Mississippi

Current series
Size	12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm
Material	Aluminum
Serial format	ABC 1234
Introduced	January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01)[1]
Availability
Issued by	Mississippi Department of Revenue, Vehicle Licensing Division
Manufactured by	Waldale Manufacturing Limited, Amherst, Nova Scotia
History
First issued	June 1, 1912 (1912-06-01)
v t e

The U.S. state of Mississippi first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1912. Since then, the state has gone through a variety of license plate designs and currently has several different designs for passenger, non-passenger, and optional-issue plates.

Plates are currently issued by the Vehicle Licensing Division of the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Only rear plates have been required since 1925.

Passenger baseplates

1912 to 1976

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 first Mississippi license plate that complied with these standards was issued 22 years beforehand, in 1934.

Image	Dates issued	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1912	Embossed black on white; vertical "1912" and "MISS" at left and right respectively	1234		First state issue. Local municipalities had issued license plates earlier.
	1913	As 1912 base, but with "1913" at right	1234
	1914–18	Embossed black on white; vertical "MISS" at right	12345	1 to approximately 44500
	1919	Embossed light green on black; vertical "1919" and "MISS" at left and right respectively	12345	1 to approximately 60000
	1920	Embossed white on maroon with border line; vertical "1920" and "MISS" at left and right respectively	12345	1 to approximately 65000
	1921	Embossed red on white with border line; vertical "1921" and "MISS" at left and right respectively	12345	1 to approximately 64500
	1922	Embossed black on light green with border line; vertical "1922" and "MISS" at left and right respectively	12345	1 to approximately 77000
	1923	Embossed yellow on black with border line; vertical "1923" and "MISS" at left and right respectively	123456	1 to approximately 107000
	1924	Embossed white on dark blue with border line; vertical "1924" and "MISS" at left and right respectively	123456	1 to approximately 133000
	1925	Embossed black on golden yellow with border line; vertical "1925" and "MISS" at left and right respectively	123-456	1 to approximately 177-000
	1926	Embossed white on dark green with border line; vertical "1926" and "MISS" at left and right respectively	123-456	1 to approximately 207-000
	1927	Embossed yellow on navy blue with border line; "MISS. 1927" centered at bottom	123-456	1 to approximately 235-000
	1928	Embossed white on black with border line; "MISS. 1928" centered at bottom	123-456	1 to approximately 249-000
	1929	Embossed white on maroon with border line; "MISS-1929" centered at bottom	123-456	1 to approximately 279-000
	1930	Embossed red on dark blue with border line; "MISS-1930" centered at bottom	123-456	1 to approximately 283-000
	1931	Embossed white on orange with border line; "MISS 1931" centered at bottom	123-456	1 to approximately 245-000
	1932	Embossed golden yellow on black with border line; "MISS-1932" centered at bottom	123-456	1 to approximately 221-000
	1933	Embossed white on dark green with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter and "33" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively	123-456	1 to approximately 120-000
	1934	Embossed white on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter and "34" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively	123-456	1 to approximately 149-000
	1935	Embossed orange on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; "35" and tax code letter stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively	123-456	1 to approximately 152-000
	1936	Embossed white on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter and "36" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectively	123-456	1 to approximately 164-000
	1937	Embossed white on green with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter at top left and "37" at top right	123-456	1 to approximately 170-000
	1938	Embossed white on dark blue with border line; "MISS." centered at top; tax code letter at top left and "38" at top right	123-456	300-001 to approximately 491-000	Issued only from January 1 through October 31, 1938.
	1938–39	Embossed black on yellow with border line; "MISS." centered at top; "19" at top left and "39" at top right	123-456	300-001 to approximately 506-000
	1939–40	Embossed yellow on black with border line; "MISS." centered at top; "19" at top left and "40" at top right	123-456	700-001 to approximately 892-000
	1940–41	Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-41" at top	123-456	100-001 to approximately 318-000	First to use county name
	1941–42	Embossed yellow on dark blue with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-42" at top	123-456	400-001 to approximately 643-000
	1942–43	Embossed orange on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-43" at top	123-456	600-001 to approximately 815-000	Due to wartime metal shortages, some 1943 plates were over-stamped on previously-used license plates, and the old embossed letters and numbers are still partially visible under the new paint.
	1943–44	Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-44" at top	123-456	700-001 to approximately 898-000	Due to wartime metal shortages, some 1944 plates were over-stamped on previously-used license plates, and the old embossed letters and numbers are still partially visible under the new paint.
	1944–45	Embossed yellow on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-45" at top	123-456	500-001 to approximately 700-000	Due to wartime metal shortages, some 1945 plates were over-stamped on previously-used license plates, and the old embossed letters and numbers are still partially visible under the new paint.
	1945–46	Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-46" at top	123-456	200-001 to approximately 411-000
	1946–47	Embossed yellow on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-47" at top	123-456	500-001 to approximately 735-000
	1947–48	Embossed white on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-48" at top	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1948–49	Embossed orange on black with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-49" at top	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1949–50	Embossed black on yellow with border line; vertical "MISS" used as separator; county name and "EX. 10-31-50" at top	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1950–51	Embossed yellow on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county	First use of the full state name.
	1951–52	Embossed white on dark green with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1952–53	Embossed maroon on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1953–54	Embossed white on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1954–55	Embossed white on blue with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1955–56	Embossed yellow on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1956–57	Embossed white on dark green with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1957–58	Embossed black on golden yellow with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1958–59	Embossed dark green on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1959–60	Embossed red on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1960–61	Embossed black on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	123-456	Issued in blocks by county
	1961–62	Embossed maroon on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	A/1 12345 A/10 12345	Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)	Weight classes were as follows: A (1,800 lb and under), B (1,801 to 3,000 lb), C (3,001 to 4,000 lb) and D (4,001 lb and over).[3]
	1962–63	Embossed blue on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A-1234 10A-123 XA-1234 1-1234 10-1234 X-12345	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)	Letter county codes used by the 17 most populous counties that used two-digit codes in 1961–62. No letter used for the 3,001 to 4,000 lb weight class. Both these practices continued through September 1968.[3]
	1963–64	Embossed red on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A-1234 10A-123 XA-1234 1-1234 10-1234 X-12345	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
	1964–65	Embossed white on blue with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A-1234 10A-123 XA-1234 1-1234 10-1234 X-12345	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
	1965–66	Embossed blue on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A-1234 10A-123 XA-1234 1-12345 10-1234 X-12345	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
	1966–67	Embossed white on black with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A-1234 10A-123 XA-1234 1-12345 10-1234 X-12345	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
	1967–68	Embossed black on beige with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A-1234 10A-123 XA-1234 1-12345 10-1234 X-12345	Coded by county of issuance (1, 10 or X) and weight class (A)
	1968–69	Embossed white on brown with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A 12345 10A12345	Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)	All county codes and weight class letters same as 1961–62.
	1969–70	Embossed blue on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A 12345 10A12345	Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
	1970–71	Embossed green on white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A 12345 10A12345	Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
	1971–72	Embossed green on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A 12345 10A12345	Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
	1972–73	Embossed red on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	1A 12345 10A12345	Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class (A)
	1973–74	Embossed blue on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	ABC 123 123 ABC	Coded by weight class (A)	Letters I, O and Q not used in serials. The 123 ABC format was used in the five most populous counties (Hinds, Harrison, Jackson, Washington and Lauderdale); this practice continued until the cessation of weight classes in 1976.[3]
	1974–75	Embossed red on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	ABC 123 123 ABC	Coded by weight class (A)
	1975–76	Embossed maroon on reflective white with border line; "MISSISSIPPI" and county name centered at top and bottom respectively	ABC 123 123 ABC	Coded by weight class (A)

1976 to present

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1976–81	Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; green magnolia graphic screened in the center; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in green centered at top; county name embossed in red centered at bottom	The Hospitality State	ABC 123	Issued in blocks by county	First graphic plate; monthly staggered registration also introduced. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1977 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Mississippi was so honored. Some plates had the magnolia graphic in a darker shade of green.
	1981–87	Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in red centered at top; county name embossed in dark blue centered at bottom	none	ABC 123	Issued in blocks by county	Wide serial dies.
	1987 – September 30, 1992			1ABC123	1AAA001 to approximately 1FNJ999	Narrow serial dies reintroduced. The initial '1' indicated the passenger class of vehicles. Letters I, O, Q and U and number 666 not used in serials; this practice continued through September 1997.[3]
	October 1, 1992 – September 30, 1997	Embossed dark blue serial on reflective gradient sky blue and white plate; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in blue centered at top; county name embossed in dark blue centered at bottom	none	ABC 123	Issued in blocks by county	Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1992 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Mississippi was so honored.
	October 1, 1997 – September 30, 2002	Embossed dark green serial on reflective gradient yellow, white and green plate; magnolia graphic screened in the center; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in dark green centered at top; county name embossed in dark green centered at bottom	none	ABC 123	Issued in blocks by county	Letters I, O, Q and U not used in serials, but number 666 used.[3]
	October 1, 2002 – September 30, 2007	Embossed dark green serial on reflective graphic plate with green trees at top, magnolia in the center and blue bands at bottom representing water; "MISSISSIPPI" screened in dark green centered at top; county name embossed in dark green centered at bottom	none	123 ABC	Issued in blocks by county	Letter O and number 666 not used in serials; this practice continues today.[3]
	October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2012	Featuring an image of the Biloxi Lighthouse at the center of the plate, on a multicolored background depicting a yellow sunrise behind the lighthouse.	none	ABC 123	Issued in blocks by county	Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2007 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the third time Mississippi was so honored.
	October 1, 2012 – January 2019	Featuring an image of a guitar, white background with blue lines from the bottom of the plate. State name printed at the top in blue, county name stamped at the bottom	Birthplace of America's Music / Celebrating Mississippi's Creative Culture	ABC 123	Issued in blocks by county
	2018 – January 2019			ABC 1234
	January 2019 – present	Embossed dark blue serial on gold gradient plate; screened state seal slightly to left of center; state name screened in dark blue centered at top; county name embossed in dark blue centered at bottom	none	ABC 1234	Issued in blocks by county	Controversy and lawsuit over "In God We Trust" (added to seal in 2014, also added to state flag in 2021)

County coding

Non-passenger plates

Image	Type	First issued	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	Ambulance		As current passenger base; "AMBULANCE" embossed at bottom	AM 1234	AM 1001 to present
	Church Bus		As current passenger base; "CHURCH BUS" embossed at bottom	CB 12345	CB 1 to present
	Disabled		As current passenger base	D/B 12345
	Fleet		As current passenger base; "FLEET" embossed at bottom	FL 12345	FL 00001 to present
	Hearse		As current passenger base; "HEARSE" embossed at bottom	HR 1234	HR 1001 to present
	Motorcycle		Similar to current passenger base	M/C 12345 M/C A1234	M/C 1001 to present M/C A0001 to present
	School Bus		As current passenger base; "SCHOOL BUS" embossed at bottom	SB 12345	SB 1 to present
	Taxi		As current passenger base; "TAXI" embossed at bottom	TX 1234	TX 0001 to present
	Truck		As current passenger base	AB1 234	Issued in blocks by county

Optional / specialty plates

Many different specialty tags are available. In fiscal year 2014, a total of 2,749,315 license plates were issued by counties, with 683,550 being specialty plates such as: 165,849 Antique (vehicles older than 25 years), 100,698 disabled, 78,714 vanity or personalized plates, 18,367 MS State University, and 15,596 University of Mississippi.

As of July 2022, most specialty plates have a $33 fee, but college or university plates are $53. The state government has a revenue sharing deal with organizations sponsoring a specialty plate, which can be as small as a single high school. For 2014, $5,113,035 was paid to such organizations.

Image	Type	First issued	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	Mississippi University for Women			12W34
	Antique Car			123 1234 12345 123456 A12345 (current)		No renewal necessary, one-time registration fee. The vehicle has to be at least 25 years of age.
	History + Hope + Hospitality	July 1, 2019[4]	Black serial on white plate; Stennis Flag at left; state name in blue centered at top; motto in black at bottom	1234AB		$30 fee.