NS Run

THE MODERN or "BLUE ON WHITE" ERA: 1972 TO THE PRESENT
Last updated July 21, 2024

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.

Back to Licence Plate Opening Page for my other licence plate pages. Back to overall Marscan Opening Page

This page is best seen on your computer, not your phone.
The division of NS plates into eras is entirely my own device in order to aid in presentation. I have chosen to start the modern era with the introduction of "Blue on White" for standard passenger plates and for many other plate types. This era in itself has several subdivisions, with the most recent being the replacement of some types with new, and the introduction of many specialty passenger types such as Handicapped, Acadian Heritage and Firefighter. In this overall modern era there have for some types been several varieties as dies and slogans change. I have tried to point out some of these but for more detail you should join ALPCA and access the archives curated by David Fraser.

Note that I do not actively collect motorcycle and other small plates and therefore
they are not presented here in any detail. Note also that samples and specimens
are on a separate page and therefore not mentioned here.

For the 1972 registration year all passenger plates were replaced with a new blue on white multi-year issue.
The plates were validated with stickers, annually at first, later bi-annually.
This use of blue on white continues to the present day, now more than fifty years.
While the basic colour has remained blue on white, there have been variations in shade, font, materials
and in format over the years.

NOTE THAT I COLLECT ONLY THE PLATES THEMSELVES AND DO NOT CONCERN MYSELF WITH OBTAINING PLATES
WITH ALL THE ANNUAL STICKERS. IN OTHER WORDS, FOR ME, A PLATE WITH A 1978 STICKER IS THE SAME
AS ONE WITH A 1979! I KNOW YOU DO NOT ALL FEEL THE SAME.

1972 Type.

Blue on Non-reflectorized white
Round (3/4") corners, on steel construction.
Note that the background "white" varies considerably
from "white white" to decidedly off-white,
sometimes almost cream.

Two plates, both stickered. All expired
on December 31 annually, and therefore
the year of registration
and the year of expiry are the same.
Stickers placed alternately, even years
to left, odd to right.

Lowest serials were in the 2-00-00 range.

Remained valid when alphanumeric plates were
introduced in 1979 until finally replaced in 1986.

This relatively low-numbered plate was likely a first-year issue in 1972,
but survived into the overlap period of the 80's.
It is is remarkably good condition for its years of service.

This example is one of the very last in the 1972 series that
ended at 38-49-99

1975 Type.

As for 1972 except Darker Blue on Reflectorized white,
and serials approximately 40-00-00 and up.

STICKER COLOURS ON NUMERIC PLATES
All are December expiry and therefore all
should read DEC 31 over XX (last two digits of year of expiry)
with the very last of these reading DEC. 31 over 86)

1972 Blue on white
1973 Yellow on red
1974 Red on yellow
1975 White on black
1976 Red on white
1977 White on light green
1978 Blue on white
1979 Red and black on white
1980 Green and beige on white
1981 White on magenta
1982 White on blue
1983 White on green
1984 White on black
1985 Red and gold on White
1986 Green and black on white

THE GREAT PASSENGER PLATE TRANSITION 1979 TO 1986
I lived through this period as an adult with a vehicle, and with at least a casual interest in licence plates,
and yet I still find this period confusing. I will try to explain this as well as I can.

Beginning in June of 1979 the Registry of Motor Vehicles began issuing a Passenger alphanumeric base plate,
commencing with AAA-001, and with staggered validations replacing the standard December expiries.
Validations continued to be for one year duration. This series is shown below.

For reasons that are lost in time, the Registry did not immediately terminate and replace the existing numeric plates shown above.
These numeric plates continued in use for re-validations right through to 1986.
In addition and even more inexplicably, new numeric plates were also issued as replacements for losses and deterioration.
They were also issued to those who had arrived from other jurisdictions and were exchanging their existing plates for Nova Scotia ones.
The numeric plates continued to have December expiries, and therefore all stickers on these plates
should read DEC 31 over XX (last two digits of year of expiry) with the very last of these reading DEC. 31 over 86.

1979 Alphanumeric Type

In a major change, Nova Scotia began a conversion of passenger plates from the historic all-numeral format
to a three-letter/three-digit format.

Along with this came staggered annual validations, so
that no longer did all validations expire on December 31. Instead they expired at the end of the same month as validated. Therefore, no longer was the year of validation the same as the year of expiry. For example, a plate issued and validated in July of 1979 would have a July 1980 sticker. This means that for every year there is a consistent sticker colour but twelve variations for the months.

Two plates, both with stickers continued to be issued, but
with changes made in this policy made over time, see below.

Assignment of the Alphanumeric prefixes and the progression through the alphabet"

This alphanumeric series remains currently in effect, as of 2024, thus spanning 45 years so far. As of June of 2024 the series has reached the HHx point, and therefore it is obvious that the 3-letter/3-number format can continue onwards for many years. All of these plates, regardless of design modifications over the years, remain valid if continuously in use. For example, if a person had obtained the ABC-321 plate back in 1979 and continuously had registered vehicles through to today, that plate would have gone with the person from vehicle to vehicle and still be on the current vehicle. A few A series plates can still be seen on the roads today, but most older plates have gone due to attrition. This can be due to deterioration of the plate, requiring a replacement, but usually it is due to the original registrant either no longer having a vehicle, or having registered and plated a new vehicle while still having the older one, and subsequently disposing of the older vehicle. The older plate then is removed and discarded. It is possible, for a fee, to change plates. For example in that sort of case, if I bought a new car today and plated it with HHM-123, but still had my old car with DST-707, and then sold this older car, the DST-707 would normally be thrown out or put on a wall as a keepsake, but it would be no longer "on the road". But if I really like DST-707 I could go to Access Nova Scotia and switch out the plates and put DST-707 on the new vehicle and discard the almost brand new GZZ-123.

Progress Through the Alphabet

AAA -- June 1979
BAA -- Spring of 1986
CAA -- Spring of 1991
DAA -- Summer of 1998
EAA -- September 2004
FAA -- November 2011
GAA -- March 2017
HAA -- July 2022
JAA -- future

Non-Issued Combinations
With two type exceptions, Nova Scotia plates are not issued with combinations that include the letters I, O or Q.
In the larger sense, this means that there will be no plates commencing with those three letters.
For example, when HZZ-999 is reached, the next plate issued should be JAA-001.
At the more specific level the non-use of I, O or Q means that may combinations are not issued.
For example there cannot be AIB, CQR, or HOL plates.
Many other combinations that do not include these three letters are also not produced due to being possibly offensive or controversial.
The list of "banned" combination can change over time with changes in social standards and in language.
This banned list is in addition to the banning standards used for personalized plates.

Note also that no plates are issued, other than as samples or specimens, with 0, 00, 000 etc as the numerical component.

Note that amateur radio plates are the exception to the banning rules for I, O, Q and the decency standards.
For example, in Nova Scotia there are no BUM plates in the regular passenger series, but if the federal government has issued the amateur call sign VE1BUM, that will indeed be produced as a licence plate if the ham operator with that callsign applies for it. Vanity plates also may include
the three otherwise banned letters, but there are standards of decency and confusion still applied to vanity plates.

Validation Stickers for Alphanumeric Plates

Because the first alphanumeric plates were issued in June 1979, the first stickers on these plates were 80 over JUN

Sticker Colours:

From 1980 to 2003 there was an annual change of colours, with no set pattern, as follows:

1980 Green and beige on white
1981 White on magenta
1982 White on blue
1983 White on green
1984 White on black
1985 Red and gold on White
1986 Jan to Nov. Black on green
1986 Dec Green and black on white
1987 Black on lavender
1988 Black on yellow and white
1989 Blue on white
1990 Green on beige
1991 White on magenta
1992 White on black
1993 Red on gold
1994 Blue on white
1995 Blue on yellow
1996 Black on yellow
1997 Blue on white
1998 Green on beige (tan)
1999 White on magenta
2000 White on black
2001 Red on gold
2002 Black on green
2003 Black on Magenta and white

Commencing with 2004 there has been a standard 8-year recurring cycle of colours as follows:

2004 2012 2020    Black on yellow
2005 2013 2021   Blue on white
2006 2014 2022   Green on tan
2007 2015 2023   White on red
2008 2016 2024   White on black
2009 2017 2025   Red on tan
2010 2018 2026   Black on green
2011 2019 2027   Black on Magenta and white

Note that the same sticker colours are used on all plate types, not just passenger.

NOTE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL MINOR VARIATIONS IN FONT STYLES AND BORDER WIDTHS OVER TIME
IN THE ALPHANUMERIC SERIES. THESE ARE NOT DETAILED HERE, AND I DO NOT COLLECT THESE VARIATIONS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION I RECOMMEND YOU JOIN ALPCA AND SEE THE VERY INFORMATIVE
NOVA SCOTIA ARCHIVES CURATED BY DAVID FRASER

1979
ALPHANUMERIC TYPE 1
STEEL WITH 3/4" ROUNDED CORNERS
Blue on reflectorized white

AAA-001 TO AWC-999

Note that these plates do not include the use
of 000 in the numerical component. The first plate
issued was AAA-001, reportedly to the Premier
of Nova Scotia at the time. That plate is now
in a Nova Scotia collection.

This was the 569th alphanumeric plate issued.
It is not in the best of condition, which is strange when you note that
it was only used 1979-80 and not renewed!
The first AAA plates were issued in mid-June 1979, and
have June 80 stickers. The plate above was issued in July 1979 and
therefore has a July 80 sticker.

A later example in better shape, which is
ironic as this one was registered for several years.

ALPHANUMERIC TYPE 2
As previously but construction changed to aluminum

AWF-001 to BJH-059

ALPHANUMERIC TYPE 3
As for Type 2 except now with 3/8" SQUARED CORNERS

BJK-707 to BRS-999

JANUARY 1988: IN A MAJOR CHANGE, PLATES BEGAN TO "STAY WITH OWNER"
INSTEAD OF "STAY WITH VEHICLE".

1989
ALPHANUMERIC TYPE 4
"BLUENOSE"

As previous except that the Bluenose sailing ship
image replaced the central hyphen.
The provincial name and the tourist slogan
were screen-printed
instead of being embossed

BRT-001 TO FAD-999

Note that some batches of plates have proven to have less than ideal paint.
The group from ENG001 to ETA499, issued in 2008, was particularly deficient,
and a great many of them were turned in and replaced.

I have seen this notation: "BRT-001 to CCV-999 Helvetica die, CCW-001 to CVW-999 New Brunswick die".

his was my own plate, obtained with the help of a friendly
employee, and was on my vehicles from 1993 to 2021.

I still need an F prefix bordered plate (FAA 001 to FAD 999)

Commencing in May of 1995 only one sticker was issued,
to go on the back plate, but two plates were still being issued. For this era, this means
that there are plates without stickers.

Commencing with CVX-001 only a single plate was issued,
To be mounted on the rear. Owners with the earlier front plates could retain them on the vehicle or remove them.

The implication for collectors is that there are fewer plates available and that all from CVX-001 should have a sticker.

2011
ALPHANUMERIC TYPE 5
"BLUENOSE"
BORDERLESS DEBOSSED EDGE, WITH
ONLY ONE STICKER WELL

FAE-001 TO GCX-999

2011
ALPHANUMERIC TYPE 6
"BLUENOSE" as above but with
high definition sheeting

GCY-001 TO present

At first glance, and here on the page, they do not look much different,
but on close inspection of the actual plate, the background
looks different and has a pronounced texture.

Click 3M Sheeting for the 3M page on their
high definition sheeting

This is a specimen pulled from the regular run and therefore
has no sticker

The first plate in the H series. Issued July 2022.
Was on my own vehicle

Also From my own vehicle. Issued early 2024.

Note that there will not be a series beginning with the letter "I", as
this letter is not used for NS plates other than vanity and amateur radio.

Next up will be the "J" series, expected to be reached around 2027.

MODERN ERA PART 2: OTHER PLATE TYPES CONTINUED FROM THE MIDDLE ERA

In addition to the standard passenger plate, some other types that had
been in existence in the middle era continued into the modern era.

AMATEUR RADIO

This type already existed at the beginning of the Blue on White era. For earlier examples (if any) in my collection see the Middle Era page.

These depict the amateur radio call letters of the plate owner, and are only available to qualified amateur radio operators. They might be regarded as a special case of vanity plate, as they are "made to order", but they do not have an extra charge due to the fact that amateur radio operators could provide assistance to the authorities in cases of disasters, etc. and these plates do help to clearly identify vehicles of hams.

There are many misunderstandings surrounding amateur radio plates, as they are issued with some different "rules" than regular plates. I am myself an amateur radio operator so it makes a bit more sense for me.

1. Despite any bans on particular letter combinations or individual letters not used on regular plates, the province will issue plates with any call letters assigned by the federal authorities. For example in modern Nova Scotia, I, O and Q are not normally used, but it is perfectly normal to have ham plates such as VE1FQ, VE1III, VA1OK. Combinations that would be banned on other plate types such as BUM are indeed allowed on ham plates. If someone is VE1BUM, then they may have the plate to go with it.

2. The plates issued in Nova Scotia should only contain Nova Scotia zone call letters. Currently the Nova Scotia zone includes the VE1 and VA1 prefix call letters, so these are the only two prefixes you should see on NS plates. It might be possible for others to slip through.
You may be interested to know that there are separate prefixes for Sable Island and for St. Paul Island,
but as there are no permanent residents on either island, there are no vehicles eligible to have plates with those prefixes.

3. Call signs (call letters) are recyclable. If someone dies and had let's say VE1AR, the authorities in Ottawa will hold the call sign for a year or so in case family members want to take it up. After this, if not taken it is available for re-use. This means the call can show up again in
the future. My own call sign VE1CY has been on plates belonging to someone else in the past, as this is a recycled call sign.

4. Ham call signs are not nowadays given out in alphabetical order. The first plate issued in Nova Scotia back in 1959 was to VE1VN in Lunenburg. So don't be thinking that the first one must have been VE1AA because it wasn't, and in fact there might never have been a VE1AA plate simply because no one who held that call sign ever obtained plates.

5. I said above that Nova Scotia is VE1 and VA1 but collectors of ham plates should realize that in years gone by VE1 also encompassed New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. My own call sign today is VE1CY and I live in Nova Scotia, but back in time a ham in New Brunswick had this call sign and a plate was issued there to him.

6. Ham plates were issued just like regular passenger plates, following the rules of the day. So, when people received annual licence plates, so did hams.

7. Hams can change call signs. You should note that nowadays the ones with two letters are generally reserved for hams with either an Advanced radio certificate, or have been a ham for at least ten years. When I was first licenced in 1978 my call sign was VE1BWC. Now I am VE1CY, and had a couple of others along the way.

This is the 1972 era issue to VE1VN, the ham who
had received the first NS ham plate in 1959.
No hyphen, as is correct for radio call signs.
Also shown is a VE1VN QSL card.

1975 reflective type. Rounded corners in steel
My own first amateur radio plate, issued when I was licenced in 1978. .

1982 Type. Tourist slogan at bottom. The previous 1979 type
was the same except no hyphen. I wonder who asked
for a hyphen, as call signs do not have them!

1986 Type. Aluminum with squared corners

1989 Type, on the Bluenose base.
Note that the hyphen is gone but now there is a space, which is also incorrect.
My second ham callsign.

2014 Type. Debossed and borderless.
This is my current call sign.
This plate was on my car in early 2024.
Note that the space between the prefix and letters has now gotten wider!

ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE

This type already existed at the beginning of the Blue on White era. For earlier examples (if any) in my collection see the Middle Era page.

These plates began with digits only but have evolved into having an initial letter followed by three digits.

Behind the scenes these plates have a hidden A that
precedes the serial shown. For example if a plate was
being checked by police, the plates shown here would
be entered as A6622 and AE006

1972 Type

1975 Type Reflective background

1975 Type with smaller prefix, to accomodate 4 characters

Type 3. Steel with squared corners

Type 4. As for Type 3 but in aluminum
and Type 4A, same but with Bluenose type numbers.

Type 4B, same but with new word dies. Theoretical highest
is 9999; actual highest issued unknown

Type 4C, Change of serial format from four digits
to a letter followed by three digits. Began at A001

Type 5. Debossed, no borders. Lowest first letter in this type
is D. Highest seen, as of 2024, is T.

COMMERCIAL

This plate type had been issued since 1920.
It was discontinued at the end of 1979 when
all light commercial vehicles began to be
grouped with passenger vehicles, and
all received the same new alphanumeric
plates. Heavier commercial vehicles, not
in the interprovincial prorate program began
to receive the new Heavy Commercial plates (see section farther down this page)

First Batch 1972
Serials C3-00-00 to C-9-99-99.

Second batch 1974
C 1.00.00 to C 1.99.99,
Duller blue than the original, but still non-reflective.
This group (or at least some plates in it) had backs of varying colours.
Previously the back was the same colour as the front.

1975 Type. Reflectorized, with serials extending from
C 2.00.00 to C 2.99.99

1976 Red on white base plate.
Serials are reported to range from C 10.00 upwards.
There were no variations in paint, font or construction during the life of this series.

According to the ALPCA archives, this is the highest known
number for this series.

COMMERCIAL HALF YEAR

From the outset in 1972 these plates were red on white, i.e. there was no blue on white issue of CX plates.
Stickers indicated expiries in either July or December.
I do not have a list of July sticker colours,
but the December ones are thought to be the standard colours used for other plate types.
This was the last issue of Commercial Half-Year plates, as the
category was merged into the new Heavy Commercial type.

1972 Type. Only known type in the modern era

DEALER

This type, originating in 1920, and with varying
forms over the years, was used by new and
used vehicle dealers alike.

Replaced by separate Dealer and Used Vehicle Dealer types (see next section)

1972 Type

1975 Type

FARM TRACTOR CLASS 1 (F)

In 1979 the annual F and FX issues were replaced by a no expiry FT prefix issue (See next section)

1972 Type four digit

1972 Type five digit

1975 Type

FARM TRACTOR CLASS 2 (FX)

In 1979 the annual F and FX issues were replaced by a no expiry FT prefix issue (See next section)

1972 Type

This is the only known type in the blue on white era

FARM & FISHER VEHICLE (FM)

Farm truck plates were introduced in 1957, with the work Farm on the plate.
In 1960 they were replaced by Farm or Fisherman plates, with an FM prefix.
This series continues on very much unchanged from the previous era.
While most of these appear on trucks of varying sizes, they
can also be seen on the SUV's and similar passenger vehicles.

1972 FM PLATE WANTED

1975 Type

1979 FM TYPE WITH VERTICAL FM

General Tractor (GT)
This type originated in the late 20's, and until 1959 used the prefix T.
For 1960 this was changed to GT.

The term General Tractor is ambiguous, but refers to all industrial wheeled and tracked
equipment that might be on the public roads other than cars, trucks, trailers and farm equipment.

1972 GT PLATE WANTED
serials 1000 - 8899

1975 GT PLATES WANTED
First variety with Horizontal GT
Serials 8900 to 9999

Second variety with Vertical GT
Five digit serials

Steel with squared corners

Aluminum with squared corners. Revised dies for province and slogan

Aluminum Borderless with debossed edge since approximately2012

TRAILER

This long-standing type
has continued on to the present

Note that semi-trailers pulled by power units (tractors) generally use PT plates rather than trailer plates.

Serials from T10-01 on the 1972 non reflective base

SERIALS FROM T 6-10-00 on the 1979
reflective base

REPLACED IN 1982 BY BLACK ON YELLOW TYPE

HEAVY TRAILER (TX )

Annual and Half-Year stickers

This type was replaced in 1979 by the
new Permanent Trailer (PT) type

I need TX plates from this era and the previous era

MODERN ERA PART 3: PLATE TYPES INTRODUCED IN THE MODERN ERA.

Vanity (Personalized) Plates

First issued April 1989
and therefore this type did not exist
in previous eras.

As in most other Canadian jurisdictions, Nova Scotia offers a vanity or personalized plate, for an additional charge, currently over $100 and with a recurring fee.

In this province the vanity plates are identical to regular plates with the exception of the serial itself. Up to seven characters and spaces are allowed, and as in other jurisdictions there are combinations that are not allowed, these being either that they would duplicate a format of regular licence plates, or they are objectionable in some way. For example, you cannot obtain JXD-989 because three letters followed by three digits is the format for regular passenger plates. You cannot have USUK as that is objectionable.

These plates are issued in pairs, with stickers only on the back plate.

Formerly on my personal vehicle

Handicap (Accessible Parking) Plates
Commenced September 1981
and therefore this type did not exist
in previous eras.

I have seen a report that this was the first handicap plate in Canada.

Restricted, must be certified by a physician. No additional fee.

A digit, a letter and two digits.
These serials ascend as follows:
Commenced with Letter A. possibly 0A-01, to 9A-99, then to letter B, with 0B-01, etc.

PLATES ARE ISSUED IN PAIRS

Type 1. Steel with rounded corners

Type 2. Aluminum with squared corners. Began with 2D series.

Type 2A. As previous but new word dies

Type 3. Borderless and debossed edge

Veteran

Commenced February 2003 with AAA01.
Restricted, must be a veteran as certified the the Royal Canadian Legion. Requirement is at least two years service. No fee.

As of 2022 this plate was still being issued with an embossed border.
Must have been a lot of stock ordered back in time!

Some reports from observers in 2024 that borderless debossed edge
plates were finally being issued.

Acadian Heritage
Commenced January 2012 with FAA01
Unrestricted, anyone paying the additional fee may obtain these plates.

Gaelic Heritage
(Alba Nuadh is Nova Scotia in Gaelic)
Commenced May 2018 with GAC01 because GAA and GAB are omitted combinations in NS.
Unrestricted, anyone paying the additional fee may obtain these plates.

Buy Local
Commenced August 2013 with LAA01
Unrestricted, anyone paying the additional fee may obtain these plates.

Mi'kmaq Heritage
Commenced June 2018 with MAA01
Unrestricted, anyone paying the additional fee may obtain these plates.

Protected Species (Conservation)
Commenced April 2003
with PAA01.
Unrestricted, anyone paying the additional fee may obtain these plates.

This was the first of the optional, for fee, specialty plates. It was issued several years before other
similar types, and is the only one of the five
that was issued at first with a border and embossed edge.

Type 1. Border and embossed edge.

Type 2. Borderless and with debossed edge

Firefighter*
Commenced April 2001

3 letters 1 digit followed by FF

Volunteer Firefighter*
Commenced December 2001

Restricted, must be certified by the department. Comes with free registration.

3 letters 1 digit followed by VFF

In 2024 these plates were in the E series.

Current plates are being issued in the 2012 style with no border and with debossed edge

Ground Search and Rescue Volunteer
Commenced December 2001
Restricted, must be certified by the team leader. Comes with free registration.

3 letters 1 digit followed by SAR

Note that in 2024 the SAR plates were still
in the A series, as there are relatively few of them issued.

Current plates are being issued in the 2012 style with no border and with debossed edge

Retired Volunteer Firefighter
Available only to applicants who have served at least 15 years as a volunteer firefighter. Free registration.

introduced February 2022 with RAA01

I do not have one of these plates in my collection.
They are expected to be scarce well into the future as families are likely to keep them as heirlooms.

SPECIMEN IMAGE. I DO NOT HAVE ONE.

Issued plates use Rxx, not Axx prefix

Retired Volunteer Ground Search and Rescue Member

introduced February 2022 with SAA01

Available only to applicants who have served at least 15 years as a GSAR volunteer. Free registration.
I do not have one of these plates in my collection.
They are expected to be quite rare well into the future.

SPECIMEN IMAGE. I DO NOT HAVE ONE.

Issued plates use Sxx, not Axx prefix

Camper Plates
First issued in November 1977
and therefore this type did not exist
in previous eras.

This type has varied in construction, font, bordering
over the years, but has remained basically the same.
The serials on Camper plates clash with those used on Motorcycle plates.

The term "camper" is a very poor descriptor, as these can be on any type of self-propelled recreational vehicle intended for temporary accommodation, including those that are in other respects large buses!

Issued in pairs

Type1 Steel with rounded corners

Types 2 & 3 Aluminum with square corners. Type 3 has Bluenose
number dies.

Type 4 Updated dies for slogan and province name.

Type 5 Current debossed borderless type

NEW VEHICLE DEALER
First issued in 1980

This type and the Used Vehicle Dealer type jointly
replaced the previous Dealer and Dealer Salesman plates
that were issued in the Early and Middle eras.

The first batch of Dealer plates in1981(serials starting at D-1000)
used the rounded corner steel base from the previous era,
and with narrow numeral dies.

Later type on aluminum, with square corners. An initial small run of square
corner plates were on steel bases.

Current borderless type needed

USED VEHICLE DEALER
First issued in 1980

Type 1 Steel with rounded corners

|

Honorary Consul

Instituted October 2020

Restricted, must be certified by the consulate. No additional fee.

NSC plus three digits
(Note that this format is the same as
for regular passenger plates)

This is most likely the rarest current type of Nova Scotia plate. In 2021 there were only 21 honorary consuls based in Halifax, plus the US Consul-General. The Consul may obtain more than one set if he or she has more than one vehicle. Employees are not eligible for these plates.
This plate uses the standard Bluenose base but with the slogan replaced by the words "Honorary Consul". Its use of the standard passenger serial format of three letters and three digits does mean that NSC cannot be used for regular passenger plates.

These plates are all in the NSC 500 series, beginning
with NSC 501.

SPECIMEN IMAGE. I DO NOT HAVE ONE.

For interest here are the nations that currently have a consul in Nova Scotia: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden and the USA. It is unclear whether or not the USA is eligible as their representative is a paid consul-general, not an honorary consul. An honorary consul is a person who represents another country but is not substantially paid for their services as an occupation. Usually they are businesspersons or professionals with a hereditary connection to the country involved (but not necessarily).

Restricted

For use on provincially or municipally owned vehicles. Note that federal government vehicles do not use these. Formerly were issued with a one-time fee of $20 with no renewal required. Since October 2002, have regular fees and renewals, therefore many eligible vehicles now use regular plates. Two types: flat, as produced by the government's sign shop, and embossed, produced by the Waldale facility.
The sign shop type is on heavy aluminum, and supposedly was produced for use on trucks involved in salt application on the highways.

It is possible that these plates are now being issued in the debossed borderless type.
Let me know if you see one!

Department of National Defence

Technically these are not Nova Scotia licence plates.
They are internally issued by the Department. At first glance it appears that these plates are black on white with the red maple leaves. but in reality only numbers are black, with border and "Canada" being in dark green. These plates are used throughout Canada, and at this point I do not know the basis of the numbers used on them.
Other federal government agencies and departments currently use regular Nova Scotia plates.

I have been told that DND pays a fee to the province in lieu of paying for provincial plates.

HEAVY COMMERCIAL TYPE
commencing in 1978

In 1978 the Red on white commercial plates were replaced in two ways.
Most small commercial vehicles began to be issued passenger plates.
Larger commercial vehicles were issued this new type.
For 1982, the separate Interprovincial Reciprocity type was created,
removing these vehicles from the Heavy Commercial type.

These plates have consistently been black on bright yellow.
Older plates are prone to severe fading of the yellow.

Plates were at first issued in pairs, but from November 2005 only one has been issued.
For singles, the plate is mounted on the front except on some specialty vehicles such as ambulances.
Serial Format: 5 digits followed by a single letter, commencing with 10-000-A or 10-001-A.
Serial Progression: At first up to 99-999-A then 10-001-B etc. Currently in 2023 the D series is nearing exhaustion.

Prorated Power Unit (PT)
This type originated in around 1982
Initially was prefix PRP followed by 4 digits

When the 7-character limit was reached this was replaced
by PR and 5 digits, with a slogan "PRP Commercial"

This in turn was replaced in turn in 1993 by the Open for Business variety,
and finally with the Apportioned type still being issued today.

Note that, in addtion to changes noted here, that fonts also changed over time, not detailed here.

Type 1 1982. Steel and rounded corners. Began with PRP 1000 or 1001.

Type 2, as Type 1, but with squared corners. Serials start at 7000

Type 3. Prefix changed to PR to accommodate five digits. Provincial
slogan replaced by "PRP COMMERCIAL" Serials start at 10000

Type 4 Aluminum, and slogan changed to "OPEN FOR BUSINESS"
Serials start at 12000. Also a subtype starting at approximately
20000 with a new die for province name and slogan.

Type 5 2001. Slogan changed to "APPORTIONED"

Type 6 2012. Debossed edge and borderless.

Permanent Trailer PT

These plates (and the preceding TX) are typically found on semi-trailers that are always attached to power units ("tractors"),
but are also on pup trailers that are attached behind semitrailers. Commenced 1978, replacing other types, including the TX series.
These were originally Permanent but commencing in 1994 were replaced
by the red on yellow type which had a five year validation with stickers, so
they are not really permanent. There are a number of variations in construction and font, not detailed here, but
available in the ALPCA archives.

Type 1. Began with PT1-00-00 or PT1-00-01. Steel and rounded corners

Type 2, as for Type 1, but with squared corners

Type 3, as fpr Type 2, but in aluminum

Type 4. Changed to red on yellow. Began at 3-20-00
.

Type 5, as previous but with revised word dies.

Type 6 Debossed edge and borderless.

FARM TRACTOR AND OTHER WHEELED FARM EQUIPMENT (FT).
In 1979 the annual F and FX issues were replaced by a no expiry FT prefix issue.

Type 1. Steel with rounded corners
Serials began with FT1-00-00 or 01.

Type 2. Steel with squared corners. Serials began with 3-20-00

Type 3. Aluminum construction

Type 4, as above but with sticker boxes at top
left and top right, for unknown use, as these plates
have no expiry. A mistake??

Type 5. Borderless, embossed edges. Sticker boxes removed.

THIS ENDS THE CURRENT FULL-SIZE PLATES OF NOVA SCOTIA, OTHER THAN SAMPLES, CONCEPT PLATES AND SPECIAL EVENT PLATES,
ALL OF WHICH ARE SHOWN IN SEPARATE PAGES.

For smalls of various types, as well as add-on plates past and present, see below. These will be moved to a separate page in the future

MOTORCYCLE AND OTHER SMALLER VEHICLES Note that at this point I am not actively collecting these smaller plates, other than to, if possible, obtain one example of each type.
Motorcycle	These two plates are in the collection of Rogelio Roger Flores and shown here with his permission. I am showing these here to confirm that in 1953 there were both types of MC plates: 52 with 53 tab, and actual 53 plates, just as with passenger plates. This is truly a great pair of plates.	Note that Motorcycles and Campers are currently the only types in Nova Scotia with "all digits", and in fact the same number can conceivably be issued in both categories.
Motorcycle Dealer Began approx 1920			NOT IN MY COLLECTION. SPECIMEN IMAGE ONLY.
Motorcycle Vanity Commenced June 2005		These plates are the same as regular mc plates. They have the same restrictions on choice as their full size counterparts, except that they have a maximum of six characters and/or spaces.	No image available
Motorcycle Antique Commenced May 2013		Actual plates are all in the series A F001 to A F999	NOT IN MY COLLECTION. SPECIMEN IMAGE ONLY.
Motorcycle Accessible Parking Commenced November 2014		This is a sample plate
Motorcycle Veteran Commenced April 2017			NOT IN MY COLLECTION. SPECIMEN IMAGE ONLY.
Motorcycle Restricted Commenced 1974	These plates are seen on municipal police motorcycles. I estimate that at any given time there are only less than 20 of these active in the province.		NOT IN MY COLLECTION. SPECIMEN IMAGE ONLY.
Moped,	This is for motorcycle or motor scooter type vehicles not capable of 70 km/h when loaded, and under 50 cc engine.	Commenced in 1975 but continues to be rare, as there really are not many vehicles that need to be registered at all that meet this criterion.	NOT IN MY COLLECTION. SPECIMEN IMAGE ONLY.
Off Highway Vehicle	Note that the two letter, three digit format is shared with the Antique Motorcycle Category; however this latter type is allocated the AF001 to AF999 series only.
Off Highway Vehicle Dealer			NOT IN MY COLLECTION. SPECIMEN IMAGE ONLY.
ADD-ON PLATES These are supplemental plates issued by other provincial agencies, or by local authorities. They are not strictly speaking Nova Scotia licence plates, but do constitute an interesting sub-area of collecting. I have a few examples to show here. Note that bicycle plates could also be shown here, as there is no other convenient spot for them.
Supplemental Plates ("toppers") issued by Board of Public Utilities (now the Utilities Review Board) from about 1959 to 1981 and with at least one type still being issued today. These had prefix codes as follows, but it seems that this list is incomplete: F Freight Carrier G General Freight Hauler P Public Passenger Carrier GS General Specialty Freight PU Public Utilities Local Freight S Special Commodity Hauler SB School Bus SB-P Combined School and Public T Trailer X Operated Outside NS For colours and other information check at All About License Plates The school bus variety of this plate type is still currently in use in 2021. School buses will be seen with a black on yellow commercial plate, topped with the smaller URB plate in the same colours.		FX does not appear in the list at left. It is either Freight operating outside NS, or Half-Year freight. If you can comment, please do! Note that this prefix is not on the list at the left. I am guessing that NP means Non-Public Passenger Carrier. School Bus 1982
LOCAL JURISDICTION SMALL PLATES
Bicycle	Many local jurisdictions registered bicycles, and issued small plates or stickers.	I am not collecting these
Military Base	Canadian Armed Forces bases across Canada commonly issued small plates to aid in recognition as vehicles approached the gates. Generally speaking there were different colours and/or prefixes for different categories of personnel. examples include Civilian employees, NCO's, Officers, Reservists, etc.	In Nova Scotia there have been plates issued over the years for bases in Halifax, Shearwater, Mill Cove, Sydney, Greenwood, Debert. Most likely there would also have been plates issued for Barrington and Shelburne, and possibly also Newport Corner. These plates are now scarce or rare. While I do know they were in use in the 60's to 80's, I am not sure of the actual time span. They are no longer in use. This CFB Halifax plate from 1982 is almost identical to the one I had on my car in 1973. As far as I recall, the green indicated a commissioned officer, and other colours were also in use. Furthermore, I do not know if plates were re-issued each year, and with the same colours, or if the year indicated the year of issue and the plate was kept into subsequent years.
Taxi/Limousine	Many towns and other local authorities have issued taxi plates. More commonly in the modern era they are issued with stickers for the bumper or window.	Although I do not collect these taxi plates, I have this one in the collection, as it is reminiscent of the era when I first arrived in Nova Scotia, and settled in Halifax County.