California is about to run out of regular license plate numbers, and the DMV is ready to take the next step.
For the first time in nearly 50 years, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will introduce a new format for standard vehicle license plates. It’s a small change on the surface but marks a major shift in the state’s vehicle registration system.
The current format used on millions of cars — one number, followed by three letters and then three numbers (like 1ABC234) — is almost at its end. The final combination in this system will be 9ZZZ999, and that’s expected to be used up by sometime in 2026.
This current format started way back in 1980. But now, because of a sharp rise in new car sales, it’s about to run out much earlier than the DMV had initially planned.
To solve this, California will begin using a new format that flips the structure: three numbers, three letters, and one number at the end. For example, license plates might soon look like 000AAA0.
The reason for this faster-than-expected change is the recent increase in people buying new cars. After the COVID-19 pandemic, many Californians started buying cars again in large numbers. On top of that, people are rushing to buy vehicles before any new trade rules or tariffs kick in, which could make cars more expensive.
The California New Car Dealers Association reported that in just the first three months of 2025, over 463,000 new vehicles were registered in the state. That’s 8.3% more than the same time last year.
In their April report, the association said this sudden increase in purchases was likely caused by concerns about upcoming trade changes. These changes could make importing vehicles more costly, so many buyers wanted to get ahead of any possible price hikes.
The report also noted that this sales rush might not last long. While the beginning of 2025 saw big numbers, the overall estimate for the year shows a slight drop of 2.3%. The forecast says California will register around 1.71 million new vehicles in total for 2025.
The license plate series that’s about to end began with 1AAA000 more than four decades ago. It has moved steadily through combinations and is now somewhere near the 9UBA000 to 9UBZ999 range.
Other types of vehicles like commercial trucks, motorcycles, trailers, and specialized license plates will not be affected by this change. They follow their formats and are not close to running out.
California’s DMV has quietly prepared for this transition and will roll it out smoothly as the current series nears its final plates. While most drivers won’t notice much difference, this update is a significant moment in the state’s long history of motor vehicles.
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