36 Nebraskaland • October 2022
ou drive your shiny new car home from the dealership
and park it out front where your jealous neighbors can
see it. Now, it's time to make the license plate.
That's what Nebraska motorists did for 10 years in the
early 20th century. The state began registering automobiles
in 1905, but didn't manufacture license plates until 1915.
In the meantime, the Secretary of State's offi ce registered
cars and issued numbers. Owners made their own plates by
attaching metal numbers to a piece of leather.
Thanks to History Nebraska's Government Records
collection, which preserves the state's early auto license
records, we know who made the license plate shown
By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska
Y
Early License Plates
and Driver's Licenses
A car with an early Nebraska license plate, circa 1910. History Nebraska RG3064-0-20
