In May 1973, after reaching YZZ-999, the numbering was switched to the 000-AAA format.
1973     May - December:   100-AAA ... 999-AUZ
1974     100-AVA ... 999-CJZ
1975     100-CKA ... 999-EOZ
The "D" series was reserved for DEALER plates.
1976     100-EPA ... 999-GDZ
1977     100-GEA ... 999-HUZ
In mid-1977, the "N. J." legend changed to "NEW JERSEY". The NJ series ended at 999-HBZ. NEW JERSEY started at 100-HCA.
1978     100-HVA ... 999-JUZ
1979     100-JVA ... 999-MDZ
The black on buff series ended at 999-KZZ.
In mid-1979, the colors of New Jersey plates changed for the first time in 20 years. The numbers retained the "buff" color, while the background went to light blue.
The buff on blue series started at 100-LAA.
1980     100-MEA ... 999-PHZ
The "O" series was reserved for OMNIBUS plates.
1981     100-PJA ... 999-SBZ
	The "Q" series was reserved for HISTORIC plates.
1982     100-SCA ... 999-USZ
	The "T" series was reserved for TRAILER plates.
1983     100-UTA ... 999-WVZ
1984     100-WWA ... 999-ZUZ
1985     January:   100-ZVA ... 999-ZZZ
This series ended in January 1985 at 999-ZZZ.