Trailer Plates

NC Trailer License Plate Identification 1928 - 1978

North Carolina issued plates for "tonnage" starting in 1920 which included both trucks and trailers and were determined by the symbol "T" through 1927. In 1928, plates were changed to give trucks and trailers their own distinctive symbols. These symbols changed often by year.

1928

Single plate issued
Color: White numbers and border on green background
Type: Embossed steel 5' x 15"
Serial: 5 digit all numeric.
Symbol: TR left of serial
Non-weighted plates- Stacked "28" on left side. Stacked "NC" on right side.
Weighted plates-
Weight code over "28" on left side. Stacked "NC" on right side.
Weight codes: F, G, H, N
Weight divisions- 1/2 ton, 1 ton, 1-1/2 ton, 2 ton, 2-1/2 ton, 3 ton, 3-1/2 ton, 4 tons and greater.

1929

(Information based on truck types)
Single plate issued
Color: White numbers and border on light blue background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 14"
Serial: 5 digit all numeric with dash separating symbol & serial.
Symbol: TR left of serial
Weight code: Right side of serial when used
Weight codes: F, G, H, N
Weight divisions- 1/2 ton, 1 ton, 1-1/2 ton, 2 ton, 2-1/2 ton, 3 ton, 3-1/2 ton, 4 tons and greater.
"NORTH CAROLINA-1929" on bottom of plate
First year of plates with NORTH CAROLINA spelled out.

1930

Single plate issued
Color: White numbers and border on maroon background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 14"
Serial: 5 digit all numeric with dash separating symbol & serial
Symbol: Intertwined TR left of serial
Weight code: Right side of serial when used.
Weight codes: F, G, H, N
Weight divisions- 1/2 ton, 1 ton, 1-1/2 ton, 2 ton, 2-1/2 ton, 3 ton, 3-1/2 ton, 4 tons and greater.
"NORTH CAROLINA 1930" across top of plate.

1931

Single plate issued
Color: Yellow numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 14"
Serial: 5 digit all numeric with dash separating symbol & serial
Symbol: TRL right of serial under weight
Weight divisions- 1/2 to 10 ton capacity in 1/2 increments above symbol
"NORTH CAROLINA - 31" along bottom of plate.

1932

Single plate issued
Color: Black numbers on yellow background
Type; Embossed steel 6" x 14"
Serial: 5-digit all numeric
Symbol: TRL right of serial
"NORTH CAROLINA-32" on top of plate.
Weight codes not used this year.

1933

Single plate issued
Color: White numbers on blue background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 14"
Serial: 5 digit all numeric
Symbol: TRL right of serial under weight
Weight divisions- 1/2 to 10 ton capacity in 1/2 increments
"NORTH CAROLINA - 33" along bottom of plate.

1934

Single plate issued
Color: Yellow numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 5 1/2" x 12"
Serial: 5 digit all numeric
Symbols: TRL right of serial under class
Classes: A & B (undetermined)
"NORTH CAROLINA-34" on top of plate.

1935

Repainted with incorrect color lettering

Single plate issued
Color: Silver numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 5 1/2" x 12"
Serial: 5 digit all numeric with symbol right of number
Symbols: TRL right of serial under class
Class: A & B (undetermined)
"NORTH CAROLINA-35" along bottom of plate.

1936

Single plate issued
Color: Light green numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 4-5 digit all numeric with symbol C left of serial
"NORTH CAROLINA + 36" on top of plate.
1936 was a year of transition where trailers were classified by the letter "C" which was shown on registration cards as well.

1937

Single plate issued
Color: School Bus Yellow numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 5-digit all numeric
Symbol: C
Classes: A & B (undetermined, A more popular used on private trailers)
"NORTH CAROLINA-37" along bottom of plate.

1938

Pairs of plates issued
Color: Black numbers on School Bus yellow background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 5-digit all numeric
Symbol: C
Classes: A & B (undetermined, A more popular used on private trailers)
"NORTH CAROLINA-38" along top of plate.

1939

Single plate issued
Color: Silver numbers on maroon background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: 5-digit all numeric
Symbol: C
Classes: A & B (undetermined, A more popular used on private trailers)
"NORTH CAROLINA 39" along bottom of plate.

1940

Single plate issued
Color: Maroon numbers on silver background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: 5-digit all numeric
Symbol: C
Classes: A & B (undetermined, A more popular used on private trailers)
"NORTH CAROLINA 40" along bottom of plate.

1941

Single plate issued
Color: School Bus Yellow numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: 5-digit all numeric
Symbol: C
Classes: A & B (undetermined, A more popular used on private trailers)
"NORTH CAROLINA 41" along bottom of plate.

1942

Single plate issued
Color: Black numbers on yellow background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: 5-digit all numeric
Symbol: C
Classes: A & B (undetermined, A more popular used on private trailers)
"NORTH CAROLINA 42" along bottom of plate.

1943

Issued as single tab
Color: School Bus Yellow numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 1-3/4" x 3-1/4"
Serial: 6-digit all numeric
Symbol: none
"A-43" portion of 1943 dated plate used for revalidation of 1942 dated plate. Tab mounted on rear plate.

1944

1945

Single plate issued
Colors: Black letters on "Goldenrod" yellow background*
*(Some later issues may have "School Bus yellow" background)
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: 5-digit all numeric
Symbol: C
Classes: A & B (undetermined, A more popular used on private trailers)
"NORTH CAROLINA 45" on bottom of plate

1946

1947

Single plate issued
Color: Black numbers on School Bus Yellow background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: 5-digit all numeric
Symbol: C
Classes: A & B (undetermined, A more popular used on private trailers)
"NORTH CAROLINA 47" along top of plate.

1948

1949

Single plate issued
Colors: "School Bus yellow" numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: Z prefix with dash between numbers 1 through 99999
"NORTH CAROLINA 50" on bottom of plate

1951

Single plate issued
Colors: Red numbers on white background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: Z prefix with dash between numbers 1 through 99999
"NORTH CAROLINA 51" on bottom of plate

1952

Single plate issued
Colors: White numbers on dark red background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: Z prefix with dash between numbers 1 through 99999
"NORTH CAROLINA 52" on bottom of plate

1953

Type 1 - With date slots

Single plate issued
Colors: "School Bus yellow" numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: Z prefix series with dash separating letter prefix and numbers.
"NORTH CAROLINA 53" on bottom of plate
Slots cut vertically on each side of '53' for date tabs that were never issued.

Type 2 - Without date slots

1954

Single plate issued
Colors: Black numbers on "School Bus yellow" background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: Z prefix with dash separating letter prefix and numbers
"N.C.- DRIVE SAFELY- 54" on bottom of plate
(Early plates may have 'NORTH CAROLINA 54' but need to confirm this)

1955

Type 1 - 1942 Dies

Single plate issued
Colors: "School Bus yellow" numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 5-1/4" x 12"
Serial: Z prefix with dash separating letter prefix and numbers
"NORTH CAROLINA 55" on bottom of plate

Type 2 - 1956 Dies

1956

Single plate issued
Colors: Black numbers and border on "School Bus Yellow" background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KH. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used.
"DRIVE SAFELY" on top of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA 56" on bottom of plate

1957

Single plate issued
Colors: "School Bus Yellow" numbers and border on black background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KK. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used.
"DRIVE SAFELY" on top of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA 57" on bottom of plate

1958

Single plate issued
Colors: Black numbers and border on "School Bus Yellow" background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12" with slotted bolt holes
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KK. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used.
"DRIVE SAFELY" on top of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA 58" on bottom of plate

1959

Single plate issued
Colors: "School Bus Yellow" numbers and border on black background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12" with slotted bolt holes
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KK. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used.
"DRIVE SAFELY" on top of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA 59" on bottom of plate

1960

Type 1 - Slotted Bolt Holes

Single plate issued
Colors: Black numbers and border on "School Bus Yellow" background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12" with slotted bolt holes
Serial: 1-K through at least 5869-KF. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used.
"DRIVE SAFELY" on top of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA 58" on bottom of plate

Type 2 - Round Bolt Holes

Single plate issued
Colors: Black numbers and border on "School Bus Yellow" background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12" with round bolt holes
Serial: At least KH series through 9999-KK. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used.
"DRIVE SAFELY" on top of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA 60" on bottom of plate

1961

Single plate issued
Colors: "School Bus Yellow" numbers and border on black background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KL. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used.
"DRIVE SAFELY" on top of plate
"61 NORTH CAROLINA" on bottom of plate

1962

Single plate issued
Colors: Black numbers and border on "School Bus Yellow" background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12" with round bolt holes
Serial: 1-K series through 9999-KR. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used.
"DRIVE SAFELY" on top of plate
"62 NORTH CAROLINA" on bottom of plate

1963

Single plate issued
Colors: "School Bus Yellow" numbers and border on black background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KS. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used
"NORTH CAROLINA 63" on top of plate
"DRIVE SAFELY" on bottom of plate

1964

Single plate issued
Colors: Black numbers on "School Bus Yellow" background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KT. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used.
"NORTH CAROLINA" on top of plate
"64" on bottom center of plate

1965

Single plate issued
Colors: "School Bus Yellow" numbers on black background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KU. Letters G, I, O, & Q not used
"NORTH CAROLINA" on top of plate
"1965" on bottom center of plate

1966

Single plate issued
Colors: Black numbers and border on "School Bus Yellow" background
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KZ. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
"1966" on top center of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA" on bottom of plate

1967

Single plate issued
Colors: Green numbers and border on white reflective scotchlite
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KZ. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
"1967" on top center of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA" on bottom of plate

1968

Single plate issued
Colors: Red numbers and border on white reflective scotchlite
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KZ. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
"NORTH CAROLINA" on top of plate
"1968" on bottom center of plate

1969

Single plate issued
Colors: Green numbers and border on white reflective scotchlite.
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KZ, 1-Z through 9999-ZC. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
"NORTH CAROLINA" on top of plate
"19" and "69" in bottom left and right respective corners

1970

Single plate issued
Colors: Red numbers and border on white reflective scotchlite.
Type: Embossed steel 6" x12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KZ, 1-Z through 9999-ZE. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
"19" and "70" in top left and right respective corners
"NORTH CAROLINA" on bottom of plate

1971

Single plate issued
Colors: Green numbers and border on white reflective scotchlite
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KZ, 1-Z through 9999-ZE. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
"71" on top center of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA" on bottom of plate

1972

Single plate issued
Colors: Blue numbers and border on white reflective scotchlite.
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: 1-K through 9999-KZ, 1-Z through 9999-ZL. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
"NORTH CAROLINA" on top of plate
"19" and "72" in bottom left and right respective corners

1973

Single plate issued
Colors: Red numbers and border on white reflective scotchlite
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: A-10001 through E-99999. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used.
"19" and "73" in top left and right respective corners
"NORTH CAROLINA" on bottom of plate

1974

Single plate issued
Colors: Green numbers and border on white reflective scotchlite
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: A-10001 through E-99999. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
"1974" on top center of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA" on bottom of plate

1975

Single plate issued
Colors: Red numbers and border on white reflective sheeting
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: A-10001 through E-99999. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
Dies: 1956 through at least late D series. 1975 starting about early E series.
"1975" on top center of plate
"NORTH CAROLINA" on bottom of plate

Later plates manufactured with slightly smaller thinner (1975) dies. Some "hybrid" plates using both dies were also made.

1976

1956 dies

1975 dies

Single plate issued
Colors: Green numbers and border on white reflective sheeting
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: A-10001 through E-99999. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
Dies: 1956 & 1975 including hybrids.
"NORTH CAROLINA" on top of plate
"1976" on bottom center of plate

1977

1956 dies

1975 dies

1978

1956 dies

1975 dies

Single plate issued
Colors: Green numbers and border on white reflective scotchlite.
Type: Embossed steel 6" x 12"
Serial: A-10001 through E-99999. Letters G, I, O, Q, & U not used
Dies: 1956 & 1975 style
"NORTH CAROLINA" on top of plate
"19" and "78" in bottom left and right respective corners