1963's ABC 123 came first[1] and invalidated earlier plates (but they can be used again under the year of manufacture plate program [2]), when those ran out, th

1963's ABC 123 came first[1] and invalidated earlier plates (but they can be used again under the year of manufacture plate program [2]), when those ran out, they did 123 ABC; when those ran out they did 1ABC123. When all the 1s were issued it was time for 2, etc. with a trailing 1-9, it will likely be the same. You have a preview with commercial plates which were 1A12345 and are now 12345A1 (edit: linked to two pages with lots of good info) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_California https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of... [2] https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/vehicle-industry-registration-procedures-manual-2/special-plates/year-of-manufacture-yom-license-plates/ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/vehicle-industry-regi...