Puerto Rico
STATUS: Self-Governing US Commonwealth
PRONOUNCED: Pwair tow REE ko
CAPITAL: San Juan
WORLD LOCATION: Caribbean
FIRST LICENSE PLATES IN USE: Approx. 1912
MOTOR VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED: 1,700,000
CURRENT SLOGAN: Isla del Encanto (Island of Enchantment)
GRAPHICS USED: Current issue (shown above) has a brown image of the El Morro fort in the background. The former series plate, known as the "El Coqui"issue, was also black on reflective white, but had a small green "coqui" frog in the middle. This series came into use in 1985, but was soon phased out, due to the small legends and indistinguishable frog image. The serials ran from AAA-100 through AKZ-999. In 1970, a black on orange issue was used, with an island shape embossed around the serial number. Other years had island shapes as follow: 1966 - yellow on blue embossed, 1940 - black on dark orange, with turquoise blue "water" around the outside of the map, 1939 - red on cream, with a darker blue "water" color around the map.
I have seen a color photo of a white on bright red porcelain undated Puerto Rico plate, that is thought to date from the early teens. This plate was photographed at a museum in Puerto Rico.
PLATES ARE: Officially issued. Older series plates were issued as "bi-annual" series, i.e. 46-47, 47-48, etc.
SINGLE PLATES OR PAIRS: Singles
OVAL: USA ISO: PR
CARS DRIVE ON: Right
Non-passenger types are as follows:
Mayors have special plates, numbered from 1 through
78, with the legend ALCADE
Trailer - standard series, with the legend
ARRASTRE, and an A prefix
Public Trailer - standard series, with the legend
ARRASTRE PUBLICO and an AP prefix
Assembly Member - standard low numbered series,
with ASAMBLEISTA legend
Trucks - standard series with CARGA legend
as follows: simple serial (light truck), CP prefix (light truck for hire),
H prefix (heavy truck), HD prefix (privately owned heavy truck), and HP prefix
(heavy truck for hire)
Dealer - white on black series, with DT prefix and
the legend DEMONSTACION. Former series had the legends
TRAFICANTE (Used Car Dealer) or EXHIBITION. Early Dealer plates
had a standard series, with an X prefix.
School Bus - standard series, with TE prefix, and
the legend ESCOLAR
Tour Bus - standard series, with EXC prefix, and
the legend EXCURSIONES
Tow Truck - standard series, with GP prefix, and
the legend GRUA PUBLICA
Consular - standard series, with MC prefix, and
the legend MISION CONSULAR
Maritime Shipping Authority Vehicle - blue on yellow
plates, with N prefix, and the legend NAVIERAS
Bus for Hire- standard series, with OP prefix, and
the legend OMNIBUS (error issues are known with the legend spelled
ONMIBUS)
Private Bus - black on dark red, with OPR or BU
prefix, and the legend OMNIBUS
Press Vehicle - green on tan, with PR prefix, and
the legend PRENSA
Public Service Vehicle - black on yellow, with P
prefix, and the legend PUBLICO
Privately Owned Service Vehicle - black on yellow,
with PD, and the legend PUBLICO
Tractor Trailer - standard series, with R prefix,
and the legend REMOLQUE
Tractor Trailer, Private - standard series, with
RD prefix, and the legend REMOLQUE
Truck Trailer for Hire - yellow on green, with RP
prefix, and the legend REMOLQUE
Taxi - green on white, with TX prefix, and the legend
TAXI
Taxi (San Juan only) - maroon on gold, with SJ prefix,
and the legend TAXI
Trailer for Hire - standard series with AP prefix,
no legend.
State Owned Vehicle - black on yellow, with G or
GE prefix, no legend.
Munipical Vehicle - black on yellow, with GM preix,
no legend
Government Motorcycle - black on yellow, with GE
prefix and GOBIERNO legend
Motorcycle - standard black on white, M prefix.
Former series motorcycle plates had the legend MOTOCICLETA. Dr. Roy
Klotz owns a black on yellow 1938 PR motorcycle plate, which has no
legends or special prefix, and is a virtual miniature of the passenger
plate.
Disabled Veteran - standard series, with a VL
prefix
Handicapped - standard series, with international
"wheelchair" symbol before the number
Senate - standard series, low number, with a
SEN prefix. SENADOR issues are also known to exist.
House of Representatives - standard series, low
number, with a REP prefix. REPRESENTANTE issues are also known
to exist.
The Governor - black on yellow, plate is always
number GE-0001, which is the first of the State Government series.
At one time, number one plates were known to exist, with the spelled out
legend GOBERNADOR.
Antique Car - black on yellow, with Tin Lizzie graphic,
and map outline. The legend HISTORICOS DE PUERTO RICO is at the bottom
of the plate. Serial is 12A345 series.
Ham Radio - purple on yellow, with
RADIOAFICIONADO legend across the top. Some have the owners call sign,
with either the K, W or N prefix, follow by P4 and up to three letters. There
is also a non-sign series, with a picture of a radio mast, and the prefix
RA and four numerals
Non-Resident - formerly, there was a series with
a small NR prefix, or even the words NON RESIDENT COURTESY OF PUERTO RICO
spelled out on the plate. These were used on Tax Exempt vehicles.
President of the House of Representatives - an older
1940's issue is known to exist, with a low number, and the spelled out legend
PRESIDENTE CAMARA DE REPRESENTATIVES.
Motorcycle Dealer - I once owned a motorcycle plate
with the legend EXHIBITION across the top, so I'll assume that current
motorcycle dealer plates are black on white, with the legend
DEMONSTRACION somewhere on the plate.
Federal Agency - standard series, with FA prefix
Insular Government - series ran from the 1920's
into at least the 1950's - plates had an intertwined G and I monogram
to the left of a low serial number. Colors were standard, as far as I know.
Insured Public Vehicle - known to exist in the 1940's
and 1950s, standard PSV plates, but with a small HPA prefix.
Insured Private Vehicle - known to exist in the
1940's and 1950's, standard series, with a small PA prefix, for Public
Asegurado
Temporary - This was a white on black provsional
series put into use, when the government ran out of plates one year. Four
numbers, and a TT suffix. Plates had the legend PROVISIONAL
Wrecker - former series, blue on orange known with
RQ prefix
Sample - Plates made for use and distribution to
law enforcement, and collectors. Standard series plates, but with various
numbering sequences. Known series: 0000, 00000, 00-000, 00000, 0-000, 000G000,
00L000, 00X000, SAM 000, SAMPLE. Handicapped samples exist with the word
"SAMPLE" across the top.
US Army - Former series, had U.S.ARMY COURTESY
OF PUERTO RICO legend, used in the late 1930's, early 1940's.
US Congressman - as there is only one Congressman
in Puerto Rico, the plates known have the US CONGRESS legend, followed
by the number 1
30 Day Motorcycle Dealer - used in the 1970's, plates
were of various colors, with an XMT prefix
Imported Vehicle - used in the 1970's, standard
series plates, but with a stacked XU prefix.
SINGLE PLATES OR PAIRS: Pairs
Known Color Code for all years - courtesy of ALPCA Archivist Dr. Roy Klotz:
1912-24 unknown colors and format, but undated plates are known as follows: black on white (approx.1913), white on maroon embossed (approx.1919), and a white on red porcelain (possibly first issue vintage, around 1912).
1924-25 black/gray; "PR" stacked right; "1924-1925" bottom
1925-26 black/bronze; 24 format; #8792 verified
1926-27 white/red; 24 format
1927-28 violet/gray
1928-29 orange/black; 13 x 5 1/2; "PR" stacked right; "1928-1929" bottom
1929-30 white/green
1930-31 black/silver
1931-32 white/brown; stacked "PR" right; "1931-1932" bottom
NOTE! 1931-32 to 1938-39 measure 12 3/4 x 5 3/8
1932-33 white/black; "32" over "33" right; "PUERTO RICO" bottom
NOTE - a fairly large amount of 32/33 Puerto Rico plates had surfaced in the 1980's - most were in "nrp" condition, so many repainted examples exist.
1933-34 orange/black; 32 format
1934-35 black/orange
1935-36 white/dark blue; "35" over "36" right; "PUERTO RICO" bottom
1936-37 yellow/red; 35 format
1937-38 navy blue/white; 35 format
1938-39 black/yellow; 35 format
1939-40 red/white with blue border forming island outline; 14 3/8 x 6 1/8; "39" over "40" right inside border; "PUERTO RICO" bottom inside border
1940-41 black/orange; center is debossed in shape of island with blue border; 14 3/8 x 6 1/8; "PUERTO RICO" bottom and "40" over "41" right - both in the debossed portion
1941-42 green/white; 12 3/4 x 5 3/8; "41" over "42" right
1942-43 windshield sticker - no details
1943-44 windshield sticker; no details
1944-45 black/yellow; 12 3/4 x 5 3/8; 41 format;
1945-46 white/dark blue; 41 format
1946-47 dark blue/orange; "1946-47" top; "PUERTO RICO" bottom;
NOTE! plates from 1946-47 to 1954-55 measure 13 x 5 7/8
1947-48 windshield sticker; no details
1948-49 white/navy blue; 46 format
NOTE! introduction of dash separator before the last 3 digits for the first time and continued since 1948
1949-50 dark blue/white
1950-51 white/dark green; 46 format
1951-52 red/white; 46 format
1952-53 refl yellow/black; 46 format
1953-54 black/yellow; "1953-54" top; "PUERTO RICO" bottom
1954-55 white/midnight blue; 12 7/8 x 5 7/8; 53 format;
1955-56 black/silver; 12 x 6; 53 format
1956-57 refl white/red; 53 format
1957-58 refl yellow/black; 53 format
1958-59 refl white/medium blue; 53 format
1959 - undated refl yellow/black; "PUERTO RICO" bottom; serial bloc 500-000 to 999-999
1960-61 refl red sticker; no details
1961-62 all refl red/white sticker on 59 base; 1 1/2 x 1; rounded corner' "PUERTO RICO" top; "61-62" center; "No." + serial bottom
1962-63 black/refl green sticker on 59 base
1963-64 blue/refl yellow sticker on 59 & 63 bases; 1 5/8 x 1;refl yellow/black base; "63-64" top; "PUERTO RICO" bottom; serial bloc c886-000
1964-65 black/refl orange sticker on 59, 63 & 64 bases; 1 5/8 x 1;refl yellow/black dated base; "64-65" top; "PUERTO RICO" bottom
1965-66 red/refl yellow sticker on 59, 63, 64, & 65 bases; 1 5/8 x 1; outline of island top center with ""PUERTO RICO" inside and island flanked by "65" and "66"; "no." + serial bottom refl yellow/black dated "65-66" base at top; "PUERTO RICO" bottom; serial bloc 928-000 to 979-000 undated refl yellow/blue; "PUERTO RICO" bottom; serial bloc 500-000 to 999-999
1967-68 black/refl yellow sticker on 66 base; 1 5/8 x 1; "PUERTO RICO" top; "67 - 68" center; "No." + serial bottom
1968-69 black/refl pink sticker on 66 base; 1 5/8 x 1; 67 format
1969-70 yellow/refl red sticker on 66 base; 1 5/8 x 1;undated refl blue or black/orange; embossed outline of island with serial inside; some plates not reflective; (1970-) serial format 00A000; "PUERTO RICO" bottom below outline border; letters used in serial were A, B, C, E, J, M, NM, P, X, Y, & Z. The E, X, and Z series had 2 3/8" high letter which was centered top to bottom in relations to the numbers; the other letters had 2 3/4" tall letters which were raised to to the level of the tops of the numbers; Certain letters were used to indicate areas of the island: "P" = Ponce
1971-72 black/refl green sticker on 70 base; 1 1/2 x 1 1/4; "PUERTO RICO" top; "71 - 72" over serial number center;
NOTE! splotches of black ink on the lower part of the stickers represent the islands of Vieques and Culebra
1972-73 black/refl red-orange sticker on 70 base; 1 1/2 x 1 1/4; "PUERTO RICO" top; "72-73" over serial number center;
NOTE! same splotches of black ink at bottom representing off shore Puerto Rican islands
undated black/refl white;"PUERTO RICO" bottom; serial format began at 10 D 000 with letters D, F, H, L,(1973-) S, T, V,& W. The letters are 2/3 the height of the numbers and rest on the bottom base line with the numbers
NOTE! certain letters were allocated to certain areas - e.g. S = Ponce
1974-75 black/refl golden yellow sticker; 1 1/2 x 1; "PUERTO RICO" top; yellowish/black logo center flanked by stacked "74" and stacked "75"; serial bottom
1975-76 yellow/refl red sticker on 73 base; 1 1/2 x 1; "PUERTO" over "75 RICO 76" top; bottom is occupied by an outline of the ramparts of San Juan Fort with a serial number on the wall
1976-77 white/refl black sticker on 73 base; 1 1/2 x 1; "PUERTO RICO" top; seal in center flanked by "76" and "77"; serial number bottom
1977-78 black/refl orange sticker on 73 base; 1 1/2 x 1
1978-79 black/refl violet sticker on 73 base; 1 1/2 x 1; "PUERTO RICO" top and curved over a torch logo flanked by "78" and "79"; black/refl white serial bottom
1979-80 black/refl yellow sticker on 73 & 79 bases; window sticker 2 7/8" square; plate sticker 1" square; the yellow portion is in shape of an octagon stop sign; "PUERTO RICO" top; logo center flanked by "79" and "80"; small serial number over "DERECHOS PAGADOS" bottom
NOTE! this sticker is actually for the rear window but can be used on the plate; used on window as anti-theft device
New issues began receiving letters A, G, R, X, & Z but these letters are same height as the numbers, black/refl white; 7-digit plate; "PUERTO RICO" bottom
1980-81 black/refl blue sticker on 73 & 79 bases or window; window sticker 2 5/8" square; plate sticker 1" square; blue portion is a triangular yield sign; "PUERTO RICO" top; logo center flanked by "80" and "81"; serial over "DERECHOS PAGADOS" bottom.New registrants began receiving plates with "U" letters which were smaller than numbers but centered between top and bottom of numbers
1981-82 black/refl yellow sticker on 73 & 79 bases or window sticker 2 1/2" square; plate sticker 1" square; yellow portion is diamond-shaped; "PUERTO RICO" curved around top over a logo; serial over "81-82" over "DERECHOS PAGADOS" bottom
1985-86 black, white & blue window sticker - black/refl white sticker for vehicles without windows and for certain non-passenger types; "PUERTO RICO" top; old mansion center flanked by "85" and "86"; "DERECHOS PAGADOS" over serial bottom - undated black/refl white; AAA-000 serial format with a low-set dash separator; just above the dash is a (1985-) brownish-gold small frog (called coqui) which is indigenous to Puerto Rico. Small screened "PUERTO RICO" top; small screened "ISLA DEL ENCANTO" bottom; series starts at AAA-100
1986 black/orange & yellow sticker for vehicle where necessary; "PUERTO RICO" vertical left; "86-87" top; bastion of El Moro Castle center; black serial over "DERECHOS PAGADOS" bottom - undated black/refl white; "PUERTO RICO" top; "ISLA DEL ENCANTO" bottom - both screened and (1986-) larger than 85 base; brown graphic of Fort on plate; series starts at ALA-000
NOTE! in 1993 plates in the BGV, BGW, & BGX did not feature the fort graphic; series after these letter combinations did feature the fort graphic.
1988-89 yellow/black sticker on 85 & 86 bases where necessary; "88" over "DERECHOS" lower left; "89" over "PAGANOS" lower right; "PUERTO RICO" over island outline over black serial center
1989-90 sticker boxes are being placed on the 87 Fort base in the upper corners for use of stickers; windshield sticker being discontinued and all stickers now placed on plates - black/blue-green sticker on 87 bases; 1 1/4 x 1; "PUERTO RICO" vertical left; serial sideways right; "89 90" over a logo center; "DERECHOS PAGADOS" bottom
1990 red/refl white sticker; black serial sideways right; "90" left center
1994 purple/white windshield stickers used this year
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