Vehicle registration plates of Washington, D.C.

Last updated

Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. license plate, 2017.png
Current series
SloganEnd Taxation Without Representation
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatAB 1234
IntroducedAugust 2017 (2017-08)
Availability
Issued by District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedOctober 1, 1907 (1907-10-01)

The U.S. federal district of Washington, D.C., first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1907, when the district began to issue plates. [1] Plates are issued by the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV). Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Contents

Passenger baseplates

1907 to 1966

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 first Washington, D.C. license plate that complied with these standards was issued three years beforehand, in 1953 (dated March 31, 1954).

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1907–17White serial on black porcelain plate; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" at topnone123451 to approximately 65000, with gapsSome serial blocks believed to be reserved for motorcycles. [3]
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1918Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "DC 18" at rightnone12-3451 to approximately 38-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1919Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "D.C. 1919" at rightnone12-3451 to approximately 46-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1920Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "D.C. 1920" at rightnone12-3451 to approximately 55-000
1921 DC license plate.jpg 1921Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "D.C. 1921" at rightnone12-3451 to approximately 67-500
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1922Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "D.C. 1922" at rightnone12-3451 to approximately 80-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1923Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; "D.C. 1923" at rightnone123-4561 to approximately 112-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1924Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "DIST. COL. 1924" centered at topnone12-3451 to approximately 91-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1925Embossed white serial on dark gray plate with border line; "DIST. COL. 1925" centered at topnone123-4561 to approximately 114-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1926Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "DIST. COL. 1926" centered at topnone123-4561 to approximately 112-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1927Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "DIST. COL. 1927" centered at topnoneA-1234E-1 to approximately V-1000Letters A, B, C, D, H and R used on non-passenger vehicles. This practice continued through 1934. [4]
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1928Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1928" at bottomnoneA-1234E-1 to approximately W-9000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1929Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1929" at bottomnoneA-1234E-1 to approximately Z-8000
1930 District of Columbia.jpg 1930As 1928 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1930" at bottomnoneA-1234E-1 to approximately Y-3000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1931As 1929 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1931" at bottomnoneA-1234E-1 to approximately Z-3000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1932As 1928 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1932" at bottomnoneA-1234E-1 to approximately W-1000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1933As 1929 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1933" at bottomnoneA-1234E-1 to approximately X-4000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1934As 1928 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1934" at bottomnoneA-1234E-1 to approximately X-3000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1935Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - 1935" at bottomnone123-45657-001 to approximately 191-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1936Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "1936" centered at top and bottom respectivelynone123-45654-001 to approximately 202-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1937Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "1937" centered at top and bottom respectivelynone123-45646-001 to approximately 193-000
1938 District of Columbia license plate.jpg 1938Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "1938" and "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at top and bottom respectivelynone123-45646-001 to approximately 182-000
1939 District of Columbia license plate.jpg January 1, 1939 – February 29, 1940Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "EX-2-29-40" centered at top and bottom respectivelynone123-45646-001 to approximately 174-000
1940 District of Columbia license plate.jpg March 1, 1940 – March 31, 1941Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "EX-3-31-41" centered at top and bottom respectivelynone123-45652-000 to approximately 182-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1941 – March 31, 1942Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "EX-3-31-42" and "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at top and bottom respectivelynone123-45646-001 to approximately 183-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
April 1, 1942 – March 31, 1945As 1940–41 base, but with "EX-3-31-43" at bottomnone123-45652-001 to approximately 216-000Revalidated through March 31, 1944, with black tabs, then through March 31, 1945, with white tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1945 – March 31, 1946As 1941–42 base, but with "EX-3-31-46" at topnone123-45645-001 to approximately 136-000Only rear plates issued due to ongoing metal shortage.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
April 1, 1946 – March 31, 1948As 1940–41 base, but with "EX-3-31-47" at bottomnone123-45650-001 to approximately 181-000Revalidated through March 31, 1948, with white tabs.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1948 – March 31, 1949Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "19 D.C. 48" at topnone12341 to 9999Letters B, C, D, H, L, M, R and T used on non-passenger vehicles. This practice continued through March 31, 1955. [4]
1-23451-1000 to
9-9999
A-1234A-1 to approximately N-1000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1949 – March 31, 1950Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "19 D.C. 49" at bottomnone12341 to 9999
1-23451-1000 to
9-9999
A-1234A-1 to approximately P-7000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1950 – March 31, 1951Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 D.C. 50" at bottomnone12341 to 9999
1-23451-1000 to
9-9999
A-1234A-1 to approximately S-5000
1951 District of Columbia license plate.jpg April 1, 1951 – March 31, 1952Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "19 D.C. 51" at topnone12341 to 9999
1-23451-1000 to
9-9999
A-1234A-1 to approximately S-2000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1952 – March 31, 1953Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 D.C. 52" at bottomnone12341 to 9999
1-23451-1000 to
9-9999
A-1234A-1 to approximately P-1000
1954 District of Columbia license plate.jpg
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
April 1, 1953 – March 31, 1955Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "DIST. OF COLUMBIA" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "54" at top right"THE NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at bottom12341 to 9999Revalidated through March 31, 1955, with dark green tabs.
1-23451-1000 to
9-9999
A-1234A-1 to
Z-9999
AB-123AA-1 to approximately AB-999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1955 – March 31, 1956Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "56" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at topAB♦12♦34AA♦10♦00 to AY♦99♦99; EA♦10♦00 to approximately EA♦99♦99Serials with B, C, D, H and L as the first letter used on non-passenger vehicles. This practice continued through March 31, 1964. [4]
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1956 – March 31, 1957Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "57" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at topAB♦12♦34AA♦10♦00 to AY♦99♦99; EA♦10♦00 to approximately EA♦99♦99
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1957 – March 31, 1958Embossed golden yellow serial on royal blue plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "58" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at topAB♦123AA♦100 to approximately SZ♦999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1958 – March 31, 1959Embossed royal blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "59" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at topAB♦123AA♦100 to approximately WB♦999
1960 District of Columbia License Plate.JPG April 1, 1959 – March 31, 1960As 1957–58 base, but with "60" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at topAB♦123AA♦100 to approximately WK♦999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1960 – March 31, 1961As 1958–59 base, but with "61" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at topAB♦123AA♦100 to approximately WP♦999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1961 – March 31, 1962As 1957–58 base, but with "62" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at topAB♦123AA♦100 to approximately WV♦999
1963 DC license plate.jpg April 1, 1962 – March 31, 1963Embossed dark green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "63" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at topAB♦123AA♦100 to approximately WV♦999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1963 – March 31, 1964Embossed black serial on reflective yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "64" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at topAB♦123AA♦100 to approximately XJ♦999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1964 – March 31, 1965Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "65" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top1A2341A101 to 9Z999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1A231A01 to approximately 2T99
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1965 – March 31, 1966Embossed black serial on reflective golden yellow plate with border line; "WASHINGTON, D.C." centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "66" at top right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top1AB231AA01 to approximately 2MH99

1966 to present

Since November 2000, the standard Washington, D.C. license plate design has featured some form of the slogan "Taxation Without Representation", referring to the circumstance that the district's residents face, in common with U.S. territories, in which they must pay federal income tax but cannot elect a voting member of the United States Congress. [5]

Image(s)Dates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1966 – March 31, 1967Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "WASHINGTON, D.C." centered at top; "3-31" at bottom left and "67" at bottom right"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at bottom123-456100-001 to 300-000Validated from April 1, 1967, through March 31, 1968, with stickers.
1968 Washington, D.C. license plate.jpg April 1, 1967 – March 31, 1968As above, but without "67"300-001 to approximately 368-000
District of Columbia 1973 sample license plate 000-000.jpg April 1, 1968 – March 31, 1974Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "WASHINGTON, D.C." centered at bottom"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top123-456500-001 to 999-999
DC 1976 Bicentennial License Plate.jpg April 1, 1974 – March 31, 1978Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; embossed blue U.S. Capitol dome graphic used as separator; screened red stripes above and below serial; "WASHINGTON, D.C." centered at bottom; "3-31" at bottom left and debossed sticker box at bottom right"1776 BICENTENNIAL 1976" at top123-456100-001 to 500-000Monthly staggered registration introduced August 1, 1983. All plates replaced between 1984 and 1986.
Washington, D.C. license plate, 1978-1979 series with March 1980 expiration date.png April 1, 1978 – March 31, 1979As above, but with "3-31" on sticker at bottom left (applied during production)"NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top500-001 to 562-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg April 1, 1979 – September 1984As above, but without "3-31" sticker562-001 to 925-000
Washington, D.C. license plate, 1984-1991.png October 1984 – July
1991
Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; screened district flag used as separator; screened red stripes above and below serial; "Washington, D.C." screened in blue centered at bottom; debossed sticker boxes in bottom corners"A Capital City" screened in blue centered at top123-456925-001 to 999-999;
010-001 to 501-750
Plates with all-numeric serials still validated including April 2016 all-numedic remake on the 2013 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA base [6] Slogan changed in 1991 in honor of the district's bicentennial.
Washington, D.C. license plate, 1991-1997 series.png July 1991 
April
1997
"Celebrate & Discover" screened in blue centered at top501-751 to approximately 853-000
Washington, D.C. license plate, 1997-2000 series with December 2000 sticker.png April
1997 – November 2000
As above, but with "Washington, D.C." and sticker boxes at top rather than bottom"Celebrate & Discover" as above, but at bottomAB-1234AA-0000 to
AY-9999
AP series reserved for Apportioned plates.
Washington, D.C. license plate, 2000-2001 series with December 2001 sticker.png November 2000 – October 2001"TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" screened in blue at bottomAZ-0000 to BA-9999;
BC-0000 to approximately BG-1999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg January 2001 – January 2002"WWW.Washingtondc.gov" screened in blue centered at bottomBB-0000 to approximately BB-1999Alternative issue.
Washington, D.C. license plate, October 2002.png October 2001 – October 2002As above, but with serial screened rather than embossed, and without debossed sticker boxes"TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" as aboveBG-2000 to BH-9999;
BK-0000 to approximately BP-1399
2010-2017 Washington, D.C. license plate (www.washingtondc.gov).png January 2002 – c. 2018"www.washingtondc.gov" screened in blue centered at bottomBJ-0000 to
BJ-9999;
EA-0000 to approximately EA-2999
Alternative issues. EA series began in mid-2010.
District of Columbia, D.C. post-2018 license plate.png c. 2018   present"www.dc.gov" screened in blue centered at bottomEA-3000 to present
DC 2011.jpg October 2002 
July
2013
As above, but with "WASHINGTON, DC" in blue at top"TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" as aboveBP-1400 to DZ-9999;
EB-0000 to
EJ-9999
DC series reserved for D.C. Government Fleet plates.
DC 2013.jpg July
2013 
August
2017
As above, but with "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" in blue at topEK-0000 to FN-3999

also all-numeric remakes (000-000 format) from the 1984 A Capital City & 1991 Celebrate & Discover bases

Washington, D.C. license plate, 2017.png August
2017 – present
As above, but with "WASHINGTON, DC" at top as from 2002 to 2013"END TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" screened in blue at bottomFN-4000 to GV-9999; JA-0000 to JF-5232 (as of May 30, 2023) [7]

Non-passenger plates

ImageTypeDates issuedDesignSerial formatNotes
District of Columbia - 2014 Annual Special Permit.png Annual Special Permitc. 1971–present; undated prior to 1980Annual plates; unique design each year:
1980: yellow on red
1981: red on yellow
1982: white on green
1983: black on yellow
1984: yellow on blue
1986: black on white
1987: white on green
1988: white on red
1990: yellow on red
1991: red on yellow
1991: yellow on red
2008: black on orange
2009: black on blue
2010: white on green
2011: black on magenta
2012: white on black
2013: black on white
2014: black on orange
2015: black on dark yellow
2016: white on dark blue
2017: black on lemon yellow
2018: black on red
2019: black on gray
2020: black on dark yellow
2021: black on green (expiration extended to 2022 with stickers)
2023: orange on white
1234-65
TC-1234
TT-123
TT-1234 [lower-alpha 1]
Temporary-use permits supplemental to registration plates; issued to heavy trucks registered outside of D.C.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Apportioned c. 2000–presentAs passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serial, but with "APPORTIONED" in place of sloganAP-1234Infrequently issued. Validated with plate stickers, as opposed to windshield stickers. Current highest serial seen: AP-1396 (on October 28, 2021).
Washington, D.C. bus license plate, 2020.jpg Bus 1927–presentAs passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serialB-12345Current serial sequence began 1974 at B-101; serials became screened at around B-40500. Current highest serial seen: B-52131 (on November 2, 2020).
Washington DC Clergy License Plate.jpg Clergy 1975-1984, with limited issuance since 1984As 1984–91 passenger base, with "A Capital City" at top, but with district flag at leftCLERGY
1234
Likely no longer manufactured, but still revalidated.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Commercial 1926–presentAs passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serialC-12345Current serial sequence began 1974 at C-101; serials became screened at around C-68000. Current highest serial seen: C-82000 (on June 3, 2021).
2013 Washington, D.C. dealer vehicle registration plate.JPG
2013

2020 Washington DC Dealer License Plate.jpg
2020

2021 Washington DC Dealer License Plate.jpg
2021

2022 Washington DC Dealer License Plate.jpg
2022
Dealer1919–presentGenerally issued on the same cycle as passenger plates until 2004, when annual plates with a unique design each year began.DLR-1234 [lower-alpha 1] 2005: white on red
2006: white on blue
2007: black on yellow
2008: black on pink
2009: black on teal
2010: white on light blue
2011: black on yellow
2012: white on dark green
DLR123452013: black on blue
2014: black on maroon
DLR-12345 [lower-alpha 1] 2015: black on yellow
2016: black on grey
2017: black on green
2018: black on red
2019: black on orange
2020: black on blue
2021: black on pink
2022: black on yellow
2023: black on green
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Disabled c. 1981–presentAs passenger base, with no district flag Wheelchair symbol.svg H/P12345
Wheelchair symbol.svg 12345
Serial sequence began at Wheelchair symbol.svg H/P001; the letters were dropped when the "Celebrate & Discover" slogan was introduced, at around Wheelchair symbol.svg 12000. Current highest serial seen: Wheelchair symbol.svg 26021 (on October 6, 2020).
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Foreign OrganizationBeginning by at least 2003; discontinued by 2015Similar to passenger base, but with plum blossom symbol at leftT/P/E1234Issued to vehicles owned by official representatives of Taiwan. No longer issued.
Washington DC Government Vehicle License Plate.jpg D.C. Government Fleet1927–presentAs passenger base, but with district flag at left with "D.C. GOVT." above and "Fleet" belowGVT1234 [lower-alpha 1]
GT-1234 [lower-alpha 1]
D/C 12345
Current serial sequence began 2000 at D/C 0001. Current highest serial seen: D/C 14350 (on June 3, 2022).
Blank License Plate Shape.svg D.C. Government Motorcycle1952–present5-digit plates: embossed blue on white; 6-digit plates: flat blue on whiteGM-123
DC-1234
DC-123A
"GVT Motorcycle" legend
Blank License Plate Shape.svg District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority 2001-2011; 2011–presentW/A/S/A1234
D/C/W1234
D.C. Water plates replaced WASA plates in October 2011.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Historic Motor Vehicle 1979–presentWhite plate with Capitol dome and district flag at left. Screened blue serial letters and embossed red serial digits until 2006; full serial screened blue sinceH/M/V1234Issued to vehicles that are at least 25 years old. Serial sequence began at H/M/V1; serials became fully screened at around H/M/V900. Current highest serial seen: H/M/V3018 (on May 11, 2020).
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Livery 1974–presentAs passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serialL-1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Manufacturer 2004-2011Annual plates; unique design each year.MFR-1234 [lower-alpha 1]
Washington, D.C. motorcycle license plate 1980s-1990s.JPG
Washington, D.C., motorcycle license plate.JPG
Washington DC License Plate in MX Series.jpg
2021 Washington DC Motorcycle License plate MY Series.jpg
Motorcycle c. 1908/1912–presentM and MC series: blue on white
Subsequent series: black on white
1234M
MC123
MT1234
MR1234
MC1234
MX1234
MY 1234
MT series began in 2002.
MR series began in 2010 but was not issued to completion before
MC series began in 2012.MR series later issued to completion.
MX series began in 2019 but was not issued to completion beforeMY series began in 2021.
Washington DC License Plate Motor Driven Cycle.jpg Motor-Driven Cycle c. 2018–presentBlack on whiteM/D/C1234
Washington DC Rental Car License Plate.jpg Rental vehicle 1927-1954, 1964–presentAs passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serialR-12345
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Solid Wastec. 1980sAs passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serialSW-123Probably no longer issued.
Washington DC Taxi License Plate.jpg Taxi c. 1920–presentAs passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serialH-12345
12345-H
Current serial sequence began 1974 at H-101; serials became screened at around H-85500. H-99999 reached early 2011, followed by 00001-H onwards. Current highest serial seen: 05395-H (on February 26, 2022).
Washington DC temporary license plate.jpg Temporary registrationc. 1955–presentOrange-red on white cardboard.12345DA
X 12345
Z 12345
K 12345
N 12345
X series began in 2001.
Z series began in 2003.
K series began in 2007.
N series began in 2011.
Washington, D.C. temporary motorcycle license plate.JPG Temporary registration motorcyclec. 2009–presentBlack on white cardboardMM 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Temporary registration issued by new car dealerc. 2008–presentPink on white cardboard.12NC345Issued only by Tesla, Inc. since 2014, when the only other new car dealerships in D.C. moved to Maryland.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Trailer 1932–presentAs passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serialT-12345Current serial sequence began 1974 at T-101; serials became screened at around T-15500. Current highest serial seen: T-20013 (on May 8, 2020).
Blank License Plate Shape.svg WMATA Transit police White with black lettering12345The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority issues these to itself replacing standard passenger plates on WMATA-owned transit police cars

Optional and Organization license plates

ImageTypeDates issuedDesignSerial formatNotes
1970 Washington, D.C. low number license plate.jpg Passengerlow number2001-2017: Annual plates; unique design each year.
2018-2019; 2022-2023: Plate valid for 2 years.
2020-2022: Plate valid for 2 years; renewed for third year with sticker.
1
12
123
1234
Serials issued: 1 to 1250
Dc dmv tag aka.jpg Alpha Kappa Alpha sororityAKA 1234
Dc dmv tag apa.jpg Alpha Phi Alpha fraternityAPA 1234
Dc dmv anacostia river commemorative tag.jpg Anacostia River environmental protectionENV 1234
ENV 12
ENV 123
Upon reaching ENV 9999, serials reverted to 1-999 range.
Dc dmv tag badboys.jpg Bad Boys ClubBBC 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Bicentennial1991-2001200-ABCPersonalized, Disabled American Veteran, and personalized disabled person also available.
Dc dmv tag blueknights.jpg Blue Knights BKI 1234 [8]
Dc dmv breast cancer awareness tag.jpg Breast Cancer AwarenessBCA 1
BCA 12
BCA 123
Dc dmv tag children.jpg The Children First FoundationOctober 23, 2013–presentCFF 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg College of William and Mary CWM 1234
Dc dmv tag firefighters.jpg D.C. Firefighters Local 36FFA 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Delta Sigma Theta sororityDST 1234
Washington DC Disabled American Veteran License Plate.jpg Disabled American Veteran DAV123
DAV 123
DAV-1234
Screen Shot 2024-02-24 at 1.49.46 AM.png Disabled American VeteranDisabledDAV 123
DV♿-1234
DV♿-123 [lower-alpha 1]
Dc dmv tag donatelife.jpg Donate Life OET 1234 [8]
Dc dmv tag famu.jpg Florida A&M University FAM 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fraternal Order of Police District of Columbia LodgeFOP 123
FOP 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg George Washington University GWU 1234
Dc dmv tag hu.jpg Howard University AlumniHUA 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Kappa Alpha Psi fraternityKAP 1234
Dc dmv tag msu2.jpg Mississippi State University MSU 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Morehouse College AlumniMCA 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg National Association of Black Scuba DiversUAS 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Norfolk State University NSU 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University AlumniATU 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Omega Psi Phi fraternityQUE 1234
Washington D.C. Personalized License Plate with website slogan.jpg Personalized "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "www.washingtondc.gov" legends.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Porsche Club of America PCA 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Prince Hall Family (Order of the Eastern Star)OES 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Prince Hall Masonic FamilyPHA 1234
Dc dmv dc veteran tag.jpg Proud DC VeteranOVA 1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Purple Heart VeteranPH-1234 [lower-alpha 1]
Dc dmv tag sjc.jpg St. John's College SJC 1234
Dc dmv tag smu.jpg Southern Methodist University SMU 1234
Dc dmv tag spirit.jpg Spirit of Faith Christian CenterSOF 1234
Dc dmv dc woman veteran tag.jpg Strong Woman VeteranPRD 1234First observed March 2021.
Dc dmv tag umich.jpg University of Michigan UMI 1234
Dc dmv tag olemiss.jpg University of Mississippi UMS 1234
Screen Shot 2024-02-24 at 1.52.00 AM.png United States Air Force VeteranAIR 1First issued November 10, 2021. [9]
Screen Shot 2024-02-24 at 1.53.29 AM.png United States Army VeteranARM 1
Screen Shot 2024-02-24 at 1.52.46 AM.png United States Coast Guard VeteranCOA 1
Screen Shot 2024-02-24 at 1.54.08 AM.png United States Marine VeteranMAR 1
MAR 12
Screen Shot 2024-02-24 at 1.54.51 AM.png United States Navy VeteranNAV 1
Dc dmv tag vfw.jpg Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW 1234
Screen Shot 2024-02-26 at 3.24.04 PM.png

Screen Shot 2024-02-26 at 3.24.12 PM.png

Washington Capitals February 2022–presentTwo designs:
WASHINGTON CAPITALS began at CAP 0000; 2018 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS began at CAP 0500.
CAP 1234
Dc dmv tag nationals.jpg Washington Nationals June 2013–presentNAT 123
Blank License Plate Shape.svg White StarsunknownProbably never issued.

Special event plates

Presidential inaugurations

ImageTypeDates issuedDesignSerial formatNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Inauguration of John F. Kennedy 1961Capitol dome and national flag at left1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Second inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson 1965Red band at top; blue band at bottom; national and district flags at left1234
District of Columbia Inaugural 1969 8493.jpg First inauguration of Richard Nixon 1969Red band at top; blue band at bottom; national flag over the White House at left1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Second inauguration of Richard Nixon1973Capitol dome and national flag at left, as in 19611234
District of Columbia 1977 Inauguration license plate.jpg Inauguration of Jimmy Carter 1977Abstract national flag graphic at left12345
District of Columbia Inaugural 1981 W-678.jpg First inauguration of Ronald Reagan 1981Red band at top; blue band at bottom; national flag at left1234
A-123

Mayoral inaugurations

ImageTypeDates issuedDesignSerial formatNotes
Vintage 1983 Washington D.C. Mayoral Inaugural License Plate -657, Only 1K Made To Commorate The Inauguration Of Mayor Marion Barry (17042813131).jpg First inauguration of Marion Barry 1983Red band at top; blue band at bottom; district flag at left123
1987 Washington DC Inauguration License Plate.jpg Second inauguration of Marion Barry1987Similar to 1983I-123
1991 Washington DC Mayor Inauguration License Plate.jpg Inauguration of Sharon Pratt 1991Red with stylized district flag at left123
1995 Washington DC Mayoral Inauguration License Plate.jpg Third inauguration of Marion Barry1995Green with district flag at left and district outline at rightI-123
1999 Washington DC Mayoral Inauguration License Plat.jpg First inauguration of Anthony A. Williams 1999Blue band at top containing "OUR CITY", district flag and "OUR FUTURE"; red band at bottom123

Political types

ImageTypeDates issuedDesignSerial formatNotes
Washington DC Board of Education License Plate 1980.jpg Board of Education c. 1979–presentWARD 1
Washington, D.C. city council license plate.JPG District Council c. 2007WARD 1Most plates say "DC COUNCIL"; some say "DISTRICT COUNCIL"
Washington DC Congress license plate.jpg Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives c. 1984CONGRESS-1

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The flag of the District of Columbia is used as a serial divider.

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References

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  2. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. Taylor, Eric Robert. "District of Columbia Archive". PorcelainPlates.net. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Tanner, Eric N. "District of Columbia Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  5. Chan, Sewell (November 5, 2000). "Message Gets Rolling; D.C. Government Enlists Residents' Vehicles In Campaign for Congressional Representation". The Washington Post . p. C01. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  6. "1984 Capital City Baseplate". DCplates.net. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  7. "District of Columbia License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Organizations Offering DC DMV Vehicle Tags | DMV".
  9. "Veterans Specialty License Plates | DMV".