California DMV Updating 1980’s License Plate Formatting
It has been almost 50 years since the last modification, but California is going to change the format of its license plates. This has been confirmed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and it is all because for the first time in history, it is expected that they will run out of plates of the current format, so they have set to work to design new plates that will debut a new format starting in 2026.
Attention, it will only be for passenger vehicles, but it will be millions of them who will have to adhere to these new guidelines and say goodbye to the system that was implemented in the 80s.
What is the current system like?
Very easy, the current system is one number, three letters and another three numbers, for example 1ABC234. The first number of the series was 1AAA000 and it will officially end with 9ZZZ999, completely exhausting all possible sequences.
And why are they running out?
Because more and more cars are being sold (and that even with a big stop a few years ago…). But the more vehicles go on the market the sooner the plates run out, and just in the first quarter of this year 463,114 new vehicles have been registered, an increase of 8.3% compared to the previous year, a sign that the market is moving!!
What is it due to?
Directly related to Mr. Trump’s trade policy, whose new tariffs have led buyers to move forward the purchase of cars before prices go up… Better now than when they cost more. That said, the California New Car Dealers Association warns that this boom could be temporary, since a 2.3% drop in sales is expected towards the end of the year…
And what will the new plates be like?
Many thought that the DMV could recycle old plates, but they have ruled out that option and will change the structure, now it will be three numbers, followed by three letters and another number. Thus, the first vehicle of these new plates will be 000AAA1.
Who will be affected
As we told you, it will only affect new passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, motorcycles, trailers and personalized or special plates will not undergo changes.
What will happen with the current plates
Drivers who already have a plate will not have to replace it. Only new cars registered from 2026 onwards.
The end of an era
The 1980 format has accompanied several generations of Californians. For decades, these plates have been part of the automotive landscape of the most populated state in the United States. Now, with the arrival of the new combinations, a new stage begins for everyone, we will have to get used to other plates!
Tariffs and the future of the market
The California automotive market is one of the largest in the world, but it is in full transformation due to tariff policies and consumer uncertainty.
Defenders of tariffs argue that they will favor local manufacturing and job creation. However, the immediate reality is that they have altered purchasing patterns, with thousands of Californians registering their cars ahead of time to save a few dollars!
But everything influences, social and economic factors have been the main causes of this change, but it was something that sooner or later was going to happen, plates are not forever!
There are only a few months left before we say goodbye to plates that have accompanied us for decades, 2026 will begin with a new plate format that will bring with it unprecedented combinations. Who will be the one to receive that first plate?
