A Brief History of Washington State License Plates

1905

1906

1916

1917

1921

1923

1926

1934

1939

1943

1944

1950

1951

1954

1957

1958

1963

1965

1968

1975

1986

1987

1990


Washington Passenger License Plate Colors (1916 - 1994)

16
White on blue
17
White on lavender
18
White on black
19
Black on yellow
20
Metal tabs, black on white
21
White on green (3/1920 to 3/1921); black on grey (3/1921 to 12/1921)
22
White on brown
23
Blue on white
24
White on blue
25
Blue on white
26
White on green
27
Green on white
28
Black on orange
29
White on green
30
Green on white
31
White on green
32
Green on white
33
White on green
34
Green on white
35
White on blue
36
Blue on white
37
White on blue
38
Green on white
39
Yellow on green
40
Green on white
41
White on green
42
Green on white
43
Windshield sticker
44
Green on White orWindshield sticker
45
Green on white
46
Windshield sticker
47
Green on aluminum
48
Windshield sticker
49
Green on gray
50
Green on white
51
Green on White or Metal tabs, green on aluminum
52
Windshield sticker
53
Metal tabs, green reflective material
54
White on green
55
Metal tabs, red on aluminum
56
Metal tabs, green on white
57
Metal tabs, white on green
58
White on green, silver on green tab
59
Validating tabs, green on silver scotchlite
60
Validating tabs, aluminum on green
61
Validating tabs, green on aluminum
62
Validating tabs, silver on green scotchlite
63-86
General issue green on white plates
87-94
Mount Rainier

Note: Plates from 1916 to 1920 were issued on a March to March basis. The year of the plate indicated the year of expiration.


This information was kindly provided by the Washington State Department of Licensing, Olympia, Washington 98504-8001.and ALPCA

Some information has been updated and expanded from that provided by the State.