# Vehicle registration plates of Washington, D.C.

The U.S. federal district of Washington, D.C., first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1907, when the district began to issue plates. Plates are issued by the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV). Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

## Passenger baseplates
### 1907 to 1966

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, D.C. license plate that complied with these standards was issued three years beforehand, in 1953 (dated March 31, 1954).
| Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| 1907–17 | White serial on black porcelain plate; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" at top | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 65000, with gaps | Some serial blocks believed to be reserved for motorcycles. |
| 1918 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "DC 18" at right | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 38-000 | |
| 1919 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "D.C. 1919" at right | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 46-000 | |
| 1920 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "D.C. 1920" at right | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 55-000 | |
| 1921 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "D.C. 1921" at right | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 67-500 | |
| 1922 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "D.C. 1922" at right | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 80-000 | |
| 1923 | Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; "D.C. 1923" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 112-000 | |
| 1924 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "DIST. COL. 1924" centered at top | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 91-000 | |
| 1925 | Embossed white serial on dark gray plate with border line; "DIST. COL. 1925" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 114-000 | |
| 1926 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "DIST. COL. 1926" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 112-000 | |
| 1927 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "DIST. COL. 1927" centered at top | none | A-1234 | E-1 to approximately V-1000 | Letters A, B, C, D, H and R used on non-passenger vehicles. This practice continued through 1934. |
| 1928 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1928" at bottom | none | A-1234 | E-1 to approximately W-9000 | |
| 1929 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1929" at bottom | none | A-1234 | E-1 to approximately Z-8000 | |
| 1930 | As 1928 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1930" at bottom | none | A-1234 | E-1 to approximately Y-3000 | |
| 1931 | As 1929 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1931" at bottom | none | A-1234 | E-1 to approximately Z-3000 | |
| 1932 | As 1928 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1932" at bottom | none | A-1234 | E-1 to approximately W-1000 | |
| 1933 | As 1929 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1933" at bottom | none | A-1234 | E-1 to approximately X-4000 | |
| 1934 | As 1928 base, but with "DIST. OF COLUMBIA - 1934" at bottom | none | A-1234 | E-1 to approximately X-3000 | |
| 1935 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - 1935" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 57-001 to approximately 191-000 | |
| 1936 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "1936" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 54-001 to approximately 202-000 | |
| 1937 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "1937" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 46-001 to approximately 193-000 | |
| 1938 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "1938" and "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 46-001 to approximately 182-000 | |
| January 1, 1939 – February 29, 1940 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "EX-2-29-40" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 46-001 to approximately 174-000 | |
| March 1, 1940 – March 31, 1941 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "EX-3-31-41" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 52-000 to approximately 182-000 | |
| April 1, 1941 – March 31, 1942 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "EX-3-31-42" and "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123-456 | 46-001 to approximately 183-000 | |
| April 1, 1942 – March 31, 1945 | As 1940–41 base, but with "EX-3-31-43" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 52-001 to approximately 216-000 | Revalidated through March 31, 1944, with black tabs, then through March 31, 1945, with white tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. |
| April 1, 1945 – March 31, 1946 | As 1941–42 base, but with "EX-3-31-46" at top | none | 123-456 | 45-001 to approximately 136-000 | Only rear plates issued due to ongoing metal shortage. |
| April 1, 1946 – March 31, 1948 | As 1940–41 base, but with "EX-3-31-47" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 50-001 to approximately 181-000 | Revalidated through March 31, 1948, with white tabs. |
| April 1, 1948 – March 31, 1949 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "19 D.C. 48" at top | none | 1234 | 1 to 9999 | Letters B, C, D, H, L, M, R and T used on non-passenger vehicles. This practice continued through March 31, 1955. |
| April 1, 1948 – March 31, 1949 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "19 D.C. 48" at top | none | 1-2345 | 1-1000 to 9-9999 | Letters B, C, D, H, L, M, R and T used on non-passenger vehicles. This practice continued through March 31, 1955. |
| April 1, 1948 – March 31, 1949 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "19 D.C. 48" at top | none | A-1234 | A-1 to approximately N-1000 | Letters B, C, D, H, L, M, R and T used on non-passenger vehicles. This practice continued through March 31, 1955. |
| April 1, 1949 – March 31, 1950 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "19 D.C. 49" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1 to 9999 | |
| April 1, 1949 – March 31, 1950 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "19 D.C. 49" at bottom | none | 1-2345 | 1-1000 to 9-9999 | |
| April 1, 1949 – March 31, 1950 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "19 D.C. 49" at bottom | none | A-1234 | A-1 to approximately P-7000 | |
| April 1, 1950 – March 31, 1951 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 D.C. 50" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1 to 9999 | |
| April 1, 1950 – March 31, 1951 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 D.C. 50" at bottom | none | 1-2345 | 1-1000 to 9-9999 | |
| April 1, 1950 – March 31, 1951 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 D.C. 50" at bottom | none | A-1234 | A-1 to approximately S-5000 | |
| April 1, 1951 – March 31, 1952 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "19 D.C. 51" at top | none | 1234 | 1 to 9999 | |
| April 1, 1951 – March 31, 1952 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "19 D.C. 51" at top | none | 1-2345 | 1-1000 to 9-9999 | |
| April 1, 1951 – March 31, 1952 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "19 D.C. 51" at top | none | A-1234 | A-1 to approximately S-2000 | |
| April 1, 1952 – March 31, 1953 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 D.C. 52" at bottom | none | 1234 | 1 to 9999 | |
| April 1, 1952 – March 31, 1953 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 D.C. 52" at bottom | none | 1-2345 | 1-1000 to 9-9999 | |
| April 1, 1952 – March 31, 1953 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 D.C. 52" at bottom | none | A-1234 | A-1 to approximately P-1000 | |
| April 1, 1953 – March 31, 1955 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "DIST. OF COLUMBIA" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "54" at top right | "THE NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at bottom | 1234 | 1 to 9999 | Revalidated through March 31, 1955, with dark green tabs. |
| April 1, 1953 – March 31, 1955 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "DIST. OF COLUMBIA" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "54" at top right | "THE NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at bottom | 1-2345 | 1-1000 to 9-9999 | Revalidated through March 31, 1955, with dark green tabs. |
| April 1, 1953 – March 31, 1955 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "DIST. OF COLUMBIA" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "54" at top right | "THE NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at bottom | A-1234 | A-1 to Z-9999 | Revalidated through March 31, 1955, with dark green tabs. |
| April 1, 1953 – March 31, 1955 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "DIST. OF COLUMBIA" centered at top; "3-31" at top left and "54" at top right | "THE NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at bottom | AB-123 | AA-1 to approximately AB-999 | Revalidated through March 31, 1955, with dark green tabs. |
| April 1, 1955 – March 31, 1956 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "56" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | AB♦12♦34 | AA♦10♦00 to AY♦99♦99; EA♦10♦00 to approximately EA♦99♦99 | Serials with B, C, D, H and L as the first letter used on non-passenger vehicles. This practice continued through March 31, 1964. |
| April 1, 1956 – March 31, 1957 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "57" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | AB♦12♦34 | AA♦10♦00 to AY♦99♦99; EA♦10♦00 to approximately EA♦99♦99 | |
| April 1, 1957 – March 31, 1958 | Embossed golden yellow serial on royal blue plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "58" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | AB♦123 | AA♦100 to approximately SZ♦999 | |
| April 1, 1958 – March 31, 1959 | Embossed royal blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "59" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | AB♦123 | AA♦100 to approximately WB♦999 | |
| April 1, 1959 – March 31, 1960 | As 1957–58 base, but with "60" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | AB♦123 | AA♦100 to approximately WK♦999 | |
| April 1, 1960 – March 31, 1961 | As 1958–59 base, but with "61" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | AB♦123 | AA♦100 to approximately WP♦999 | |
| April 1, 1961 – March 31, 1962 | As 1957–58 base, but with "62" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | AB♦123 | AA♦100 to approximately WV♦999 | |
| April 1, 1962 – March 31, 1963 | Embossed dark green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "63" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | AB♦123 | AA♦100 to approximately WV♦999 | |
| April 1, 1963 – March 31, 1964 | Embossed black serial on reflective yellow plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "64" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | AB♦123 | AA♦100 to approximately XJ♦999 | |
| April 1, 1964 – March 31, 1965 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "65" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | 1A234 | 1A101 to 9Z999 | |
| April 1, 1964 – March 31, 1965 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "65" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | 1A23 | 1A01 to approximately 2T99 | |
| April 1, 1965 – March 31, 1966 | Embossed black serial on reflective golden yellow plate with border line; "WASHINGTON, D.C." centered at bottom; "3-31" at top left and "66" at top right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | 1AB23 | 1AA01 to approximately 2MH99 | |

### 1966 to present

Since November 2000, the standard Washington, D.C. license plate design has featured some form of the slogan "Taxation Without Representation", referring to the circumstance that the district's residents face, in common with U.S. territories, in which they must pay federal income tax but cannot elect a voting member of the United States Congress.
| Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| April 1, 1966 – March 31, 1967 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "WASHINGTON, D.C." centered at top; "3-31" at bottom left and "67" at bottom right | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 100-001 to 300-000 | Validated from April 1, 1967, through March 31, 1968, with stickers. |
| April 1, 1967 – March 31, 1968 | As above, but without "67" | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 300-001 to approximately 368-000 | Validated from April 1, 1967, through March 31, 1968, with stickers. |
| April 1, 1968 – March 31, 1974 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "WASHINGTON, D.C." centered at bottom | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | 123-456 | 500-001 to 999-999 | |
| April 1, 1974 – March 31, 1978 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; embossed blue U.S. Capitol dome graphic used as separator; screened red stripes above and below serial; "WASHINGTON, D.C." centered at bottom; "3-31" at bottom left and debossed sticker box at bottom right | "1776 BICENTENNIAL 1976" at top | 123-456 | 100-001 to 500-000 | Monthly staggered registration introduced August 1, 1983. All plates replaced between 1984 and 1986. |
| April 1, 1978 – March 31, 1979 | As above, but with "3-31" on sticker at bottom left (applied during production) | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | 123-456 | 500-001 to 562-000 | Monthly staggered registration introduced August 1, 1983. All plates replaced between 1984 and 1986. |
| April 1, 1979 – September 1984 | As above, but without "3-31" sticker | "NATION'S CAPITAL" centered at top | 123-456 | 562-001 to 925-000 | Monthly staggered registration introduced August 1, 1983. All plates replaced between 1984 and 1986. |
| October 1984 – July 1991 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; screened district flag used as separator; screened red stripes above and below serial; "Washington, D.C." screened in blue centered at bottom; debossed sticker boxes in bottom corners | "A Capital City" screened in blue centered at top | 123-456 | 925-001 to 999-999; 010-001 to 501-750 | Plates with all-numeric serials still validated including April 2016 all-numedic remake on the 2013 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA base Slogan changed in 1991 in honor of the district's bicentennial. |
| July 1991 – April 1997 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; screened district flag used as separator; screened red stripes above and below serial; "Washington, D.C." screened in blue centered at bottom; debossed sticker boxes in bottom corners | "Celebrate & Discover" screened in blue centered at top | 123-456 | 501-751 to approximately 853-000 | Plates with all-numeric serials still validated including April 2016 all-numedic remake on the 2013 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA base Slogan changed in 1991 in honor of the district's bicentennial. |
| April 1997 – November 2000 | As above, but with "Washington, D.C." and sticker boxes at top rather than bottom | "Celebrate & Discover" as above, but at bottom | AB-1234 | AA-0000 to AY-9999 | AP series reserved for Apportioned plates. |
| November 2000 – October 2001 | As above, but with "Washington, D.C." and sticker boxes at top rather than bottom | "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" screened in blue at bottom | AB-1234 | AZ-0000 to BA-9999; BC-0000 to approximately BG-1999 | AP series reserved for Apportioned plates. |
| January 2001 – January 2002 | As above, but with "Washington, D.C." and sticker boxes at top rather than bottom | "WWW.Washingtondc.gov" screened in blue centered at bottom | AB-1234 | BB-0000 to approximately BB-1999 | Alternative issue. |
| October 2001 – October 2002 | As above, but with serial screened rather than embossed, and without debossed sticker boxes | "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" as above | AB-1234 | BG-2000 to BH-9999; BK-0000 to approximately BP-1399 | |
| January 2002 – c. 2018 | As above, but with serial screened rather than embossed, and without debossed sticker boxes | "www.washingtondc.gov" screened in blue centered at bottom | AB-1234 | BJ-0000 to BJ-9999; EA-0000 to approximately EA-2999 | Alternative issues. EA series began in mid-2010. |
| c. 2018 – present | As above, but with serial screened rather than embossed, and without debossed sticker boxes | "www.dc.gov" screened in blue centered at bottom | AB-1234 | EA-3000 to present | Alternative issues. EA series began in mid-2010. |
| October 2002 – July 2013 | As above, but with "WASHINGTON, DC" in blue at top | "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" as above | AB-1234 | BP-1400 to DZ-9999; EB-0000 to EJ-9999 | DC series reserved for D.C. Government Fleet plates. |
| July 2013 – August 2017 | As above, but with "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" in blue at top | "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" as above | AB-1234 | EK-0000 to FN-3999 also all-numeric remakes (000-000 format) from the 1984 A Capital City & 1991 Celebrate & Discover bases | DC series reserved for D.C. Government Fleet plates. |
| August 2017 – present | As above, but with "WASHINGTON, DC" at top as from 2002 to 2013 | "END TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" screened in blue at bottom | AB-1234 | FN-4000 to GV-9999; JA-0000 to JL-0590 (as of July 11, 2024) | DC series reserved for D.C. Government Fleet plates. |

## Non-passenger plates

| Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Notes |
| | Annual Special Permit | c. 1971–present; undated prior to 1980 | Annual plates; unique design each year: 1980: yellow on red 1981: red on yellow 1982: white on green 1983: black on yellow 1984: yellow on blue 1986: black on white 1987: white on green 1988: white on red 1990: yellow on red 1991: red on yellow 1991: yellow on red 2008: black on orange 2009: black on blue 2010: white on green 2011: black on magenta 2012: white on black 2013: black on white 2014: black on orange 2015: black on dark yellow 2016: white on dark blue 2017: black on lemon yellow 2018: black on red 2019: black on gray 2020: black on dark yellow 2021: black on green (expiration extended to 2022 with stickers) 2023: orange on white 2024: black on green 2025: buff on light blue | 1234-65 TC-1234 TT-1234 | Temporary-use permits supplemental to registration plates; issued to heavy trucks registered outside of D.C. |
| | Apportioned | c. 2000–present | As passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serial, but with "APPORTIONED" in place of slogan | AP-1234 | Infrequently issued. Validated with plate stickers, as opposed to windshield stickers. Current highest serial seen: AP-1396 (on October 28, 2021). |
| | Bus | 1927–present | As passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serial | B-12345 | Current serial sequence began 1974 at B-101; serials became screened at around B-40500. Current highest serial seen: B-52131 (on November 2, 2020). |
| | Clergy | 1975-1984, with limited issuance since 1984 | As 1984–91 passenger base, with "A Capital City" at top, but with district flag at left | CLERGY 1234 | Likely no longer manufactured, but still revalidated. |
| | Commercial | 1926–present | As passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serial | C-12345 | Current serial sequence began 1974 at C-101; serials became screened at around C-68000. Current highest serial seen: C-82000 (on June 3, 2021). |
| 2013 2020 2021 2022 | Dealer | 1919–present | Generally issued on the same cycle as passenger plates until 2004, when annual plates with a unique design each year began. | DLR-1234 | 2005: white on red 2006: white on blue 2007: black on yellow 2008: black on pink 2009: black on teal 2010: white on light blue 2011: black on yellow 2012: white on dark green |
| 2013 2020 2021 2022 | Dealer | 1919–present | Generally issued on the same cycle as passenger plates until 2004, when annual plates with a unique design each year began. | DLR12345 | 2013: black on blue 2014: black on maroon |
| 2013 2020 2021 2022 | Dealer | 1919–present | Generally issued on the same cycle as passenger plates until 2004, when annual plates with a unique design each year began. | DLR-12345 | 2015: black on yellow 2016: black on grey 2017: black on green 2018: black on red 2019: black on orange 2020: black on blue 2021: black on pink 2022: black on yellow 2023: black on green 2024: unknown 2025: yellow on dark green |
| | Disabled | c. 1981–present | As passenger base, with no district flag | H/P12345 12345 | Serial sequence began at H/P001; the letters were dropped when the "Celebrate & Discover" slogan was introduced, at around 12000. Current highest serial seen: 26021 (on October 6, 2020). |
| | Foreign Organization | Beginning by at least 2003; discontinued by 2015 | Similar to passenger base, but with plum blossom symbol at left | T/P/E1234 | Issued to vehicles owned by official representatives of Taiwan. No longer issued. |
| | D.C. Government Fleet | 1927–present | As passenger base, but with district flag at left with "D.C. GOVT." above and "Fleet" below | $^G$V$_T$1234 GT-1234 D/C 12345 | Current serial sequence began 2000 at D/C 0001. Current highest serial seen: D/C 14350 (on June 3, 2022). |
| | D.C. Government Motorcycle | 1952–present | 5-digit plates: embossed blue on white; 6-digit plates: flat blue on white | GM-123 DC-1234 DC-123A | "GVT Motorcycle" legend |
| | District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority | 2001-2011; 2011–present | | W/A/S/A1234 D/C/W1234 | D.C. Water plates replaced WASA plates in October 2011. |
| | Historic Motor Vehicle | 1979–present | White plate with Capitol dome and district flag at left. Screened blue serial letters and embossed red serial digits until 2006; full serial screened blue since | H/M/V1234 | Issued to vehicles that are at least 25 years old. Serial sequence began at H/M/V1; serials became fully screened at around H/M/V900. Current highest serial seen: H/M/V3018 (on May 11, 2020). |
| | Livery | 1974–present | As passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serial | L-1234 | |
| | Manufacturer | 2004-2011 | Annual plates; unique design each year. | MFR-1234 | |
| | Motorcycle | c. 1908/1912–present | M and MC series: blue on white Subsequent series: black on white | 1234M MC123 $^M$$_T$1234 $^M$$_R$1234 $^M$$_C$1234 $^M$$_X$1234 $^M$$_Y$ 1234 | $^M$$_T$ series began in 2002. $^M$$_R$ series began in 2010 but was not issued to completion before $^M$$_C$ series began in 2012.$^M$$_R$ series later issued to completion. $^M$$_X$ series began in 2019 but was not issued to completion before$^M$$_Y$ series began in 2021. |
| | Motor-Driven Cycle | c. 2018–present | Black on white | M/D/C1234 | |
| | Rental vehicle | 1927-1954, 1964–present | As passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serial | R-12345 | |
| | Solid Waste | c. 1980s | As passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serial | SW-123 | Probably no longer issued. |
| | Taxi | c. 1920–present | As passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serial | H-12345 12345-H | Current serial sequence began 1974 at H-101; serials became screened at around H-85500. H-99999 reached early 2011, followed by 00001-H onwards. Current highest serial seen: 05395-H (on February 26, 2022). |
| | Temporary registration | c. 1955–present | Orange-red on white cardboard. | 12345DA X 12345 Z 12345 K 12345 N 12345 | X series began in 2001. Z series began in 2003. K series began in 2007. N series began in 2011. |
| | Temporary registration | c. 1955–present | Black on white paper | A1B2C3D4 | Print-on-demand style began on September 30, 2024. |
| | Temporary registration — motorcycle | c. 2009–present | Black on white cardboard | MM 1234 |
| | Temporary registration issued by new car dealer | c. 2008–present | Pink on white cardboard. | 12NC345 | Issued only by Tesla, Inc. and Polestar since 2014, when the only other new car dealerships in D.C. moved to Maryland. |
| | Trailer | 1932–present | As passenger base, with district flag used as separator in serial | T-12345 | Current serial sequence began 1974 at T-101; serials became screened at around T-15500. Current highest serial seen: T-20013 (on May 8, 2020). |
| | WMATA Transit police | | White with black lettering | 12345 | The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority issues these to itself replacing standard passenger plates on WMATA-owned transit police cars |

## Optional and organization license plates

| Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Notes |
| Passenger—low number | | 2001-2017: Annual plates; unique design each year. 2018-2019; 2022-2023: Plate valid for 2 years. 2020-2022: Plate valid for 2 years; renewed for third year with sticker. | 1 12 123 1234 | Serials issued: 1 to 1250 |
| Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority | | | $^A$K$_A$ 1234 | |
| Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity | | | $^A$P$_A$ 1234 | |
| Anacostia River environmental protection | | | $^E$N$_V$ 1234 $^E$N$_V$ 1 $^E$N$_V$ 12 $^E$N$_V$ 123 | The original design, with 3 birds on the shore, was issued from $^E$N$_V$ 1001 to approximately $^E$N$_V$ 1089. The revised design, with 1 bird on the shore, was issued from $^E$N$_V$ 2001 to $^E$N$_V$9999, then $^E$N$_V$ 1 to $^E$N$_V$ 999, and then $^E$N$_V$ 0001 to $^E$N$_V$ 0999. |
| Bad Boys Club | | | $^B$B$_C$ 1234 | |
| Bicentennial | 1991-2001 | | 200-ABC | Personalized, Disabled American Veteran, and personalized disabled person also available. |
| Blue Knights | | | $^B$K$_I$ 1234 | |
| Breast Cancer Awareness | | | $^B$C$_A$ 1 $^B$C$_A$ 12 $^B$C$_A$ 123 | |
| The Children First Foundation | October 23, 2013–present | | $^C$F$_F$ 1234 | |
| College of William and Mary | | | $^C$W$_M$ 1234 | |
| D.C. Firefighters Local 36 | | | $^F$F$_A$ 1234 | |
| Delta Sigma Theta sorority | | | $^D$S$_T$ 1234 | |
| Disabled American Veteran | | | DAV123 DAV 123 DAV-1234 | |
| Disabled American Veteran—Disabled | | | ♿DAV 123 DV♿-1234 DV♿-123 | |
| Donate Life | | | $^O$E$_T$ 1234 | |
| Florida A&M University | | | $^F$A$_M$ 1234 | |
| Fraternal Order of Police District of Columbia Lodge | | | $^F$O$_P$ 123 $^F$O$_P$ 1234 | |
| George Washington University | | | $^G$W$_U$ 1234 | |
| Howard University Alumni | | | $^H$U$_A$ 1234 | |
| Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity | | | $^K$A$_P$ 1234 | |
| Mississippi State University | | | $^M$S$_U$ 1234 | |
| Morehouse College Alumni | | | $^M$C$_A$ 1234 | |
| National Association of Black Scuba Divers | | | $^U$A$_S$ 1234 | |
| Norfolk State University | | | $^N$S$_U$ 1234 | |
| North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Alumni | | | $^A$T$_U$ 1234 | |
| Omega Psi Phi fraternity | | | $^Q$U$_E$ 1234 | |
| Personalized | | "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" and "www.washingtondc.gov" legends. | | |
| Porsche Club of America | | | $^P$C$_A$ 1234 | |
| Prince Hall Family (Order of the Eastern Star) | | | $^O$E$_S$ 1234 | |
| Prince Hall Masonic Family | | | $^P$H$_A$ 1234 | |
| Proud DC Veteran | | | $^O$V$_A$ 1234 | |
| Purple Heart Veteran | | | $^P$$_H$-1234 | |
| St. John's College | | | $^S$J$_C$ 1234 | |
| Southern Methodist University | | | $^S$M$_U$ 1234 | |
| Spirit of Faith Christian Center | | | $^S$O$_F$ 1234 | |
| Strong Woman Veteran | | | $^P$R$_D$ 1234 | First observed March 2021. |
| University of Michigan | | | $^U$M$_I$ 1234 | |
| University of Mississippi | | | $^U$M$_S$ 1234 | |
| United States Air Force Veteran | | | $^A$I$_R$ 1 | First issued November 10, 2021. |
| United States Army Veteran | | | $^A$R$_M$ 1 | First issued November 10, 2021. |
| United States Coast Guard Veteran | | | $^C$O$_A$ 1 | First issued November 10, 2021. |
| United States Marine Veteran | | | $^M$A$_R$ 1 $^M$A$_R$ 12 | First issued November 10, 2021. |
| United States Navy Veteran | | | $^N$A$_V$ 1 | First issued November 10, 2021. |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars | | | $^V$F$_W$ 1234 | |
| Washington Capitals | February 2022–present | Two designs: WASHINGTON CAPITALS began at CAP 0000; 2018 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS began at CAP 0500. | $^C$A$_P$ 1234 | |
| Washington Nationals | June 2013–present | | $^N$A$_T$ 123 | |
| White Stars | | | unknown | Probably never issued. |

## Special event plates
### Presidential inaugurations

| Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format |
| Inauguration of John F. Kennedy | 1961 | Capitol dome and national flag at left | 1234 |
| Second inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson | 1965 | Red band at top; blue band at bottom; national and district flags at left | 1234 |
| First inauguration of Richard Nixon | 1969 | Red band at top; blue band at bottom; national flag over the White House at left | 1234 |
| Second inauguration of Richard Nixon | 1973 | Capitol dome and national flag at left, as in 1961 | 1234 |
| Inauguration of Jimmy Carter | 1977 | Abstract national flag graphic at left | 12345 |
| First inauguration of Ronald Reagan | 1981 | Red band at top; blue band at bottom; national flag at left | 1234 A-123 |

### Mayoral inaugurations

| Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format |
| First inauguration of Marion Barry | 1983 | Red band at top; blue band at bottom; district flag at left | 123 |
| Second inauguration of Marion Barry | 1987 | Similar to 1983 | I-123 |
| Inauguration of Sharon Pratt | 1991 | Red with stylized district flag at left | 123 |
| Third inauguration of Marion Barry | 1995 | Green with district flag at left and district outline at right | I-123 |
| First inauguration of Anthony A. Williams | 1999 | Blue band at top containing "OUR CITY", district flag and "OUR FUTURE"; red band at bottom | 123 |

## Political types

| Type | Dates issued | Serial format | Notes |
| Board of Education | c. 1979–present | WARD 1 | |
| District Council | c. 2007 | WARD 1 | Most plates say "DC COUNCIL"; some say "DISTRICT COUNCIL" |
| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives | c. 1984 | CONGRESS-1 |