> The current 9-series configuration, which will end with 9ZZZ999, is projected to end sometime in 2026... The next generation of license plates will flip that structure on its head, moving to a “Numeral Numeral Numeral Alpha Alpha Alpha Numeral” format — such as 000AAA0.
Does anyone know why they care about this structure? Naively, there are 36^7 (minus edge cases) combinations available, which will always be sufficient.
So for example the capital O on license plates in California is only distinguished from the zero by being slightly more squarish, the capital G is mostly distinguished from six by six being slightly more smooth and diagonal in its top arc. I and one are a bit further visually, as are B and 8, but it would probably fool a traffic camera that was taking down plates automatically.
In addition, all-numbers-plates, I believe, are reserved by California exempt plates (emergency vehicles, police), and vanity plates are absolutely a thing, much more likely to start and/or end on a letter, so that's why you see numbers at the beginning and end. Like you can kinda see “6EIC023” and say “oh yeah my car looks like an ad for Geico” but because the start and end are numbers it doesn't occur to most people.
All-numbers would be worse not better? That's only 10^7, even if they kept the first one 1-9 and did 26^7,they'd have billions, seems like the obvious solution, but I take it there must be some limitations that make it hard to go there.
Glad they are keeping the 3 letter grouping in the future plates, my dad and I would play a game where you make a word that uses the three letters in the order presented and the longer word wins.
I tried this but the DMV doesn't let you request it ;-( Alas, probably for the better...
At each DMV there are a stack of license plates that they hand out on-site. So requesting a vanity plate of the same format would probably require them to search those stacks (across all DMVs) to pick out the plate.
> The current 9-series configuration, which will end with 9ZZZ999, is projected to end sometime in 2026... The next generation of license plates will flip that structure on its head, moving to a “Numeral Numeral Numeral Alpha Alpha Alpha Numeral” format — such as 000AAA0.
Does anyone know why they care about this structure? Naively, there are 36^7 (minus edge cases) combinations available, which will always be sufficient.
So for example the capital O on license plates in California is only distinguished from the zero by being slightly more squarish, the capital G is mostly distinguished from six by six being slightly more smooth and diagonal in its top arc. I and one are a bit further visually, as are B and 8, but it would probably fool a traffic camera that was taking down plates automatically.
In addition, all-numbers-plates, I believe, are reserved by California exempt plates (emergency vehicles, police), and vanity plates are absolutely a thing, much more likely to start and/or end on a letter, so that's why you see numbers at the beginning and end. Like you can kinda see “6EIC023” and say “oh yeah my car looks like an ad for Geico” but because the start and end are numbers it doesn't occur to most people.
The DV (Disabled Veteran) plates are notably all-numerical. They are also issued in order of application.
That’s the primary way you can differentiate them at a glance from the DP (Disabled Person) plates.
Just a little odd fact; I know you meant the more standard plates.
All-numbers would be worse not better? That's only 10^7, even if they kept the first one 1-9 and did 26^7,they'd have billions, seems like the obvious solution, but I take it there must be some limitations that make it hard to go there.
It's easier for memory and verbalization.
So... the headline is BS, and California is just being dumb?
This is not a shock. After moving here, I find that CA's highly-touted "car culture" is pretty retrograde compared to other major metro areas.
Why not using 7 random letters, this is about 4.5 billion combinations, enough for any country.
Except China and India where 8 should be enough.
I am sure there are reasons but I feel that we overcomplicate.
Glad they are keeping the 3 letter grouping in the future plates, my dad and I would play a game where you make a word that uses the three letters in the order presented and the longer word wins.
first shortest word proposed seems like the winner to me. or sort of boggle scoring, where ascending lengths of words are scored
I look forward to the scavenger hunt for the bizarro version of my plate. Thought that will be down the road a bit...
Who is going to request 9ZZZ999 as a vanity number, if possible?
I prefer remaining relatively anonymous. Some others seek notoriety. :-)
I tried this but the DMV doesn't let you request it ;-( Alas, probably for the better...
At each DMV there are a stack of license plates that they hand out on-site. So requesting a vanity plate of the same format would probably require them to search those stacks (across all DMVs) to pick out the plate.