Louisiana
Current series
SloganSportsman's Paradise
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial format123 ABC
IntroducedFebruary 2005 (2005-02) (issued continuously since January 1, 2016)
Availability
Issued byLouisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections, Public Safety Services, Office of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1915 (1915-01-01)

The U.S. state of Louisiana first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1915.[1] As of 2023, plates are issued by the Public Safety Services division of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections, through the division's Office of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1952.

Passenger baseplates

1915 to 1963

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 1954 (dated 1955) issue was the first Louisiana license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1915 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; vertical "LA" and "1915" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 10500
1916 Embossed white serial on green plate; stylized "LA" and "16" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 16000
1917 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; stylized "LA" and "17" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 27000
1918 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "18" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 40000
1919 Embossed black serial on light green plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "19" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 50000
1920 Embossed white serial on maroon plate; stylized "LA" and "20" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 54000
1921 Embossed black serial on gray plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "21" at left none 12345 1 to approximately 79000
1922 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "22" at left none 123456 1 to 20000; 100001 to approximately 105000 Separate bases issued for vehicles up to 23 hp and for vehicles above this power; this practice continued through 1929. In all years, the base with low-numbered serials (starting from 1) was issued on the vehicles above 23 hp.[3]
Embossed maroon serial on white plate with border line; stylized "LA" and "22" at left none 20001 to 100000
1923 Embossed black serial on gray plate with border line; "LA 23" at left none 123456 1 to 30000
Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "LA 23" at left none 30001 to approximately 116000
1924 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "LA 24" at right none 123456 1 to 30000
Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "LA 24" at right none 30001 to approximately 143000
1925 Embossed red serial on gray plate with border line; "LA 25" at right none 123456 1 to 40000
Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "LA 25" at right none 40001 to approximately 179000
1926 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "LA-1926" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 40-000; 200-001 to approximately 205-000
Embossed maroon serial on white plate with border line; "LA-1926" centered at bottom none 40-001 to
200-000
1927 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "LA-1927" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 50-000
Embossed black serial on cream plate with border line; "LA-1927" centered at bottom none 50-001 to approximately 224-000
1928 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "LA-1928" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 70-000
Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "LA-1928" centered at bottom none 70-001 to approximately 232-000

 1929 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "LOUISIANA 1929" at bottom, slightly offset to right; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456 1 to 70-000; 234-001 to approximately 268-000 First use of the full state name.

 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "LOUISIANA 1929" at bottom, slightly offset to right; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 70-001 to
234-000

 1930 Embossed yellow serial on green plate with border line; "LOUISIANA-30" centered at bottom; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 254-000

1931 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1931" centered at top; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456 1 to approximately 249-000

1932 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on red plate with border line; "LOUISIANA" centered at top; vertical "1932" at right and vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office[3] First base to feature a pelican in any form.
1933 Embossed black serial with pelican separator on orange plate with border line; "LA–33" centered at top none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
1934 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark blue plate with border line; "LA" and "34" above and below pelican respectively none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
1935 Embossed yellow serial with pelican separator on purple plate with border line; "35" and "LA" above and below pelican respectively none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
1936 Embossed light blue serial with pelican separator on olive green plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1936" centered at top none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
1937 Embossed golden yellow serial with pelican separator on maroon plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1937" centered at bottom none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
1938 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on red plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1938" centered at top none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
1939 Embossed orange serial with pelican separator on black plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1939" centered at bottom none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
1940 Embossed dark blue serial with state-shaped separator on orange plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1940" centered at top none 123-456 Issued in blocks by horsepower class and branch office
1941 Embossed black serial with state-shaped separator on white plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1941" centered at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 406-000
1942–43 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on red plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1942" centered at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 384-000 Revalidated for 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 Black serial with pelican separator on yellow fiberboard plate; "LOUISIANA - 1944" centered at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 380-000 Manufactured on soybean-based fiberboard due to ongoing metal conservation.
1945 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on black plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 45" at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 341-000
1946 Embossed black serial with pelican separator on white plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 46" at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 337-000
1947 Embossed black serial with pelican separator on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 47" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 356-000
1948 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 48" at top none 123-456 1-001 to
380-000;
400-001 to approximately 410-000
1949 Embossed black serial with pelican separator on yellow plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 49" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to
380-000;
435-001 to approximately 485-000
1950 Embossed yellow serial on royal blue plate with border line; pelican decal used as separator; "19 LOUISIANA 50" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to
490-000;
550-001 to approximately 615-000
1951 Embossed yellow serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "LOUISIANA–1951" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 566-000
1952 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 52" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 590-000
1953 Embossed yellow serial with pelican separator on green plate with border line; "LOUISIANA-1953" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 638-000
1954 Embossed blue serial with pelican separator on beige plate with border line; "19" at bottom left and "54" at bottom right "LOUISIANA-YAMS" centered at bottom 123-456 1-001 to approximately 700-000
1955 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on black plate with border line; "LOUISIANA 1955" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 740-000 First 6" x 12" plate.
1956 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 56" at top none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 801-000
1957 Embossed golden yellow serial with pelican separator on purple plate with border line; "LOUISIANA 1957" at bottom none 123-456 1-001 to approximately 865-000
1958 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on red plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 58" at bottom "SPORTSMEN'S PARADISE" at top 123-456 1-001 to approximately 880-000
1959 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark blue plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 59" at top "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at bottom 123-456 1-001 to approximately 910-000
1960 Embossed golden yellow serial with pelican separator on purple plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 60" at bottom "LSU CENTENNIAL" at top 123-456 1-001 to approximately 934-000
1961 Embossed golden yellow serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 61" at bottom "SPORTSMEN'S PARADISE" at top 123-456 1-001 to approximately 948-000
1962 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on brown plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 62" at bottom "SPORTSMEN'S PARADISE" at top 123-456
1234567		 1-001 to approximately 1006000 Plates with seven-digit serials omitted the pelican. This happened again in 1963.
1963 Embossed white serial with pelican separator on dark green plate with border line; "19 LOUISIANA 63" at bottom "SPORTSMEN'S PARADISE" at top 123-456
1234567		 1-001 to approximately 1036000 Last base to feature the embossed pelican.

1964 to present

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1964–65 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "64 LOUISIANA 65" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
1966–67 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "66 LOUISIANA 67" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
1968–69 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "68 LOUISIANA 69" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
1970–71 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "70 LOUISIANA 71" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
1972–73 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "72 LOUISIANA 73" at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
1974–75 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "LOUISIANA" centered at bottom; "74" at top left and "75" at top right "BAYOU STATE" centered at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
1976–77 As above, but without years
1978–83 "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top
1983–84 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; logo of the 1984 World's Fair screened at bottom left; "Louisiana" screened in blue centered at top "World's Fair" screened in blue centered at bottom 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
1984–89 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "LOUISIANA" centered at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
1989–93 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; screened dark blue graphics of mother pelicans with chicks at top corners; "LoUiSiAna" screened in red and dark blue (the 'U', 'S' and 'A' in dark blue) centered at bottom "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" screened in red centered at top 123A456 Letter corresponds to State Police troop area of issue
1993 – December 31, 2001 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate, with or without border line; "Louisiana" screened in red handwritten font centered at top "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" screened in blue centered at bottom ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately KLK 999 Known as the "Lipstick" base. All 1974–93 plates were replaced with this design during 1995–96.
January 1, 2002 – July
2004		 As 1993–2001 base, but with a screened blue compass graphic in the center containing a map of the contiguous U.S. with the area of the Louisiana Purchase highlighted "Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 1803-2003" screened in blue centered at bottom ABC 123 KLL 000 to approximately MSN 999 Limited-run plate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase.
July 2004 – February 2005 As 1993–2001 base "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" as from 1993–2001 ABC 123 MSP 000 to approximately NFU 999
February 2005 – January 2, 2011 Embossed black serial on reflective white, yellow and pink gradient plate with black border line; screened pelican graphic in the center; "Louisiana" screened in red handwritten font centered at top "Sportsman's Paradise" screened in red at bottom, offset to left ABC 123 NFV 000 to approximately VCS 999 Initial plates featured a larger font for the state name. 'Q' and 'U' series of serials not used.[3]
January 3, 2011 – December 31, 2012[4] Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with pale green grass graphic and black border line; white pelican within green state shape screened at left; "Louisiana" screened in red handwritten font centered at top "200 YEARS" screened in black centered at bottom, with "1812" and "2012" on small red banners at left and right respectively ABC123 VCT000 to approximately WUG999 Limited-run plate to commemorate 200 years of statehood. Pelican and state shape later reduced in size.
January 1, 2013 – January 2014 As 2005–11 base "Sportsman's Paradise" as from 2005–11 ABC 123 WUH 000 to approximately XRZ 999
January 2014 – December 2015 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; logo of the Battle of New Orleans Bicentennial Commission (featuring a bucking horse and rider) screened at left; "LOUISIANA" screened in red centered at top "www.louisianatravel.com" screened in dark blue centered at bottom ABC123 XSA000 to approximately ZPC999 Limited-run plate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans.
January – May 2016 As 2005–11 base "Sportsman's Paradise" as from 2005–11 ABC 123 ZPD 000 to ZZZ 999
May 2016 – present 123 ABC 000 AAA to 527 GWB (as of December 18, 2023)[5]

Non-passenger plates

Image Type Design First issued Serial format Notes
Boat Trailer Embossed blue on white with border line; "LOUISIANA" at bottom; "BOAT TRAILER" at top unknown D123456 Likely to have begun at D500000.
As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "BOAT TRAILER" in place of slogan c. 1993 D123456
K123456
Commercial As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "COMMERCIAL" in place of slogan c. 1993 A123456
N123456
Dealer As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "DEALER" in place of slogan DI12345 DI99999 followed by D/I100000 and up.
Embossed black on yellow with border line; "LOUISIANA" at top; "DEALER" at bottom c. 2012 DI12345
D/I123456
Motorcycle Embossed red on white with border line; "LA." at bottom; "MOTORCYCLE" at top 1983 123456
Similar to 1993–2001 passenger base; "MC" embossed at bottom 1995
Private Truck Embossed green on white with border line; "LOUISIANA" at bottom; "PRIVATE" at top 1978 A123456 T, R and part of S series issued.
As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "PRIVATE" in place of slogan c. 1993 Rest of S series issued, followed by V and part of W.
As 1993–2001 passenger base, with screened "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" slogan c. 2004 Rest of W series issued, followed by X and Y; issuing Z series as of October 2023.
Tractor "TRACTOR" embossed at top; weight of vehicle embossed in top right corner. 1963 123456
Truck "TRUCK" embossed at top; weight of vehicle embossed in top right corner. 1966 B123456, now at C123456
Truck "TRUCK" embossed at top; weight of vehicle embossed in top right corner. 1967 123456
Trailer Embossed red on white with border line; "LOUISIANA" at bottom; "TRAILER" at top mid 1980s A123456 D series issued up to D499999 (higher numbers reserved for Boat Trailer), followed by part of E series.
As 1993–2001 passenger base, but with embossed "TRAILER" in place of slogan c. 1993 Rest of E series issued; currently issuing L series.

Optional plates

Optional plates do not use leading zeros in their serials.

Image Type Design First issued Serial format Notes
American Indian A/I 1234
Animal Friendly F/A 1234
Bring Back the Bobwhite 12
Chez Nous Autres[6] "our home" in Cajun French spelling "Louisiane" printed instead of English spelling "Louisiana" C/Z 123
Choose Life C/L 1234
Emergency Medical Technician
Firefighter—Retired 123
"In God We Trust" T/G 1234
Louisiana Tech University 123
Marine Corps League 12
Our Environment...Our Future Black on reflective light blue, white, and dark blue with multicolored graphic of pelican at right. 123
E/E 1234
"Preserve Our Hunting Heritage" W/D 1234
Save the Louisiana Black Bear B/B 1234
Sons of Confederate Veterans C/V 1234
Special Olympics 12
Think Safe Kids 12
U.S. Veteran—Marine Corps "USMC" printed diagonally to left of serial M/A 1234
U.S. Veteran—Navy—Retired "NAVY" printed diagonally and "RETIRED" printed horizontally to left of serial 123

Government plates

Image Type Design First issued Serial format Notes
Public "PUBLIC" embossed vertically at left; "SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE" screened at bottom. 123456
Wildlife & Fisheries Enforcement SF 12

State Police troop codes

From 1964 until 1993, Louisiana State Police troop area codes were used as part of the serial on the plate, invariably in the center of the serial. From 1993 until 1996, stickers were used to show the troop. This was done to give some idea of where the plates were issued. However, registrants who applied via the mail got plates with the "X" code, which was used for Baton Rouge.

Code Troop or area
A Baton Rouge
B New Orleans (troop office in Kenner since 1995)
C Raceland, (later Gray after troop office was moved in the mid 1970s)
D Lake Charles
E Alexandria
F Monroe
G Shreveport
H Leesville (eliminated in 1988)
I Lafayette
K Opelousas (eliminated in 1988)
L Covington
M Raceland (eliminated in 1973)
N New Orleans (overflow)
X Baton Rouge/statewide mail

References

  1. ↑ Shearer, Benjamin F.; Shearer, Barbara S. (2001). State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols: A Historical Guide (3rd ed.). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. p. 200. ISBN 0-313-31534-5.
  2. ↑ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. 1 2 3 Tanner, Eric N. "Louisiana Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  4. ↑ Louisiana Bicentennial Commission web site .
  5. ↑ "Louisiana License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Private Site".
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