California is on the verge of running out of unique license plate number combinations for non-commercial vehicles. Since 1980, the state has followed a simple format involving a digit followed by three letters and three numbers. However, it is projected that this method will exhaust its possibilities by the end of the year.

To address this issue, officials are considering a change: reversing the current order of numbers and letters. Such a modification would significantly extend the available combinations—up to 78 billion—by allowing both letters and numbers in any position on the plate.

According to reports, the end of the current number series is anticipated for 2025, but shifts in vehicle sales post-pandemic may accelerate that timeline. If following the revised method, California could mitigate this shortfall while expanding its fleet of registered vehicles.