amateur Radio Issued to Newfoundland Operators, VO1-???
VO2 (VO2-XXX) Amateur Radio Issued to Labrador Operators, VO2-???
V (V1234) Veteran Issued to cars and trucks belonging to military veterans V3223
VA (VA123) Veteran Motorcycle Issued to motorcycles belonging to military veterans VA644

Passenger baseplates

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1925 to 1969

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Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1925 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; vertical "NFLD" and "1925" at left and right respectively none 1234 1001 to approximately 2100
  1926 Embossed black serial on cream plate with border line; vertical "NFLD" and "1926" at left and right respectively none 1234 1001 to approximately 2000
  1927 Embossed white serial on forest green plate with border line; "NFLD 1927" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 2500
  1928 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "NFLD 1928" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 2700
  1929 Embossed white serial on ocean blue plate with border line; "NFLD 1929" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3200
  1930 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-30" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3500
  1931 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-31" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3600
  1932 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-32" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3300
  1933 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-33" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 2800
  1934 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-34" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 3600
  1935 Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-35" at top none 1234 1001 to approximately 3900
  1936 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-36" at bottom none 1234 1001 to approximately 4200
  1937 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; embossed crown graphic at left; "NEWFOUNDLAND-37" at top none 1234 1001 to approximately 4800
  1938 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-38" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 5-100
  1939 Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-39" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 4-900
  1940 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-40" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 5-400
  1941 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-41" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 5-000
  1942 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-42" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 6-500 Reused in 1944 due to metal conservation for World War II.
  1943 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-43" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 6-100
  1944 As 1942 base, but red on black none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 5-700 Repainted and reused 1942 plates.
  1945 Hand-painted white serial on dark green flat metal plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND-45" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 4-700
  1946 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-46" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 6-400
  1947 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-47" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 7-200
  1948 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-48" at bottom none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 8-000
  1949 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-49" at top none 1-234 1-001 to approximately 9-000 Joined Canada
  1950 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-50" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 11-500
  1951 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND 51" at bottom none 12-345 10-001 to approximately 23-500
  1952 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-52" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 19-000
  1953 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-53" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 21-000
  1954 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-54" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 26-500
  1955 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-55" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 28-000
  1956 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-56" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 36-000
  1957 Embossed yellow serial on sky blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-57" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 38-000
  1958 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-58" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 39-000
  1959 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-59" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 43-000
  1960 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-60" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 45-000
  1961 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-61" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 49-000
  1962 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-62" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 55-000
  1963 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-63" at bottom none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 59-000
  1964 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND-64" at top none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 65-000
  1965 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND" and "LABRADOR" centred and top and bottom respectively; "19" at top left and "65" at top right none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 70-000
  1966 Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1966" centred at top and bottom respectively none 12-345 1-001 to approximately 74-000
  1967 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1967" centred at top and bottom respectively "CANADA CENTENNIAL" between serial and year 12-345 1-001 to approximately 79-000
  1968 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" at top; "19" at bottom left and "68" at bottom right "CANADA'S HAPPY PROVINCE" centred at bottom 12-345 1-001 to approximately 87-000
  1969 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1969" centred at top and bottom respectively; embossed blue lightning bolts either side of year "THE MIGHTY CHURCHILL" between serial and year 12-345 1-001 to approximately 88-000

1970 to present

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Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
  1970–72 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1970" centred at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 136-000
  1973–75 Embossed red serial on white plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1973" centred at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 165-000
  1976–82 Embossed blue serial on orange plate; border lines around plate and around bottom corners; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" and "1976" centred at top and bottom respectively none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 259-000
  1982 –
mid
1993
Embossed blue serial on white plate; "NEWFOUNDLAND" and "AND LABRADOR" in red centred at top and bottom respectively none ABC-123 AAA-001 to ASZ-999
  mid
1993 – September 1996
Embossed red serial on white plate; graphic screened at bottom featuring a Viking ship with a red sail against a yellow sunset; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in red at top "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" screened in red below and to right of graphic ABC 123 ATA 001 to AZF 999
  September 1996 – September 1997 Embossed red serial on light blue and white gradient plate; screened red graphic of John Cabot centred at bottom; "Newfoundland & Labrador" screened in blue at top "CABOT" screened in blue to right of graphic, and "Celebrate 500 Years" in black to left ABC 123 HAB 001 to HBC 999 Commemorated the 500th anniversary of Cabot's voyage to Newfoundland.
  September 1997 – October 2001 As 1993–96 base "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" as from 1993 to 1996 ABC 123 AZG 001 to AZZ 999; HBD 001 to HEP 999
  October 2001 – July
2002
Embossed red serial on white plate; screened provincial flag centred slightly below serial; "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CANADA" screened in red below flag none ABC 123 HER 001 to HFO 999
  July
2002 – September 2003
As above, but with "NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR" centred at top, and "CANADA" increased in size HFP 001 to HGZ 999
  September 2003 – April
2007
As above, but with flag graphic revised and increased in size, "Newfoundland & Labrador" at top, and "CANADA" removed HHA 001 to HMT 999
  April 2007 – December 2021

June 2023 – Present

Embossed blue serial on white plate; screened provincial wordmark centred at bottom, consisting of a pitcher plant with "Newfoundland" and "Labrador" in blue below none ABC 123 HMV 001 to JTW 999 (as of June 28, 2024)[6]
  January 2022 – c. June 2023 Embossed blue serial on white and teal gradient plate; screened blue graphic of a whale; screened red provincial word mark on top; screened red “COME HOME 2022” on bottom "COME HOME 2022" screened in red bottom centre ABC 123 JRA 001 to JTC 999 Commemorated the 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Come Home Year.
  January 2024 Embossed black serial on white plate; screened blue and gray graphics of sections of the NL flag; screened red half maple leaf; screened blue “1949 - 2024” on bottom separated by a gold dash; screened provincial wordmark with pitcher plant on top; screened 75 middle "1949 - 2024 75" screened in bottom & centre ABC 123 JUA 001 to JVV 999 Commemorated the 75th anniversary of Canadian confederation.

Green vehicle plates

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Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Notes
  TBD Embossed green serial on white plate with; "NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR" logo centred at bottom. none ABC 123 In November 2019, the Newfoundland and Labrador government announced a prototype design for a Green vehicle licence plate.[7] Premier Dwight Ball made the announcement at the Drive Electric NL Electric Vehicle Showcase. As of 2023, this plate design has not yet been made available; electric vehicles simply use plates from the main series.

Commercial baseplates

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Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
  Commercial 1982–95 As 1982 passenger base CBC-123 CAA-001 to
CHV-999
  1995–96 As World of Difference passenger base CBC 123 CHW 001 to CJH 999
  1996–97 As Cabot passenger base CKL 001 to CKR 999
  1997–
2003
As World of Difference passenger base CJJ 001 to CKK 999; CKS 001 to CMS 999
  2003–04 As 2001 flag passenger base CMT 001 to CNE 999
  2004–07 As 2003 flag passenger base CNF 001 to COS 999
  2007–17 As pitcher plant passenger base COT 001 to CZZ 999 Series CRA through CRZ reserved for mobile crane units.
2017–present CB1 234 CA0 001 to CE8 182 (as of December 30, 2020)
  PRP As pitcher plant passenger base PRA 123
  Bus 1997-2001 As World of Difference passenger base BAB 123
  2007–present As pitcher plant passenger base
  Private Bus 1997-2001 As World of Difference passenger base BPA 123
  2007–present As pitcher plant passenger base
  Farm Truck As pitcher plant passenger base FTA 123
  Farm Equipment As pitcher plant passenger base FEA 123

Non-passenger plates

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Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
  Antique As pitcher plant passenger base; "ANTIQUE AUTO" on left side 1234
  ATV ABC 123
  Motorcycle 1982–
2004
Similar design to 1982 passenger base; debossed sticker box at bottom left M/C A-123 M/C A-001 to M/C X-999
  2004–07 Embossed red serial on white plate; border lines around plate and around sticker box at bottom left; "NEWFOUNDLAND" at top; "& LABRADOR" at bottom right MBC-123 MDA-001 to
MDE-999
  2007–
present
Similar design to pitcher plant passenger base; debossed sticker box at bottom left MDF-001 to
MEK-031 (as of June 28, 2019)
  Snow vehicle ABC 123
  Trailer 1982–94 As 1982 passenger base TBC-123 TAA-001 to
TDE-999
  1994–96 As World of Difference passenger base TBC 123 TDF 001 to TDR 999
  1996–97 As Cabot passenger base TDS 001 to TDX 999
  1997–2001 As World of Difference passenger base TDZ 001 to TET 999
  2001–02 As 2001 flag passenger base TVT 001 to TVV 999
  2002–03 As 2002 flag passenger base TVW 001 to TWE 999
  2003–07 As 2003 flag passenger base TWF 001 to TWZ 999; TZA 001 to TZC 999
  2007–present As pitcher plant passenger base TZD 001 to TZZ 999;
TEV 001 to TLD 004 (as of September 13, 2020)
  Emergency Vehicle 1997–2001 As World of Difference passenger base EAB 123
  2007–present As pitcher plant passenger base

Government plates

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Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
  Federal government As pitcher plant passenger base GFA 123
  Provincial government As pitcher plant passenger base GPA 123
  Municipal government As pitcher plant passenger base GMA 123

Specialty plates

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Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
  Veteran As pitcher plant passenger base; "VETERAN" at top, poppy on left. V1234
  Veteran Motorcycle As pitcher plant passenger base; "VETERAN" at top, poppy on left. VA123

References

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  1. ^ Drost, Philip (April 19, 2018). "Peel... in this place: Why thousands of licence plates are being recalled". CBC News. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  2. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. ^ Tanner, Eric N. "Newfoundland and Labrador Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "VO Plates". Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  5. ^ "Provincial Government Highlights Prototype of Electric Vehicle Licence Plates". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  6. ^ "NL Pitcher Plant Series History". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  7. ^ "Provincial Government Highlights Prototype of Electric Vehicle Licence Plates". Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
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