US Government license plates, past and present. Please note: Some of the abbreviations have been out of use for years, but a complete list is provided for ease of indexing and search. Many thanks to Dr. Roy Klotz, Jim Council and Chris Ely for their help with this listing.

A = DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

AC = AIR COORDINATING COMMITTEE

ACT = ACTION

AF = DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE

B P R = BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS

C = DEPT OF COMMERCE

CA = CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

CCC = CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS

CPSC = CONSUMER PRODUCTS SAFETY COMMISSION

CS = CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

CSA = UNKNOWN TYPE

D = DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

DA = DEFENCE CONTRACT AUDIT AGENCY

DECA = DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY (new)

DLA = DEFENCE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DOT = DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

DS = DEFENCE SUPPLY AGENCY

E = ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

E = DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

EB = EXPORT-IMPORT BANK

ED = DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

ELSO = EUROPEAN LOGISTIC SUPPORT OFFICE

EO = EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

EP = OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PLANNING

EPA = ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

EPS = EXECUTIVE PROTECTIVE SERVICE

FA = FEDERAL AVIATION AGENCY

FB = FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK BOARD

FC = FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

FD = FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

FE = FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

FM = FEDERAL MEDIATION & CONCILIATION SERVICE

FR = FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

FS = FOREST SERVICE

FT = FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

G = INTERAGENCY MOTOR POOL SYSTEM

The following are the number codes used on the general Government issue USG plate. Generally, the plates have a G and a smaller number, usually in a diagonal format.

10 - unknown, but probably a first generation series for midsize sedans, up to G10 99999. Superseded by G11?

11 - midsize sedan

12 - compact sedan

13 - subcompact sedan

14 - large sedan

20 - subcompact station wagon

21 - compact station wagon

22 - midsize station wagon

23 - large station wagon

31 - ambulance

32 - vans, less than 16 passengers

33 - buses

40 - pickup truck

41 - 1/2 ton truck

42 - 3/4 ton truck

43 - 1 ton truck

60 - pickup truck

61 - 1/2 ton truck

62 - 3/4 ton truck

63 - 1 ton truck

71 - medium truck

81 - heavy truck - gas

82 - heavy truck -diesel

90 - special purpose powered

91 - special purpose non-powered

GP = GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

GS = U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GS = GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

H = DEPT OF HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT

HHS = DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

HW = HEALTH, EDUCATION, & WELFARE

I = INTERIOR

IA = U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY

IBC = INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION

IC = INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION

J = DEPT OF JUSTICE

JB = JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT

JC = UNKNOWN AGENCY

L = DEPT OF LABOR

LA = D.C. DEVELOPMENT LAND AGENCY

LB = LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT

M = MOTORCYCLE

N = DEPT OF THE NAVY

NA = NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADM.

NG = NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU

NH = NATIONAL CAPITOL HOUSING AUTHORITY

NP = NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION

NRA = NATIONAL RECOVERY ACT

NRC = NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

NS = NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

OB = OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD

OEO = OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

OPM = OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

OSIA = ON-SITE INSPECTION AGENCY

P = U.S. POSTAL SERVICE (Some have a hyphen after the P, others do not, especially high numbered issues)

PC = PANAMA CANAL COMMISSION

PCV = PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

RB = RENEGOTIATION BOARD

RR = RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

S = DEPT OF STATE

SB = SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

SE = SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SH = U.S. SOLDIER'S HOME

SI = SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE

SPC = UNKNOWN TYPE

SS = SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM

T = DEPT OF THE TREASURY

TRU prefix = UNKNOWN TYPE

TV = TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY

U.S.D.A. = U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

U.S.R.S. = U.S. RECLAMATION SERVICE

VA = VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

VC = VIRGIN ISLANDS CORPORATION

W = DEPT OF THE ARMY

WA - UNKNOWN

W.P.A. = WORKS PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION

W.R.A. = WAR RELOCATION AUTHORITY

End