Vehicle registration plates of Maryland
The U.S. state of Maryland first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1904. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1910, when the state began to issue plates.
Plates are currently issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration of the Maryland Department of Transportation. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
Passenger baseplates
1910 to 1970
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 at in height by in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1956 issue was the first Maryland license plate that complied with these standards.| Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| 1910 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; vertical "MD" and "1910" at right | none | 1234 | 1 to approximately 5000 | ||
| 1911 | White serial on black porcelain plate; "MD 1911" at right | none | 1234 | 1000 to approximately 8000 | ||
| 1912 | Dark blue serial on white porcelain plate; "MD 1912" at right | none | 12345 | 1000 to approximately 11000 | ||
| 1913 | Yellow serial on black porcelain plate; "MD 13" at right | none | 12345 | 2000 to approximately 15000 | ||
| 1914 | White serial on green porcelain plate; "MD 14" at right | none | 12345 | 2000 to approximately 20500 | ||
| 1915 | Embossed white serial on blue plate; "MD 15" at right | none | 12345 | 4000 to approximately 32000 | ||
| 1916 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "MD 16" at left | none | 12345 | 8000 to approximately 51000 | ||
| 1917 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate; "MD·1917" centered at bottom | none | 12-345 | 20-000 to approximately 82-000 | ||
| 1918 | Embossed white serial on dark gray plate; "MD·1918" centered at top | none | 12-345 | 20-000 to approximately 95-000 | ||
| 1919 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "MD·1919" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 20-000 to approximately 109-000 | ||
| 1920 | Embossed white serial on red plate; "MD·1920" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 20-000 to approximately 113-000 | ||
| 1921 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "MD·1921" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 138-000 | ||
| 1922 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND·1922" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 151-000 | First use of the full state name. | |
| 1923 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND·1923" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 185-000 | ||
| 1924 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1924" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 223-000 | ||
| 1925 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1925" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 242-000 | ||
| 1926 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1926" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 275-000 | ||
| 1927 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1927" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 288-000 | ||
| 1928 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1928" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 305-000 | ||
| 1929 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1929" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 325-000 | ||
| 1930 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1930" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 342-000 | ||
| 1931 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1931" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 386-000 | ||
| 1932 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1932" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 389-000 | ||
| 1933 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1933" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 385-000 | ||
| 1934 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top; "1634" at top left and "1934" at top right | "TERCENTENARY" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 374-000 | Commemorated the 300th anniversary of the settlement of Maryland. | |
| 1935 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1935" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 381-000 | ||
| Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1936" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 396-000 | Valid until March 31, 1937. | ||
| 1937–38 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND 1937" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 409-000 | ||
| 1938–39 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-39" at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 508-000 | ||
| 1939–40 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-40" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 522-000 | ||
| 1940–41 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND EX-3-31-41" at top | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 544-000 | ||
| 1941–44 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "1942" at top right | "DRIVE CAREFULLY" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 654-000 | Revalidated until March 31, 1943 with yellow tabs, then until March 31, 1944 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. | |
| 1944–47 | Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "1945" at top right | "DRIVE CAREFULLY" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 688-000 | Revalidated until March 31, 1946 with silver tabs, then until March 31, 1947 with yellow tabs. | |
| 1947–51 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "48" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 795-000 | Revalidated until March 31, 1949 with black tabs, then until March 31, 1950 with red tabs, and finally until March 31, 1951 with black tabs. | |
| 1951–53 | Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "MARCH 52" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 30-000 to approximately 795-000 | Revalidated until March 31, 1953 with white tabs. | |
| 1953–54 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "54" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-12-34 | AA-10-01 to approximately JF-65-00 | For each two-letter series, only the letters A through H, and J, were used. | |
| 1954–55 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "55" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦12♦34 | Letter K added to two-letter series. | ||
| 1955–56 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "56" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:12:34 | |||
| 1956–57 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-57" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-12-34 | |||
| 1957–58 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-58" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-12-34 | Letter L added to two-letter series. | ||
| 1958–59 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-59" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:12:34 | |||
| 1959–60 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-60" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦12♦34 | |||
| 1960–61 | Embossed black serial on turquoise plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-61" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:12:34 | |||
| 1961–62 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-62" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-12-34 | AA-10-01 to approximately FY-47-00 | Letters M through Z added to two-letter series. The practice of not using I, O, Q and U in standard passenger serials continues today. | |
| 1962–63 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-63" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦12♦34 | AA♦10♦01 to approximately FN♦98♦00 | ||
| 1963–64 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "EXP-3-31-64" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:12:34 | AA:10:01 to approximately FX:92:00 | ||
| 1964–65 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-65" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-1234 | AA-1001 to approximately GF-1300 | ||
| 1965–66 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-66" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦1234 | AA♦1001 to approximately GP♦7800 | ||
| 1966–67 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-67" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB:1234 | AA:1001 to approximately GZ:9000 | ||
| 1967–68 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-68" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB-1234 | AA-1001 to approximately HG-8000 | ||
| 1968–69 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-69" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB♦1234 | AA♦1001 to approximately HT♦5900 | ||
| 1969–70 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "EXP-3-31-70" and "MARYLAND" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB 1234 | AA 1001 to approximately JB 9300 |
1970 to present
Optional plates
Non-passenger plates
Multi-purpose vehicles, as well as pickup trucks and cargo vans, have traditionally been issued separate plate types. However, since June 14, 2010, trucks and multi-purpose vehicles have been issued passenger plates with the same serial format, first on the War of 1812 commemorative base and currently on the "Maryland Proud" base.| Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| Motorcycle | 1970–75 | White on blue with border line; "71 MD." at bottom | none | 1234 A123 123A AB12 12345 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | ||
| Motorcycle | 1975–80 | Red on white with border line; "MD." at bottom | none | 123456 | 10000 to approximately 201500 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | 1980–86 | Black on white with border line; "MD." at bottom | none | 123456 | 10000 to approximately 214000 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | 1986–89 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | none | 12345D | 00001D to 99999D | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | 1989–97 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | none | 1234D5 | 0000D1 to 9999D9 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | 1997–2003 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | none | 123D45 | 000D01 to 999D99 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | 2003–05 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | none | 123M45 | 000M01 to approximately 740M00 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | 2005–06 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | www.maryland.gov | 123M45 | 740M01 to 999M99 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | 2006–09 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | www.maryland.gov | 1D2345 | 0D0001 to 9D9999 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | 2009 – June 13, 2010 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | www.maryland.gov | D12345 | D00001 to approximately D39000 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | June 14, 2010 – mid 2012 | As War of 1812 passenger base | www.StarSpangled200.org | D12345 | D39001 to D99999 | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | mid 2012 – September 25, 2016 | As War of 1812 passenger base | www.StarSpangled200.org | 12345Y | 00001Y to approximately 95000Y | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | September 26 – December 2016 | As "Maryland Proud" passenger base | none | 12345Y | 95001Y to 99999Y | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Motorcycle | December 2016 – present | As "Maryland Proud" passenger base | none | 123Y45 | 000Y01 to present | Issued annually prior to 1970. All plates from 1986 until present are still valid. | |
| Multi-purpose | February 1986 – October 1997 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | none | 123456M | 000001M to 999999M | ||
| Multi-purpose | October 1997 – February 2003 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | none | M123456 | M000001 to M999999 | ||
| Multi-purpose | February 2003 – February 2005 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | none | 123M456 | 000M001 to 479M999 | ||
| Multi-purpose | February 2005 – April 2007 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | www.maryland.gov | 123M456 | 480M000 to 999M999 | 895M000 through 909M999 were manufactured in New Jersey using that state's serial dies, while the plate production facility at the Maryland State Prison was closed for three weeks due to inmate unrest. | |
| Multi-purpose | April 2007 – June 13, 2010 | Black on white; "Maryland" screened at top | www.maryland.gov | 12345M6 | 00000M1 to approximately 61999M9 | ||
| Truck | February 1986 – December 1992 | As shield passenger base | none | 123 456 | 300 001 to 999 999, then 000 001 to 299 999 | ||
| Truck | December 1992 – February 2005 | As shield passenger base | none | 12A 345 | 00A 001 to 22R 999 | ||
| Truck | February 2005 – June 13, 2010 | As shield passenger base | www.maryland.gov | 12A 345 | 23R 000 to approximately 99X 999 |
Government plates
Plates issued to state and local government agencies, including police and transit buses operated by a city or county or the state.| Image | Type | First issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| Local government-owned vehicle | Black on reflective white | www.maryland.gov | L/G 12345 | ||||
| State government-owned vehicle | Black on reflective white | www.maryland.gov | S/G 12345 | ||||
| State government-owned vehicle | Black on reflective white | www.maryland.gov | 12345 S/G |