What is a sample license plate? the uninitiated may ask.  Briefly, it is an example of that particular license plate issued as an aid for identification.  It is not legal to display it on a vehicle as a valid registration.  These plates are distributed to police stations across Canada and the US so that they will know what license plates from other provinces are supposed to look like.  The samples in their possession would help identify plates where only a sketchy description was available.  Since these plates are not intended to be displayed on a vehicle, they usually carry a special serial number.  The most common ones are a series of zeroes, usually indicating the number of digits one normally would expect to see on the plate.  Other configurations are: AAA 000 / ABC 000 (indicating a three alpha, three numeric combination) SAMPLE (or abbreviated SAM) to make the designation obvious. or some dummy number such as 012-345 (in the case of Ontario); 11-111 (Nfld), or ABC-123 (Quebec) Sometimes sample stickers are attached to the plate if the base is multi-year. Later, when collectors of license plates started to appear on the scene, the Motor Vehicle Departments (DMVs) simply provided these plates free upon request.  When the number of collectors grew and therefore the number of requests increased, most DMVs started charging a nominal fee for these plates.  This was done mostly to cover manufacturing and mailing costs.  The fee is typically $5 to $10 for a current sample plate.  It is a great way to start a collection and learn what other provinces' plates look like.  As a bonus, you will always be assured the plates you receive are in top condition.

Nunavut: eBay
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