California is expected to run out of license plate numbers by the end of 2025, as the current system for non-commercial vehicles—consisting of one number, three letters, and three numbers—reaches its limit after being in use since 1980, according to The Drive.
History of California’s License Plate System
California first required vehicle registration in 1905, with owners initially providing their own license plates until the state began issuing official plates in 1914. The first state-issued plates were made of porcelain with brick red backgrounds and white lettering. During World War II, metal shortages led California to issue validation tabs instead of new plates, with the 1942 plates being particularly collectible among enthusiasts.
The color schemes of California plates have evolved significantly over the decades. From 1963 to 1969, plates featured gold numbers on black backgrounds, followed by blue plates with gold lettering from 1969 to 1987—much longer than commonly believed. The current white plates with blue lettering were introduced in 1982, initially featuring an optional sun graphic that earned “Plate of the Year” recognition from collectors. Since 1947, all California license plates have been manufactured by inmates at Folsom State Prison. The current 1ABC123 format has been in use since 1980 and is expected to reach its capacity (9ZZZ999) by approximately 2027, with the DMV still considering options for the next configuration.
The 1980 Numbering Format
The 1ABC123 format introduced in 1980 represented a significant shift in California’s license plate system. This format progressed systematically from 1AAA000 through the alphabet to 9ZZZ999, with certain restrictions: the letters I, O, and Q are only used as the second letter, while potentially sensitive three-letter combinations like KKK and DIE are excluded entirely. The sequence began on the blue base plates with gold characters and continued through several design changes, including the transition to white plates with blue characters in 1987.
As California approaches the end of this 45-year numbering system, the state has already planned its replacement. The new format will essentially reverse the current structure, using 123ABC1 as the pattern. This maintains the DMV’s longstanding practice of flipping serial formats when they reach exhaustion. The first plates in this new sequence could appear as early as late 2025, with possibilities like 100AAA1 (assuming the DMV maintains its no-leading-zeroes rule). This systematic approach to license plate numbering ensures California can continue to uniquely identify millions of vehicles while maintaining a consistent format that’s recognizable to law enforcement and the public.
Transition to 3-Numbers-3-Letters-1-Number
California’s transition to the new license plate format will flip the current structure from 1ABC123 to 123ABC1 when the existing sequence is exhausted in late 2025. This reversal follows the DMV’s longstanding practice of alternating serial formats when they reach their limit. The new configuration will feature three numbers, followed by three letters, and ending with a single number, potentially starting with 100AAA1 or 001AAA1. This change marks the first major format shift since 1980, when the current system was implemented.
The DMV has been preparing for this transition for several years, as the 9-series plates (beginning with 9AAA000) represent the final sequence in the current format. Similar to the existing system, certain letter combinations will likely be excluded to avoid potentially offensive combinations, and restrictions on the use of letters I, O, and Q may continue. This methodical approach to license plate numbering ensures California can maintain its vehicle identification system while providing law enforcement with a consistent, recognizable format for the millions of vehicles registered in the state.
