Vehicle Registration Plates of Massachusetts - Current Passenger Base Plates

Current Passenger Base Plates

Currently, the 1977 green-on-white base as well as the 1987 "Spirit" base is valid for registration. The 1977 base only issued a single (rear) plate, whereas for the current "Spirit" base, two plates are issued. Registrants have the option of replacing the 1977 base with the "Spirit" base at no charge (though a different number will be used), however, most choose to keep their 1977 base plate as a point of pride. In many cases, the 1977 base plates are worn and illegible; technically, a car with an illegible green plate should fail the state's annually required vehicle safety inspection.

Image First year of issue Description Current serial format Serials previously issued
1987 Red on reflective white base with screened state name and slogan in blue Coded with "n" by month of expiration:
  • 123 ABn (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October)
  • 1AB 23n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October)
  • 1A BC2n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October)
 Coded with "n" by month of expiration:
  • 123 45n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October)
  • 12n ABC (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October)
  • 123n AB (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October)
  • 12A B3n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October)
1987 Low number reserve: Red on reflective white base with screened state name and slogan in blue Coded with "n" by month of expiration:
  • n (1 through 9 for January through September. 0 is never used.)
  • 1n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)
  • 12n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)
  • 123n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)
  • 1234n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)
  • A n (1 through 9 for January through September. 0 is never used.)
  • A 1n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)
  • A 12n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)
  • A 123n (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)
  • n A (1 through 9 for January through September. 0 is never used.)
  • 1n A (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)
  • 12n A (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)
  • 123n A (1 through 9 for January through September, 0 for October.)

Read more about this topic:  Vehicle Registration Plates Of Massachusetts

Famous quotes containing the words current, passenger, base and/or plates:

    “The first opinion that occurs to us when we are suddenly asked about something is usually not our own but only the current one pertaining to our class, position, or parentage; our own opinions seldom swim on the surface.”
    —Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

    “Every American travelling in England gets his own individual sport out of the toy passenger and freight trains and the tiny locomotives, with their faint, indignant, tiny whistle. Especially in western England one wonders how the business of a nation can possibly be carried on by means so insufficient.”
    —Willa Cather (1876–1947)

    “It is a base thing for a man among the people not to obey those in command. Never in a state can the laws be well administered when fear does not stand firm.”
    —Sophocles (497–406/5 B.C.)

    ““... What are you seeing out the window, lady?”
    “What I’ll be seeing more of in the years
    To come as here I stand and go the round
    Of many plates with towels many times.””
    —Robert Frost (1874–1963)