Massachusetts, in particular, is steeped in history and pioneering achievements.
Massachusetts established the first park, abolished slavery, and protested the Tea Act.
What State Required License Plates First?
Massachusetts was the first to issue license plates, according to a Thought Co. article.
Sure, vehicle owners in New York were making their own license plates by hand, using their initials on leather or metal, but Massachusetts was the first state to begin issuing plates.
And their original system, which began in 1903, paved the way for the future of automotive license plate systems.
The First License Plate in the USA:
The first license plate in America was issued in 1903 in Massachusetts to Frederick Tudor, the son of the “Ice King” Frederic Tudor.
The plate number is an iconic one-digit number: “1”.
Even cooler, according to Thought Co., the license plate is still active in Massachusetts and belongs to the Tudor family.
So, if you ever see a car driving around New England with a “1” as a license plate, remember that it was the first plate issued in America.
