The History of the New York License Plate

There are more than eleven million vehicles registered in New York State, and New York City has about 12% of those (as of August 2021). Until 1901, these vehicles went unregistered, only identified by traits like their make, color and quality. New York Governor Benjamin Odell, Jr. crafted a bill that required vehicle registration and the initials of the vehicle’s owner to be posted on the back of the vehicle. This bill, passed in 1901, would lead to the birth of the license plate.

A lot has changed since 1901, and the fascinating history of the NY License Plate is anything but boring!

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Bella Druckman, Untapped New York
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash