 | |
| Current series | |
|---|---|
| Slogan | dmv.ca.gov |
| Size | 12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Serial format | 1ABC123 |
| Introduced | 1993 (current version, with website, introduced 2011[1]) |
| Availability | |
| Issued by | California Department of Motor Vehicles |
| History | |
| First issued | January 1, 1914 (pre-state plates and seals from 1905 to December 31, 1913) |
The U.S. state of California first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates.[2] Plates are currently issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Front and rear plates are required on most types of vehicle in California, including all passenger vehicles. On motorcycles and some other non-passenger types, only rear plates are required. On all vehicle types, registration validation stickers are also required, to be displayed on the rear plate.[3][4]
Since 1947, California license plates have been manufactured by inmates at Folsom State Prison.[5]
The current serial format of the license plate, 1ABC123, has been in use since 1980.
- ^ "The History of the Department of Motor Vehicles". Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Eric Robert. "California Archive - Part 1". PorcelainPlates.net. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
- ^ "Law section".
- ^ "Law section".
- ^ California Prison Industrial Authority. "License Plates".