# Vehicle registration plates of Washington (state)

The U.S. state of Washington first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1915, when the state began to issue plates.
As of 2023, plates are issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The plates have been manufactured by incarcerated workers managed by the Washington State Department of Corrections since 1923. They are primarily produced at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, with some also made at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Monroe.

## Passenger baseplates
### 1915 to 1949

| Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| 1915–16 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; vertical "WN" and "1916" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 45000, with gaps (see right) | Single series of all-numeric serials used for all classes of vehicles, including trucks, vehicles for hire and dealer vehicles. |
| 1916–17 | Embossed white serial on lavender plate with border line; "WN" at left and vertical "X17" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 64000, with gaps | The 'X' indicated the passenger class of vehicles; other letters were used for other classes. |
| 1917–18 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "WN" at left and vertical "X18" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 96000, with gaps | |
| 1918–19 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "WN X-19" at left | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 114000 | Revalidated through February 29, 1920, with white porcelain tabs. |
| 1919–20 | Black serial on yellow and white porcelain plate; "WN X-20" on white section at left | none | 123456 | 144001 to approximately 157000, with gaps | Both these plates issued only to new registrants. |
| 1919–20 | As above, but fully embossed with border line | none | 123456 | 157501 to approximately 194000, with gaps | Both these plates issued only to new registrants. |
| 1920–21 | Embossed white serial on green plate; "WN X-21" at left | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 181000, with gaps | |
| 1921 | Embossed black serial on gray plate; "WN X:21" at left | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 184000, with gaps | |
| 1922 | Embossed white serial on brown plate; "WN X-22" at left | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 195000, with gaps | |
| 1923 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "WN X:23" at left | none | 123456 | 1 to 200000; 300001 to approximately 319000 | |
| 1924 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "WN X:24" at left | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 253000 | |
| 1925 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "WN X-25" at left | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 282000 | |
| 1926 | Embossed white serial on green plate; "WASHINGTON" at bottom, slightly offset to right; vertical "X26" at left | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 311-000 | First use of the full state name. |
| 1927 | Embossed green serial on white plate; "WASHINGTON" at bottom, slightly offset to right; vertical "X27" at left | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 326-000 | |
| 1928 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON-28" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 343-000 | |
| 1929 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON-29" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 394-000 | |
| 1930 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "30 WASHINGTON X" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 380-000 | |
| 1931 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON 31" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 348-000 | |
| 1932 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "X 32 WASHINGTON" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 381-000 | |
| 1933 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON 33" at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 359-000 | |
| 1934 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON 34" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 358-000 | |
| 1935 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "X WASHINGTON 35" at bottom | none | A-12345 123-456 AB-1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | First use of county codes, and last use of 'X' to indicate the passenger class. Six-digit all-numeric serials issued in King County following A-99999; this happened again in 1936. |
| 1936 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "19 WASHINGTON 36" at bottom | none | A-12345 123-456 AB-1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | |
| 1937 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "WASHINGTON 1937" at top | none | A-123-456 AB-1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | |
| 1938 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "1938 WASHINGTON" at top | none | A-123-456 AB-1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | |
| 1939 | Embossed golden yellow serial on green plate with border line; "STATE OF WASHINGTON" at bottom | "1889-GOLDEN JUBILEE-1939" at top | A-123-456 AB-1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | Commemorated Washington's 50 years of statehood. |
| 1940 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "WASHINGTON 1940" at bottom | none | A-123-456 AB-1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | |
| 1941 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "WASHINGTON 1941" at top | none | A-123-456 AB-1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | |
| 1942–44 | Embossed green serial on white plate; "WASHINGTON 1942" at bottom | none | A-123-456 AB-1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | Revalidated for 1943 and 1944 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II. |
| 1944 | As 1942 base, but with "WASHINGTON 1944" at bottom | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 89000 | Issued only to new registrants. |
| 1945–46 | Embossed green serial on white plate; "WASHINGTON 1945" at top | none | A-123-456 AB-1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | Revalidated for 1946 with windshield stickers. |
| 1947–48 | Embossed green serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "WASHINGTON 1947" at bottom | none | A·123·456 AB·1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | Revalidated for 1948 with windshield stickers. |
| 1949 | Embossed green serial on unpainted aluminum plate; "WASHINGTON 1949" at top | none | A123·456 AB·1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | |

### 1950 to present

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. The first Washington license plate that complied with these standards was a modification of the 1954 plate, introduced in January 1956.
| Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| 1950 | Embossed green serial on white plate; "WASHINGTON 50" at bottom | none | A123·456 AB·1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | Revalidated for 1951 with silver tabs, for 1952 with windshield stickers, and for 1953 with green tabs. |
| 1951–53 | As above, but with "51" instead of "50" | none | A123·456 AB·1234 | County-coded (A or AB) | Single plate issued only to new registrants. Revalidated for 1952 and 1953 in the same manner as for 1950 plates. |
| 1954–57 | Embossed white serial on green plate; "54 WASHINGTON" at bottom | none | 123-456 A 12-345 AB | County-coded (A or AB) | Revalidated for 1955 with silver tabs, for 1956 with white tabs, and for 1957 with green tabs. |
| 1956–57 | As above, but to 6" x 12" size, and with narrower serial dies and border line | none | 123-456 A 12-345 AB | County-coded (A or AB) | Validated for 1956 and 1957 in the same manner as for 1954–55 plates. |
| 1958–62 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "WASHINGTON" centered at bottom | none | ABC 123 | County-coded | Validated each year with plate stickers. |
| 1963–64 | Embossed green serial on non-reflective white plate with border line; "WASH. 63" centered at bottom | none | ABC 123 | County-coded (until 1981) | |
| 1965–67 | As above, but with "WASHINGTON" centered at bottom | none | ABC 123 | County-coded (until 1981) | |
| 1968–82 | As above, but reflective, and with "WASHINGTON" at top, offset to left | none | ABC 123 | County-coded (until 1981) | |
| 1982–85 | As above, but with "WASHINGTON" screened rather than embossed | none | ABC 123 | Unused 'E', 'G', 'H' and 'L' series | |
| 1985–86 | As above, but with narrower serial dies | none | ABC-123 | Unused 'L' and 'W' series | |
| 1987 – late 1990 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with light blue Mount Rainier graphic and dark blue border line; "Washington" screened in red centered at top | "Centennial Celebration" screened in red centered at bottom | 123-ABC | 000-AAA to 999-DGP | I, O and Q not used as the first letter in this serial format. Seven-year plate replacement schedule phased from January 2001 to December 2014. |
| late 1990 – July 1998 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate with light blue Mount Rainier graphic and dark blue border line; "Washington" screened in red centered at top | none | 123-ABC | 000-DGQ to 999-JNZ | I, O and Q not used as the first letter in this serial format. Seven-year plate replacement schedule phased from January 2001 to December 2014. |
| July 1998 – December 31, 2009 | As above, but without dark blue border line, and with "WASHINGTON" screened in red at top, offset to left | "EVERGREEN STATE" screened in red centered at bottom | 123-ABC | 000-JOA to 999-ZZZ | I, O and Q not used as the first letter in this serial format. Seven-year plate replacement schedule phased from January 2001 to December 2014. |
| January 1, 2010 – October 2024 | As above, but without dark blue border line, and with "WASHINGTON" screened in red at top, offset to left | "EVERGREEN STATE" screened in red centered at bottom | ABC1234 | AAA0000 to CPE8599; CPL0000 to approximately CPN2699 | I, O and Q not used as the third letter in this serial format. Seven-year plate replacement schedule discontinued in January 2015. |
| October 2024 – present | As above, but with the serial flat instead of embossed | "EVERGREEN STATE" screened in red centered at bottom | ABC1234 | CPE8600 to CPK9999; CPN2700 to CRK0606 (as of December 6, 2024) | I, O and Q not used in the 'C' series of serials. |

## Non-passenger plates

| Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| Disabled | 1990-98 | Similar to 1990-98 passenger plates, but with man in wheelchair on right | 12345D/P | D/P12345-D/P99999 |
| Disabled | 1999-2010 | Similar to 1998-2010 passenger plates, but with man in wheelchair on right | 12345D/P | D/P00001-D/P99999 |
| Disabled | 2010-present | Similar to 2010-present passenger plates, but with man in wheelchair on left; plate also became screened | D/P12345 | D/P00001-present |
| Motorcycle | 1968–76 | Debossed white on green with border line; "WASHINGTON" at top, offset to left | AB-123 | AA-000 to approximately KY-999 | Validated until 2000. |
| Motorcycle | 1976–86 | Embossed green on white with border line; "WASHINGTON" at top, offset to left | 123456 | 000001 to approximately 297000 | Validated until 2000. |
| Motorcycle | 1987–99 | Similar to 1987–98 passenger plates, but with "Washington" offset to left and no slogan | 123456 | 400000 to approximately 601999 | |
| Motorcycle | 1999–2008 | Similar to current passenger plates, but without slogan | 123456 | 602000 to 999999 | |
| Motorcycle | 2008–present | Similar to current passenger plates, but without slogan | 1A2345 | 0A0000 to 4K7877 (as of November 5, 2023) | |
| Trailer – large | 1987–90 | As 1987–90 passenger plates | 1234-AB | 0000-JA to approximately 9999-KC | |
| Trailer – large | 1990–99 | As 1990–98 passenger plates | 1234-AB | 0000-KD to approximately 9999-MH | |
| Trailer – large | 1999–2016 | As current passenger plates | 1234-AB | 0000-MI to 9999-ZZ | |
| Trailer – large | 2016–present | As current passenger plates | 12345AB | 00000AA to 12389AK (as of October 16, 2023) | |
| Truck | 1987–90 | As 1987–90 passenger plates | 12345-A | 00000-H to 11999-T | |
| Truck | 1990–95 | As 1990–98 passenger plates | 12345-A | 12000-T to 99999-Z | |
| Truck | 1995–99 | As 1990–98 passenger plates | A12345B | A00000A to A18999E | |
| Truck | 1999–present | As current passenger plates | A12345B | A19000E to D79538E (as of May 20, 2024) | |
| Apportioned Combination | 1988–94 | As 1987–90 style passenger plates with "Apportioned" in red text at bottom | 12345AB | | |
| Apportioned Combination | 1994–99 | As 1990–98 style passenger plates with text "APPOR. COMBINATION" in red on yellow sticker at bottom | 12345AB | | |
| Apportioned Combination | 1998–99 | As above except black band around edge has been omitted | 12345AB | | |
| Apportioned Combination | 2000–present | As 1998–present style passenger plates with text "APPOR. COMBINATION" in red on yellow sticker at bottom or with text "APPORTIONED COMBINATION" in red printed at bottom | 12345AB | | |
| Rental Car | 1990–1998 | As 1990–1998 passenger plates. Discontinued after used to target and rob tourists. First three digits sometimes reflect rental car company (ex. NCR= National Car Rental.) | AAA0000 | |

## County coding

| County | One- or two-letter code, 1935–57 | Three-letter codes, 1958–81 |
| King | A | AAA–AZZ, OAA–OZZ, IAA–IRZ, IUA–IZZ, UCA–UKZ |
| Pierce | B | BAA–BZZ, TBA–TFZ |
| Spokane | C | CAA–CKZ, CNA–CTZ, CVA–CVK (1963–81), CVL–CZZ, SLA–SMZ |
| Snohomish | D | DAA–DRZ, DVA–DVR |
| Yakima | E | EAA–EKZ |
| Whatcom | F | FAA–FFM |
| Clark | G | GAA–GCZ, GEA–GNP |
| Grays Harbor | H | HAA–HDW |
| Kitsap | I | KSA–KUB, KVA–KZF |
| Thurston | J | JAA–JEK |
| Chelan | K | KAA–KDH |
| Lewis | L | LAA–LDG |
| Skagit | M | MAA–MDS |
| Cowlitz | N | NAA–NFP |
| Walla Walla | O | WWA–WYZ |
| Whitman | P | PAA–PCF |
| Clallam | Q | CLA–CMZ, PDA–PDF |
| Benton | R | RAA–REU |
| Kittitas | S | SAA–SBM |
| Lincoln | T | TAA–TAN |
| Okanogan | U | UAA–UBK |
| Pacific | V | VAA–VAW |
| Stevens | W | WAA–WBD |
| Mason | X | XAA–XAZ |
| Jefferson | Y | YAA–YAN |
| Klickitat | Z | ZAA–ZBD |
| Adams | AD | YYA–YYR |
| Asotin | AN | ZZA–ZZZ, ZYA–ZYL |
| Columbia | CO | CUA–CUG |
| Douglas | DO | DSA–DST |
| Franklin | FN | FNA–FSF |
| Ferry | FY | FYA–FYE |
| Garfield | GA | GDA–GDF |
| Grant | GT | GTA–GVW |
| Island | IS | CVA–CVK (1958–62); ISA–ITZ (1963–81) |
| Pend Oreille | PO | PEB–PES |
| Skamania | SA | SKA–SKK |
| San Juan | SJ | SJA–SJK |
| Wahkiakum | WA | WMA–WMF |

## Specialty plates

| Type | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| 4-H | | Black serial on gradient white and green plate; 4-H four-leaf clover emblem at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | "4-H For YOUth!" in black at bottom | 4/H 12345 | 4/H 00001 to present | |
| Amateur Radio | | As standard passenger base, but with black serial | "EVERGREEN STATE" in red at bottom | FCC call sign | | |
| Collector Vehicle | | As standard passenger base, but with black serial | "EVERGREEN STATE" in red at bottom; "COLLECTOR VEHICLE" vertically at left | 12345 1234A | 00001 to 99999 0001A to current | Issued to vehicles 30 years old or older. Need not display month/year tabs. |
| Endangered Wildlife | | Black serial on graphic plate with ocean and cliffs against a light blue sky and breaching killer whale at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | "Endangered Wildlife" in dark blue at bottom | E/W 12345 | E/W 00001 to present | Vanity variants also issued. |
| Fly Washington Aviation | | Black serial on graphic plate with Mount Rainier in background with a yellow and teal biplane left of serial; "Fly WASHINGTON" in blue at top left | "CELEBRATE AVIATION" in white at bottom | A/V 12345 | A/V 00001 to present | |
| Keep Kids Safe | January 3, 2006 – present | Black serial on pale blue plate with green, pink, blue, yellow and red handprints; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | "Keep Kids Safe" in green at bottom | K/S 12345 | K/S 00001 to present | |
| Music Matters | | Black serial on graphic plate with music notes and lines against a yellow and orange background; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | "Music Matters" in Red at bottom | MU12345 | MU00001 to present |
| Preserve Our National Parks | | Black serial on graphic plate with North Cascades in mist against a pink and gray sky; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | "Preserve Our National Parks" in black at bottom | N/P 12345 | N/P 00001 to present | Vanity variants also issued. |
| San Juan Islands | | White serial on graphic plate with Pacific madrone tree and pod of orcas surfacing; "WASHINGTON" in white at top left | "San Juan Islands" in white at bottom | S/J 12345 | S/J 00001 to present | |
| Share the Road | | Black serial on graphic plate with Mount Rainier at top, green field in middle, gray road at bottom and cyclist at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | "SHARE THE ROAD" in yellow at bottom | B/K 12345 | B/K 00001 to present | |
| United States Army | | Black serial on graphic plate with national flag in background and emblem of the Department of the Army at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | none | A/R 12345 | A/R 00001 to present | |
| United States Navy | | Black serial on graphic plate with national flag in background and emblem of the U.S. Navy at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | none | N/A 12345 | N/A 00001 to present | |
| University of Washington | 2006 – December 2013 | Black serial on white and gold gradient plate; purple 'W' logo at left and university's seal at right; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | "UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON" in purple at bottom | 1234A | 0001A to approximately 8700A | |
| University of Washington | December 2013 – present | White serial on purple plate; gold 'W' logo at left; "WASHINGTON" in white at top left | "UNIVERSITY of WASHINGTON" in gold at bottom | 1234A | 8701A to present | |
| Washington State University | 1985 -January 2012 | Red serial on Washington plate; red “Cougar” WSU logo at left; vertical WSU lettering at left; “WASHINGTON” in red at top left | "GO COUGARS" in red at bottom | | Unknown | |
| Washington State University | January 2012 – present | White serial on crimson red plate; white "Cougar" WSU logo at right; vertical WSU lettering in center; "WASHINGTON" in white at top left | "WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY" in white at bottom | W/S/U123A | 001A to present | |
| Washington Apple Commission | July 1, 2020 – present | White serial on navy blue plate with state outline at right and Washington Apple Commission logo in red at left; "WASHINGTON" in white at top left | "World's Finest Apples" in white at bottom | W/A/C 1234 | W/A/C 0001 to present | |
| Wildlife - deer | | Black serial on graphic plate with forest scene in background and deer at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | "Washingtons's Wildlife" in green at bottom | W/D 12345 | W/D 00001 to present |
| Wildlife – bald eagle | | Black serial on graphic plate with sunset scene in background and bald eagle at left; "WASHINGTON" in black at top left | "Wild on Washington" in yellow at bottom | W/W 12345 | W/W 00001 to present | |