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Vehicle registration plates of Ohio facts for kids

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Ohio
Current series
Name Sunrise in Ohio
Slogan Birthplace of Aviation
Size 12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
Material Aluminum
Serial format ABC 1234
Introduced December 29, 2021 (2021-12-29)
Availability
Issued by Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Manufactured by Ohio Penal Industries
History
First issued July 11, 1908 (1908-07-11)

The U.S. state of Ohio first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1908, although several cities within the state issued their own license plates from as early as 1902.

As of 2022, plates are issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Only rear plates have been required for all classes of vehicles, except commercial tractors, since July 1, 2020. However, vehicle owners can request specialized, personalized plate serials, in addition to their rear plates, for an extra charge. But eventually that 2nd plate option will phase out entirely when state legislation passes a bill. All plates are manufactured by inmates at Ohio Penal Industries at the Lebanon Correctional Institution; since 2015, they have been manufactured out of aluminum, having been made of galvanized steel beforehand. The BMV issues a new license plate design about every five years, or with each new administration in the state government.

A new "Sunrise in Ohio" plate design was unveiled by Governor Mike DeWine on October 21, 2021, and was made available to drivers December 29, 2021, replacing the "Ohio Pride" design which had been issued since April 2013.

History

On May 19, 1902, Cleveland became one of the first cities in the country to require motorists to display government-issued registration numbers on their vehicles. In the following years, various local governments in Ohio issued standard metal plates of varying design or numerals (to be mounted on a dark background), including:

In 1906, the state attempted to take over auto registration under the Ward Automobile Law, but litigation delayed the program until the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in favor of the law. The Ohio Secretary of State's Automobile Division, precursor to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, was established in 1907. The Ward Law went into effect on June 11, 1908, but the Automobile Division did not begin issuing plates for another 30 days due to a manufacturing defect. The first state vehicle registration was issued to Cincinnati resident Thomas B. Paxton, Jr., for his Franklin automobile. Locally issued and owner-provided license plates were phased out by 1909 for automobiles, but local plates continued to be used for motorcycles until 1914. One effect of the Ward Law was to eliminate a significant revenue stream for cities like Cincinnati, which took in about $5,000 a year (equivalent to $163,000 today) from auto registrations.

The Ward Law required automobile owners to display plates at both the front and the rear of the vehicle. Front and rear plates would be issued for passenger vehicles for over a century, through June 30, 2020, with the exception of 1944–46 when only rear plates were issued due to metal conservation for World War II. Ohio issued single-year plates from 1910 through 1973, except in 1943 and 1952 when windshield stickers were issued to revalidate the previous year's plates, again due to metal conservation (for World War II and the Korean War respectively).

Various Ohio license plate designs from 1908 to 1921 used distinctive monograms instead of a fully spelled-out state name. The 1938 plate commemorated the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Northwest Territory (from which the state of Ohio was formed), and thus was the first plate in the state to feature a graphic and a slogan. In 1953, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles commemorated the state's sesquicentennial by issuing a special front plate bearing the state shape and the word "sesqui-centennial" [sic] instead of the passenger serial, which was carried only on the rear plate.

Golf cart with license plate
A golf cart in Put-in-Bay displaying an Ohio Bicentennial passenger plate.

From 1935 through 1979, serials were allocated in blocks to each of the state's 88 counties. Serials were originally up to five characters in length and featured one or two letters. Increased demand resulted in the introduction of six-character serials in 1949, followed by all-numeric serials in 1962. The scheme was finally abandoned in 1980.

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. The 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first Ohio license plate that fully complied with these standards: the state had been issuing plates 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width since 1926, and all plates of the 1952 (dated 1953) and 1955 (dated 1956) issues were to these dimensions, but none had had standard mounting holes.

In 1967, the state began issuing special plates to DUI offenders with limited driving privileges. Judges in Ohio, however, rarely issued them until a 2004 state law made it mandatory for all DUI offenders with limited driving privileges to have them.

After the last single-year plate was issued in 1973, the 1974 plate was revalidated for 1975 with a sticker placed at the bottom right corner. The first undated, multi-year plate was issued in 1976, while monthly staggered registration was introduced in 1979.

Since 1983, plates have carried the county of issuance on a sticker. Originally, this was a long sticker centered at the bottom of the plate, displaying the county name. In 1992, the state introduced a numerical county-coding scheme (see the County Coding section below), with the county number being displayed on a red sticker at the bottom left corner of the plate; this scheme was initially used only on specialty plates before being adopted on standard passenger plates when the Bicentennial base was introduced in October 2001. The scheme was discontinued on standard passenger plates in 2018 in favor of a return to county-name stickers, again centered at the bottom of the plate.

On April 3, 2019, Governor Mike DeWine signed a two-year state transportation budget bill that included the elimination of the requirement for front license plates to be displayed. This became effective on July 1, 2020.

Passenger baseplates

1908 to 1973

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1908 OH passenger plate.jpg 1908–09 White serial on dark blue porcelain plate; "OH" monogram at right none 12345 1 to approximately 23500
1910 OH passenger plate.jpg 1910 White serial on woodgrain-colored porcelain plate; vertical "OHIO" and "1910" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 33000
1911 OH passenger plate.jpg 1911 Black serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "OHIO" and "1911" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 46000
12345
1912 Forest green serial on white flat metal plate; vertical "OHIO" and "1912" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 63000
12345
1913 Maroon serial on white flat metal plate; vertical "OHIO" and "1913" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 86000
1914 OH passenger plate.jpg 1914 Red serial on white flat metal plate; "OHIO" monogram and "1914" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 121000
1915 OH passenger plate.jpg 1915 Black serial on white flat metal plate; "OHIO" monogram and "1915" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 181000
123456
1916 White serial on black flat metal plate; "OHIO 1916" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 245000
1917 Porcelain Ohio License Plate.jpg 1917 Black serial on yellow flat metal plate; vertical "OHIO" and "1917" at left and right respectively none 123456 1 to approximately 342000
123456
1918 Embossed white serial on dark green plate; "OHIO" monogram and "1918" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 412000 First embossed plate.
1919 OH passenger plate.jpg 1919 Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "OHIO" monogram and "1919" at left none 123456 1 to approximately 509000
123456
1920 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "OHIO" monogram at left and "19" over "20" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 527000
1921 Ohio license plate.jpg 1921 Embossed white serial on forest green plate; "OHIO" monogram at left and "19" over "21" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 618000
1922 Ohio license plate.jpg 1922 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "OHIO-1922" centered at bottom none 123.456 1 to approximately 714.000
1923 Ohio license plate.jpg 1923 Embossed red serial on gray plate; "OHIO-1923" centered at bottom none 123.456 1 to approximately 927.000
1924 Ohio license plate.jpg 1924 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "OHIO-1924" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
★12-345 ★1 to approximately ★59-000
1925 Ohio license plate.JPG 1925 Embossed black serial on cream plate; "OHIO-1925" centered at bottom none 123-456
★12-345
1926 OH passenger plate.jpg 1926 Embossed white serial on brown plate; "OHIO-1926" centered at bottom none 123-456
★12-345
A12-345
1927 Ohio license plate.JPG 1927 Embossed black serial on gray plate; "OHIO-1927" centered at bottom none 123-456
★12-345
A12-345
1928 Ohio License Plate.jpg 1928 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "OHIO-1928" centered at bottom none 123-456
★12-345
A12-345
1929 Ohio license plate.JPG 1929 Embossed black serial on light green plate; "OHIO-1929" centered at bottom none 123-456
A12-345
1930 Ohio license plate.jpg 1930 Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "OHIO-1930" centered at bottom none 123-456
A12-345
No image
1931 Embossed black serial on gray plate; "OHIO-1931" centered at bottom none 123-456
A12-345
No image
1932 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "OHIO-1932" centered at bottom none 123-456
A12-345
1933 Ohio license plate.jpg 1933 Embossed black serial on orange plate; "OHIO-1933" centered at top none 123-456
A12-345
1934 Ohio license plate.JPG 1934 Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "OHIO-1934" centered at bottom none 123-456
A12-345
1935 Ohio License Plate.jpg 1935 Embossed yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "OHIO - 1935" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1936 Ohio license plate.JPG 1936 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "OHIO - 1936" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1937 Ohio license plate.JPG 1937 Embossed maroon serial on white plate with border line; "OHIO - 1937" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1938 Ohio license plate.JPG 1938 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; embossed covered wagon graphic centered at bottom; "OHIO·38" at bottom right "150 ANNIV·
N·W·TERR·" at bottom left
A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county Commemorated the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Northwest Territory, from which the state of Ohio was formed.
1939 Ohio license plate.JPG 1939 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "OHIO - 1939" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1940 Ohio license plate.JPG 1940 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "OHIO - 1940" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1941 Ohio License Plate.jpg 1941 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "OHIO - 1941" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
Ohio 1942 license plate.JPG 1942–43 Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "OHIO - 1942" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county Revalidated for 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 Ohio license plate.jpg 1944 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "OHIO - 1944" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1945 Ohio license plate.JPG 1945 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "OHIO - 1945" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1946 Ohio license plate.JPG 1946 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "OHIO - 1946" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1947 Ohio license plate.JPG 1947 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "1947 - OHIO" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1948 Ohio license plate.jpg 1948 Embossed black serial on light yellow plate with border line; "OHIO - 1948" centered at bottom none A·1234
AB·123
1234·A
123·AB
A·123·B
Issued in blocks by county
1949 Ohio license plate.jpg 1949 Embossed light yellow serial on waffle-textured black plate with border line; "1949 - OHIO" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1950 Ohio passenger license plate.jpg 1950 Embossed black serial on waffle-textured yellow plate with border line; "OHIO - 1950" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1951 Ohio license plate.jpeg 1951–52 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "1951 - OHIO" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county Revalidated for 1952 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for the Korean War.
1953 Ohio license plate.JPG 1953 Embossed yellow serial on dark green plate with border line; "1803 - OHIO - 1953" at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county Commemorated Ohio's 150 years of statehood.
1954 Ohio license plate.JPG 1954 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "OHIO - 1954" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1955 Ohio license plate.jpg 1955 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "1955 - OHIO" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1956 Ohio license plate.jpg 1956 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "OHIO - 1956" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1957 Ohio license plate.JPG 1957 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "1957 - OHIO" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1958 Ohio license plate.JPG 1958 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "OHIO - 1958" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1959 OH passenger plate.jpg 1959 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "1959 - OHIO" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
Ohio 1960 4045-CA.jpg 1960 Embossed blue serial on yellow plate with border line; "OHIO - 1960" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1961 Ohio license plate.JPG 1961 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "1961 - OHIO" centered at bottom none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1962 Ohio license plate.JPG 1962 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "OHIO - 1962" centered at bottom none 12345
A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
Ohio license plate sample 000 A 1963.jpg 1963 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "1963 - OHIO" centered at bottom none 12345
A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
1964 Ohio license plate.JPG 1964 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "OHIO - 1964" centered at bottom none 12345
A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
Ohio 1965 568SL.jpg 1965 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "1965 - OHIO" centered at bottom none 12345
A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
Ohio 1966 license plate - Number EJ3554.jpg 1966 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "OHIO 1966" centered at bottom none 12345
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county
Ohio 1967 license plate - Number 17282 F.jpg 1967 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "67 OHIO" centered at bottom none 12345
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county Over 1.4 million plates on this base were destroyed in a fire at the plate shop at the Lebanon Correctional Institution in November 1966; replacement plates were manufactured in New York, Arkansas and Nebraska using these states' serial dies.
Ohio 1968 license plate.jpg 1968 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "OHIO 68" centered at bottom none 12345
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county Most plates manufactured in New York, using that state's serial dies, while the Lebanon plate shop was being repaired.
Ohio 1969 license plate - Number 74623.jpg 1969 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "69 OHIO" centered at bottom none 12345
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county Some plates manufactured in New York, using that state's serial dies. Full manufacturing capacity at the Lebanon plate shop was restored by 1970.
Ohio 1970 license plate - Number Q 567.jpg 1970 Embossed scarlet serial on gray plate with border line; "OHIO 70" centered at bottom none 12345
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county Issued in the colors of Ohio State University, in honor of its centennial.
Ohio 1971 license plate - Number M 309 A.jpg 1971 Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "71 OHIO" centered at bottom none 12345
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county
Ohio 1972 license plate - Number Q 567.jpg 1972 Embossed yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "OHIO 72" centered at bottom none 12345
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county
Ohio license plate sample 1973.jpg 1973 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "73 OHIO" centered at bottom "SEAT BELTS FASTENED?" at top 12345
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county

1974 to present

All Ohio passenger plates issued since October 2001 are valid for display today, provided they have been continuously registered. "Ohio Gold" plates, issued from August 1996 through September 2001, are to be replaced during 2022 due to readability issues arising from degradation of the reflective sheeting through exposure to humidity, rain, snow, and road salt.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Ohio license plate, 1974.png
Ohio license plate, 1974–1975 series with 1975 sticker.png
1974–75 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "OHIO 74" centered at bottom "SEAT BELTS FASTENED?" at top 123456
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county Revalidated for 1975 with stickers.
Ohio license plate, 1976–1979 series with February 1980 sticker.png 1976–79 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "OHIO" centered at bottom none 123456
A 12345
AB 1234
12345 A
1234 AB
A 1234 B
Issued in blocks by county
Ohio license plate, 1980-1984 series with October 1985 sticker.png 1980–84 Embossed blue serial with state-shaped separator on reflective white plate; "OHIO" centered at top none ABC•123 AAA•010 to approximately UFU•999 I and O used only as the second letter in serials; this practice continues today (except 2001–04). County sticker added at bottom of plate in 1983.
Ohioan license plate, 1985–1990 series with June 1989 sticker (Morrow County).png 1985 – December 1990 Embossed green serial with state-shaped separator on reflective white plate; "OHIO" centered at top none 123•ABC 010•AAA to approximately 999•YOZ
1991 Ohio License Plate.jpg January 1991 – November 1995 Embossed blue serial with state-shaped separator on reflective white plate; "OHIO" screened in blue centered at top "the heart of it all!" screened in red between state name and serial ABC•123 AAA•010 to XEU•999
Ohio XGG 323 narrow dies.jpg November 1995 –
July
1996
XEV•010 to YZZ•999 Narrower serial dies. Both variants revalidated until 2002.
Ohio license plate, 1996–1997 series (Cuyahoga County).png August 1996 –
mid-1997
"Ohio Gold": Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white and gold gradient plate; "OHIO" screened in dark blue centered at top "the heart of it all!" screened in red between state name and serial ABC 1234 AAA 1000 to approximately ARR 5900 Issued only to new registrants. Gold plates were revalidated until 2022, but plate numbers can be transferred to the most current design.
Ohio license plate, August 1999 (Franklin County).png Mid-1997 – September 2001 "BIRTHPLACE OF AVIATION" screened in red between state name and serial ARR 5901 to approximately BIF 9999; CAA 1000 to approximately CVV 9999
Ohio license plate sample 2001.jpg October 2001 – February 2004 "Bicentennial": embossed dark blue serial on reflective white with Ohio Bicentennial Commission logo and red and blue bars Ohio Bicentennial;
Birthplace of Aviation
AB12CD AA01AA to approximately FC99KV Issued to new registrants and as replacements for 1991–96 plates. Letters I and O not used in this serial format. Last standard base to have embossed specialty plates.
February 2004 – November 30, 2010 "Sunburst": embossed dark blue serial on reflective white with state seal graphic and red and blue bars Birthplace of Aviation ABC 1234 DAA 1000 to EQZ 9999; EUJ 1000 to FAK 9999 Issued concurrently with the "Beautiful Ohio" base (below) from November 23, 2009. First standard base to have all specialty plates printed flat.
November 23, 2009 – April 14, 2013 "Beautiful Ohio": embossed dark blue serial on rolling hills with farm, distant skyline, and airborne biplane Beautiful Ohio;
Birthplace of Aviation
ABC 1234 ERA 1000 to EUH 9999; FAL 1000 to FVZ 9999 Originally issued as a no-cost alternative to the "Sunburst" base, before replacing it as the standard base on December 1, 2010. With elements designed by Frances Strickland, the plate has been described as "a bucolic affair", in contrast to the later "Ohio Pride" plate.
Ohio 2021 license plate Montgomery County.jpg April 15, 2013 – December 28, 2021 "Ohio Pride": embossed dark blue serial on word cloud background and red triangle resembling an airplane wing Birthplace of Aviation;
DiscoverOhio.com;
46 "slogans" total, including facts and famous names
ABC 1234 FWA 1000 to JCZ 9999; JEA 1000 to JPA 3505 (as of December 30, 2021) Remaining "Beautiful Ohio" plates melted and recycled into this design so that materials were not wasted. "Ohio Pride" was designed by Aaron Roberts and chosen among four concept drawings put forward by the CCAD Design Group. The design was noted for its simplicity but also criticized for poor legibility. The plate was introduced as part of a coordinated branding campaign that also included a matching driver's license design. Only rear plates required beginning July 1, 2020, the change took place early in the 'J' series of serials.
December 29, 2021 – present "Sunrise in Ohio": screened dark blue serial on sunrise scene featuring skyline, hills, river, wheat field, and child swinging from a tree, with Wright Flyer, state shape and red banner with slogan at top Birthplace of Aviation ABC 1234 JDA 1000 to JDZ 9999; JSA 1000 to KLM 1766 (as of July 15, 2023) Beginning with this base, all new Ohio plates are now flat instead of embossed. Remaining "Ohio Pride" plates will be melted and recycled into this design so that materials are not wasted. An error in the initial design had the Wright Flyer flying backwards; around 35,000 plates were manufactured before the error was realized and corrected; these plates will also be melted and recycled.

Alternative passenger plates

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Ohio license plate issued to DUI offenders sample.jpg 1967–present Red on yellow none 123456
1234567
3700000 to 3769283 (As of July 22, 2023) For DUI offenders with limited driving privileges. Issued since 1967 but rarely used before the plate became mandated on all DUI offenders in 2004.

Ohio state law authorizes the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to issue a number of specialty passenger plates, as defined in Ohio Rev. Code chapter 4503, sections 4 and 5.

Renewal stickers

Ohio License Plate Stickers (1968-1991)
Designs of tax and renewal stickers used from 1968 to 1991
Ohio License Plate Stickers 1991-2021
Designs of renewal stickers used since 1991


Non-passenger plates

Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Apportioned 2013–2021 As "Ohio Pride" passenger base, with "APPORTIONED" at bottom PBC 1234 PVW 1000 to PWF 6115 (as of July 13, 2019)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Commercial Trailer 2013–2021 As "Ohio Pride" passenger base, with "TRAILER" at bottom TBC 1234 TQE 1000 to TRX 5375 (as of October 19, 2021)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Motorcycle 2004–10 Similar to "Sunburst" passenger base 12ABC 01HHA to 99QOZ;
01RXD to 99TID
'Z' series used on Veteran Motorcycle plates.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2009–13 Similar to "Beautiful Ohio" passenger base 01QPA to 99RXC;
01TIE to approximately 99VVL
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2013–15 Similar to "Ohio Pride" passenger base 01WAA to 99YZZ
2015–present ABC12 AAA01 to HPS59 (as of October 14, 2021)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Non-Commercial Trailer 2013–2021 As "Ohio Pride" passenger base SBC 1234 SUE 1000 to SZU 8824 (as of October 16, 2021)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Truck 1996–2001 As "Ohio Gold" passenger base, but with "TRUCK" in place of county name at bottom PBC 1234 PAA 1000 to PCQ 9999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2001–04 As "Bicentennial" passenger base, but without Ohio Bicentennial Commission logo, and with "TRUCK" in place of blue band at bottom PCW 1000 to PEN 9999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2004–10 As "Sunburst" passenger base, but with "TRUCK" in place of blue band at bottom PEP 1000 to PGQ 9999; PGV 7000 to PHF 9999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2009–13 As "Beautiful Ohio" passenger base, but with "TRUCK" in place of graphics at bottom PGR 1000 to PGV 6999; PHG 1000 to PIA 9999
Ohio Truck PKB 7670.jpg 2013–2021 As "Ohio Pride" passenger base, with "TRUCK" at bottom PIC 1000 to PMV 3418 (as of December 31, 2021)

From 1976 until 1996, license plates for pickup trucks and other light truck-related vehicles (SUVs and conversion vans aside) were issued truck plates that said "Non Comm" (for "non-commercial truck") while semi-trucks were issued plates that said "Commercial". Since 1996, however, the more consumer-oriented truck plates now say "Truck" instead of "Non-Comm."

Temporary tags

Vehicles purchased from a dealership are given a 30-day or 45-day temporary tag. The paper tag is filled out by hand. Since March 2001, it has featured a hologram. On a 2001-series temporary tag, the plate number is preprinted, while the expiration date and vehicle details are written in permanent marker. As of August, 2020, the Ohio Department of Public Safety issues print-on-demand temporary tags and will phase out traditional paper tags in January 2021.

County coding

In 1992, Ohio began using a numerical county-coding scheme to indicate the county of registration. The scheme assigns a two-digit number to each of the state's 88 counties in alphabetical order, beginning with 01 for Adams County and ending with 88 for Wyandot County. The scheme has been used on specialty plates since its introduction, and was also used on standard passenger plates from 2001 until 2018.

The county number is displayed on red stickers placed at the bottom left corner the plate. The stickers also display the county name, in small print below the number.

List of county numbers

Reserved series

On recent seven-character baseplates, the state has reserved certain letter series to be issued in coordination with specific car dealerships or leasing agencies.

Series Assigned to
FAC First Automotive Corp., Cincinnati
GLR Grand Leasing and Sales
GAN Ganley Automotive Lease
HON Honda
HOM Honda of Mentor
JAY Jay Auto Group, Bedford
JSL Jake Sweeney Leasing, Cincinnati
LAS Shaker Auto Leasing
LEX Metro Lexus
LXS Metro Lexus
MAL Mike Albert Resale Center and Leasing, Cincinnati
MBZ Mercedes-Benz
MCT Motorcars Toyota, Cleveland Heights
MCH Motorcars Honda, Cleveland Heights
MET Metro Toyota, Cleveland
MGM Marshall Goldman Motors
MKB MKB Leasing, Marietta
MVP Classic Auto Group (Cleveland area/Northeast Ohio)
NON Nissan of North Olmsted
SUN Sunnyside, Cleveland
SSA Sunnyside Audi
SSH Sunnyside Honda
SST Sunnyside Toyota
TOB Toyota of Bedford
TOY Toyota
VCJ Adventure Chrysler Jeep, Willoughby
WIN Classic Auto Group (Cleveland area/Northeast Ohio)
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