California adopts new license plate sequence after 46-year run of the old format
California will switch its license plate format for the first time since 1980 due to a shortage of available combinations. The new sequence will be three numbers, followed by three letters and a final number. The DMV has begun producing the plates, though it’s unclear when they’ll appear on vehicles; the change is expected to last about 40 years, with each configuration offering more than 100 million possible combinations.