California Exhausts 46-Year License Plate Sequence, Switching to Mirrored Format
California has officially exhausted its standard license plate sequence, which began in 1980, and is transitioning to a new format. The previous system, consisting of one number, three letters, and three numbers, reached its final combination, 9ZZZ999, earlier this year. The state is now introducing a 'mirrored' configuration of three numbers, three letters, and one number. While new plates are being produced, over 110,000 old-format plates remain in storage for issuance. The change is expected to last 40 years, with manufacturing continuing at Folsom State Prison.