
Standard Passenger Plates
Passenger
K89-VMEDavid Adamsbaum - Jan 24 β25
New Jersey passenger plates changed from embossed to flat by A10-EFF in April 2014. The FQ- suffix series was later skipped. The last embossed plate was possibly T99-EEK, highest embossed observation R40-EEK. No suffixes between EEL and EFE have been observed and there was no overlap between the embossed and flat plates.
After reaching ZZZ-99Z in 2010, the numbering format changed to A10-AAA. Letters T and X are being used in the first position (i.e. T10-AAA and X10-AAA), but they do not conflict with Trailer or Commercial plates.
2010+ current format low: A27-AAA 2011-04-15 Jim Moini, Prior format high: ZZZ-86Z 2011-08-01 Brad Harding
There were some notable letter gaps in New Jersey passenger plates in 2009-10:
Pre-jump high: W74-ASP 2011-04-02 Dave Mackey, Jump low: C14-AUF 2010-11-24 Ed Angiolillo
YYH-prefix plate was spotted around 2009 when YND was high.
Passenger plates jumped from the Sxx to the Uxx prefixes in 2005 as the Txx-prefix series was used for TRAILER plates from 2004-22.
Simon observed blue passenger plate UVT-83G on 2006-05-08.
New Jersey stopped issuing new passenger license plate stickers around RVA-prefix series on October 1, 2004 and ceased for renewals as of Jan. 1, 2005.
Plate sticker boxes were dropped in 2006 during the late Vxx series yet reappeared in 2008 during the Y-- series (YBX or YBZ). There was no clean break as to exactly where they were dropped. VYX, VZS and VZT series plates have been observed with and without boxes. Thanks to Jeff Fazekas, Jim Moini and Dave Mackey.
New Jersey passenger license plates since 1992 have used 3M reflective sheeting except for a brief period from 2002-04 when Avery sheeting was used.
2004+ current 3M low PXS-prefix, more pronounced bottom border, standard middle 3M holograms.
Avery high PXL, Avery low LHM-76M
Original 3M high LGL-83P (state name in slightly larger font since LGX series)
Thanks to Wally Punzmann, Clark Wothe, Jeff Ellis and Bobby Pressimone.
Non-passenger Plates
Ambulance
OA-215AAmbulanceAndrew Persaud - Sep 5 β24
Flat with "Ambulance" along bottom.
OA-9999 reached, series moved to OA-123A in 2024.
Apportioned
AZ-582MAPPORTIONEDBrett Weisbrot - Jan 23 β25
Starting at AS-100A, Apportioned plates are FLAT.
Commercial
XTU-E88COMMERCIALBrett Weisbrot - Jan 8 β25
Formats:
X-9999Z
XA-100A
XAA-A10
Kevin Gallagher spotted a low of XAA-A11 in the current format.
It appears that the change to flat plates began with the XCW series.
Embossed high: XCV series
Flat low: XCW-V85 2015-07-14 Andrew Persaud
Commuter Van
CV14302COMMUTER VANJacco Hoekstra - Sep 19 β18
County Government
CG-3ECECOUNTY GOVTQuinn Iuliano - Aug 19 β24
2012+ current format is CG prefix, divider, number and three letters
Frank Khan believes the seven digit format is not issued concurrently with the six digit format. The seven digit format was originally issued around 1992, and went from CG10000 to around CG21000. Issuance of that series should have stopped a long time ago.
High: CG21007 2012-09-29 Dave Mackey
Disabled
Quinn Iuliano - Jan 9 β25
Flat
Flat plates probably started at H/Z 9000. And the H/A suffix was apparently skipped (went from H/Z 9999 to 1000 H/B.)
Earlier info:
Still with sticker boxes through H/U, but it appears sticker boxes were dropped starting at H/V 1000.
Embossed high: H/Z 8012
Flat low: H/Z 9901
Equipment In Transit
24-4-KEEQUIP IN TRANSITArmand Doreau - Feb 16 β24
The middle number is a small "suffix" number between 1 and 5. Progression is 10 AA, 11 AA... 99 AA, 10 AB... 99 AZ, 10 BA...
Farmer
XZZ-96DFARMERPatrick Quinn - Dec 15 β24
Highway Authority
HA-A774Frank Khan - Nov 3 β15
These are on official vehicles that patrol the Garden State Parkway (help stranded motorists, etc.) Bottom of plate still reads Garden State.
There was a block of 100 plates in the HA- series, HA-701 through -800, that were assigned to State Police cruisers on the GSP. Most of these cars have since been replated, but some still use HA, some have TPA, and some just regular Passenger. All should have TPA eventually.
Historic
78272QQHISTORIC
David Adamsbaum - Feb 4 β25
Series has reversed from QQ prefix to QQ suffix.
Sticker boxes used through at least 32555QQ.
No sticker boxes on 34747QQ.
Hotel Bus
OH-2903Hotel BusJim Moini - May 4 β18
Jitney
OJ-1155JitneyChris Scott - Aug 2 β18
A jitney is known as a dollar van, a privately owned type of bus service.
Limousine
OL9950KLIMOUSINEQuinn Iuliano - Jan 18 β25
Low Speed Vehicle
12008LS
VLow Speed Vehicle
Quinn Iuliano - Aug 18 β24
L/S/V is screened diagonally to the left of the serial, and "Low Speed Vehicle" legend is screened bottom center.
Mobility Assistance Vehicle
OM-6347Mobility Assistance VehicleSamson Morgan - Jan 10 β24
Moped
9F9D1MOPEDDave Mackey - Aug 17 β09
Formerly Blue on silver
Motorcycle
5VXL8MOTORCYCLEQuinn Iuliano - Oct 30 β24
Now flat MC base no longer has sticker boxes with serial centered on plate. Upon reaching 9999Z, the format changed to A000A. Β Upon reaching Z999Z, it changed to 1AAA1. Β Progression: 1AAA1 to 1ZZZ9, then 2AAA1, etc. New Jersey has reached 9999Z for motorcycle plates, and has started issuing plates in the A000A format again. This format was used years ago, and was dropped in 1994 at N999Z. The new plates started at P100A. Β The R, S, and T series were skipped. Somewhere in the xxxxV, the "MOTORCYCLE" caption changed from embossed to screened, but the plate numbers are still embossed. Β Some other M/C types (such as DEALER) still have embossed captions. Motorcycle Handicapped Β - Β A349 Β 2009-05-25 Β Dave Mackey Historic Motorcycle - Q4814 Β 2009-08-18 Β Dave Mackey Commercial Motorcycle - XG161 Β 2009-09-21 Β Bob Mackey Plate has COMM CYCLE screened on bottom.
Municipal Government
53019MGMUNICIPALSophie Altimari - Apr 15 β24
After MG99999, series flipped to 10000MG.
No Fee (Exempt)
NF40017Sophie Altimari - Apr 15 β24
No sticker boxes on the current high.
Embossed high: NF36531
Flat low: NF36619
Non-Conv Dlr
DN-54605NON-CONV.-DLRDave Mackey - May 27 β09
Omnibus
OYB8937OMNIBUSTom Rodda - Sep 20 β24
Series started with OXV1000 when changeover to "Black On Straw" plates began.
Omnibus 2
O2-9459Omnibus 2Lucas Kannou - May 2 β23
Paratransit
OP-676DParatransitSamson Morgan - Jan 10 β24
Physician
MD-7259PHYSICIANQuinn Iuliano - Jan 16 β25
Now flat
From Jim Moini: The MD series went from MD-A100 to MD-Z999, and then in the late 1980's, started again at MD-1000 (on the blue base).
School Vehicle I
S1-4276SCHOOL VEH ITyler Elg - Nov 4 β24
Series just flipped from S1-Z999 to A100-S1.
Progression:
Last series used S1 as a prefix.
Previous format used S1 as a suffix.
Z999-S1 was reached in June 2023 and the new series started at S1-1000.
School Vehicle II
G405-S2SCHOOL VEH IIAndrew Persaud - Sep 10 β24
School Vehicle II is for less than 16 passengers. Previous format used S2 as a suffix.
State Government
SG41602STATE GOVTHeriberto Tapia - Sep 30 β22
State Govt Trans Dept
TD31114STATE GOVTSophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
Caption on plate is STATE GOVT, but this type with the TD prefix is for the Transportation Dept.
It appears that the progression of these was TD10000 - TD11999, then they skipped to TD16000.
In early 2021 numbers jumped again from the middle of the TD18000 series to TD30000.
State Police
SPA513BSTATE POLICESophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
See listing below for Turnpike Authority regarding State Police cruisers used on the Garden State Parkway.
Taxicab
OT-706LTaxicabQuinn Iuliano - Aug 29 β24
Flat
"Taxi Cab" on bottom.
Temporary
C844698
Quinn Iuliano - Feb 1 β25
New style Temporary, mounted where the rear plate is, with the standard "New Jersey" (same font as regular plates) across the top. Expiration date is pre-printed, not hand written as in the past.
Back window temps no longer issued as of 7/1/2012.
The series advanced from F to H, skipping G, then to J, skipping I. Β Series then skipped from J to L, skipping K.
New Jersey has been known for odd jumps in recent years, and one occurred with Temporary plates in early 2015. Β We have a high of J873263 reported on 2015-02-09 by Andrew Persaud, but everything else was in the J200000 range at the time. Β We also had J666606 reported by Chris Scott on 2015-02-01. Β However, all recent reports have been back in the more sequential J300000 range, so we will continue to report what is still showing up sequentially.
Temporary - Non-Resident
100126V
Michael Gilliland - Feb 1 β25
Resident and Non-resident Temp tags are issued in Arial font.
Trailer
X74-TBZTRAILERBrett Weisbrot - Jan 15 β25
Now flat
Sticker boxes still on corners of plate.
Embossed high: TNL series
Flat low: TNN-55D (TNM not seen yet)
A00-TAA after TAA-A00
Turnpike Authority
TPA2088Dave Mackey - Jun 10 β10
State Police cruisers on the Garden State Parkway are now being issued license plates from TPA1101 to TPA1200 with the last three digits corresponding to the number of the cruiser (101-200). Previously they had civilian plates, but most famously the HA-A701 to HA-A800 series which were among the very first black-on-goldfinch yellow plates NJ issued in 1992.
Colin MG reports TP-A858 on 2014-01-18.
Used Car Dealer
DXU-78 02USED CAR DLRGlen Doughney - Jan 30 β25
Flat
Dave Mackey reports an unusual format of 45 DMF 03 on this type.
Specialty Plates
Agriculture
Quinn Iuliano - Feb 2 β25
Format has reversed from G/S 9999 to 1000 G/S.
Animal Friendly
Quinn Iuliano - Sep 23 β24
Plate has featured a different graphic since about 10EA. The current high has sticker boxes. I/M nnSx and I/M nnTx series skipped.
Old base high: I/M 52CZ
After I/M 99ZZ, switched to I/M AA01.
Battleship
Quinn Iuliano - Jan 11 β25
Battleship with #62 on left side of plate. Probably started w/ B/B1000-9999, then 1000B/B-9999B/B, then B/B10AA, up.
Baymen's Heritage
Sophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
Civil Air Patrol
Brett Weisbrot - Nov 25 β21
Discover NJ History
Brett Weisbrot - Feb 25 β24
Donate Life
Sophie Altimari - Apr 15 β24
Flat plates began being issued in 2018 starting at 1000 D/L.
EMT A
Metehan Erdogan - Aug 9 β24
EM stacked on left with shield, EMT A on bottom. Flat as of E/M 3027.
Fallen Law Enforcement
Quinn Iuliano - Aug 20 β24
Plate says "Price of Honor" at bottom. Progression: L/E 1000 to L/E 9999, then 1000 L/E to 9999 L/E, then L/E 10AA to L/E 99ZZ, now BA10L/E.
Embossed High: KV79 LE
Flat Low: LP13 L/E
Firefighter
7L N7Quinn Iuliano - Dec 14 β24
The original 1A A1 format was abandoned in the middle of its run before being switched to the A1 1A format. After Z9 9Z was reached, the original format picked up where it left off, probably at 1E A1.
Firefighter (NJPFA/IAFF)
Sophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
This plate denotes membership in the NJ Professional Firefighter's Association/IAFF and is different from the standard issue "Firefighter" plates.
Fraternal Order Of Police
Sophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
Freemason
Brett Weisbrot - Feb 25 β24
Liberty State Park
Patty Bacon - Sep 21 β24
After reaching L/S 9999, this series flipped to 1000 L/S.
Meadowlands
Quinn Iuliano - Jan 23 β25
New Jersey Police Foundation
Sophie Altimari - Feb 15 β24
Flat
"NJPF Safe Cop" bottom center
New York Press
2659Quinn Iuliano - Jan 9 β25
Newark Firefighters
Jim Moini - Apr 14 β14
Olympic Spirit
Sophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
First with a U/S prefix, now with it as a suffix.
Operating Engineer
Brett Weisbrot - Jan 14 β23
Pinelands
Sophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
P/L 10AA followed P/L 9999.
Police Dept. - Honor Legion
Jim Moini - Jun 23 β12
Rutgers University
Andrew Persaud - Oct 22 β24
Shore to Please
Dan Duffy - May 15 β24
Prefixes used: SA, SC, SE, SF, SJ, SK, SL, SN, SR, SU, SV. SP was skipped.
Sports
Quinn Iuliano - Jan 28 β25
New Special Plate - Multiple sports organizations are using this common format. (New York Yankees, Phillies, Mets)
Normal NJ Yellow, no boxes, flat black letters instead of embossed.
State F.M.B.A.
Dave Mackey - May 8 β13
Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association
State P.B.A.
Sophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
Now flat
NJ State Patrolman's Benevolent Association
P/B9999 was reached by the end of 2018, and the series flipped to 1000P/B
Treasure Our Trees
Quinn Iuliano - Oct 30 β24
W/E 100A followed W/E 9999.
Treasure Our Trees (Commercial) - X/A 250 W/E 2013-08-01 Jim Moini
Sticker boxes have been eliminated from this type.
United We Stand
Quinn Iuliano - Oct 30 β24
Original format was U/W 1000, then 1000 U/W, now U/W 10BA.
University of Delaware
Dave Mackey - Jul 10 β11
Wildlife - Bald Eagle
Sophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
This type started in 1997. Original series was W/C 000A. After reaching W/C 999Z, the series reversed to A000 W/C.
Wildlife - Woodpecker
Sophie Altimari - Feb 14 β24
This type started in 1993.
The series is discontinued and the last issued plate is C/W99FZ.
Military and Veteran Plates
Combat Veteran
David Adamsbaum - Nov 28 β24
Disabled American Veterans
Chris Scott - Mar 24 β20
Disabled Veteran
DV-6629DISABLED VETBrett Weisbrot - Aug 29 β21
Gold Star Family
Brett Weisbrot - Apr 29 β23
Flat
Marines/Leatherneck
Dave Mackey - Nov 7 β10
National Guard
Brett Weisbrot - Mar 27 β22
Army Guard and Air Guard seem to draw from the same series, although they are differentiated on the plates themselves.
P.O.W.
P1920Dave Mackey - Aug 3 β12
Purple Heart
Brett Weisbrot - Feb 25 β24
Now flat
Plate features a purple heart on the left; bottom line reads "Combat Wounded"
Silver Star
Dave Mackey - Feb 3 β10
VFW of the US
Jim Moini - Jul 7 β12