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License Plate News

Started by Alex, February 04, 2010, 10:38:53 AM

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democraticnole

Quote from: vdeane on December 19, 2024, 12:47:30 PM
Quote from: democraticnole on December 18, 2024, 10:01:08 PMI have never understood the resistance to front plates. Pretty much the entire world uses front and back license plates. It is better for safety and other reasons.
I know that drivers of certain model cars don't like them because they have to drill into the front bumper in order to mount the plate as the bumper doesn't have a mounting area ready to go.

It is odd that multiple jurisdictions have switched to one plate - I would think it would be the other way for the benefit of automated toll collection and speed/red light cameras.
I would be fine in those instances for specialty cars allowing the car owner to get a specialty plate and sticker signifying they are legally allowed to drive with only one plate.


TheCatalyst31

Quote from: democraticnole on December 19, 2024, 02:58:22 PM
Quote from: vdeane on December 19, 2024, 12:47:30 PM
Quote from: democraticnole on December 18, 2024, 10:01:08 PMI have never understood the resistance to front plates. Pretty much the entire world uses front and back license plates. It is better for safety and other reasons.
I know that drivers of certain model cars don't like them because they have to drill into the front bumper in order to mount the plate as the bumper doesn't have a mounting area ready to go.

It is odd that multiple jurisdictions have switched to one plate - I would think it would be the other way for the benefit of automated toll collection and speed/red light cameras.
I would be fine in those instances for specialty cars allowing the car owner to get a specialty plate and sticker signifying they are legally allowed to drive with only one plate.

South Dakota has a special plate for that, though if you get one you can't drive more than 7,500 miles a year in that car.

Scott5114

Quote from: democraticnole on December 18, 2024, 10:01:08 PMUtah has eliminated the requirement to have front license plates. That makes three states in the last five years (AK, OH, UT) to have dropped the front plate requirement, which is a disturbing trend. I have never understood the resistance to front plates. Pretty much the entire world uses front and back license plates. It is better for safety and other reasons.

I wouldn't say I have any resistance to front plates, but I lived most of my life in a one-plate state, and that's where I bought my car, so it has no place to put a front plate. I guess there's a way to get a mounting bracket for it or whatever, but I wouldn't have the foggiest idea of how to attach it and have it stay put. Nevada law, fortunately, mandates that if your car allows you to display two plates, you must, but if it doesn't, having one is fine. I keep the second one in my trunk.

As for safety, it doesn't seem like it works for that. Crashing cars into one another is a popular Las Vegas pastime regardless of how many plates you attach to the vehicles.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

Molandfreak

For selfish reasons, I would like to be able to display a souvenir plate and not have it look extremely stupid by mounting it above/below an actual registration plate.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 05, 2023, 08:24:57 PMAASHTO attributes 28.5% of highway inventory shrink to bad road fan social media posts.

thenetwork

#2479
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 19, 2024, 02:54:23 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 19, 2024, 01:41:51 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 18, 2024, 11:25:48 PMWindshields are for state park entrance stickers, a transponder, a dash cam, and maybe even a radar detector if you feel inclined. Glad I don't have to clutter mine up any more than I feel the need to.

New York also uses windshield stickers as their 'official' registration, keeping the metal plates solely to help identify the vehicles from a distance.  This was mainly to help foil license plate thieves, particularly in the NYC area.

Mike
I'm aware of that. It would just be extremely annoying for someone from New York to take an extended trip to state parks in Wisconsin, which requires a sticker pass on the driver's side.

Just in the last year, Colorado started offering an optional extra State Parks Pass fee to the annual renewal where it was pretty much a discount on the annual State Parks entry pass.  Your hard copy registration  -- not your physical plate/renewal sticker -- would have a special logo printed on it to prove you can go into the state Parks for no additional daily fee.

On our first time entry, we were digging in the glove compartment for the registration with the state park endorsement at the payment booth only to be told that the park rangers just scan the plates in the parking lots, so they already know who spent the extra for the annual pass and who to ticket if they didn't pay at the booth which may occasionally be unmanned nor display their entry receipt.

thenetwork

Ohio is close to issuing their first plate with a famous person's likeness on it.

And that person could very well be.....

DOLLY PARTON!?!??

https://www.wdtn.com/statehouse-news/dolly-parton-plate-bill-heads-to-dewines-desk/

Ted$8roadFan

#2481
Both Connecticut and Massachusetts went to a one-plate only standard in the late 1970s as a cost-saving measure, at least for new registrations. Hence the Massachusetts greenie (that are still valid if kept active), and the Connecticut plates without a map symbol. However, in the late 1980s, the second plate requirement was reinstated due to law enforcement pressure. I wonder if the states that have gone from two to one will also revert based on law enforcement requests.

democraticnole

Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on December 20, 2024, 05:51:48 AMBoth Connecticut and Massachusetts went to a one-plate only standard in the late 1970s as a cost-saving measure, at least for new registrations. Hence the Massachusetts greenie (that are still valid if kept active), and the Connecticut plates without a map symbol. However, in the late 2980s, the second plate requirement was reinstated due to law enforcement pressure. I wonder if the stores that have gone from two to one will also revert based on law enforcement requests.
From my observation, it is usually the case that the one-plate lobby are much more fervent believers in their entitlement to one-plate than folks are who prefer/like/believe in two plates. And a lot of people just don't think anything about it. My gf who is from Arkansas moved to Texas and had no idea that people were ever required to have two plates on their cars. A lot of people who have lived/grown up in the southeast have no idea that anyone in the country is required to have two plates. Conversely, a lot of people who live in the NE and out west are confused when they move and are only issued one plate.

vdeane

Quote from: thenetwork on December 19, 2024, 11:42:40 PMOhio is close to issuing their first plate with a famous person's likeness on it.

And that person could very well be.....

DOLLY PARTON!?!??

https://www.wdtn.com/statehouse-news/dolly-parton-plate-bill-heads-to-dewines-desk/
Someone must be working 9 to 5 on that one.

Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on December 20, 2024, 05:51:48 AMHowever, in the late 2980s,
Interesting that law enforcement remembered what it was like a thousand years earlier with two plates!
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

Road Hog

Quote from: democraticnole on December 18, 2024, 10:01:08 PMUtah has eliminated the requirement to have front license plates. That makes three states in the last five years (AK, OH, UT) to have dropped the front plate requirement, which is a disturbing trend. I have never understood the resistance to front plates. Pretty much the entire world uses front and back license plates. It is better for safety and other reasons.

On the registration sticker front, Florida used to use different color stickers each year, which made it easy for law enforcement to identify potential violators. Now, everyone uses a very basic yellow registration sticker. These can be easily faked.

Personally, I like the Texas registration sticker on the front windshield.

Texas has tacitly dropped the requirement to mount the front plate. They still issue two plates front and back but are no longer enforcing the front plate. I first noticed it 6 years ago but think the infusion of Teslas in the community have reinforced it.

bulldog1979

#2485
Michigan is getting a pair of classic designs back. The white on blue plate, first introduced in 1983 and in use until 2007 and nicknamed "Old Blue" will be available along with the white on black design used from 1979 to 1983. Both designs will be reproduced using modern techniques. (The blue plate still used glass beads in the white paint to make it reflective. The black plate was the last one issued in pairs before the front plate requirement was dropped in 1981.) They are available staring tomorrow, February 1.

An updated version of the 1976 bicentennial plate will be available in 2026 for the semiquincentennial. The Secretary of State's website shows it as the same design with a "26" in place of the original "76", but notes that the artwork may change.

Each design carries a $50 one-time fee that goes into the Michigan Transportation Fund, and annual $10 renewal road fees that also go to the MTF. These designs join the modern version of the 1965 Water-Winter Wonderland plate (gold on navy blue), the modern homage to the 1954 Water Wonderland (white on green, but using the Pure Michigan logo) and the other modern designs (Pure Michigan blue on white or Mackinac Bridge plates.)

kphoger

Quote from: bulldog1979 on January 31, 2025, 09:04:52 PMMichigan is getting a pair of classic designs back. The white on blue plate, first introduced in 1983 and in use until 2007 and nicknamed "Old Blue" will be available ...

1.  So happy!  I love those old white-on-blue plates.  Simple, recognizable, and warm nostalgia fuzzies.

2.  Instead of scrolling down to read, I assumed you wanted me to watch the video.  I gave up after a while, but all I could think was, Nice lowkey DST post!
Keep right except to pass.  Yes.  You.
Visit scenic Orleans County, NY!
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: Philip K. DickIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

Rothman

I know NY tried to do at least a tip of the hat to retro plates with its blue-on-gold disasters, but I'd love real legacy plates to be made available in NY.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

Ted$8roadFan

It's kind of an indictment of Michigan's current license plate regime that the state is reissuing old designs from the late 20th century. It's almost like admitting that their standard plate design isn't good enough. Were I a Michigan resident, I would absolutely go for one of these classic designs. Of course, raising money for the transportation fund is why they're doing this.

Closer to home, I would love for Massachusetts to bring back the green and white plate from my youth. It would have many takers.

hotdogPi

Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on February 01, 2025, 08:15:02 AMCloser to home, I would love for Massachusetts to bring back the green and white plate from my youth. It would have many takers.

Only if the real ones can be distinguished from the new ones. (My mom still has a green plate.)
Clinched

Traveled, plus
US 13, 50
MA 22, 35, 40, 53, 107, 109, 126, 141, 159
NH 27, 78, 111A(E); CA 90; NY 366; GA 42, 140; FL A1A, 7; CT 32, 320; VT 2A, 5A; PA 3, 51, 60, WA 202; QC 162, 165, 263; 🇬🇧A100, A3211, A3213, A3215, A4222; 🇫🇷95 D316

Lowest untraveled: 36

kalvado

A random thought on a front plate.. it faces the oncoming airflow, and disturbes it in an area which is probably well designed and verified to minimize drag hence fuel burn. That should include flow into the radiator as well.
European style long and narrow (4.5") plates would be a slightly smaller disturbance when placed on a long and narrow bumper compared to 6" tall American plates.

CtrlAltDel

Quote from: Rothman on January 31, 2025, 09:56:48 PMI know NY tried to do at least a tip of the hat to retro plates with its blue-on-gold disasters, but I'd love real legacy plates to be made available in NY.

I liked the blue and yellow. It was bold but simple, and easily the best out of the past four designs.
I-290   I-294   I-55   (I-74)   (I-72)   I-40   I-30   US-59   US-190   TX-30   TX-6

kalvado

Quote from: CtrlAltDel on February 01, 2025, 04:00:10 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 31, 2025, 09:56:48 PMI know NY tried to do at least a tip of the hat to retro plates with its blue-on-gold disasters, but I'd love real legacy plates to be made available in NY.

I liked the blue and yellow. It was bold but simple, and easily the best out of the past four designs.
It's a great design generally favored by people who didn't have to put it on their cars.

Rothman

Quote from: kalvado on February 01, 2025, 04:17:42 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on February 01, 2025, 04:00:10 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 31, 2025, 09:56:48 PMI know NY tried to do at least a tip of the hat to retro plates with its blue-on-gold disasters, but I'd love real legacy plates to be made available in NY.

I liked the blue and yellow. It was bold but simple, and easily the best out of the past four designs.
It's a great design generally favored by people who didn't have to put it on their cars.

You can say that again...



Personally, I'd love the old gold-on-blue to be a retro plate.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

TheCatalyst31

Quote from: Rothman on February 01, 2025, 04:35:11 PM
Quote from: kalvado on February 01, 2025, 04:17:42 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on February 01, 2025, 04:00:10 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 31, 2025, 09:56:48 PMI know NY tried to do at least a tip of the hat to retro plates with its blue-on-gold disasters, but I'd love real legacy plates to be made available in NY.

I liked the blue and yellow. It was bold but simple, and easily the best out of the past four designs.
It's a great design generally favored by people who didn't have to put it on their cars.

You can say that again...



Personally, I'd love the old gold-on-blue to be a retro plate.

I've always heard both of the 70s designs and the 2010 design described as blue and orange, which is how they look to me (though 2010 is more of an orange-yellow). Do New Yorkers see it as gold or yellow?

Rothman

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on February 01, 2025, 07:28:12 PM
Quote from: Rothman on February 01, 2025, 04:35:11 PM
Quote from: kalvado on February 01, 2025, 04:17:42 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on February 01, 2025, 04:00:10 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 31, 2025, 09:56:48 PMI know NY tried to do at least a tip of the hat to retro plates with its blue-on-gold disasters, but I'd love real legacy plates to be made available in NY.

I liked the blue and yellow. It was bold but simple, and easily the best out of the past four designs.
It's a great design generally favored by people who didn't have to put it on their cars.

You can say that again...



Personally, I'd love the old gold-on-blue to be a retro plate.

I've always heard both of the 70s designs and the 2010 design described as blue and orange, which is how they look to me (though 2010 is more of an orange-yellow). Do New Yorkers see it as gold or yellow?

Orange, gold, tomato, tomato.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

rlb2024

Louisiana started issuing new general license plates on 1/1/2025.  These plates will be issued in 2025 and 2026. 

New Louisiana License Plates for 2025

Hopefully they come up with a new general design after these are complete -- the pelican plates are getting old.

(The new logo in the center of the plate is not nearly as large as shown in in the linked video -- it's really hard to see what it is until you get really close.)

JCinSummerfield

Quote from: bulldog1979 on January 31, 2025, 09:04:52 PMMichigan is getting a pair of classic designs back. The white on blue plate, first introduced in 1983 and in use until 2007 and nicknamed "Old Blue" will be available along with the white on black design used from 1979 to 1983. Both designs will be reproduced using modern techniques. (The blue plate still used glass beads in the white paint to make it reflective. The black plate was the last one issued in pairs before the front plate requirement was dropped in 1981.) They are available staring tomorrow, February 1.

An updated version of the 1976 bicentennial plate will be available in 2026 for the semiquincentennial. The Secretary of State's website shows it as the same design with a "26" in place of the original "76", but notes that the artwork may change.

Each design carries a $50 one-time fee that goes into the Michigan Transportation Fund, and annual $10 renewal road fees that also go to the MTF. These designs join the modern version of the 1965 Water-Winter Wonderland plate (gold on navy blue), the modern homage to the 1954 Water Wonderland (white on green, but using the Pure Michigan logo) and the other modern designs (Pure Michigan blue on white or Mackinac Bridge plates.)

I'm glad to see the black & white one coming back.  Maybe they can reproduce my very first license plat that was also B&W - YLY 618.

As far as the blue & white, we had them for so long, it may take another 20 years before I want to see them again.



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