Passenger car plates of 1948 through 1952, and the 1953 base, are numbered 1 through 9-9999 (but without leading zeros to the right of the dash) and with certain letters followed by numbers 1 through 9999 (e.g. A-1 through A-9999). Because it was issued for two years, the 1953 base required an additional series that is discussed in the registration number section of that plate's dedicated section because it is unique to that base.

The first series of each year, the all-number plates, are marked 1 through 9999, followed by 1-1000 through 1-9999, 2-1000 through 2-9999, etc. ending at 9-9999. Which of these all-number plates may have been reserved for particular motorists from year to year is addressed below.

The number of possible registration numbers is addressed in each separate year section because that maximum potential differs depending on the number of letters dedicated to passenger plate use. As discussed in the next column, certain numbers were reserved only for non-passenger use.

Reserved Numbers. One of the questions yet to be answered about auto plate numbers (and earlier years) relates to what today is unofficially referred to as the reserved series of passenger registrations. Numbers 1 through 1250 are now the only passenger numbers issued (although higher numbers can be ordered as personalized plates), and individuals to whom these reserved numbers are assigned is specified annually by members of the city council and other officials. Reserved numbers are known to have existed back into the 1930s, and presumably the lowest D.C. registration numbers were reserved for particular individuals since plates were first issued annually in 1918, but which numbers were actually reserved for most years is unknown.

The conventional wisdom (assuming this question has been considered at all) is that all numbers 1 through 9999 were included in the reserved number program, whatever its form, from 1935 through early 1955 (upon the expiration of 1954 registrations). However, that enough D.C. motorists were interested in reserved numbers during these years to justify the use of resources needed to complete the recordkeeping and administrative tasks that would have been required to monitor the assignment of 9,999 numbers annually seems doubtful. It is therefore more likely that some lower span of numbers, such as 1 through 1000, were reserved and carefully assigned annually, and that higher numbers, up to 9999, were randomly assigned. In fact, we know that numbers 1 through 1000 were reserved for asignment by the Board of Commissioners for the 1955 registration year (as discussed separately in our 1955 plate section), so it is reasonable to assume that the same numbers, or a similar group, were reserved in 1954 and earlier registration years.

It is also reasonable to assume that certain registrations with letter prefixes were included, either formally or informally, in the reserved-number program. For example, low numbers such as A-1 through A-10, E-1 through E-10, etc. were likely assigned to VIPs, especially those with surnames that began with particular letters, and is not unreasonable to assume that these numbers went to the same motorists year after year.

Click here to read about how even nondescript five-digit numbers were assigned to the same motorists from year to year.

After a period of more than ten years during which the registration type of most vehicles was clearly marked on the plate, the embossed type designations were abandoned for 1948 in favor of letter prefixes.

A letter B prefix was used to identify Bus plates throughout this era. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at B-1 annually.

A letter C prefix was used to identify Commercial (Truck) plates throughout this era. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at C-1 annually, and when they reached C-9999 a serial letter was added after the C, presumably beginning at CA-1 and proceeding as high as necessary.

A letter D prefix was used to identify Dealer plates throughout this era. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at D-1 annually, and throughout this era many dealers riveted their registration certificate to the back of the plate in a clear plastic sleeve.

Plates that begin with DPL were assigned to members of the Diplomatic Corps throughout this era. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at DPL-1 annually.

A letter G prefix was used to identify plates affixed to D.C. Government-owned vehicles for the 1948 through 1951 registration years. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at G-1 annually. For 1952 and later years a separate, distinctive D.C. Government plate was issued, and the letter G became a passenger plate prefix.

A letter H prefix was used to identify Hire (Taxi) plates throughout this era. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at H-1 annually.

A letter L prefix was used to identify Livery plates throughout this era. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at L-1 annually. Most DMV documents in which Livery plates are discussed make the distinction that plates of this type were issued for use on "sightseeing, funeral cars, chartered busses, etc."

A letter M prefix was used to identify Motorcycle plates throughout this era. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at M-1 annually.

A letter R prefix was used to identify Rental Car plates throughout this era. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at R-1 annually.

A letter T prefix was used to identify Trailer plates throughout this era. Numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at T-1 annually.

1948

April 1, 1948-March 31, 1949

A number of noticeable changes were made to District of Columbia license plates for the 1948 registration year. Most noteworthy, perhaps, is the change in the manner in which they are dated. Whereas since 1939 (exp. 2-29-40) D.C. plates were marked with the expiration date, effective April 1948 the designation was changed to indicate the year of issuance. Despite the change, the registration year remained the same: April 1 through March 31. Click here to reach our page devoted to changes made for 1948, and here to read about the sometimes confusing manner in which the period of use was

An overview of registration numbers used from April 1948-March 1955 is provided above.

Passenger. These six prefix letters have been observed on 1948 auto plates: A, E, F, J, K, and N. If it is assumed that no other prefix letters were used this year and including the 99,999 plates without a letter prefix (numbers 1 through 9-9999), there are a total of 159,993 possible passenger registration number combinations. The highest observed number is N-985.

Non-Passenger. Refer to the text above for information about to which non-passenger types plates with prefix letters B, C, D, G, H, L, M, R, and T, as well as DPL, were assigned.

1949

April 1, 1949-March 31, 1950

A July 1950 Evening Star article indicates that “During the year that ended last April, 215,700 sets of license tags were handed out at the Department of Motor Vehicles and Traffic - 15,000 more than in the previous year. And 85,000 car titles were issued - 2,500 more than during the year before.” “...About 350 sets of tags and a like number of titles are passed out each day.”

An overview of registration numbers used from April 1948-March 1955 is provided above.

Passenger. These seven prefix letters have been observed on 1949 auto plates: A, E, F, J, K, N, and P. If it is assumed that no other prefix letters were used this year and including the 99,999 plates without a letter prefix (numbers 1 through 9-9999), there are a total of 169,992 possible passenger registration number combinations. The highest observed number is P-6930.

Non-Passenger. Refer to the text above for information about to which non-passenger types plates with prefix letters B, C, D, G, H, L, M, R, and T, as well as DPL, were assigned.