Nevada License Plates

Reporter "John Doe" advises that the last digit changes slower than the first four digits. For example, if 123-4B5 were rearranged into a conventional odometer-like sequence, it would read B51-234.

Per Scott Broady, this appears to be a continuation of the 000•ZAA series, as those ran out in early 2024. Per MYOB, this series began around 49H•000.

When the ZAA series began to appear in early 2011, it was reported to us that the Z series was being introduced as the new Dealer plate, however, that report seems to have been incorrect. Regular Pass. plates were around XJA at the time, so the Z series was way out of sequence. Only ZAA through ZCC have been reported to us. 003·ZCC is the high reported by Michael Smith on 2016-02-08. Z series plates changed back to embossed late in the ZBG series.

We now have a partial answer from the Nevada DMV about the Z series. Those plates are part of a "special program." No details were given. The odd part is that even the holders of Z series plates have not been told why they received them, or what the significance of them is.

Now we have this information from Michael Smith regarding the Z series: The "choose to receive new license plates" referred to below are the Z series.

Customers (of dealers) can choose to receive new license plates or to transfer their current license plates and use applicable credits. The registration certificate, decal and license plates (if any) are mailed to the new owner.

The latest change is from flats to embossed with different dies and the state shape in the middle.  As noted, these plates came into use in July, 2015. Flat high:  53B nnn Embossed low:  65B 013 Having issued all of the A series through 999·AZZ, the issue progressed to the new format of 00A·000, which will run through 99Z·999.  After 99Z 999, the next series will be 000 A00-999 Z99. Plate production moved out of state prison to a new facility on 7/13/15. With the move plates will return to embossed print instead of flat. Series low:  00A·017  2015-08-15  Michael Smith The A series followed part of the L series, which followed the Y series.  (See below) The 1982 blue base went through at least ANM, so it is likely the current issue started at ANP, but the lowest reported so far has been ANU. The current base began in January, 2001, replacing the previous base by the end of that year.  Plates were embossed through late 2006 when flat plates were introduced. Series began at 001·MAA (but see note at bottom since L series plates are now being issued as of June 2013.) Embossed high:  836·TUM Flat low:  nnn·TUP Jayson Elliot reports 833·TUR and 445·TUU embossed, so there seems to have been some flipping back and forth between embossed and flats. Tony Mahoney reports a TUT embossed and a TUV flat. Although the series began at MAA, there are lower plates on the road because the owners kept their old numbers from the previous base. Note:  When the ZAA series began to appear in early 2011, it was reported to us that the Z series was being introduced as the new Dealer plate, however, that report seems to have been incorrect.  Regular Pass. plates were around XJA at the time, so the Z series was way out of sequence.  Only ZAA through ZCC have been reported to us.  003·ZCC is the high reported by Michael Smith on 2016-02-08.  Z series plates changed back to embossed late in the ZBG series. We now have a partial answer from the Nevada DMV about the Z series.  Those plates are part of a "special program."  No details were given.  The odd part is that even the holders of Z series plates have not been told why they received them, or what the significance of them is. Now we have this information from Michael Smith regarding the Z series:  The "choose to receive new license plates" referred to below are the Z series. Customers (of dealers) can choose to receive new license plates or to transfer their current license plates and use applicable credits. The registration certificate, decal and license plates (if any) are mailed to the new owner. This inquiry also yielded some other information.  Upon reaching 999·YZZ, Nevada will remain in 6 character plates by doing as Virginia did at one time issuing plates with the letters I, O, and Q.  However, it appears  that Nevada is holding off with the I. O, and Q plates temporarily because the latest plates issued after the end of the Y series have been in the L series.  Johnathan Baker reports that after reaching upon YZZ, apparently they decided to continue where they left off on the L series, so they might have started LDE since LDD was where they left off on the 1986 base. Y series high:  396·YZZ  2014-08-27  Michael Smith L series high:  997·LZZ  2014-10-18  Michael Smith A series low:  4nn·ANU  2015-03-11  Andy DeCeunynck

Number 0914 was reported in the same location by Eric Sivertsen on both Classic Rod and Street Rod plates, both on classic Porsche 914s. What is the difference between a Classic Rod and a Street Rod in Nevada, especially when both plates can appear on the same model car? If you know, please tell us!

Flat

Series went from 0001-9999, then 001-999, and now to 000A-999Z. Letter in last position as not to interfere with previously issued clark county plates from the 70's that were CVx nnn.

From Michael Smith: There has been a dramatic increase in classic rod and classic vehicle plates over the last 2 years because vehicles with these plates are exempt from the yearly smog check. So vehicles that are over 20 years old and otherwise couldn't pass the test get around the law this way.

D 7350 W spotted on a trailer.

Flat

Wheelchair symbol precedes number

Progressed to A0001 after 99999.

Embossed high: 79720

Flat low: 82120

New series with sunset graphic is now appearing in the six digit numeric style with leading zeroes.

While plates were in the 200000 series, there was a jump to the 900000 block. It is possible that the 900000 series is equivalent to the Z series for Pass.

900000 series high: 900065 2015-03-16 Michael Smith

Earlier series began as all numeric. After reaching 99999, the next series was 0A000 - 9Z999, then 00A00 - and up. Floating letter moved right as combinations in each digit ran out.

This plate (as well as the previous version) is also used on small trailers.

Jayson Elliot reports 033442 as flat, but higher plates, such as 034861, have been embossed.

Issued only by the Motor Carrier Division to full and semi-trailers that are part of a commercial fleet. The permanent registration had a one-time fee of $115 in 2024 and is valid for as long as the company or person owns the trailer. All-flat blue on white PT plates debuted in 2014-15 while newer plates since 2020 are blue on white embossed aluminum with 3M High Definition sheeting, printed "TRAILER" along bottom, embossed stacked P/T at right and printed "PERM" top right corner.

Street Rod preceeds the numbers.

See notes for Classic Rod.

As of 2015, temporary tags (AKA "Movement Permits") now have a printed number on a paper tag instead of the old handwritten expiration date.

This series started in the 1980s using suffix letters F, G, H, J, K, L, M, S, U, V, W, X and Y. I, O and Q skipped because Nevada does not use those letters, N used on 1989 125th anniversary plate, P and R reserved for trucks and T was used on previous trailer plates.

Now flat

This plate has always been flat.

S/N stands for "Spay & Neuter."

S/N 0001 reported as a low by Eric Sivertsen.

This plate is flat. Supports education and construction through the Nevada Airport Managers Association.

Note: This plate has been discontinued for failing to meet minimum standards. Current plate holders are not required to surrender the plates as long as the plates are used on a vehicle continuously. Plates may be transferred to a new vehicle but not to another person.

Issued from 5/31/05 to 12/31/06.

Proceeds from the sale of this plate benefit fallenheroesfund.org, which honors fallen military personnel and provides assistance for injured service members and their families.

Flat

This plate was embossed until around A/R 8200. The highest reported embossed is A/R 8107.

Series went from 9999 to A000

Supports the Citizenship Project in Las Vegas. The plate has always been flat.

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Supports wetlands conservation efforts by the Nevada Waterfowl Association. This plate has always been flat.

Note: This plate has been discontinued for failing to meet minimum standards. Current plate holders are not required to surrender the plates as long as the plates are used on a vehicle continuously. Plates may be transferred to a new vehicle but not to another person.

Issued from 8/1/05 to 12/31/06.

Flat

B/C stands for Boulder City, the sponsor of the plate.

Supports childrens charities operated by the Hot August Nights car enthusiast club in Reno. This plate has always been flat.

Flat

Jayson Elliot reports LT31791 highest embossed and LT31800 as the lowest flat seen so far.

Progression:

L/V 0000 - L/V 9999

L/V A000 - L/V Z999

L/V 000A - L/V 999Z

L/V 0A00 - L/V 9Z99

L/V 00A0 - L/V 99Z9

L/V AA00 - L/V ZZ99

L/V A0A0 - L/V Z9Z9

These plates were embossed from the start through L/V 999D in the third series. Flat plates began at L/V 000E with a much smaller font, which was apparently unpopular with the MVD because L/V 000F through L/V 999F plates were back to the embossed style. Flat plates returned with L/V 000G through L/V 999Z, and continued in next series. Thanks to John Walters for this information.

Now flat

This plate has been discontinued due to inadequate number of plates sold.

Originally issued with horizontal MX prefix, but stacked M/X since #1700.

This type was originally embossed, but has been flat since around M/X 7100.

After M/X9999 was reached switched to M/X A000.

Originally embossed, now flat

Supports the natural environment of the Mount Charleston area through grants administered by the Nevada Division of State Lands.

This plate has always been flat.

Note: This plate has been discontinued for failing to meet minimum standards. Current plate holders are not required to surrender the plates as long as the plates are used on a vehicle continuously. Plates may be transferred to a new vehicle but not to another person.

Issued from 6/18/05 to 12/31/06.

This plate has always been flat.

Note: This plate has been discontinued for failing to meet minimum standards. Current plate holders are not required to surrender the plates as long as the plates are used on a vehicle continuously. Plates may be transferred to a new vehicle but not to another person.

Issued from 6/27/05 to 12/31/07.

Now flat

Flat

This plate has been discontinued due to inadequate number of plates sold.

Originally embossed, now flat.

Progression notes from Jayson Elliot - 123, A12, 12A, 1A2, 1234, 123, and A12 are only embossed, 1A2 and 1234 are only flat, and 12A is mostly embossed (high is 19P) with some flat (low is 61S). After 9Z9 added fourth digit starting at 0000.

Flat

This plate has always been flat.

Flat

Series went from 9999 - A000

Flat except for embossed registration characters.

Available from 2013-07-29 to 2016-10-31.

These plates are being made in Oregon by Irwin-Hodson.

After 9999 went to A000-Z999.

This plate has always been flat.

Thunderbirds a.k.a. as Star Dusters (S/D)

No longer issued.

Series progressed 0001-9999 then A000-Z999 and now 000A-999Z.

This plate has always been flat. It used smaller, harder to read flat numbers through U/S 5999, then used larger versions for U/S 6000 and up.

Low: U/S 0015 (same person also has U/S 0003)

The old version was a rebel on a white base. It was issued from 1993 to March 2010 and it's still a valid plate.

Originally embossed, now flat.

The old version was a large blue N on a white base. It was issued from 1993 to September 2011 and it's still valid.

Virginia & Truckee Railroad

This plate is still embossed.

Embossed

Now flat

On regular passenger base with DISABLED VETERAN stacked to the left of the numbers.

Handicap symbol has been added to right side of plate.

After 9999 went to three digits, 000-999. Then to A000-Z999

Embossed

After 9999, series went to A001.

White text on blue background, always flat. A white wild horse and several wild burros illustration is on the left, with "Wild & Free" on the bottom. Discontinued early 2022.

Issued January 1984 through 2000.