Vehicle registration plates of the United States for 1915

Vehicle registration plates of the United States by year
Vehicle registration plates of the United States for 1914 Events of 1915 Vehicle registration plates of the United States for 1916

In 1915 Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington joined the list of states and territories providing license plates to vehicle owners, and no new states entered the prestate era. There were now 44 states and 3 territories that were issuing license plates and 2 other states requiring owners to provide their own license plates.[1][2][3][4]

Passenger baseplates

In the table below, a light green background indicates that the owner of the vehicle was required to provide their own license plates. These plates are called "prestate" by most collectors. In the prestate era many states only provided the license plate number on a small disc or on paper, and the owner was required to have their license plate(s) made. These early license plates were created from kits that could be purchased at a hardware store, may have been available from automobile clubs or associations, they were forged by blacksmiths or other tradesmen, or the owner may have made their own plate with whatever materials they had on hand. Prestate plates were made from a variety of materials, but most often were made of leather, steel, or wood.

Legend: Regular state issue plate(s) Prestate era plate(s) No plates issued by state or territory
Image State Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Alabama
Alaska No prestate plates. State issued plates begin in 1921.
American Samoa No prestate plates. Territory issued plates begin in 1924.
Arizona
Arkansas
California Black serial on yellow porcelain, "CAL" and "1915" on left and right, respective places.
Canal Zone
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of
Columbia
Florida State issued plates begin in 1918.
Georgia
Guam No prestate plates. Territory issued plates begin in 1916.
Hawai'i No prestate plates. Territory issued plates begin in 1922.
Idaho

Illinois Front plate has slots between the serial numbers to allow better radiator ventilation.
Indiana
Iowa Emobossed black text on yellow background
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana Louisiana's first license plate was a white serial, "LA", and "1915" on a midnight blue porcelain plate. none First year for state issued plates.
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri Bmbossed black serial on green plate, stacked "MO" and "1915" on right side
Montana First year for state issued plates.
Nebraska First year for state issued plates.
Nevada Last year for prestate plates. State issued plates begin in 1916.
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina Expires June 30-15
North Dakota
Northern Mariana
Islands 		No prestate plates. Territory issued plates begin in 1944.
Ohio
Oklahoma First year for state issued plates.
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina No prestate plates. State issued plates begin in 1917.
South Dakota
Tennessee First year for state issued plates.
Texas No prestate plates. State issued plates begin in 1917.
U.S. Virgin Islands No prestate plates. Territory issued plates begin in 1917.
Utah First year for state issued plates.
Vermont
Virginia
Washington First year for state plates.
West Virginia
Wisconsin Embossed white serial on black plate; "W" and "15" embossed at right none 12345 1 to approximately 80000
Wyoming

See also

References

  1. ^ Fox, Jams K. (1997). License Plates of the United States: A Pictorial History 1903-To the Present. Jerico, New York: Interstate Directory Publishing Company. ISBN 9781886777002.
  2. ^ Minard, Jeff; Stentiford, Tim (2004). A Moving History, 50 Years Of ALPCA. 100 Years Of License Plates. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company. p. 58. ISBN 1-56311-975-7.
  3. ^ Crisler, Bob; Crisler, Chuck, eds. (2007). License Plate Values (7th ed.). King Publishing Company.
  4. ^ Martells, Jack (1980). Antique Automotive Collectibles. Chicago: Contemporary Books, Inc. pp. 128–145. ISBN 0-8092-7205-9.