Massachusetts License Plates
Two bases are in use, in various formats. In all cases, the trailing numeral is keyed to the expiration month (0 for October, and 1 through 9 for January through September). No passenger plates expire in November or December.Order of Progression: Each format below has its own rules of sequence. A numeral indicates that position's order, while "#" is a placeholder for the month. For example, in the green/white 000·AAA series, the order of progression would be 21#·543 (the numbers increment first, right to left, and then the letters increment right to left).
Month abbreviations on the Spirit of America base were originally embossed, but have been screened since 2009.
Green/White Base
The all-embossed, sloganless green/white base was issued as a single plate from 1979 to 1993, initially in an all-numeric 000·000 format, followed by a 000·AAA format from AAA through VZZ. Existing plates remain eligible for renewal.
“Spirit of America” First Format: 000·AAA
Order of Progression: 21#·543 with the first alpha descending Z through W.
The Spirit of America base (1993-present) is issued in pairs. The original format was 000·AAA (using WAA through ZZZ).
2nd Format: 0000 AA
Order of Progression: 321# 54
Once the 000·AAA format was exhausted, it was followed by the 0000 AA format. The dot separator was removed at that time and has not returned. This format was current (in all months) when we began tracking highs in 2000.
3rd Format: 00A A00
Order of Progression: 214 35#
This format started November 1, 2001 for October and spread to the other months as needed. At least three distinct discrepancies have been observed within this format:
- When the June high was still in the first series, which would have had the plate ending in 06, a mysterious 46 was reported. The 16, 26, and 36 series should have been issued before any 46 plates could appear. No explanation has been given for this large jump.
- When July plates were still in the second series with the 17 suffix, a 97 suffix was reported.
- With July in the fourth series with the 37 suffix, a 77 suffix appeared. Again, no explanation has been found.
4th Format: 000 AA0
Order of Progression: 321 54#
This format began as each month exhausted its 00A A00 series (e.g., 99Z Z90 for October). I, O, Q, and U were not used. Thanks to Rich Bell for this information.
5th Format: 0AA 000
Order of Progression: 543 21#
6th Format: 0AAA 00
Order of Progression: 5432 1#
Some spacing irregularities have been observed.
7th Format: 00A 000
Order of Progression: 543 21#
Hitherto seen only on October plates. October tends to keep ahead of other months because October expirations are issued throughout each November, and December, and January. Thanks to Samson Morgan for this tip.
8th Format: 000 A00
Order of Progression: 543 21#
Hitherto seen only on October plates.
Anomalies
On April 5, 2007, Tom Castelli reported 668·953 on a Spirit plate, stickered to 3/09. This should be on a green/white plate, and RMV rules prohibit remaking a green/white number on the Spirit base. We speculated at the time that the RMV could be recycling dormant plate numbers, but this does not seem to have been the case.
Similarly, Jim McCarron reported 194·MSP on a pair of Spirit plates stickered with an '11 expiration, on August 20, 2009.
Stickers
11 - black on yellow
12 - black on green
13 - black on red
14 - black on blue
15 - black on orange
16 - black on yellow
17 - black on green
