Licensing Cars and Drivers

As the number of motor vehicles reached
tens of thousands, state and local governments assumed a new power:
authorizing vehicles and drivers. In 1901, New York became the first
state to register automobiles; by 1918 all states required license
plates. States were slower to require licenses for drivers. Only 39
states issued them by 1935 and few required a test, despite
widespread concern about incompetent drivers. Early motorists were
taught to drive by automobile salesmen, family and friends, or
organizations like the YMCA. By the 1930s, many high schools offered
driver education.

Maine driver license,
1915

Driver's licenses

Boston, Mass., 1899

Ohio, 1938

Washington, D.C.,
1903

Indiana,
1925

Chicago automobile license, about
1901

In the early 1900s, Chicago issued
automobile license buttons that owners wore on their driving
apparel.

Chauffeur’s license badge, New York,
1916

Many wealthy automobile owners employed chauffeurs to drive
and perform simple maintenance. State licensing helped to
ensure that the individuals hired were competent.

Automobile registration
certificates

Michigan,
1905

New Hampshire,
1931

Virginia,
1917

Charleston, South Carolina,
1906

License plate with house numerals,
Washington, D.C.

In the early 1900s, many states issued vehicle license
numbers but not license tags. Vehicle owners made their own
tags, often using house numerals and leather.

Michigan license plate,
1905

William G. Simpson of Detroit acquired this license plate
in 1905, the first year that Michigan registered automobiles.

Early metal license plates, 1910-1934

By the late 1910s license plates were made from porcelain enamel
on steel, and then from stamped steel. Sizes varied until 1956, when
a standard size was adopted nationwide.

Coping with Traffic

By the 1920s, congestion, accidents, and parking problems clogged
city streets. Cities imposed speed limits, installed traffic
signals, and tried one-way streets, parking restrictions, and
parking meters to keep vehicles moving.

More traffic also meant more traffic laws. William P. Eno, a
crusader for better traffic management, composed “Rules of the Road”
and other traffic guides, which became the basis for many cities’
traffic laws. Traffic management, road maintenance, expanded police
departments, and new construction ate up large segments of municipal
budgets, and cities looked for new sources of revenue to cope with
the presence of motor vehicles.

Traffic tower

In the 1920s, traffic towers enabled police officers to see
above trucks, trolleys, and heavy traffic as they operated
signals. This tower stood at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in
New York City.

Acme traffic signal, about
1924

Semaphore signals were common in cities in the 1920s.
During the late 1920s, three position signals—the red, amber
and green we know today—began to be used, and eventually
became the standard.

Garrett Morgan traffic signal,
1923

Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor, demonstrated
this manually operated illuminated traffic signal in
Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to “Stop” and “Go,” it had a
signal that stopped traffic in all directions, providing a
safe interval for pedestrians.

Parking Meters

Parking meters were introduced in Oklahoma City in 1935 in
response to double parking, all-day parking, and congestion at the
curb lane. Meters provided frequent parking turnover and much-needed
revenue for municipal traffic programs.

Parking meter, Dual
Brand

Parking meter, M. H.
Rhodes

Parking meter,
Miller

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