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Part 2: Queensland registration history - from Q plates to new plates

By Judith Nissen, historian | 19 December 2025

This is part two of three blogs that outline the history of motor vehicle registration in Queensland. They are based on an essay written by historian Judith Nissen, tracing the history and evolution of motor vehicle registrations in Queensland, including number plates and personalised plates. 

References and bibliography are provided at the end of Part 3. 

Part 1 of this blog series can be viewed here.

Centralised and standardised registration 

In addition to its responsibility for developing a cohesive network of main roads, formation of the Main Roads Board under the Main Roads Act of 1920 saw the introduction of a State-wide control of motor vehicle registration. In future, all registration numbers would be allocated from Brisbane. The management of motor vehicle registration passed from the Police Traffic Department to the Board on 17 December 1921.²⁴ For the first time, accurate statistics about the numbers and types of motorised vehicles in Queensland would be available. 

The new system of motor vehicle registration came into force on July 1921, with fees levied according to a formula involving “power plus weight” for vehicles with pneumatic tyres, and “power plus weight plus maximum load” for vehicles with solid rubber tyres. Fees for pneumatic-tyred vehicles ranged from £2 4s, up to £22 for the heaviest motor truck. Motor bikes were charged 15s per annum, and side-cars 10s.²⁵ The fee for a Model T Ford, then the most popular passenger car on the road, was £3 5s (around $320 today).²⁶  

Along with a new system for controlling registration came compulsory number plates. The old alphanumeric system was replaced with one State-wide series of numbers, beginning with Q1, issued on 1 July 1921 to Newmarket hotelier James McGuire’s 1921 British-made Crossley motor car. From now on, the registration number had to be marked in white on a plate or disc supplied by the owner and “firmly attached” to the vehicle, rather than painted directly on the vehicle. The size and spacing of the figures was also mandated.²⁷ 

Two images of two gentlemen

James McGuire [owner of registration plate Q1] and Dr Charles F. Marks [owner of registration plate Q2]²⁸

James Thomas McGuire was a teetotal hotelier from Cork, Ireland. He ran a number of hotels including the Newmarket Hotel, the Windsor and the Oriental in Brisbane, and the Railway Hotel in Woolloongabba. He also served as a Council Alderman before and after creation of the Greater Brisbane City Council.²⁹ 

The Marks family was a prominent Brisbane medical family. Dr Charles Ferdinand Marks, owner of Q2, was an eminent surgeon with a busy Wickham Terrace practice, as well as a member of Queensland’s Legislative Council. He was known for his love of gadgetry, including motor cars and crystal radios.³⁰

Charles’s son Alexander Hammett Marks, owner of Q3, was a general practitioner with a special interest in obstetrics and gynaecology. He also established his practice at Wickham Terrace. Alex was a decorated soldier with a distinguished military record, serving in various capacities at home and overseas from 1911 until the end of the Second World War.³¹

Portrait photograph of Colonel Alexander Marks in uniform

Colonel Alexander Marks, c.1916. Marks Family collection c.1735-1985. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image no. 27331-3016-0001

Regulations prescribed that the letter Q, and the numerals to the right, would all be the same size and marked in white on a black background³², such as on the Buick mail car, below, photographed in 1912. Q7583 was owned by Albert Wall of Winton, a mail carrier on the Winton-Kynuna run.³³ Front number plates were not mandated.

Winton-Kynuna mail run delivered in a 1921 Buick, June 1922

Winton-Kynuna mail run delivered in a 1921 Buick, June 1922. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative no. 143037

In regional areas, motorists registered their vehicles, paid the fee, and then waited for their registration certificate with allocated number to arrive from Brisbane. For example, on 26 September 1921 dairy farmer Victor Williams of ‘Glenfern’, Kilcoy visited the local Police station and paid £3/6 to register his Chevrolet motorcar. 

Mr Williams’ car was allocated the registration number Q4115. When the certificate was received from Brisbane, it was noted in red at the far right of the register page, pictured below.³⁴

An old handwritten ledger

Kilcoy Police Station, register: motor vehicle registration, 1921-1922. QSA ITM 532268 DR133577. Queensland State Archives. 

The 1923 List of Motor Owners in Queensland, pictured below, includes Victor Williams of Kilcoy. 

Front cover and one page from the 1923 Motor Owners of Queensland booklet

List of Motor Owners in Queensland: names, addresses, make of cars 1923. A. Hardman-Knight: Brisbane, Qld. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Call no. RBJ 629.20216 LIS

Page showing V.T. Williams

Not all car owners complied immediately, some claiming to not be using their vehicles. In December 1921 the Commissioner of Police issued an instruction to all officers that they were to report to the Main Roads Board “every instance of failure” to register motor vehicles if the cars had been used “on the road at any time since the 1st July last”. Such offenders would be prosecuted.³⁵ Compliance with the new Regulations was, overall, quite high. A State-wide Police “raid” in 1923 stopped and checked over 7,200 vehicles for current registrations – only several dozen offenders were identified and prosecuted. The checks amounted to around one-third of all registrations in 1922-23.³⁶

Motor vehicle numbers in Queensland continued to dramatically rise. By 30 June 1923 there were 16,893 cars and 3,217 motorcycles registered in the State.³⁷

Detailed specifications for number plates were issued In February 1925: 

From 1 April, for motor cars and trucks, the “Q” must be painted in black on a white background, the numerals remaining white on a black background. A dash was to be added to denote thousands (i.e. between the third and fourth numerals from the right). Each letter was to be 3½ inches high, ⅝ inch broad, and each (apart from the numeral one) was to occupy a space 2½ inches wide with ½ inch between each figure.³⁸

Two images of Queensland showing motor vehicle and motorcycle format designs

Approved motor vehicle and motorcycle format designs, from Queensland Government Gazette, 26 February 1925, pp.951-955. 

The mobile dental van and accompanying car, pictured below, were photographed around 1928 and show these plates.³⁹

Staff from the mobile dental clinic eating lunch while on tour,

Staff from the mobile dental clinic eating lunch while on tour, ca.1928. Department of Public Instruction – Dental Service photograph album. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.  Image no. API-081-0001-0027

Motorcycle plates followed the same format as those for motor vehicles but were to be half the size across all dimensions.⁴⁰ The Indian motorcycle pictured below was photographed on Cribb Island in 1926. It bears the new small number plate.⁴¹

Two men pose with their Indian motorcycle

Cousins Eric and Henry Beck on their Indian motorcycle, Cribb Island, 1926. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative no. 114974

Registration of trailers was also made compulsory, with the plates similar to the motor vehicle plates apart from a samller ‘Q’ over ‘T’.⁴²

Queensland trailer registration plate format design

Approved Queensland trailer registration plate format design, from Queensland Government Gazette, 26 February 1925, pp.951-955

Caravans, such as this one photographed in Brisbane in 1940, also carried trailer plates.⁴³

Woman with hat stepping up into a caravan

Woman stepping up into a caravan, Brisbane 1940. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative no. 200421

These rule changes also introduced ‘dealer’ plates which allowed limited usage of the vehicles, depending on the fee paid. Two sorts of dealer plates were introduced at different prices. Until 1955, these plates were returned each year and new plates were issued as required. The new system introduced in 1955 meant that dealers retained the same numbers, and the associated plates.⁴⁴

The first plate bought by a dealer (costing £5 per year), picture below at left, featured a red ‘Q’ over black figures on a white background.⁴⁵ By 1954, these plates cost £15 annually.⁴⁶ Additional black and white plates, pictured below at right, could also be purchased by dealers, for £1 each annually.⁴⁷ This cost had risen to £6 per year by 1954.⁴⁸

Approved Queensland dealer registration plate designs

Approved Queensland dealer registration plate with red Q (top) and black Q (bottom) format design, from Queensland Government Gazette, 26 February 1925, pp.951-955. 

Dealer plates went on to frequently change between 1925 and 1955, in terms of layout, alpha-numeric combinations, and even shape.⁴⁹
Unlike privately-owned vehicles which could sport home-made plates until 1955, dealers were compelled to use government-issued plates from 1925. These were manufactured by the Government Printer and could only be used during limited hours.⁵⁰  

Somewhat oddly, ambulances were issued plates similar to those for dealers. The reasoning was that, like dealers’ vehicles which were supposed to only be used in conjunction with the sale of vehicles, ambulances would only be used for patient transport duties.⁵¹  

Occasionally other special plates were accepted. In what appears to be a forerunner to consular plates (‘CdeC’, issued from 1969), the Queensland Premier was notified by the Prime Minister’s office in 1936 that Sir Geoffrey Whiskard, the UK High Commissioner to Australia, would be touring the states in his Humber Hilman Limousine equipped with special number plates – ‘H.C. – U.K.’ in white letters on a royal blue background.⁵²  

Other plates were introduced between 1922 and 1955, including ‘QG’ for Government cars from 1938, and Ambulance ‘QA’ plates.⁵³  

In 1929, the Main Roads Commissioner reported that official number plates, as authorised by a recent change to the Main Roads Act, would be issued as soon as possible. These were expected to increase the visibility of the plates, particularly important for Police enforcement of the traffic laws.⁵⁴ This failed to eventuate until the new alpha-numeric numbering system was introduced in 1955. 

Rectangular windscreen labels showing the period covered by the vehicle’s registration were introduced from 1 July 1933. A newspaper described the samples received as neatly printed in red and blue, on a white ground, with the numbers standing out boldly. Around the border runs the legend: “The period covered by this label expires in July 1934”. 

For vehicles without a windscreen, such as motorcycles and trailers, discs would be supplied, to be placed in a container attached to the vehicle.⁵⁵ The labels were printed by the Government Printer in Brisbane. The initial run was not considered of satisfactory quality but changes were soon made to ensure labels would remain adhered to the windscreen.⁵⁶ In succeeding years the newspapers abound with accounts of prosecutions of motorists for failing to display their registration labels. New format registration labels were introduced in 1989, including additional information such as vehicle make and registration numbers to make it easier to detect vehicle thefts and registration violations such as plate swaps.⁵⁷  

Buses may have merited different plates – the Rockhampton bus pictured below was photographed around 1935 and boasts a plate reading ‘HV 304', presumably denoting its ‘Heavy Vehicle’ status.⁵⁸

Rear of an open-sided bus parked on a street

Open-sided bus, adapted for Queensland conditions, Rockhampton district n.d. T.W. Bean Bus Company photographs. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image no. 6427-0001-0007

The ‘Traffic Truck’ Q7813, pictured below with a damaged number plate, was a hand-operated tip truck owned by Toombul Shire Council and probably used in road-making.⁵⁹

Man with a hat driving a Toombul Shire Council ‘traffic truck’

Toombul Shire Council ‘traffic truck’, n.d.  CPC [Copy Print Collection] Motor Trucks, 1920-1930. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative no. 6125

New plates, new system 

The practice of having owners supply their own number plates was a continuing problem for Police. In 1951, the Commissioner commented that numerous cars had no plates attached, and that many others were illegible or rusted, or “merely chalked”. Regardless of regulations with detailed specifications, number plates were “a medley of shapes, sizes and colours”. The mandating of front and rear plates, supplied by government, was a subject of discussion for at least 15 years before the scheme came to pass. During the Second World War years materials were needed for the war effort, and supplies of steel remained problematic for many years after 1945.⁶⁰

Eventually new registration regulations were introduced, in 1955 – new numbering formats, new colours, and the issue of the plates by government instead of relying on motorists to supply their own. In a move long advocated by Police, plates on the front and rear of vehicles were mandated. 

Before colour combinations were decided, a night visibility test was carried out. At 7.30 pm, in South Brisbane, six vehicles were fitted with three different coloured plates – white on black (the scheme then in use), black on white, and bottle green on white. A group of observers from the Police and Main Roads Departments, RACQ, and the Government Analyst’s Office conducted the test. Sadly, no detailed observations made it to the file, but the new plates were printed white on a black background.⁶¹

The last ‘Q’ number plates were issued on 31 May 1955: 

  • Motor vehicle Q687-612
  • Motorcycle Q94-737; and
  • Trailer Q/T30-907.33  ⁶²
Man at a counter receiving the first alpha numerical number plate

Issue of first alpha numerical number plate (left to right: Mr. Leo. J. Feenaghty Secretary of Main Roads, others unknown) 1955. Image from Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads website ‘100 years: 1950-1960, accessed 11 December 2025. 

A new alpha-numeric system had been introduced nationwide, with Queensland issued the alphabetical series NAA to QZZ for motor vehicles, and NA to QZ for motorcycles.⁶³ 

For the first time, the government would issue the number plates, in lieu of owners having to purchase or make their own. Number plates were a standardised size, with baked enamel letters and numerals embossed on zinc-anneal plates. A thin white line bordered each plate. 

No specific positioning of plates was mandated, but motor vehicle rear plates were to be readable from a distance of 100 feet; 45 feet for motorcycles. Front plates had to be readable, but no distance was specified.⁶⁴ 

The 1955 Main Roads Annual Report described how, “in view of the importance of the occasion”, Minister for Transport Hon. J.E. Duggan was invited to attach plate NAA-000 to the vehicle to which it was issued. This was done on 1 June 1955 at the Department's office in Albert Street, Brisbane (pictured below).⁶⁵

Minister for Transport Hon. J.E. Duggan was attaching number plate NAA-000 to a motor vehicle

Photograph from Main Roads Department, Annual Report, 1955, p.25

Owners of older ‘Q’ plates were permitted to keep them (along with the older system of a rear plate only); the two numbering systems ran in tandem for some years. In 1957, a decision was taken to change the ‘old’ registration numbers to the new format as registrations fell due. In theory, this would mean that all vehicles would bear the new registration numbers within a year or two. This evidently did not happen so quickly. 

As of 1962, 13 different sorts of number plates were on issue, including ‘Q’ plates running in tandem with the new numbering system. The ‘Q’ plates, and the newer plates for motorcycle dealers, tailers, and tractors were only required on the rear of the vehicle. A 1962 Police memorandum (pages of which are pictured below) described each of the valid plates, complete with diagrams.⁶⁶

Old typewriter written document

Page from ‘Memorandum, 30 January 1962’. Police Department administration file, 1933-1975. QSA ITM367310. Queensland State Archives. 

Old typewriter written document

Page from ‘Memorandum, 30 January 1962’. Police Department administration file, 1933-1975. QSA ITM367310. Queensland State Archives

Old typewriter written document

Page from ‘Memorandum, 30 January 1962’. Police Department administration file, 1933-1975. QSA ITM367310. Queensland State Archives

Some of the motorcycles pictured below, from a display in Rockhampton, bear ‘OA’ and ‘OB’ plates.⁶⁷

Nine motorcycles lined up in front of a dealership

Standford’s Motor Cycles dealership in Rockhampton, c.1965. CPC [Copy Print Collection] Motorcycles 1960-1970. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image no. 76-3-6

January 1977 saw two important decisions made about Queensland number plates. 

New reflectorised plates bearing three numerals followed by three letters would be introduced from 1 July 1977, with the “Queensland – Sunshine State” slogan under the registration number. The colour scheme was yet to be decided, but blue or green on a white or gold background was preferred. The same Cabinet meeting approved, in principle, that personalised plates be introduced.⁶⁸ 

Two men pose with registration plates in front of a Queensland government vehicle

Registration Service at Government auction with Main Roads Department staff member and buyer holding registration plates, c.1990. QSA ITM1887555. Queensland State Archives

Less than a fortnight later, Cabinet approved that the new number plates feature green figures on a reflectorised white background.⁶⁹

Car registration plate

Photograph of registration plate from PPQ blog, ‘History of Plates'. https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates. Accessed 6 November 2025

Commonwealth Games number plates, which incorporated the red and blue Games symbol, were introduced in 1982 for official vehicles and by 1983 had become collectors’ items. The numerals were printed in blue, and the slogan and map outline in red. Some 400 motor vehicle plates were produced, along with 60 motorcycle plates.⁷⁰ 

Vehicle registration plate with the Commonwealth Games logo

Photograph of official Commonwealth Games registration plate from PPQ blog ‘History of Plates’. https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates.Accessed 6 November 2025

To celebrate hosting World Expo 88, Queensland released a series of World Expo number plates, used only by event officials.⁷¹

Vehicle registration plate with the Expo 88 logo

Photograph of World Expo official registration plate form PPQ blog 'History of Plates'. https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates. Accessed 6 November 2025

Special plates were also issued for the World Masters Games held in Brisbane in October 1994. They featured two numerals and three letters, separated by the Games logo.⁷²

Vehicle registration plate with the World Masters Games Brisbane logo

Photograph of World Masters Games registration plate form PPQ blog 'History of Plates'. https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates. Accessed 6 November 2025

In 1992 a new contract for number plate manufacturer was awarded to Harding Electronic Systems Ltd, a New Zealand based firm. Although Cabinet expected a public backlash over the shift from the local firm, a doubling of the warranty to ten years and a significant price advantage, swung Cabinet’s decision.⁷³

From Sunshine State to Smart State? 

In a move not universally accepted by the public or Parliamentarians, in 2001 the government agreed that maroon-on-white plates bearing the slogan “Queensland—The Smart State” would be an alternative available to owners.⁷⁴

Smart State registration plate

Photograph of new 'Smart State’ registration plate form PPQ blog 'History of Plates'. https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates. Accessed 6 November 2025

Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie promoted the change in a typically upbeat and somewhat parochial speech to Parliament: 

… The idea for the change came from a member of the public, but it embraces this state's commitment to the Smart State. It would be only fair to describe broader public reaction as mixed. Many support the new slogan, but some have argued to retain the old words “Queensland—Sunshine State”. In a spirit of compromise, this morning I announce that the “Queensland—Sunshine State” slogan will be available to any Queensland Transport customer on request. ... Maroon, the Queensland state colour, will be standard on new numberplates… Queensland has much more to offer than sunshine… This is still the place to get the warmest welcome and to have fun in the sun. That reputation is established; our challenge now is to cement our growing reputation as the Smart State, to attract investment here from New South Wales and Victoria… Queenslanders in time will be just as proud of our Smart State reputation as they are of our magnificent maroon-clad Brisbane Lions, Rugby League Maroons and the Broncos, the Rugby Reds and Queensland Bulls cricket champions.⁷⁵

The plates were not well accepted, with only around 10% of owners opting for the Smart State plates in lieu of Sunshine State plates. In April 2012, the Newman Campbell government cancelled manufacture of the plates and declined to renew the trademark protection. The 20,000 Smart State plates in stock would be available for issue. The last plate was issued in 2013.⁷⁶

Part 3 of this blog series continues here.

Our exhibition, Driven: every car has a story will be on show at State Library of Queensland until 8 February 2026.

Footnotes

  1. Agency: Main Roads Board, 1920-1925, QSA A365
  2. Marion Diamond, From Bulldust to Beef Roads Main Roads – The First 50 Years, The Department, 199?, p. 15.
  3. “Vehicle Registration – The Early Days”, The Road Builders, June 1987, p. 20.
  4. Office of the Commissioner of Police, Circular memorandum No. 1198, 27 July 1921 in QSA ITM87752 Kilcoy Police Station, Memoranda and correspondence … motor vehicle registration, 9 December 1914-29 September 1927; Ronald McConnell Holdings, The Great Queensland Plate Auction, 1985, n.p.; “Motor Regulations: Recent Additions”, Daily Mail, 20 March 1924, p. 12; Greg Hill, “An Early History of Number Plates in Queensland”, in Austin Seven Register of Qld. Inc., Newsletter, April 2021, p. 17
  5. SLQ negs 195767 https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/1dejkfd/alma99183507771702061 & 
    195737 https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183798394402061. The SLQ catalogue labels this photograph as Alderman J.J. McGuire. I think it is James T. McGuire, former publican and Alderman for Brisbane’s West Ward in the 1910s. PPQ, “Q Plates – The Legacy”, https://www.ppq.com.au/blog/q-plates-the-legacy, accessed 6 November 2025.
  6. SLQ blog New acquisition - List of Motor Owners in Queensland | State Library of Queensland, accessed 25 November 2025; “J.T. McGuire dies at 74”, Courier-Mail, 23 June 1949, p. 5. Note that the blog and newspaper article claim McGuire was “one of e original members of the Queensland Turf Club”. The QTC was founded in 1863 (Queensland Horse Racing Museum), before he was born.
  7. SLQ blog New acquisition - List of Motor Owners in Queensland | State Library of Queensland, accessed 25 November 2025; Ross Patrick, “Marks, Charles Ferdinand (1852–1941)”, Australian Dictionary of Biography, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/marks-charles-ferdinand-7486/text13047, accessed 25 November 2025.
  8. SLQ blog New acquisition - List of Motor Owners in Queensland | State Library of Queensland, accessed 25 November 2025; Darryl McIntyre, “Marks, Alexander Hammett (1880–1954)”, Australian Dictionary of Biography, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/marks-alexander-hammett-7485/text13045, accessed 25 November 2025.
  9. Office of the Commissioner of Police, Circular memorandum No. 1198, 27 July 1921 in QSA ITM87752 Kilcoy Police Station, Memoranda and correspondence … motor vehicle registration, 9 December 1914-29 September 1927; SLQ neg. 143037, https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/11l3i0/alma99183507041402061.
  10. Queensland Post Office Directory, 1923; “Winton notes”, Longreach Leader, 9 November 1926, p. 9; A. Hardman Knight, List of Motor Owners in Queensland, 1923, SLQ. 
    https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/11l3i0/alma9918206884702061.
  11. Kilcoy Police Station, Register: Motor Vehicle Registration, 1921-1922, QSA ITM532268 DR133577.
  12. Office of the Commissioner of Police, Circular memorandum No. 1198C, 22 December 1921 & internal memo Kilcoy Police Station to Officer in Charge, Traffic Branch, 22 November 1921 in QSA ITM87752 Kilcoy Police Station, Memoranda and correspondence … motor vehicle registration, 9 December 1914-29 September 1927.
  13. Main Roads Commission, Annual Report, 1923, p. 21.
  14. Marion Diamond, From Bulldust to Beef Roads Main Roads – The First 50 Years, The Department, 199?, p. 16.
  15. Queensland Government Gazette, 26 February 1925, pp. 951-955.
  16. SLQ API-081-0001-0027, 
    https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183858567002061.
  17. Queensland Government Gazette, 26 February 1925, pp. 951-955.
  18. SLQ neg. 114974, https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183506016902061
  19. Queensland Government Gazette, 26 February 1925, pp. 951-955.
  20. SLQ neg. 200421, https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183506650102061.
  21. Memorandum, 27 December 1954 in QSA ITM367310 Police Department, Administration file, 1933-1975.
  22. Queensland Government Gazette, 26 February 1925, pp. 951-955.
  23. Memorandum, 27 December 1954 in QSA ITM367310 Police Department, Administration file, 1933-1975.
  24. Queensland Government Gazette, 26 February 1925, pp. 951-955.
  25. Memorandum, 27 December 1954 in QSA ITM367310 Police Department, Administration file, 1933-1975.
  26. D.C. Wright, Australasian (Motor Vehicle) Registration Plates, The author, 1983, pp. 8-9.
  27. Main Roads Commission, Annual Report, 1925, p. 26.
  28. Queensland Government Gazette, 26 February 1925, pp. 951-955.
  29. Letter, 26 March 1936 in QSA ITM367310 Police Department, Administration file, 1933-1975; Main Roads Department, Motor vehicle number plates 1906-1985, SLQ m/s.
  30. Donald Coleman, A Guide to Queensland Number Plates, The author, 1985, pp. 5, 11.
  31. Main Roads Commission, Annual Report, 1929, p. 6.
  32. “Windscreen Labels: Official Device for Motor Vehicles”, Daily Standard, 2 June 1933, p. 1
  33. “Car Registration: Labels for Windscreens”, Brisbane Courier, 3 June 1933, p. 14; Main Roads Commission, Annual Reports, 1933, p. 61; 1934, p. 70.
  34. “Rego Labels Get a New Look”, Road Builders, June 1989, p. 18.
  35. SLQ image 6427-0001-0007, 
    https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183844362102061;
  36. SLQ neg. 6125; A. Hardman Knight, List of Motor Owners in Queensland, 1923, SLQ.
  37. Memoranda 20 June 1941, 13 March 1947 & 2 January 1951 in in QSA ITM367310 Police Department, Administration file, 1933-1975; Truth, 31 December 1950, p. 13.
  38. Memoranda, 8 September 1952 & 7 May 1954 in QSA ITM367310 Police Department, Administration file, 1933-1975.
  39. Main Roads Department, Annual Report, 1955, p. 25.
  40. E.A. Rigby, Former Manager, Registration Branch Main Roads Department, “History of Motor Vehicle Registration”, Queensland Roads, vol. 22 no. 43, June 1983, p. 2; File note, 14 October 1957 in QSA ITM367310 Police Department, Administration file, 1933-1975; Main Roads Department, Annual Report, 1955, p. 25.
  41. Internal Memoranda, 10 August 1955 & 30 January 1962 in QSA ITM 367310 Police Department, Administration file, 1933-1975.
  42. Main Roads Department, Annual Report, 1955, p. 25.
  43. Memorandum, 30 January 1962 in QSA ITM 367310 Police Department, Administration file, 1933-1975.
  44. SLQ accession no. 76-3-6.
  45. “New Style & Personalised Number Plates”, Qld Cabinet Minutes (Decision no. 25792), 25 January 1977, QSA DR45516; Ronald McConnell Holdings, The Great Queensland Plate Auction, 1985, n.p.; Donald Coleman, A Guide to Queensland Number Plates, The author, 1985, p. 9.
  46. “New Style & Personalised Number Plates”, Qld Cabinet Minutes (Decision no. 25851), 8 February 1977, QSA DR45518; PPQ, “History of Plates”, https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates, accessed 6 November 2025; Image: Registration Service at Government Auction, March 1990, QSA ITM1887555.
  47. E.A. Rigby, Former Manager, Registration Branch Main Roads Department, “History of Motor Vehicle Registration”, Queensland Roads, vol. 22 no. 43, June 1983, p. 2; D.C. Wright, Australasian (Motor Vehicle) Registration Plates, The author, 1983, pp. 8-9; PPQ, “History of Plates”, https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates, accessed 6 November 2025.
  48. PPQ, “History of Plates”, https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates, accessed 6 November 2025.
  49. "Brisbane 1994 World Masters Games”, International Masters Games Association, https://www.imga.ch/about-the-masters-games/all-masters-games/world-masters-games/brisbane-1994/, accessed 6 November 2025; PPQ, 
    “History of Plates”, https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates, accessed 6 November 2025.
  50. “Acceptance … Supply of Number Plates”, Qld Cabinet Minute (Decision no. 02534), 23 November 1992, QSA DR105410.
  51. Hon. Peter Beattie, Ministerial Statement: Number Plates”, Hansard, 30 October 2001, pp. 3099-3100, https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2001/011030ha.pdf, accessed 2 November 2025; PPQ, “History of Plates”, https://www.ppq.com.au/history-of-plates, accessed 6 November 2025.
  52. Hon. Peter Beattie, Ministerial Statement: Number Plates”, Hansard, 30 October 2001, pp. 3099-3100, https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2001/011030ha.pdf, accessed 2 November 2025.
  53. “Queensland no longer the Smart State”, Brisbane Times online, 22 July 2012, 
    https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-no-longer-the-smart-state-20120722-22hpw.html, accessed 6 November 2025.

     
Judith Nissen (3)John Oxley Library (2052)Collections (1715)Motor vehicles (7)Motor cars (9)Driven exhibition (3)

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