How to Decode a License Plate from Massachusetts | The Curiosity Desk

It’s the Spirit of America- but what does that mean? While stuck in traffic, Edgar B Herwick III examines the Massachusetts license plate. From the six digits to the enhanced security features, these plates can provide a surprising amount of information- if you know how to read it.
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[@GBHNews]

And in the event you want EVEN MORE license plate trivia: -- In September of 1903, Massachusetts became the first state to issue license plates. New York required registration and identification earlier but did not yet issue plates. -- In the mid 1950s, the US, Canada and Mexico agreed to standardize non-motorcycle license plates at 6x12 inches. -- All Commercial plates in Massachusetts expire at the end of December. -- Prior to the "Spirit of America" plate, Massachusetts plates were green on white (1977-93), red on white (1972-78) and blue on white (1967-71).

[@jakerussell135]

If it matters, the standardization specifically happened in 1953

[@fiecapglo8678]

Special place in my heart for PBS and GBH. Family couldnt afford cable as a kid but the shows and content were Gold. Thank you.

[@MarcStober]

Growing up in Connecticut in the '80's I remember seeing that ad. Massachusetts was the much cooler next-door neighbor. Probably part of the reason I live in Mass. now, although as an adult I miss the greater supply of free parking and affordable homes there seems to be in CT.

[@snuggletrumpet8829]

Also, commercial plates have different expirations. If the last digit is odd, it expires November where if it's even, it expires December

[@RXBannedit]

The best part of this is that there's a New York plate immediately behind him at the end, showing him up, just as god intended

[@RXBannedit]

@@michael.barlow Oh 100% agreed. Those "orange" ones are the worst we've ever had. We were on a downward spiral after replacing the Liberty plates, especially because they were banned, for all intents and purposes. The Niagara / Adirondack / NYC ones were ok, I guess, but the "orange" ones were an affront to any with good taste (or eyes). Of course, they stopped making you turn in old one starting with thee Orange ones, but it was already too late for Libertys (though I have seen a few here and there over the years... good to know a few people are keeping the dream alive!) The Excelsior ones are for sure a step up from the last two, but they were in the middle of the pack for the five that were voted on. Idk if you saw the others, but two of them were amazing. Of course, you're gonna get a shitty result when you let the whole state vote, even though NYC (and the Metro area) is all that's actually important. Tl;dr - Liberty Plates > Mass Plates >> Excelsior >>> Niagara/NYC >>>>>>>>>> Orange Atrocities

[@alabasterch2]

Taxachussetts drivers can also be identified by their penchant for not using turn signals

[@GBHNews]

👀

[@EvilTwin123]

I pointed.... vertically, with a specific digit 😮

[@eswift8318]

I routinely travel most of the country by road. About two thirds of it does a bad job with turn signals. Also, Massachusetts taxes are about average. Have been for decades.

[@bozanimal5576]

Let's be real: He had more time on his commute. A lot more time.

[@keyboardtalk]

1:31 what about plates that expire in Oct/Nov/Dec? What number is at the end?

[@GBHNews]

All October plates end in a 0. The only plates that expire at the end of November are the vanity plates. The only plates that expire at the end of December are commercial plates.

[@AlexSmirnov]

Interesting.. for past half a year I’m trying to find a plate with NOV.. wasn’t able to spot one yet.. I guess I need to look harder at the vanity plates!! Thanks a lot for a video!

[@jakerussell135]

Vanity plates tend to not have a month screened at all, maybe there never is a month screened. The November expiration is still in effect

[@bonasperry8747]

He does not mention ham radio plates

[@Poorschedriver]

No mention of the coveted green plates?

[@interstellarphred]

2:53 jammed up highway adjacent to empty railway; Ironic

[@JohnSmith-rn5tb]

Im from Southern Maine and we identify Massachusetts drivers by the way so many ride your bumper,drive 95 in a 50 mph zone,pass in breakdown lane,etc- sorry,it's often true!!

[@GBHNews]

There’s a term we all use for drivers like that. ;)

[@chucknorris277]

As a former masshole and 25 year nh resident I concur

[@KChurch86]

Down here in Massachusetts we ID Maine drivers by the way they drive 50 in a 65 😂

[@CurtisEWipe]

Yup, we're massholes.... 🤷‍♂️🍻🤣

[@AadilKapadia-mv9sg]

What's the number on top right

[@johnfrank3642]

In West Virginia it’s the first number is tells expiration date if it says 100 expires in January9 October is also Novembers and and December is D

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

Vanity plates help great causes.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

Vanity plates don't help anything. You're talking about specialty plates - those with the first two letters on top of one another. Those are the ones that the extra cost goes to the charity or organization the plate represents. Here's a vanity plate I saw recently: TTTTTT. I can only surmise what it means to me. I think I have the intention. What do you think it means?

[@josef6415]

all those different variations of plates and none of them look good

[@EvilTwin123]

1:20 Not true Low number plates, numbers only, can have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 digits 666 for example - who has it? HELL if I know! 😂

[@edgarbherwickiii5509]

What you say is true. Low number plates are an exception. And the lottery for low number plates is open now! But that is why I qualified this statement with the phrase "standard issue plates."

[@rencleavus5213]

I laugh at the irony of "The Spirit of America". The People's Republic of Massachusetts is more like "The Spirit of North Korea".

[@crispa1861]

I agree to this as I know of a friend that registered his car from NJ to Ma. He cursed at the fact that the state inspection tests can leave you broke, especially if you have an older vehicle. Well, I told him to stay in Jersey. A totalitarian state indeed. Love the Celtics, but fk you MA. You can't make me live there even if I was given a billion dollars. NO way JOSE.

[@chucknorris277]

Go to europe then..... live freeor die

[@user-yn4rk2uw6r]

New Hampshire😊

[@GrowthruGod]

X = eliminate for example XJC XCM XBC Y = why as in Y77 or why God the number for God BY7 466 = good bye god hello Satan etc

[@GrowthruGod]

BEG PAY 565 combos = unholy trinity For example G_5_ _ 6 = unholy trinity 1TIm 30 resembles scripture

[@GrowthruGod]

9HI9998 would suggest hello we are going to hell ( 9-is code for hell) forever (8) F in front of DC suggests F&&@; DC X DC XRN why nurses YAG why attorney general etc YJAB I’m sure these are all computer generated

[@bradfordjhart]

i wish we had the euro plates they fit better on cars and don't have room for stupid sayings like spirt of murica, or live free or die, or any stupid causes tied to your vehicle registration. Also front plates are dumb, bad for aerodynamics, and totally unnecessary.

[@ol.grumpy.bastard]

Settle down, gramps...