My Nova Scotia Licence Plate Collection
EARLY CHAPTER
Plates Issued 1907 to 1951
Bill White, Lower Sackville, NS ALPCA
13568 Last updated February 2, 2025
Excludes Registered Weight Plates, seen on a separate page
Back to Licence Plate Opening Page for my other licence plate pages. Back to overall Marscan Opening Page
FOR MUCH MORE INFORMATION ON THE LICENCE PLATES OF NOVA SCOTIA,
INCLUDING VARIATIONS OF DIES, COLOURS AND OTHER DESIGN FEATURES
AND FOR ILLUSTRATIONS OF MANY PLATES I DO NOT HAVE IN MY COLLECTION,
I RECOMMEND YOU JOIN ALPCA AND VISIT THE
MEMBERS-ONLY ARCHIVES.
THE NS SECTION ARCHIVIST IS DAVID FRASER. MANY MORE JURISDICTIONS
ALSO APPEAR IN THE ARCHIVES.
Some detailed information is also available at
All About License Plates
, open to the general public.
Information about NS plates that is included here regarding
registrations, formats types, codes, dates of issue, etc comes from a
variety of sources whose accuracy I have not necessarily verified. It
is my intention to not steal specifics from particular websites, and
therefore have posted specifics received from official sources or
if it was seen on multiple sites.
I appreciate very much the work that various compilers have done to come
up with this information. Principal on-line sources are:
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From 1907 to 1917 the province of Nova Scotia registered motor vehicles but did not issue licence plates. Instead, a registration disc with registration number was issued. This was intended for display on the dashboard. Owners used the number on the disc and produced self-made plates to mount on the vehicle, which had to follow certain standards, but were far from uniform in construction and size. In these early years, motor vehicles of all types were registered in the one series. Disc numbers, and therefore plates as well, were numbered consecutively through to 1917, with no re-starts. I do not have one of these but here is a photo of one most likely issued in 1909, courtesy of Jack Craft:
I am not currently attempting to collect the discs or the pre-provincial plates. Provincially-produced licence plates were introduced into Nova Scotia in 1918, which is relatively late for Canadian provinces. Quebec began in 1908 and several began in 1911 to 1913. In fact, only Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland were later to do so. As in practically any jurisdiction, passenger plates were the first type to be produced, closely followed by Commercial plates and as time went on several other types. Note that Nova Scotia commenced official issues after the porcelain plate era and therefore there are no porcelain NS plates, other than the possibility of pre-provincial private plates. The first two years, 1918 and 1919, were tin-plate. Manufacturers varied in the early years, and in many cases the plates look very similar to plates from other provinces in the same time span, with only minor differences. Official plates began in 1918 with only two
types: Motorcycle and a general issue which I list as Passenger, but
was also used on |
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YEAR | PASSENGER |
non-Passenger This column will indicate all non-passenger plates that were issued in the particular year. In all cases, unless noted, the colours of these plates matched those of the passenger plates. If I have an example in my collection it will appear here. |
Unless otherwise noted, all plates shown are in my collection. For many more depictions of NS plates see the ALPCA archives (requiring membership). That archives also includes details of serial number ranges for each type, for each year. | ||
1918 White on Green Flat |
![]() The 1918 plates were issued in several different lengths to suit the number and size of digits. My plate 3364 is of the longest length. Note that this
plate came to my collection from a fellow collector in California,
so it has a had at least a couple of long journeys! |
In 1918
the only other type officially issued was Motorcycle. These
were smaller in size than the passenger plates but otherwise
similar. From the beginning, without exception, regular Nova Scotia motorcycle plates have had "number-only" serials (not including other motorcycle types such as dealer, veteran, antique,etc.none of which existed in the early era.) |
1919 Black on Yellow Flat Tinplate with rolled wire rim. |
![]() Note that I no longer have this plate, as it has gone away to be with its mate in the Glen Roemer collection of NS pairs. Replaced in my collection with the plate below.
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Motorcycle |
1920 White on Dark Blue Embossed |
![]() This 1920 passenger plate has suffered from rusting and nailing over the years but still has a lot of value. Seen in person it is a bluer than this photo shows. MAY BE AVAILABLE TO YOU FOR $ OR TRADE
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Motorcycle New this year: Commercial [C prefix] New this year: Dealer [D suffix] ![]() This is one of only a half dozen or so of 1920 dealer plates known to still exist. |
1921 Black on Greenish Yellow Flat, with embossed border |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D suffix] |
1922
White on Black (some appear to
be White on dark Blue) |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D suffix] |
1923 Red on Light Grey |
![]() Despite its value and charm, he 1923 tends to be the nuisance plate for Nova Scotia, as it is longer than all others, and therefore may be hard to fit into displays. |
Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D suffix] |
1924 Yellow on Black |
For 1924 to 1927, both long and short plates were issued to suit the length of the serial ![]()
This 1924 shortie is in
beautiful shape! I have been told that
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D suffix] |
1925 Black on Cream |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D suffix]
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1926
White on Dark Green |
In 1926, and continuing to 1928, passenger vehicles were divided into lightweight and heavyweight (division point was 3000 lbs) and being issued different plates. The numerical part of the serial did not repeat so that the lower numbers were on the lightweight plates, and higher on the heavyweight plates. ![]() ![]() |
Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D suffix, with varying prefix letter for individual salesperson] For the years in which the passenger plates had the L and H differentiation, there were also similar L and H designations used on at least some other types of plates, most likely including Commercial and Trailer plates.
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1927
Yellow on Black |
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Serials apparently began with the Light plates and In the June 2023 edition of ALPCA's "Plates" magazine, David Fraser indicates that a few 1927 plates longer that the H plate shown here exist in the Heavy Passenger, and Commercial types, but none discovered in the Light Passenger type. David speculates that these higher number longer plates are extra runs produced with whatever blanks were available, perhaps those of another province. It is recommended that you read the article for details.
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D suffix, with varying prefix letter for individual salesperson] Most commercial plates are of the same dimensions as the plates shown at the left, but the Fraser article shows that a few longer plates exist.
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1928
Black on Orange |
![]() In 1928 the lightweight plate had no L prefix ![]()
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix, with varying suffix letter for individual salesperson] New this year: Trailer [T suffix] New this year: Farm Tractor [T prefix] ![]() Note that this is the first recorded year for trailer plates, not shown here. Despite this, David Fraser, in his Plates article reports (and illustrates) a 1927 "long" plate with a C prefix but T prefix, which possibly is a trailer plate. |
1929
White on Red |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix, with varying suffix letter for individual salesperson] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] ![]() |
1930 Red on Cream
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The plate above is my
primary plate for 1930. The plate below |
Motorcycle
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From 1931 to 1952
Nova Scotia issued passenger plates on which the first
number represented a particular group of counties of
issue, as follows: 2 Kings and Hants 3 Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis 4 Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg 5 Colchester, Cumberland 6 Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough 7 Cape Breton, Victoria, Inverness, Richmond 8 and 9 Halifax I have no information re any possible similar scheme for Commercial plates. |
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1931 White on Black |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix, with varying suffix letter for individual salesperson] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix]
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1932 Black on Yellow |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix, with varying suffix letter for individual salesperson] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix]
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1933 Orange on Black |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix, with varying suffix letter for individual salesperson] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] ![]() Note that I have the mate to this plate over on my selling page. Not quite as good condition.
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1934 White on Blue |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix, with varying suffix letter for individual salesperson] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] New this year: Registered Weight
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1935 Blue on White |
![]() The plate above is the primary plate in my collection for 1935. The plate below is the "before" photo of one I submitted to Sean Moore for repainting. Below that are the front and back photos of the plate after Sean was done with it. ![]()
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Motorcycle
This 1935 commercial plate is a
prime candidate for |
1936 White on Red |
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Motorcycle |
1937 Deep Yellow on Black |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix, with varying suffix letter for individual salesperson] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight
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1938 Black on Yellow |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix, with varying suffix letter for individual salesperson] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight
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1939 White on Green |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight New this year: Dealer Salesman [S prefix]
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1940 White on Black |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix]
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1941 Black on Cream |
For 1941, passenger serials changed from (one or two digits) hyphen (three digits) to (single digit) hyphen (two digits) hyphen (two digits) ![]() |
************* HALF YEAR HEAVY COMMERCIAL PLATES
Commencing in 1941 and
extending to 1978 a second series of commercial plates was issued,
this being for half-year registrations. As far as I know these
were for the first half of the year, expiring on July 15.
Half-year registrations for the second half of the year would
receive regular plates as the expiry date in both cases would be
December 31. In 1941 these were Black on Cream (same as Psgr and C plates)
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1942 Black on Pea Green |
![]() Two plates were manufactured but only one was issued. The remaining plate of the pair was retained and restamped and repainted for use in 1943. |
Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix] Half-Year Commercial [X prefix] ![]() This was quite covered with surface rust. Still not the best, but a vast improvement. ![]()
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1943 White on Black |
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In 1943 the majority of
plates issued were 1942 plates with the year restamped, and the
plate repainted to the opposite colours. These restamped
plates are apparent by examining the 3 in the year, as |
Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix] Half-Year Commercial [X prefix] ![]() Comments for 1943 passenger plates apply to Commercial plates as well.
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1944 The 1943 passenger plate was also used in 1944, with a black and white on red window sticker. |
![]() Image courtesy of Dave Hunter at Avon Valley Antiques
Because these stickers were
applied to the window, There was purportedly a small number of 1944
plates issued, for new registrations, which of course during the war
years were rare. This run would have been in the same colour
scheme as 1943. See to the right |
Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix] Half-Year Commercial [X prefix] New this year: Orchard Sprayer [F prefix, with legend "SPRAYER] For commercial vehicles, most had 1944 stickers placed on the plate itself, unlike the window stickers for passenger vehicles, but some or all new registrations received White on Black plates stamped 1944. This was a very small run and these plates are scarce to rare. The following is a photo of a 1944 Commercial plate that was unearthed after many years in the ground. This photo was provided to me by a fellow collector who wishes to remain anonymous. I DO NOT HAVE THIS PLATE!
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1945 Black on Cream |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix] Half-Year Commercial [X prefix] Orchard Sprayer [F prefix, with legend "SPRAYER] ![]() 1945 was a relatively rare Commercial year as sources indicate that only about 2500 were issued, though this plate above seems to indicate that there must have been at least 3339 new registrations.
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1946 Black on Gray |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix] Half-Year Commercial [X prefix] Orchard Sprayer [F prefix, with legend "SPRAYER] ![]() |
1947 White on Black |
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Motorcycle
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1948 Black on Pale Green |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Farm Tractor Class II [FX prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix] Half-Year Commercial [X prefix] [BLACK ON YELLOW] Orchard Sprayer [F prefix, with legend "SPRAYER] ![]()
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1949 Black on Cream |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] New this Year: Farm Tractor Class II [FX prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix] Half-Year Commercial [X prefix] [BLACK ON RED] Orchard Sprayer [F prefix, with legend "SPRAYER] ![]() ![]() THIS HALF YEAR COMMERCIAL PLATE IS NOT MINE. IMAGE APPEARS HERE COURTESY OF THE OWNER, DEAN ZWICKER. |
1950 Black on Gray |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix] Half-Year Commercial [X prefix] [RED ON WHITE] Orchard Sprayer [F prefix, with legend "SPRAYER] Farm Tractor Class II [FX prefix] ![]() ![]()
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1951 Black on Orange (also described as deep yellow) |
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Motorcycle Commercial [C prefix] Dealer [D prefix] Trailer [T suffix] Tractor [T prefix] Farm Tractor [F prefix] Registered Weight Dealer Salesman [S prefix] Half-Year Commercial [X prefix] [RED ON YELLOW] Orchard Sprayer [F prefix, with legend "SPRAYER] Farm Tractor Class II [FX prefix] New this Year: Public Vehicle ![]() ![]() This was the last year for the legend "Farm Tractor" on F plates ![]() This was the first year for FX plates |
End of the
County Group System Since 1931 the first digit of the five digit passenger serials indicated which group of Nova Scotia counties a plate was distributed in. See the key prior to the 1931 listing above. It is my understanding that this ended with the 1951 plates, or possibly the 1952 plates that were actually issued in 1952. After this the serials with five digits were exhausted and moved to six digits. All plates embossed with the year 1953 commence with 10 regardless of area of issue. Plates embossed with 1952 but issued in 1954 or later have even higher serials. The old county grouping system had been outgrown. |
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FOR A
CONTINUATION PLEASE SEE MY MIDDLE ERA
PAGE The middle era, from 1952, spans a period in which there were various periods of multi-year validations of plates and other changes from the era ending in 1951. |
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