Sample license plates are pretty easy to
understand. In most cases they were made to look exactly like passenger
car plates, except that they all bear the number zero, or variations
thereof, such as 000, 00000, etc. One of the principal uses of samples
was by law enforcement agencies across the country who made wall
displays consisting of a sample plate from every state. Officers could
study the displays from time to time, thereby familiarizing themselves
with the appearance of out-of-state license plates.
But there were other uses as well. Movie studios often ordered samples
to enable them to fabricate reproduction license plates which made for
more realistic scenes where automobiles were involved. And, of course,
to a more limited extent they were sought after by collectors.
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Passenger Car Samples
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Miscellaneous Types Samples
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Specialty Plate Samples
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| New Mexico makes available to motorists a wide
variety of specialty plates, and though samples of these do exist, they
are rarely seen. The reason for this is that these samples are made for
use as proofs when implementing new plates types. They often get sent to
the Director, a Project Manager (or person in a similar position), and
to law enforcement so everyone can sign off for approvals on design and
readability. Thus, they are only used internally within state agencies
and are not sold to the public. Note the approval sticker on the back of
this Highlands University sample plate. Photos and caption
information courtesy New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division. |
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Sticker Samples
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| Photo Credits: 1943 Sample windshield sticker
courtesy Matt Thompson, State Senator
motorcycle, motorcycle handicap turquoise centennial, motorcycle
dealer #DL0000A courtesy N.M. MVD, and 1971 Prorate Backing Plate,
Prorate Power sticker and Prorate Trailer sticker
courtesy Scott Christensen. Dealer Coach courtesy Phil Hill. All others by Bill Johnston. |
