Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives

Red on white, formatsG 0000orG 00000withLocal Govt.legend.

Used March 1975 through April 1980 without stickers. Local (city or county) government-owned vehicle, generallynotused for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes. (There were a few known exceptions to this.)

Red on white, formatS 00000withStatelegend.

Used March 1975 through April 1980 without stickers. State government-owned vehicle generallynotused for law enforcement purposes.

Red on white motorcycle plate; sticker box in the lower right corner.

This base plate was used March 1975 through March 1980. Valid through March 1976 without stickers, then renewed with year stickers.

Other red on white plates, with sticker box in the upper right corner.

This base plate was used March-April-May 1975 through March-April-May 1980. Valid through March-April-May 1976 without stickers. (Month determined by vehicle class.) Renewed with year stickers front and back.

Black on white with embossedMaryland, formatsG 0000orG 00000withLocal Govt.legend.

Used March 1980 through about April 1987 without stickers. Local (city or county) government-owned vehicle, generallynotused for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes. (There were a few known exceptions to this.)

Black on white with embossedMaryland, formatS 00000withStatelegend.

Used March 1980 through about April 1987 without stickers. State government-owned vehicle generallynotused for law enforcement purposes.

Black on white motorcycle plate with embossedMd.; sticker box in lower right corner.

This base plate was issued March 1980 through January 1986. Valid through March 1981 without stickers, then renewed with year stickers through March 1986, and with month and year stickers through September 1987.

Other black on white plates with embossedMaryland, sticker box with lightly embossed border in upper right corner.

这个底座March-April-May发布第1980位rough early 1986. Valid through March-April-May 1981 without stickers. (Month determined by vehicle class.) Renewed with year stickers front and back through March-April-May 1986, and then with month and year stickers on only the rear plate through September 1987.

Black on dark yellow motorcycle plate with embossedMd.; sticker box in lower right corner.

This is a State Police motorcycle plate, likely from approximately 1983 or 1984. (I know, I said I wasn't covering police plates, but you might not have known that this evenisa police plate without a little help.) Sticker box was never used.

Black on reflective white with screenedMaryland, serial formatsL/G*00000,S/G*00000,*00000L/G, and*00000S/Gwith graphic shield emblem.

Used February 1986 to present without stickers. Hologram indicates year of manufacture. State web site legend appears on plates manufactured since 2005. L/G plates are for local government vehicles; S/G plates are for state government vehicles, in both cases generallynotfor law enforcement or fire or rescue applications.
(both plates in actual use)

Black on reflective white with screenedMaryland, actual serialsNAA*000, NAA*001,orSAM*PLEwith graphic shield separator, orSAMPLEwithout graphic shield separator.

1986年2月样品板分布呈现without stickers. Hologram indicates year of manufacture. State web site legend appears on plates manufactured since 2005 or so.
(SAM*PLE – on display at the Maryland MVA)

Black on reflective white motorcycle plate with screenedMaryland, actual serials00000D, 0000D0, 000D00,orSAMPLE.

Motorcycle sample plates distributed February 1986 to present without stickers. Hologram indicates year of manufacture. State web site legend probably appears on recently manufactured plates.

Other black on reflective white with screenedMaryland, various serial formats with or without graphic shield separator.

This base plate design has been issued February 1986 to present. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. Hologram indicates year of manufacture. Plates with no legend were generally made between 1986 and 2005; those with the state web site legend were made since 2005; plates with other legends could be from any time between 1986 and the present.

Green on white-to-blue fadeTreasure the Chesapeake, various serial formats with or without graphic bird in center.

These first generationChesapeakeplates were issued very late 1990 to late 2003 and are still in use. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serialsSAM*PLEandSAMPLEare, obviously, sample plates. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.

Black on blue-to-white fadeTreasure the Chesapeake, various serial formats with or without graphic bird at left.

Second generationChesapeakeplates were issued January 2004 to October 2018. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.

Black on orange-to-yellow-fade我们的农场,我们的未来, various serial formats.

These plates have been issued early 2001 to present. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.

Blue on whiteWar of 1812.

This design was the standard plate issued to new registrants between June 2010 and September 2016, for various personal vehicle types. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serialsSAMPLEand0A/A0000are both sample plates. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.

Black on yellow1910 Vintage, various serial formats.

1910 Vintageplates were issued only in 2014 but are still in use. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates.
(Crum photo and plate)

Black on white with state flag graphic at the bottom.

这个设计是the new standard plate issued to new registrants beginning September 26, 2016, for various personal vehicle types. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, plate numberSAMPLEis obviously a sample plate. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.

Protect the Chesapeake, various serial formats.

Third generationChesapeakeplates have been issued October 2018 to present. Rear plates always have stickers indicating month and year of expiration. Unstickered plates are front plates. However, serialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate. Hologram indicates year of manufacture.
(plate in actual use)

Serial formatxx-00-00, with dash, diamond, or colon separators.

Passenger car. Some letter combinations were reserved for members of certain organizations. Some of the more common organizational serial letters include AL, BB, CC, EE, FD, and LC. SerialAA-00-00is a sample.

Serial format00-00-xx, with dash, diamond, or colon separators.

Non-passenger vehicle; first letter or letters indicate vehicle type as follows: BA = taxi or limousine for hire, CA = commercial ambulance or funeral vehicle, Ex = truck, Gx = trailer, HE = truck for hire. Suffix letters AE are truly a mystery.

Serial formatS/R00-00T.

A special type of plate used on some trailers. "S/R" stands for "shuttle relay", but what exactly that means is unknown to me. "T" stands for trailer. Similar plates with "TRAC" instead of "T" are shuttle relay truck tractor plates.

Embossed star figure on the left, followed by a four-character serial number in format00-00.

Government-owned motor vehicle or trailer, most likelynotused for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes andnota school bus.

Motorcycle plate in serial format00-00, with dot separator.

Regular motorcycle plate.
(Sallmen photo / plate)

Motorcycle plate in serial formatD000; "D" is smaller than the numeric digits.

Motorcycle dealer plate.

Small 1954 plate with serialLG-19-53, 5 inches by 2 1/4 inches.

这是一个玩具车牌,这是一个促销item for Wheaties cereal in 1953.

Small 1955 plate with serialMG-10-01, 5 inches by 2 1/4 inches.

这是一个玩具车牌,这是一个促销item for Wheaties cereal in 1954.

Serial formatsxx-00-00, xx-0000,andxx 0000, with dash, diamond, or colon separator(s), or space separator; 3-31 expiration date.

Passenger car. Some letter combinations were reserved for members of certain organizations. Some of the more common organizational serial letters include: AL, BB, CC, EE, FD, and LC. Serial letters AA and AB followed by all zeroes are sample plates.

Serial formats00-00-xx, 0000-xx,and0000 xx, with dash, diamond, or colon separator(s), or space separator; 4-30 expiration date.

Non-passenger vehicle; first letter or letters indicate vehicle type as follows: BA = taxi or limousine for hire, CA = commercial ambulance or funeral vehicle, Ex = truck, Gx = trailer, HE and HF = truck for hire.Suffix letters AEare truly a mystery.

Various three-letter prefix formats, such asxxx-0, xxx-00, xxx-000, xxx-00x, xxx-0x0, xxx-x00,andxxx0000, with dash, diamond, colon, or space separator, or no separator.

Organizational member plate; letters indicate organization: DAV = Disabled American Veterans, VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Serial formatS/R00-00T.

A special type of plate used on some trailers. "S/R" stands for "shuttle relay", but what exactly that means is unknown to me. "T" stands for trailer. Similar plates with "TRAC" instead of "T" are shuttle relay truck tractor plates.

Embossed star figure on the left, followed by a four-character serial number; 3-31 expiration date.

Local (city or county) government-owned passenger car, most likelynotused for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions to this). These "star" plates with expirations in 1960 and earlier may have also been used for state government passenger cars.

Embossed large star figure on the left, or small star figure over the wordTruckon the left, followed by a four-character serial; 4-30 expiration date in either case.

Local (city or county) government-owned non-passenger vehicle, most likelynotused for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions to this) andnota school bus. Plates without theTrucklegend were used for both trucks and other non-passenger vehicles through 1967 expirations. These "star" plates with expirations in 1960 and earlier may have also been used for state government non-passenger vehicles.

Other serial formats.

Probably an amateur radio operator plate. 3-31 expiration date indicates a passenger car; 4-30 expiration date indiciates a truck or other non-passenger vehicle.

Motorcycle plate with serial formats00-00, 0000, x000,or000x, with dot or colon separator or no separator; serial letter, if any, is the same size as the numbers.

1967 plate with a full-sized "D" prefix is a motorcycle dealer plate. Serials that are all-numeric or have other serial letters are standard motorcycle plates; letters or lack of letters have no significance. Plates with a full-sized "D" from 1968 or later are also standard motorcycle plates.

Motorcycle plate in formatsD0-00orD000, with dot, colon, or diamond separator or no separator; "D" is smaller than the numeric digits.

Motorcycle dealer plate.

Small plate with 3-31-60 expiration date and serialAM-19-27; 4 3/4 inches by 2 inches.

这是一个玩具车牌,这是一个促销item for Baker's Chocolate in 1959.

Serial formatx 00000.

Automotive business interchangeable plate; letter indicates business type as follows: D = motor vehicle dealer, W = automotive wrecker (not a tow truck, but rather issued to a junkyard operator to allow them to move driveable unregistered vehicles). The plain "D" dealer plates replaced earlier plates on this base that had eitherNew Car DealerorUsed Car Dealerembossed on the plate.

Serial formatxx 0000.

Passenger car. Some letter combinations were reserved for members of certain organizations. Some of the more common organizational serial letters include: AL, BB, CC, EE, FD, and LC. SerialAA 0000is a sample plate.

Serial format0000 xx.

Non-passenger vehicle; first letter or letters indicate vehicle type as follows: BA = taxi or limousine for hire, BM = bus; CA = commercial ambulance or funeral vehicle, Dx = truck, Ex = truck; FA, FB, FC = truck tractor; FD = Firemen's Association organizational member plate assigned to a personal truck; FR = PSC freight truck, Gx = trailer, Hx = trailer, Jx = truck; PB = bus.

Various three-letter prefix formats such asxxx 0, xxx 00, xxx 000,andxxx0000.

Organizational member plate; letters indicate organization: DAV = Disabled American Veterans, VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars. Other letter combinations are probably vanity plates.

Embossed star figure on the left, followed by a four-character serial number.

Local (city or county) government-owned passenger car, most likelynotused for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions to this).

Four-character serial number, followed by an embossed star figure on the right.

Local (city or county) government-owned non-passenger vehicle, most likelynotused for law enforcement or fire or rescue purposes (there are a few known exceptions to this), andnota school bus. Serial letters or lack of letters have no significance.

Embossed maltese cross containing the letters "F/D" on the left, followed by a five-digit numeric serial.

These plates werenotused on actual firefighting equipment. They were Firemen's Association organizational member plates issued for personal cars. These replaced earlier plates on this base that looked like normal passenger car plates and had serial format FD 0000.

Five-digit numeric serial, followed by an embossed maltese cross containing the letters "F/D" on the right.

These plates werenotused on actual firefighting equipment. They were Firemen's Association organizational member plates issued for personal trucks. These replaced earlier plates on this base that looked like normal non-passenger plates and had serial format 0000 FD.

Other serial formats.

Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate. (One of each is shown.)

Motorcycle plate with serial formats0000, x000, 000x, xx00, or00000.

Standard motorcycle plates; letters or lack of letters have no significance.

Two letter serial formatsAL 0, AL 00, AL 000,andxx 0000.

Letters indicate type: AL = American Legion organizational member; CA = commercial ambulance or funeral vehicle. Other letter combinations are probably vanity plates.

Serial formatxxx 000.

Passenger car. Vehicles later registered as multi-purpose vehicles (usually passenger vans, SUVs, motor homes, or not-for-hire buses) used passenger car plates through 1980. Some alpha combinations were reserved for members of certain organizations. Some of the more common organizational serial letters include: BBx, DAV, EEx, FPx, HGx, KCx, LCx, NGx, RIx, TCx, and VFW. SerialAAA 000is a sample plate.

Other three letter formatsxxx 0, xxx 00, xxx0000,andxxx 0000,with or without the legendTruckat the bottom.

Organizational member plates; letters indicate the organization: DAV = Disabled American Veterans, ELK = Elks Lodge, VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars. Other letter combinations are probably vanity plates. No legend at bottom indicates a plate issued for a passenger car;Trucklegend was used on a plate issued for a personal truck.

Embossed maltese cross containing the letters "F/D" on the left, followed by a five-digit numeric serial, with or without the legendTruckat the bottom.

These plates werenotused on actual firefighting equipment. They were Firemen's Association organizational member plates issued for personal vehicles. No legend at bottom indicates a plate issued for a passenger car;Trucklegend was used on a plate issued for a personal truck.

Other serial formats.

Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate. (One of each is shown.) No legend at bottom indicates a plate issued for a passenger car;Trucklegend was used on a plate issued for a personal truck.

Motorcycle plate in format00000or000000.

Standard motorcycle plate.

Motorcycle plate in other formats; black on white plate only.

Probably a vanity plate.

Bicentennial, serial format000 xxx.

Extra-cost optional issue plate for passenger cars and multi-purpose vehicles, 1976-1980. Most serial suffixes were sequentially-issued, but ANG, ART, and DAV suffixes are organizational member plates. VFW suffixes would be, too, if they exist. Serial number000 AAAis a sample plate.

Bicentennial, other three letter formats0 xxx, 00 xxx,andxxx0000,.

Extra-cost optional issue plate for members of specific organizations, 1976-1980. I've seen a couple of examples of DAV = Disabled American Veterans plates; I'm guessing that VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars plates may also exist.

Bicentennial, other serial formats.

Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate. (One of each is shown.)

350th Anniversary, serial format000*xxx.

Extra-cost optional issue plate for passenger cars, 1984-1987. Serial number000*AAAis a sample plate.

350th Anniversary, serial formats00000 Xand00000X, with no shield graphic.

Extra-cost optional issue plate for multi-purpose vehicles (usually passenger vans, SUVs, and motor homes), 1984-1987.

350th Anniversary, other serial formats.

Probably a vanity plate or an amateur radio operator plate. (One of each is shown.)

Full-sized plate with serial format00000.

Eight-year registration fleet trailer plate. Issued between 1980 and 1985 with unique 1988 through 1993 expiration stickers, always red on white. Some of these plates had aTrailerlegend, but others did not.

Serial formats000*000and00x*000, with shield separator.

Regular truck. Format00x*000was introduced in 1992. Letter (or lack of letter) has no significance other than to identify the age of the plate. Regular truck plates are no longer issued effective June 2010, but may continue to be renewed.

Serial formatI00*000, with shield separator.

Charter bus; this plate type became obsolete in 1988.
(Doernberg photo / plate)

Serial format000*00x, with shield separator.

Letter indicates type of vehicle: B = taxi; C = commercial ambulance or funeral vehicle; F = truck tractor; J = van pool; K = farm area truck with limited on-road privileges, and since 2006, a vehicle used on an island with no access to the mainland; P = bus for hire.

Serial formatsTT0*000and000*0TT, with shield separator.

Tow truck.

Serial formatsxxx*000and0xx*x00, with shield separator.

Passenger car. SerialsNAA*000andNAA*001are sample plates. Format0xx*x00debuted in September 2004. State web site legend began in February 2005. Passenger car plates are no longer issued on this base effective June 2010, but may continue to be renewed.

One letter, six number serial formats, with no separator:000000x, x000000, 000x000,and00000x0.

Letter indicates type of vehicle: G = trailer; M = multi-purpose vehicle (usually a passenger van, SUV, motor home, or not-for-hire bus); X = trailer. Among these formats, trailers use only 000000x; multi-purpose vehicles use all four formats. Multi-purpose vehicle plates are no longer issued effective June 2010, but may continue to be renewed.

Serial formatx/x*00000, with shield separator.

Letters indicate vehicle use: D/R = rental car, L/G = local government-owned motor vehicle or trailer, S/G = state government-owned motor vehicle or trailer. Rental cars used stickers on rear plates; government vehicles do not. Rental car plates became obsolete in the mid-1990s. These government plates are generallynotused on law enforcement or fire or rescue vehicles. (There are a few known exceptions to this.)
(plate with web site legend in actual use)

Serial formatsxx00000andxxx0000with no separator.

Organizational member plate; letters indicate the specific organization. Most also have a legend identifying the organization, but these do not: BB = Boumi Temple (Shriners), BNA = B'nai B'rith, CCC = Grace Bible Church of North Carroll, DV = Disabled American Veterans, FP = Fraternal Order of Police, FPA = Fraternal Order of Police Associate Members, JWV = Jewish War Veterans, NOW = National Organization for Women, ROJ = Royal Order of Jesters, YG = Yedz Grotto (Masons).

Serial format*00000x/x, with shield graphic at the far left.

Letters indicate vehicle use: L/G = local government-owned motor vehicle or trailer, S/G = state government-owned motor vehicle or trailer. Neither plate type uses expiration stickers. These government plates are generallynotused on law enforcement or fire or rescue vehicles. (There are a few known exceptions to this.)
(plate in actual use)

Serial format00000xxwith no separator.

Letters indicate type of vehicle: LM = limousine for hire, TL = trailer, TT = tow truck.
(limo plate in actual use)

Serial formatE00000Dwith no separator.

Dump truck plate; also issued to cement mixer trucks.

Other serial formats withnoshield separator, and no identifying legend.

Probably a vanity plate. (This one is a vanity plate.) However, serialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate. Vanity plates are no longer issued on this base effective June 2010, but may continue to be renewed.
(unstickered front plate)

Apportionedplates, serial formats000*x00and000*x/x00, both with shield separator.

Letter or letters indicate type of vehicle: E = regular truck, E/D = dump truck, F = truck tractor, G = trailer, P = bus for hire, T/E = tow truck.

Farmplates, format000*00x/xwith shield separator.

Letters indicate type of vehicle: F/T = farm truck, T/R = farm-use "big rig" truck tractor.

Motorcycle plates with serial formats00000D, 0000D0, 000D00, 000M00, 0D0000,orD00000.

Regular motorcycle plates; however, motorcycle plates with these actual serial numbers are samples. Regular motorcycle plates are no longer issued on this base effective June 2010, but may continue to be renewed.

Motorcycle plates with other serial formats.

Probably a vanity plate. However, serialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate. Motorcycle vanity plates are no longer issued on this base effective June 2010, but may continue to be renewed.
(Plate 88MGNA: Ellis photo of plate in actual use)

War of 1812, serial format0x/x0000.

TheWar of 1812base was the standard plate issued to new registrants between June 14, 2010 and September 25, 2016, but only for some specific vehicle types. This odd serial format was issued to passenger cars as well as multi-purpose vehicles (primarily SUVs, mini-vans, and motor homes) and regular trucks regardless of weight. The M/D series was issued first, followed by the A/A series, and then progressing alphabetically to the C/N series. Actual serial number0A/A0000is a sample plate.

War of 1812, other serial formats without stacked letters.

Vanity plates issued to new registrants between June 14, 2010 and September 25, 2016. However, serialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate.

War of 1812motorcycle plate, serial formatsD00000and00000Y.

Regular motorcycle plate issued to new registrants between June 14, 2010 and September 25, 2016.

War of 1812motorcycle plate, other serial formats.

Probably a vanity motorcycle plate issued to new registrants between June 14, 2010 and September 25, 2016.

Serial format0xx0000.

No, this isn't a new special interest plate; it's actually the standard plate issued to new registrants beginning September 26, 2016, but only for the specific vehicle types that had previously been issuedWar of 1812plates. This0xx0000serial format is issued to passenger cars as well as multi-purpose vehicles (primarily SUVs, mini-vans, and motor homes) and regular trucks regardless of weight. Plate numbers began at 8CN0000 on this base; all numbers advance before any letters do.

Other serial formats.

可能车牌发给新注册者beginning September 26, 2016. However, serialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate.
(plate in actual use)

Motorcycle plate, serial formats00000Y,000Y00and0000Y00.

Regular motorcycle plate issued to new registrants beginning September 26, 2016.

Motorcycle plate, other serial formats.

Probably a vanity motorcycle plate issued to new registrants beginning September 26, 2016.

Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, serial formatx00*000, with bird separator.

First generationChesapeakenon-passenger plate, issued 1991 to 2003 and still in use. Letter indicates type of vehicle: B = taxi, G = trailer.

Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, serial format0xx*000, with bird separator.

First generationChesapeakelight truck plate; issued 1991 to 2003 and still in use.

Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, serial format000*xxx, with bird separator.

First generationChesapeakepassenger car plate; issued 1991 to 2003 and still in use.

Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, serial formatxxx*00x, with bird separator.

First generationChesapeakemulti-purpose vehicle (usually a passenger van, SUV, motor home, or not-for-hire bus) plate; issued 1991 to 2003 and still in use.

Treasure the Chesapeake, green on white-to-blue fade, other serial formats, withnobird separator.

First generationChesapeakeplates without the bird were used only for handicapped, vanity, and sample plates. Issued 1991 to 2003 and still in use. SerialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate.

Treasure the Chesapeake, black on blue-to-white fade, serial formats00000B/Yand00000C/x, with bird graphic at left.

Second generationChesapeakepassenger car plate, issued 2004 to October 2018. On this base, passenger car serial formats were issued not only for cars, but also for multi-purpose vehicles, light trucks, and taxis.

Treasure the Chesapeake, black on blue-to-white fade, serial format00000G/A, with bird graphic at left.

Second generationChesapeaketrailer plate, issued 2004 to October 2018.

Treasure the Chesapeake, black on blue-to-white fade, other serial formats withnostacked letters, with or without the bird graphic at left.

Second generationChesapeakeplate without stacked serial letters are used only for vanity and sample plates. The bird graphic is omitted for serials with seven characters and spaces. Issued 2004 to October 2018. SerialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate.

我们的农场,我们的未来, serial formatA000000, where the first numeric digit is other than a "9".

乘用车,发布了2001年至今。在这个base, however, the passenger car serial format is issued not only for cars, but also for multi-purpose vehicles, light trucks, and taxis.

我们的农场,我们的未来, serial formatA900000, where the first numeric digit is a "9".

Trailer, issued 2001 to present.
(plate in actual use)

我们的农场,我们的未来, serial formatF/T 00000.

Farm truck, issued 2001 to present.
(unstickered front plate)

我们的农场,我们的未来, other serial formats.

Probably a vanity plate, issued 2001 to present. However, serialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate.
(plate in actual use)

1910 Vintage, serial formatVR00000.

Passenger car plate, issued only in 2014. On this base, however, the passenger car serial format is issued not only for cars, but also for multi-purpose vehicles and light trucks.
(Crum photo / plate)

1910 Vintage, numbering formats other than Vx00000.

Probably a vanity plate, issued only in 2014.

Protect the Chesapeake, serial format00000C/x.

Third generationChesapeakepassenger car plate, issued October 2018 to present. On this base, passenger car serial formats are issued not only for cars, but also for multi-purpose vehicles and light trucks.

Protect the Chesapeake, serial format00000G/A.

Third generationChesapeaketrailer plate, issued October 2018 to present.

Protect the Chesapeake, other serial formats withnostacked letters.

Third generationChesapeakeplate without stacked serial letters are used only for vanity and sample plates. SerialSAMPLEis, obviously, a sample plate.
(Mattes photo of plate in use)