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License Plate Gallery

The Wisconsin Pages:

Insert Truck

Prior to 1940, heavy and commercial trucks received annual plates identical to those for lighter vehicles. "Insert" truck plates (so named due to the large quarterly metal insert that initially validated the plate) were introduced in 1940, providing the option of quarterly (or in some cases, even monthly) registration to owners. What followed was one of the more unusual (and certainly colorful) series in license platedom.

Insert Truck plates originally operated on a July-to-June replacement cycle, and the stated quarters (1-4 for September, December, March, and June expirations) reflected this fact. The various letters emblazoned on insert tabs and stickers stated the vehicle class: "P" or "Z" indicated private carriers and "C" or "K" indicated contract carriers, for example. The July-to-June cycle was retained for some time after light truck plates had reverted to annual December expirations; until 1962.

Metal insert tabs gave way to adhesive stickers starting in 1963. This change also coincided with the change to a January-to-December replacement cycle: From this point on, stickers for quarters from 1 to 4 expire in March, June, September, and December; respectively. Plates were replaced annually through 1971, then bi-annually from 1972 to 1993.

The 1994 insert truck issue was used for fifteen years before being replaced in late 2008. These plates are notable for featuring three distinct die types spread across 16 weight class codes; a potential total of 48 variations overall. I'm slowly attempting to photograph them all...

The current black-on-gray series was introduced in late 2008. Numerically, it picks up exactly where the 1994 series left off.

Light Truck for Hire (Insert Truck A-C)

Although Insert Truck plates are generally issued for heavy vehicles, a comparably small number of similar plates were also issued to light trucks for hire until 2004. Pre-1978 light truck for hire plates were very similar or identical in appearance to those of heavier insert truck plates, and are shown in that category. Later issues had unique, reflectorized color schemes.

Tractor

Another related type is the Tractor type; issued singly to big rigs. Due to the advent of Apportioned plates in the late 1970s, Tractor plates aren't as universal today as they once were; though they are retained for intrastate commerce. On recent issues, the bottom letter is always "S."

Insert Trailer

Distinctive, insert sticker-validated plates have also been issued to trailers for many years. While Insert Truck plates were often restricted to heavier classes, however, Insert Trailer plates exist for all weight classes down to "A."