California is preparing to update its standard vehicle license plate sequence for the first time in nearly half a century. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced that the state’s current format, which includes one number followed by three letters and three more numbers, will soon run out of available combinations. Introduced in 1980 with plates starting at 1AAA000, the sequence is expected to be fully exhausted by 2026, earlier than initially forecasted. A surge in new vehicle registrations, driven partly by concerns over rising car prices due to federal trade policies, has hastened the timeline. A fresh plate sequence will debut next year.
Why California is changing the license plates
Since 1980, California has relied on a format combining one number, three letters, and three more numbers. However, after decades of continuous registrations and a recent spike in new car purchases, the combinations are nearing depletion. Officials estimate the last plate of the current sequence will be 9ZZZ999.
What the new license plate format will look like
Starting in 2026, California will switch to a mirrored format: three numbers, three letters, and a final number. For example, a license plate could read “000AAA1.” This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the state’s high rate of vehicle registrations while maintaining a recognisable structure.
Factors behind the accelerated timeline
The change comes sooner than the DMV initially anticipated, partly because new car registrations rose sharply in early 2025. Analysts attribute the increase to consumer fears of a trade war triggered by new tariffs under the Trump administration, prompting a rush to buy vehicles before potential price hikes.
Who will receive the final plate
As the final plates in the current sequence are distributed, one question remains: who will receive 9ZZZ999, the very last plate in the nearly 45-year-old system? DMV officials have not disclosed how the final assignment will be managed, leaving car enthusiasts and collectors intrigued.
What’s next for California vehicle owners
While the new format marks a significant change, DMV officials assure drivers that the new sequence will be rolled out seamlessly. Californians can expect the updated plates to appear sometime in 2026 as the state continues to adapt to its ever-growing number of vehicles on the road.
