Farm – An Illustrated History of Connecticut License Plates

Farm

These plates are used on vehicles operated in conjunction with farming activities. The farm must have gross annual sales of at least $2500, and the plates cannot be used on vehicles transporting goods for hire. Use of Farm plates on trucks transporting the farm’s own goods to market is permitted, however.

Originally, these plates carried limitations on the distance from the farm the vehicles bearing these plates were allowed to operate. In 1978, the radius of operation was increased from within 7 miles of the farm to 25 miles. In 1985, this was increased again to 35 miles. Finally, in 1989, the mileage limitation was eliminated, but the prohibition on transporting goods for hire and minimum annual sales requirements were enacted.

Starting in 1996, Farm plates could be issued to passenger cars as well as trucks.

This type started in 1933, probably as a means of relief to farmers during the Great Depression.

Up until the mid 1960s, these plates were always distinctively colored- probably to help eliminate misuse of these reduced/no fee plates.

In 1946/47 a small number of these plates were made with black numbers on a light olive green background. Shortly thereafter, the colors went back to the previous black on yellow scheme.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, date tabs were used to designate the year. However, I have seen a white on green farm plate with a ’62’ embossed year.

In 1985 or 1986, Farm plates became biennial registrations. Prior to this, they had to be renewed every year.

When the graphic ‘blue fade’ plates were introduced, there were 2 varieties of farm plates – some had blue numbers, and some had red. It appears that a number of re-made plates in the “F” types (Factory, Farm, Fire Apparatus) were mistakenly manufactured with blue instead of red numbers.

Click the photo above to see this type in use.

Reference: Chapter 246 Sec. 14-49 (q).

1936

1940

1941

1942

1946
One of the odd short-lived light green background plates.
The date is embossed ‘194 ‘ in the lower right. Corner date tabs were used to indicate the last digit of the year. This particular plate was on an early 30’s Buick

1940s

1949

ca. 1956

1957

1959

1960
This plate is actually white on a deep, dark green.

1965

1966

1968.
I’m not sure whether these plates were supposed to be used through 1968, or whether the owner put the stickers from the plate on the right on his old plates above.
Also note the odd position of the dot – seems like right after they started making the 5-number plates they needed to get a feel for where the dot belonged.