Vehicle registration plates of Victoria

The Australian state of Victoria requires its residents to register their motor vehicles and display vehicle registration plates. Current regular issue plates are to the standard Australian dimensions of in length by in height, but Victoria has used its own serial dies since 1977.
Previous general series.
Cars 
Trailers 
Motorcycles 
Registration plates have been issued in Victoria since 1910. Like other Australian plates, these are usually particular to a vehicle, changing hands with it, and are generally permanent (yearly registration is required, however). Victorian registration plates are manufactured at Hopkins Correctional Centre in Ararat, Victoria.
Initial Victorian plates, issued from 1910 to 1939, were in numerals only, from 1 to 285-000. From 1930, "Vic" inserts were added vertically down the left-hand side of the plate.
In 1939, Victoria switched to a two-letter, three-number scheme (AA-000 to ZZ-999) of which also bear "Vic" down the left-hand side. This format was later used for motorcycles. In 1972, the two-letter, three-number scheme was reintroduced as an optional, personalised plate style for cars. These had an embossed "Vic" above the plate's embossed characters in full length.
From January 1953, owing to the Federal number plate system, Victorian plates switched to the three-letter, three-number standard: GAA-000 to HZZ-999, and JAA-000 to LZZ-999, coloured white lettering on a black background, and a "Vic" insert on the top of the plate. The first three-lettered plate, GAA-000 was issued on 27 January 1953. The letters "I" and "Q" were not issued in any combinations, due to these being easily mistaken for "1" and "O" or "0". For the same reason, In 1964, Victoria skipped the I-prefix series and went straight from HZZ-999 to JAA-000. However, having reached the end of their Federal allotment of letters, Victoria in 1974 commenced from LZZ-999 to IAA-000 (in some later plate sequences, the capital I had noticeable staves to tell them apart from the number 1. The earlier sequences did not, due to the I-series plates being made by two different manufacturers, who used different dies for the "I"). This was only a temporary measure, naturally, as Victoria faced the same problem having proceeded through the I-series three years later.
Having exhausted the I-series plates, in November 1977, reflective green-on-white plates were introduced, beginning at AAA-000 and running to FZZ-999, and then skipping to a brief run of RAA-000 to RBZ-999 in 1994, bearing the slogan "Victoria – Garden State" at the bottom of the plate initiated by premier Rupert Hamer. In the early 1990s, it was discovered that the reflective properties of many registration plates in the range from AAA-000 to EZZ-999, and the principally the C-series, were defective and this had coincided with the rapid introduction of traffic enforcement cameras in Victoria. Due to the number of plates which were unidentifiable in photographs, all defective plates were recalled and new plates issued free of charge. This caused the rapid consumption of the plate stocks especially late in the F-series and some plates (those were starting with FVA-000 to FVZ-999 and FYA-000 to FYZ-999) were produced in Queensland to meet demand. These plates are identifiable by their different embossed dies and vertical diamond separator (as opposed to Victoria's horizontal diamond). It is a popular myth that the defective paint was caused by prisoners manufacturing the plates urinating in the paint mixture.
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of European settlement in Victoria, plates from late 1984 to 1985 bore the slogan "Victoria – 150 Years" across the bottom. These plates were issued for the CBK-000 to CDZ-999 range and were the same green colour. In 1985, some of the CGI-000 to CGQ-999 or CGZ-999 series plates bore the slogan "Vic – Nuclear Free State" across the bottom, also in green initiated by John Cain the premier at the time. For the Australian Bicentenary in 1988, plates in the DJE-000 to DRZ-999 range bore the "Vic" insert horizontally down the left-hand side and the slogan "Australia 1788 – 1988" in green across the bottom. In 1992, the EWA-000 to EYF-999 plates were produced with the slogan "Victoria – Drive Safely" across the bottom in green.
In September 1994, in an initiative by Liberal Premier, Jeff Kennett, reflective blue-on-white plates were introduced, beginning at NAA-000 and ending at QDQ-999. The diamond-dot in the middle was changed to the state logo of a blue St Edward's Crown over an upside-down blue triangle with the Victorian Southern Cross in white inside. These plates bore the slogan "Victoria – On the Move" across the bottom. In 1996, shorter slimline plates which bear the "Vic" insert vertically down the left-hand-side, and use a different font were issued. These are usually the same width as regular plates and were offered as remakes of existing plates in either blue or green on white, all with the "Victoria – On the Move" slogan. Unlike slimline or premium plates used in other states, Victorian premium plates follow the same numbering as standard plates, meaning a slimline plate can be matched with a full-sized equivalent.
After the Labor Party headed by Steve Bracks was elected at the September 1999 state election, the Premier by press release on 4 January 2000 announced a public campaign to choose a new slogan that ended on 21 January. This was done because of the affiliation of the old design and slogan to previous government. The old state logo and motto were phased out in February 2000 to prepare for the introduction of a new one. Until the new design was finalised, interim plates in the QDR-000 to QNF-999 series reverted to the old diamond-dot with just "Victoria" stated across the bottom (for the regular size) and "Vic" vertically printed on the left-hand side for the slimline design.
On 18 May 2000, Bracks announced the winning slogan to be "Victoria – The Place to Be", as nominated by three contestants. This was controversial as it was later learned that the government had paid an advertising firm associated with the Labor Party to assist with the slogan and updated plate design despite it being presented as a public competition. The first plates were issued on 17 October 2000 to the three winning entrants. Starting with QNG-000, these plates dispensed with the diamond-dot separator for the new state logo—an enlarged blue triangle containing the Victorian Southern Cross—the top of which merging with the upper border of the plate. The slimline version retained the previous interim design, which remains the current style.
In December 2010 the new Ted Baillieu Liberal government announced its intent to drop the slogan "The Place to Be" from the regular sized plates. On 10 June 2013 the Victorian government announced that the current series was exhausted with the final plate ZZZ-999 already purchased.
Current general series.
For information regarding skipped combinations please refer to Skipped Combinations section
The new series utilises the format naa-naa starting from 1AA-1AA and was launched on 19 August 2013 using the slogan "Vic – Stay Alert Stay Alive". The new format is estimated to last for 50 years. During the transitional period, Z-series stocks will still be available for motorists who lose or damage their plates, while the new series will be for general everyday issue. This combination with four separate sequences (one number, two letters, one number, two letters) is one of the most complex structure adopted for a vehicle registration plate around the world. It has also been suggested that the "1" at the front of the combination followed by two letters might be confused with "I", for example, making 1CE look like ICE. Another issue with the new series is that the letter "O" and the number "0" are the same shape in the font used on Victorian plates, so the combination ending in "4OW" for example, is more likely to be read as "40W". This mistake was less likely to be made on the older series as the letters and numbers were isolated by a separator.
Plates in the AAA-000 to BZZ-999 range that have been cancelled/expired, have been reissued to the public and dealers on a limited scale since June 2013. These plates are only available with white stamped slimline dies letters on a black slimline base. Particular combinations cannot be pre-ordered; buyers receive the next combination in stock over the counter. As of May 2021, this numbering scheme has reached the BPA-000 combination.
As part of Labor's campaign for the November 2014 state election, the Daniel Andrews-led party announced its intention if winning office to replace the "Vic – Stay Alert Stay Alive" with the slogan "Victoria – The Education State". After winning this election, the Andrews government honoured this pledge, with the new plates released on 16 October 2015, starting at 1GA-1AA. Unlike previous combinations, the "1G" combination was only produced in standard dimensions with the "Victoria – The Education State" slogan. Slimline plates continued under the "1F" series. In circa February 2016, the slimline plates progressed to the "1I" series, skipping "1H" which was allocated to the standard size plates from circa March 2016. Once VicRoads exhausted the "1H" combinations in early August 2016, the standard size plates recommenced from "1IE" onwards (with 1IA to 1ID used for slim plates). Starting 1 September 2016, plates bearing the new Victorian state logo replaced the previous Southern Cross design starting at combination 1IL-1AA. The Victorian government had earlier unveiled this logo on 12 August 2015.
Slimline allocations and combination skipping.
Slimline combinations: 1AA-1BA - 1AB-9ZZ, 1AN-1AA - 1AO-9ZZ, 1BA-1AA - 1BD-9ZZ, 1CA-1AA - 1CF-9ZZ, 1DA-1AA - 1DF-9ZZ, 1FA-1AA - 1FC-9ZZ, 1FX-1AA - 1FZ-9ZZ, 1IA-1AA - 1ID-9ZZ, 1JA-1AA - 1JD-9ZZ, 1KA-1AA - 1KB-9ZZ, 1MA-1AA - 1MC-9ZZ, 1NA-1AA - 1NB-9ZZ, 1PA-1AA - 1PA-9ZZ, 1QA-1AA - 1QA-9ZZ, 1RA-1AA - 1RB-9ZZ, 1SA-1AA - 1SB-9ZZ, 1TA-1AA - 1TB-9ZZ,
Skipped combinations
1939–1953: AB-123, AI-000 to AI-999, AQ-000 to AQ-999, BI-000 to BI-999, BQ-000 to BQ-999 up to ZI-000 to ZI-999, ZQ-000 to ZQ-999, IA-000 to IZ-999 and QA-000 to QZ-999, I and Q is not issued.
1953–current: ABC-123, ASS-000 to ASS-999 (Premium plates), BUM-000 to BUM-999, FUC-000 to FUC-999, FUK-000 to FUK-999, GAI-000 to GAI-999, GAQ-000 to GAQ-999, GBI-000 to GBI-999, GBQ-000 to GBQ-999 up to LZI-000 to LZI-999, LZQ-000 to LZQ-999, GIA-000 to GIZ-999, GQA-000 to GQZ-999, HIA-000 to HIZ-999, HQA-000 to HQZ-999 up to LIA-000 to LIZ-999, LQA-000 to LQZ-999 (All except IAA-000 to IZZ-999 + I & Q combinations were issued from 1977, starting with AAI-000), ISA-000 to ISZ-999, MVV-000 to MVZ-999, MZQ-000 to MZQ-999, NIG-000 to NIG-999, NSW-000 to NSW-999, OII-000 to OII-999, OIO-000 to OIO-999, OOI-000 to OOI-999, OOO-000 to OOO-999, PIG-000 to PIG-999, PIS-000 to PIS-999, POX-000 to POX-999, SEX-000 to SEX-999, SUX-000 to SUX-999, TIT-000 to TIT-999, TKP-277 to TKZ-999, (VB
A-000 to VGZ-999 and VIA-000 to VZZ-999 reserved for "Euro plates"), WOG-000 to WOG-999.
2013–current: 1AB-2CD - 1CU-(1-9)NT, 1FU-(1-9)CK, 1II-(1-9)II, 1KI-(1-9)LL, 1OO-(1-9)OO, 1SH-(1-9)IT, 1TI-(1-9)TS. 
2010–current Motorcycles: 1A-2BC – 1F-(1-9)CK, 1I-(1-9)II, 1O-(1-9)OO, 2F-(1-9)CK, 2I-(1-9)II, 2O-(1-9)OO. 
1963-current Trailers: A12-345 - I00-000 to I99-999, M35-000 to M99-999, O00-000 to O99-999, A00-000 to A99-999 (second cycle). 
2020-current - General series ahead are now allowed outside current series allocations for light vehicles up to 9ZZ-9ZZ and motorbikes 9Z-9ZZ 
Personalised plates.
Format options (in any colour): a, aa, aaa, aaaa, aaaaa, aaaaaa, a-n,a-nn, aa-n, aa-nn, aa-nnn, aa-nnnn, aaa-n, aaa-nn, aaaa-n, aaaa-nn, aaaaa-n, nnn-nnn, ccc–ccc, n-aaaaa, nn-aaaa, n-aaaa, nn-aaa, nnn-aaa, n-aaa, nnn-aa, nnnn-aa, nn-aa, n-aa, n-a, and the number series 300-000 to 999-999 (285-001 to 299-999 was never issued). The 100 to 285-000 range is reserved for the exclusive, handmade "Heritage" series plates. Three (100-999), four (1000-9999) and five-digit (10000-99999) combinations can only be purchased via public auction.
There are a number of custom plate options in Victoria, issued by V Plates on behalf of VicRoads. Custom or personalised plates come with the optional purchase of a contract. This contract allows the plate holder to retain the plates whether on a vehicle or not. Holding a contract on certain plates, means that when the plates are no longer registered they cannot be resold/issued to another person unless the contract holder sells the contract. VicRoads (who own V Plates) do not know the cumulative figure of the total number of custom registration plates sold since they were first launched in 1986. This is because many personalised plates are not on vehicles, or they are held on self-retention, or have been handed back to VicRoads. However, VicRoads do know that around 30,000 sets of custom registration plates are made every year, and they estimate 10 percent of registered vehicles have custom registration plates.
Sometimes car importers or dealerships reserve a range of plates to put on their cars, the contracts for which are often sold on to customers with the purchase of a car. For example, Subaru bought STI-000 to STI-999 and WRX-000 to WRX-999 for their Subaru Impreza WRX and STI models.
There are two types of plates, (standard and mini) designed specifically to look like European registration plates, called Euro plates. The standard Euro plates, introduced in 2005 are wide and high and the mini ones are wide and high. Euro plates have a blue section to the left containing "Vic" vertically above a Victorian Southern Cross, and in the main section contain the letter "V", a full-coloured Victorian coat of arms, and two letters, a space and three numbers (V aa-nnn). These plates use the FE-Schrift font and look like German plates. The general series range from VAA-000 to VZZ-999 are reserved for Euro plates. As of 1 January 2019, the crest has been updated to show a more Australian look with the adaption of the possum on a crest. It replaced the official Victorian government crest.
In 2006, to commemorate the 2006 Commonwealth Games being held in Melbourne, VicRoads offered a limited edition of 1,000 series of plates in the format M06-nnn. These had the slogan "Melbourne 2006" and featured a red-tailed black cockatoo (the official mascot of the 2006 Commonwealth Games). The proceeds were donated to the Department of Sustainability to raise funds to preserve this bird.
All official vehicles actually used in the Commonwealth Games were supplied by Toyota Australia and used general issue XAA-nnn plates. The following year, VicRoads issued a similar limited edition "Penny the Penguin" series in the format M07-nnn, to commemorate the 2007 FINA Swimming World Cup. In 2008, AFL Premiership plates were released. The Hawthorn Football Club won the premiership in that year and hence the registration plate format was HH-08-aa (HH for Hawthorn Hawks, and 08 designating the year they won the premiership). The customer was able to choose the last two characters. The plate was brown on reflective white and featured a watermark of the club's logo in the centre of the plate.
Recently some prestige plates have been issued, which consist of four numbers or two groups of three numbers. Plates using the format B-nnnnn has been released for vehicles registered in Bendigo (B-0001 to B-4999) and Ballarat (B-5001 to B-9999). These have a customised insert of their town, and are usually blue lettering on a reflective yellow background; slogans vary. Since 1993, those also registered to horse studs across Victoria can reserve a V-nnnn series, usually brown lettering on a yellow background and stating "Victorian Thoroughbred" as a slogan. Others are designed after football teams, and a limited edition Grand Prix series (GP-001 to GP-999) was authorised when Melbourne first hosted the Australian Grand Prix in 1996. Slimline editions of these plates have also been produced.
In July 2014, the old general issue "Garden State" and "On the Move" slogans have been reintroduced as a "Retro" option. The plates come in green for "Victoria – Garden State" starting from AAA-000 to FZZ-999, plus RAA-000 to RBZ-999, and "Victoria – On the Move" in blue on reflective white bases starting from NAA-000 to QDZ-999. These are produced in screen-printed slogans (rather than embossed when they were originally issued) and all features are only an approximation of the original dies.