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| Current series | |
|---|---|
| Size | 12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm |
| Serial format | 123 456 |
| Introduced | 2025 (2025) |
| History | |
| First issued | 1999 (1999) |
TheCanadian territory ofNunavut was formed in April 1999, by the splitting of theNorthwest Territories.
At the time of division, the governments of both territories agreed to Nunavut continuing to use the NWT'spolar bear-shapedlicence plates, which had been in use since 1970. Although the design of the plates was shared, the government of the NWT held the copyright. Nunavut's version of the plate differed from the NWT's in the name of the jurisdiction at the bottom and the presence of an 'N' suffix in the serial.
In 2010, the government of the NWT decided to update its version of the polar bear-shaped plate. In turn, the government of Nunavut opted to go with a new plate design.[1] On 3 August 2011, Nunavut announced that a contest would be held to create the new plates.[2]
The contest was entered by 123 people, who between them submitted 200 designs. On 6 March 2012,Iqaluit resident Ron Froese was named the winner. His design consisted of a night scene featuring a polar bear, aninuksuk, three sets ofnorthern lights to represent the threeregions of Nunavut (Kitikmeot,Kivalliq andQikiqtaaluk), and 25 stars to represent thecommunities of the territory. This design was first made available to motorists in July 2012.[3][4][5]
In 2024, the Government of Nunavut announced it would be returning to the polar bear shape, which it would be using under an agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Aside from the shape, the plate design would be different from the design used in the NWT.[6] During the summer of 2025, Nunavut officially presented the bear shaped plate. This plate has a yellow border, and the bear looks to the left. At the top of the plate can be seen the name of Nunavut.[7]
| Image | First issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | April 1999 | Embossed blue serial onpolar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottom | "EXPLORE CANADA'S ARCTIC" at top | 12345N | 10000N to approximately 22500N | Only single plates issued. |
 | July 2012 | Screened black serial on rectangular plate with night scene featuring polar bear, inuksuk, three sets of northern lights and 25 stars; "Nunavut" screened in black letters and inInuktitut syllabics (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) centred at bottom | None | 123 456 | 000 001 to approximately 017 300 | |
| August 2025 | Embossed blue serial onpolar bear-shaped white plate with yellow border line,inuksuk separating the numbers, blue star on top right, and above, "Nunavut" screened in blue letters and inInuktitut syllabics (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) centred at top | None | 123 456 | approximately 017 300 to 017 363(as of September 12, 2025) |
| Image | Type | First issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Quad/Snowmobile | 1999 | Orange polar bear plate | 12345A | ||
| ATV | 2012 | As 2012 passenger base | A12 345 | A00 001 to A05 604(As of September 12th 2022) | Replaced the Snowmobile plate. |
 | Commercial | 1999 | Embossed blue serial onpolar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottom | C1234N | ||
| 2012 | As 2012 passenger base | C12 345 | C00 001 to C05 114(As of September 12th 2022) | ||
| Dealer | 2012 | As 2012 passenger base | D12 345 | D00 001 to D00 223(As of September 12th 2022) | |
| Government | 2012 | As 2012 passenger base | G12 345 | G00 001 to G02 059(As of September 12th 2022) | ||
| Public Service | 2012 | As 2012 passenger base | P12 345 | P00 001 to P01 739(As of September 12th 2022) | Used on taxis. | |
| Rental Vehicle | 1999 | Embossed blue serial onpolar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottom | RE123N | ||
| 2012 | As 2012 passenger base | R12 345 | R00 001 to R00 632(As of September 12th 2022) | ||
| Motorcycle | 1999 | Embossed blue serial onpolar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottom | 12345N | ||
 | 2012 | As 2012 passenger base | M12 345 | M00 001 to M00 546(As of September 12th 2022) | ||
| Trailer | 1999 | Embossed blue serial onpolar bear-shaped white plate with border line; "NUNAVUT" centred at bottom | T12345 | ||
 | 2012 | As 2012 passenger base | T12 345 | T00 001 to present | Validated annually.[8] |
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