California Is Running Out Of License Plate Numbers

California is running out of license plate numbers to issue to new passenger vehicles. It’s something officials in the Golden State have been anticipating, but thought it would happen in 2027. Instead, projections are that the numbers will run out by the end of this year.

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For almost 45 years California has been on its current passenger vehicle license plate alphanumeric sequence. In a brilliant move, the plan is to just flip the sequence to the opposite layout once the final plate number, 9ZZZ999, is issued, according to The Sacramento Bee.

Right now, the layout on passenger vehicle plates is “Numeral Alpha Alpha Alpha Numeral Numeral Numeral.” But starting in probably December 2025 that will change with the transition to “Numeral Numeral Numeral Alpha Alpha Alpha Numeral.”

In other words, when one door closes, a mirror image of it opens.

When we first heard about this problem, we were wondering if this would be the start of the digital license plates for everyone in California. But it turns out the problem really isn’t all that difficult to overcome with a very low-tech, simple solution.

This issue does show how a state with a large population and plenty of cars will eventually need to switch up the scheme for license plates. According to the The Sacramento Bee report, vehicle sales in California have been picking up steam lately, with levels expected to hit what they were in 2019 before shutdowns in an effort to control the spread of covid resulted in long-lasting economic turmoil.

We wonder if the person who does get the final plate of the current scheme, 9ZZZ999, will become internet famous for 15 minutes or something of the sort. The same thing goes for the person who gets the first plate in the new alphanumeric scheme.

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