California's License Plate Predicament: Running Out of Numbers

California is on the brink of reaching the end of its current license plate sequence. The state estimates it will hit the final combination, 9ZZZ999, by the end of 2025, earlier than initially forecasted for 2027, due to an unexpected surge in car sales.

California's Car Culture

- Car Count: With 13.2 million registered vehicles, California has almost double the number of any other state.
- Annual Sales: The state accounts for 10-12% of national new car purchases, equating to around 1.7 million vehicles each year.
- International Comparison: This figure surpasses that of France and is on par with Italy, Canada, the UK, and Germany.

The New Plan for Plates

Faced with the impending shortage, California will adopt a new format: 000AAA0. These redesigned plates are expected to be introduced early next year, providing for the demand for at least a couple of years.

  

Summary

As the country's leading car-buying state, California is rapidly approaching the end of its current license plate sequence. With an efficient new format on the horizon, the Golden State aims to sustain its car culture without running out of plates.

Stay updated on automotive news by subscribing to our newsletters.