Established, 1805; population, 10,077,331; capital, Lansing

From 1910 to 1914 Michigan issued enamel plates; metal plates have been in use from 1915 to the present.

Metal tabs were used in 1943 on a 1942 base, in 1960 and 1961 on a 1959 base, and in 1963 and 1964 on a 1962 base. Paper expiry stickers have been used since 1972.

Separate half-year plates were available from 1938 to 1946.

State university colours were incorporated into plate design in three issues: yellow-on-blue plates in 1965 and 1967 honoured the University of Michigan, and a white-on-light-gold design in 1970 recognized Oakland University.

A number of alternative base plate have been available: Motor City and Great Lakes Splendor (both no longer issued) and, currently, Spectacular Peninsulas and The Mackinac Bridge (originally in barely-readable off-white characters, later superseded by black characters).

Current issues on the standard white-and-blue plates have reached EXX 1234, the Spectacular Peninsulas plate is at 1NA P23, the issues utilizing the Mackinac Bridge base are currently at EGD 123 and commercial plates are at DF 12345.