# Vehicle registration plates of Alaska

Alaska first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1921, while still an organized incorporated territory of the United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 49th state in January 1959.
As of 2023, plates are issued by the Alaska Department of Administration through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required for standard passenger vehicles since August 11, 2022. On vehicles with two license plates, only the rear plate is required to be stickered.

## Passenger baseplates
### 1921 to 1952

No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.
| Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| 1921 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top, "AUTO LICENSE" at bottom and vertical "1921" at left and right | 123 | 1 to approximately 350 | |
| 1922 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1922" at bottom right | 123 | 1 to approximately 500 | |
| 1923 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1923" at bottom right | 123 | 1 to approximately 850 | |
| 1924 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1924" at bottom right | 123 | 1 to approximately 999 | |
| 1925 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1925" at bottom right | 1234 | 0001 to approximately 1200 | |
| 1926 | Embossed black serial on green plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1926" at bottom right | 123 | 1 to approximately 999 | |
| 1927 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1927" at bottom right | 1234 | 101 to approximately 1250 | |
| 1928 | Embossed red serial on light yellow plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1928" at bottom right | 1234 | 101 to approximately 1350 | |
| 1929 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1929" at bottom right | 1234 | 101 to approximately 1600 | |
| 1930 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1930" at bottom right | 1234 | 101 to approximately 1800 | |
| 1931 | Embossed black serial on gray plate with border line; "ALASKA" at top and "1931" at bottom right | 1234 | 1 to approximately 2000 | |
| 1932 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "ALASKA – 1932" at bottom | 1234 | 301 to approximately 3100 | |
| 1933 | Embossed white serial on red plate; "ALASKA – 1933" at bottom | 1234 | 301 to approximately 3000 | |
| 1934 | Embossed white serial on green plate; "ALASKA – 1934" at bottom | 1234 | 101 to approximately 3200 | |
| 1935 | Embossed black serial on orange plate; "ALASKA – 1935" at bottom | 1234 | 101 to approximately 3100 | |
| 1936 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "ALASKA – 1936" at bottom | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 4300 | |
| 1937 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "ALASKA – 1937" at bottom | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 4300 | |
| 1938 | Embossed red serial on white plate; "ALASKA – 1938" at bottom | 1234 | 1001 to approximately 5200 | |
| 1939 | Embossed black serial on silver plate; "ALASKA – 1939" at bottom | 1234 | 1 to approximately 4800 | |
| 1940 | Embossed black serial on orange plate; "ALASKA – 1940" at bottom | 1234 | 1 to approximately 5200 | |
| 1941 | Embossed white serial on green plate; "ALASKA – 1941" at bottom | 1234 | 1 to 6000; 7001 to approximately 7900 | Serials 6001 through 7000 reserved for vehicles for hire. |
| 1942 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "ALASKA – 1942" at bottom | 1234 | 1 to approximately 7900 | |
| 1943–44 | Embossed white serial on blue plate; "ALASKA – 1943" at bottom | 1234 | 1 to approximately 7800 | Revalidated for 1944 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. |
| 1945 | White serial on green fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1945" centered at bottom | 1234 | 1 to approximately 7800 | Fiberboard plates manufactured due to ongoing metal shortage; this continued until 1948. |
| 1946 | White serial on maroon fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1946" centered at top | 1234 | 1 to approximately 8300 | |
| 1947 | Yellow serial on dark blue fiberboard plate; "ALASKA-1947" centered at bottom | 1234 | 1 to approximately 11300 | |
| 1948 | Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1948" at bottom | 12345 | 1 to approximately 15000 | |
| 1949 | Embossed blue serial on white plate; blue lines at top and bottom borders; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1949" at bottom | 12345 | 1 to approximately 20000 | |
| 1950 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1950" at bottom | 12345 | 1 to approximately 26500 | |
| 1951 | Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1951" at top | 12345 | 1 to approximately 35000 | |
| 1952 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA — 1952" at top | 12345 | 1 to approximately 35000 | |

### 1953 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 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Alaska license plate that complied with these standards.
All plates issued since 1981 remain valid with proper validation.
| Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| 1953–55 | Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "53" at top right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 96000 | Revalidated for 1954 with white tabs, and for 1955 with black tabs. |
| 1956–57 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "56" at top right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 63000 | First 6" x 12" plate. Revalidated for 1957 with red tabs. |
| 1958–59 | Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial/state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "58" at top right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 74000 | Revalidated for 1959 with white tabs. |
| 1960–61 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; "60" at top right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 93000 | Revalidated for 1961 with blue tabs. |
| 1962–65 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at bottom; "62" at bottom right | none | 12345 | 1 to 99999 | Revalidated for 1963 with blue tabs, and for 1964 and 1965 with stickers. |
| 1962–65 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at bottom; "62" at bottom right | none | A-1234 | A-1000 to approximately E-3250 | Revalidated for 1963 with blue tabs, and for 1964 and 1965 with stickers. |
| 1966–67 | Embossed yellow serial on blue plate with border line; embossed eagle totem pole graphic at left; stylized "ALASKA" centered at top; yellow box at top right containing debossed "66" | "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom, with "1867" to the left and "1967" to the right | 12345 | 1 to 99999 | Commemorated the centennial of the Alaska Purchase. Revalidated for 1967 with stickers. |
| 1968–69 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; blue box at top right containing debossed "68" | "THE GREAT LAND" centered at bottom | 12345 | 1 to 99999 | Revalidated for 1969 with stickers. |
| 1968–69 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA" centered at top; blue box at top right containing debossed "68" | "THE GREAT LAND" centered at bottom | B1234 | B1000 to approximately B7250 | Revalidated for 1969 with stickers. |
| 1970 | Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA–U.S.A." centered at top; blue box at top right containing debossed "70" | "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom | 12345 | 1 to 99999 | All plates were valid without stickers until the end of the year of issue, then revalidated with stickers until the end of 1975. |
| 1970 | Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed state flag at left; "ALASKA–U.S.A." centered at top; blue box at top right containing debossed "70" | "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom | A1234 | A1 to approximately A5200 | All plates were valid without stickers until the end of the year of issue, then revalidated with stickers until the end of 1975. |
| 1971 | As above, but with additional blue box at top left containing debossed "71" | "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom | A1234 | B1 to approximately E1100 | All plates were valid without stickers until the end of the year of issue, then revalidated with stickers until the end of 1975. |
| 1972–73 | As above, but with box at top right containing debossed "72" instead of "70" | "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom | A1234 | G1 to G9999; K1 to approximately M9999 | All plates were valid without stickers until the end of the year of issue, then revalidated with stickers until the end of 1975. |
| (1973) | Embossed blue serial on golden yellow plate; border line around plate and around revalidation sticker spot at top left; embossed state flag in the center; "ALASKA" centered at top; "73" at top right | none | ABC 123 | AAA 100 to AAD 999 | Not issued; considered prototypes (see 1973 plate controversy section below). |
| 1974 | As 1970–73 plates, but with "ALASKA" centered at top, border line around revalidation sticker spot at top left, and "74" at top right | "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom | AB 123 | AA 100 to DB 699 | Letter Q not used in this serial format. |
| 1975 | As above, but with "75" at top right | "NORTH TO THE FUTURE" centered at bottom | AB 123 | DB 700 to ED 999 | Letter Q not used in this serial format. |
| 1976–81 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; standing brown Kodiak bear screened in the center, with pale brown mountain and forest landscape in the background; "ALASKA" embossed in red centered at top | none | ABC 123 | AAA 100 to ASZ 999 | Letters I, O and Q not used in this serial format. |
| 1981–97 | Embossed blue serial on reflective golden yellow plate; screened state flag in the center; "ALASKA" screened in blue centered at top; indented top corners for revalidation stickers | "The Last Frontier" screened in blue centered at bottom | ABC 123 | BAA 100 to CZZ 999; DFA 100 to DJX 999 | Series DAA through DEZ reserved for Disabled Veteran plates. |
| 1997 – October 2004 | Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate featuring a blue sky, yellow rising sun, white mountains fading to golden yellow at the bottom, and black silhouettes of gold prospectors from the top center to the bottom left; "ALASKA" screened in golden yellow centered at top, with mining equipment for the second 'A' | "Gold Rush" screened in golden yellow below state name and "Centennial" in black at bottom, both offset to right | ABC 123 | DJY 100 to ERT 999 | Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new standard-issue license plate of 1998 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Alaska was so honored. Co-recipient with Idaho. |
| October 2004 | As 1981–97 base, but without indented top corners | "The Last Frontier" as on 1981–97 base | ABC 123 | ERU 100 to approximately ERV 489 | Serials stamped on leftover 1981–97 blanks, before production of all-embossed variants began (below). |
| October 2004 – July 2005 | As above, but with embossed state name and flag | "THE LAST FRONTIER" embossed in blue centered at bottom | ABC 123 | ERV 490 to EUB 999 | |
| July 2005 – December 31, 2007 | As above, but with larger stars in flag | "THE LAST FRONTIER" embossed in blue centered at bottom | ABC 123 | EUC 100 to FGE 999 | |
| January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2009 | Embossed dark blue serial on reflective graphic plate featuring a yellow sky, gradient orange sunburst and white mountains fading to blue at the bottom; Alaska 50 logo (featuring the state flag) screened at left; "ALASKA" screened in dark blue centered at top | "CELEBRATING STATEHOOD 1959-2009" screened in red on white section of mountains, offset to right | ABC123 | FGF100 to FUW999 | Also used for vanity plates. |
| January 1, 2010 – December 2022 | As 2005–07 base | "THE LAST FRONTIER" as from 2004–07 | ABC 123 | FUZ 100 to FUZ 999; GAA 100 to GZZ 999; KAA 100 to KJX 999 | FUZ series issued in error; 'H' series reserved for Disabled plates; 'J' series used on alternative bear plates (below). Plates from about KEU 100 onward feature thicker serial dies similar to those used in 1968-75. |
| January 2023 – present | As above, but with thinner, squarer serial dies (using North Carolina dies), and only the plate number is embossed. | "THE LAST FRONTIER" as from 2004–22 | ABC 123 | KJY 100 to KNN 894 (as of August 15, 2024) | |

### Alternative passenger plates

| Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| May 7, 2015 – March 2023 | Embossed red serial on reflective graphic plate featuring a standing brown Kodiak bear in the center against a light blue sky, orange sunset and white mountains; "ALASKA" screened in dark blue centered at top | none | ABC 123 | JAA 100 to JWS 999 | Based on the 1976–81 bear plate. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 2015 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Alaska was so honored. Plates from about JPV 100 onward feature thicker serial dies similar to those used in 1968-75. |
| March 2023 – present | As above, but with thinner, squarer characters | none | ABC 123 | JWT 100 to JZZ 999; MAA 100 to MAG 424 (as of October 27, 2024) |
| July 2018 – mid 2019 | Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate with northern lights and full moon above pale gray mountains and dark gray forest; "ALASKA" screened in black centered at top | "ALASKA ARTISTIC LICENSE" screened in black centered at bottom, with the logo of the Alaska State Council on the Arts above | ABC 123 | LAA 100 to approximately LBT 999 | The design was by UAA student Anita Laulainen and was chosen after an online vote in the fall of 2017. Still valid for renewals. |
| mid 2019 – March 2023 | Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate with northern lights and full moon above pale gray mountains and dark gray forest; "ALASKA" screened in black centered at top | "ALASKA ARTISTIC LICENSE" screened in black centered at bottom, with the logo of the Alaska State Council on the Arts above | ABC 123 | LBU 100 to LJG 999 | Colors faded in response to legibility concerns. Still valid for renewals. |
| March 2023 – August 18, 2024 | As above, but with thinner, squarer characters | "ALASKA ARTISTIC LICENSE" screened in black centered at bottom, with the logo of the Alaska State Council on the Arts above | ABC 123 | LJH 100 to LME 613 (as of September 27, 2024) | Still valid for renewals. |
| August 19, 2024 - present | Embossed black serial on reflective graphic plate with fireweed and Denali under a purple sky; "ALASKA" screened in black centered at top | "ALASKA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS" screened in white centered at bottom, with the logo of the Alaska State Council on the Arts above | ABC 123 | LMT 100 to LNJ 127 (as of October 19, 2024) | Fireweed plate. The design was submitted by Sabrina Kessakorn and was chosen after an online vote using ranked choice voting in the summer of 2023. |

## 1973 plate controversy

A new plate design was to have been introduced in 1973, featuring the state flag in the center of the plate and a new ABC 123 serial format. During 1972, nine thousand pairs of these plates were produced, but before they could be issued they were rejected by Governor William A. Egan, who objected to the use of dots rather than stars in the state flag. The plates were instead considered prototypes, with their elements being used on future plates: the revalidation sticker box in the top left corner was used on the 1974 and 1975 versions of the 1970 plate; the ABC 123 serial format was adopted in 1976; and the "Last Frontier" plates issued since 1981 have the state flag in the center (with stars).
These prototype plates are common enough to be easily found among license plate collectors.

## Non-passenger and optional types

Alaska offers a variety of optional plates that motorists may display upon the payment of an additional fee as well as non-passenger plate types that are displayed on vehicles for specialized uses.
| Type | First issued | Serial format | Notes |
| Alaska State Trooper | | 123 AST | |
| Amateur Radio | | FCC call sign | |
| Blood Bank of Alaska | | Personalized | |
| Charitable/Church Exempt | | XYx 123 YYx 123 | |
| Children's Trust | | KID 012 123 KID | KID-prefixed sequence started with 001. |
| Collector's Car | | HA 123 | |
| Commercial Trailer | | 1234 SB | |
| Disabled | | HBC 123 | Serials feature wheelchair symbol between letters and digits. |
| Disabled Veteran | | DBC 123 | Serials began at DAV 100. May or may not feature wheelchair symbol between letters and digits. |
| Ex-Prisoner of War | | POW 012 | Started with 001. |
| Farm Vehicle | | 1234 FB | "Farm" legend. |
| Gold Star Family | | Personalized | |
| Historic Vehicle | | HA 123 | |
| Iditarod | | IDT 123 or personalized | |
| I Support Our Veterans | 2007 | Personalized | |
| Low-Speed Vehicle | 2007 | LSV 012 | Started with 001. |
| Motorcycle and Non-Commercial Trailer | 1999 | 1234 RB 1234 TB | |
| National Guard | | VNG 123 VHA 123 VNA 123 | |
| Pearl Harbor Survivor | | P/H 123 | "PH" is stacked vertically and in center of plate. |
| Personalized - Passenger | | Six alphanumeric characters. | Three different designs. |
| Prince William Sound College | | PWS 123 | |
| Purple Heart | | VPH 123 VPA 123 VPB123 | |
| Support Our Troops! | 2008 | | Available in personalized format. |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | | UAA 123 UAA123 | Two styles; newer style available in personalized format. |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | | UAF 123 | Two styles; newer style available in personalized format. |
| University of Alaska Southeast | | UAS 123 | |
| Veteran - Air Force | | VBC 123 | |
| Veteran - Army | | VBC 123 | |
| Veteran - Coast Guard | | VCG 123 VCB 123 VCC123 | |
| Veteran - Marine Corps | | VBC 123 | |
| Veteran - Navy | | VBC 123 | |

### Discontinued

| Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| | Motorcycle | 1976–81 | Red on white | 1234 M/B | 1000 M/C to 9999 M/G | Motorcycle discontinued as a separate type in 1999; merged with Non-Commercial Trailer. |
| | Motorcycle | 1981–99 | Blue on golden yellow | 1234 M/B | 1000 M/H to 9999 M/N | Motorcycle discontinued as a separate type in 1999; merged with Non-Commercial Trailer. |