License Plate News

[TheCatalyst31]

Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong, but Oklahoma's newest is the first standard issue in either the US or Canada to come out with a red base since Missouri's bicentennial issue 48 years earlier.





That's assuming you don't count maroon as red.  If you do, then the answer is still Missouri (or Arizona) when it switched away from maroon 28 years earlier.

Michigan's bicentennial plate was mostly-red and stayed on the road until 1978.

[kphoger]

Michigan's bicentennial plate was mostly-red and stayed on the road until 1978.

Oh, thanks, I didn't realize it was more than a one-year issue.

[GaryV]

Michigan's bicentennial plate was mostly-red

And a version is coming back again next year.

[Molandfreak]

The government of Nunavut has returned to issuing polar bear-shaped plates for the territory's 25th anniversary. The design is slightly different from the Northwest Territories design with the bear facing the opposite direction. https://www.nnsl.com/home/nunavut-brings-back-iconic-bear-shaped-licence-plate-for-25th-anniversary-8029361

[OCGuy81]

Wisconsin is set to join the trend of blackout plates, along with issuing a retro version of their 1970s plate.

MADISON, Wis. — Blackout and retro yellow license plates will soon be available in the state of Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles showcased the state's newest license plates Tuesday afternoon.

The new blackout plate features an all-black background with white letters, numbers, and outline, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation estimates over half a million could be available within three years.

"The design of the blackout plate is simple, clean, and complements many vehicle colors. This style has been very popular in our neighboring states, and anticipation for these plates has been building here in Wisconsin for quite some time," said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman.

The yellow plates harken back to the 1970s, featuring familiar black letters on a sharp, yellow background.

"Some call it the 'butter' plate, others call it the 'retro' plate, but if you had one in the 1970s, it was just the Wisconsin license plate," Boardman said. "We put in some effort to get just the right shade of yellow. It's nostalgic, it's familiar to many."

These special license plates will feature the state name on top, with the slogan "America's Dairyland" beneath the numbers and letters on the yellow plate.

Standard-issued plates will have a sequence of numbers and letters that are also unique. The blackout plates will begin with ZAA 1001, and the retro yellow plates will begin with YAA 1001. The simplified design allows for up to seven characters for those wanting to personalize their plates.

Both plates come with a one-time $15 issuance fee and a $25 annual registration fee. The income generated from the registration of the plates will help finance infrastructure improvement projects statewide.

These plates are joining the others available on the DMV's new web app and will be available to order online, in most DMWs, third parties, and at participating dealers.

[mgk920]

Wisconsin is set to join the trend of blackout plates, along with issuing a retro version of their 1970s plate.

MADISON, Wis. — Blackout and retro yellow license plates will soon be available in the state of Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles showcased the state's newest license plates Tuesday afternoon.

The new blackout plate features an all-black background with white letters, numbers, and outline, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation estimates over half a million could be available within three years.

"The design of the blackout plate is simple, clean, and complements many vehicle colors. This style has been very popular in our neighboring states, and anticipation for these plates has been building here in Wisconsin for quite some time," said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman.

The yellow plates harken back to the 1970s, featuring familiar black letters on a sharp, yellow background.

"Some call it the 'butter' plate, others call it the 'retro' plate, but if you had one in the 1970s, it was just the Wisconsin license plate," Boardman said. "We put in some effort to get just the right shade of yellow. It's nostalgic, it's familiar to many."

These special license plates will feature the state name on top, with the slogan "America's Dairyland" beneath the numbers and letters on the yellow plate.

Standard-issued plates will have a sequence of numbers and letters that are also unique. The blackout plates will begin with ZAA 1001, and the retro yellow plates will begin with YAA 1001. The simplified design allows for up to seven characters for those wanting to personalize their plates.

Both plates come with a one-time $15 issuance fee and a $25 annual registration fee. The income generated from the registration of the plates will help finance infrastructure improvement projects statewide.

These plates are joining the others available on the DMV's new web app and will be available to order online, in most DMWs, third parties, and at participating dealers.

YAWN! (smack smack . . . )

Mike

[Molandfreak]

YAWN! (smack smack . . . )

What's so bad about them? They aren't redesigns, so you can stay on the current design or the existing special design of your choice.

[formulanone]

YAWN! (smack smack . . . )

What's so bad about them? They aren't redesigns, so you can stay on the current design or the existing special design of your choice.

The "black plate" trend is getting boring.

On the other hand, Wisconsin's Fleet plates are elegant in their simplicity and detail.

[CtrlAltDel]

YAWN! (smack smack . . . )

What's so bad about them? They aren't redesigns, so you can stay on the current design or the existing special design of your choice.

The "black plate" trend is getting boring.

Isn't that the point, though?

[tman]

I like both of the new designs - the blackout plate is sharp, and I'm always a fan of retro designs that are reintroduced (Michigan does a great job of this!) That said, I do enjoy Wisconsin's standard-issue plate (and prefer it to the Fleet plate, with its tiny "America's Dairyland" text). Despite the italicized Arial-ish font looking very 90s, the standard is one of my favorite plates. Still being an embossed plate helps it in my book out, too.

[Molandfreak]

I was a bit surprised when Minnesota issued the black plates just a year after they started issuing the special plates donating to first responder organizations. Sure, those plates aren't completely black, but they're another option that looks good with a black car.

[TheCatalyst31]

I was a bit surprised when Minnesota issued the black plates just a year after they started issuing the special plates donating to first responder organizations. Sure, those plates aren't completely black, but they're another option that looks good with a black car.

The thin blue line on those plates is politically controversial, and even if it wasn't for that, the design is pretty busy. I can see why people would want a plain option.

Wisconsin has had an all-black plate promoting the Road America racetrack for a few years, and it's much closer to a true blackout plate, but I still see people covering up the Road America emblem. (That, and I imagine the DMV wanted a cut of the blackout plate money.)

[hotdogPi]

Are all-black plates free on toll roads because the reader doesn't have the design recognized for every possible state that could have it?

[TheCatalyst31]

Are all-black plates free on toll roads because the reader doesn't have the design recognized for every possible state that could have it?

I assume plate readers read the state name, not the design, since the blackout plates aren't the first design to be copied by multiple states. At least the state name is clear and legible on them, which is more than I can say about the two zillion new specialty plates Montana comes up with every year.

[Molandfreak]

I was a bit surprised when Minnesota issued the black plates just a year after they started issuing the special plates donating to first responder organizations. Sure, those plates aren't completely black, but they're another option that looks good with a black car.

The thin blue line on those plates is politically controversial, and even if it wasn't for that, the design is pretty busy. I can see why people would want a plain option.

Wisconsin has had an all-black plate promoting the Road America racetrack for a few years, and it's much closer to a true blackout plate, but I still see people covering up the Road America emblem. (That, and I imagine the DMV wanted a cut of the blackout plate money.)

I can see it, but the lines are red, white, and blue. A lot of the time, things like that do set off alarm bells in my head, but the intent behind this license plate clearly includes EMTs and firefighters.

I do see your point, I just don't automatically assume anything politically charged when I see a car with those plates.

[mgk920]

Are all-black plates free on toll roads because the reader doesn't have the design recognized for every possible state that could have it?

Well, we'll see when the first one drives on the Tri-State or Northwest Tollways and gets a nasty-gram letter from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.



Mike

[kphoger]

all-black plates

[Flint1979]

Michigan still has the ugliest default plates in the country. The Pure Michigan with blue lettering/numbering on a white background with that stupid seawave on the bottom is pure ugly. Ugly enough that I was happy when they came back out with the Water-Winter Wonderland plates in 2021. I won't get a 2026 plate either I'll just keep my WWW plate. The 2026 plates are just like the World's Motor Capital plates that came out in 1996 for one year. I don't get why Michigan changes their plates all the time. I think the green Water Wonderland plate is stupid too, just the way it says Pure Michigan on the top of it in a font you can barely read.

[kphoger]

Michigan still has the ugliest default plates in the country.

Ohio would like a word, with its coloring book -turned -license plate design.  And South Dakota, with its years-long insistence on making the serial number illegible (except for 2000-05).

[tman]

Michigan still has the ugliest default plates in the country.

Ohio would like a word, with its coloring book -turned -license plate design.  And South Dakota, with its years-long insistence on making the serial number illegible (except for 2000-05).

I like Michigan's standard issue more than both SD and OH - at least it is fairly simple and clean, easy to read, and doesn't clash with cars of various colors. Illinois' is also another example of another one that's way too busy and trying to do too much - plus it has that strange stretched font, and the serials impressively hard to read - particularly the leading character, in maroon, over Lincoln's face. Those three are among my least favorites.

[kphoger]

I like Michigan's standard issue more than both SD and OH - at least it is fairly simple and clean, easy to read, and doesn't clash with cars of various colors.

I'll just come right out and say it:  I kind of like the Pure Michigan plates.  Not quite as good as their 2007 base, nor their iconic 1980s-90s base, but still pretty good.

[tigerwings]

Michigan still has the ugliest default plates in the country.

Ohio would like a word, with its coloring book -turned -license plate design.  And South Dakota, with its years-long insistence on making the serial number illegible (except for 2000-05).

I see it daily, I agree

[OCGuy81]

Michigan still has the ugliest default plates in the country.

Ohio would like a word, with its coloring book -turned -license plate design.  And South Dakota, with its years-long insistence on making the serial number illegible (except for 2000-05).

LMAO at that description of Ohio's plate. Accurate! 

That said? Early 00's Kentucky was far worse, IMO.

[OCGuy81]

I like Michigan's standard issue more than both SD and OH - at least it is fairly simple and clean, easy to read, and doesn't clash with cars of various colors.

I'll just come right out and say it:  I kind of like the Pure Michigan plates.  Not quite as good as their 2007 base, nor their iconic 1980s-90s base, but still pretty good.

I like a return to simplicity with plates.  Honestly, Texas' current standard issue is great.  Very clean and easy to read.

I also like Oregon's base issue.  It adds just a bit of flair with the tree separating the characters, but it isn't as "busy" as some graphic plates can get.

[kalvado]

I like Michigan's standard issue more than both SD and OH - at least it is fairly simple and clean, easy to read, and doesn't clash with cars of various colors.

I'll just come right out and say it:  I kind of like the Pure Michigan plates.  Not quite as good as their 2007 base, nor their iconic 1980s-90s base, but still pretty good.

I like a return to simplicity with plates.  Honestly, Texas' current standard issue is great.  Very clean and easy to read.

I also like Oregon's base issue.  It adds just a bit of flair with the tree separating the characters, but it isn't as "busy" as some graphic plates can get.

Pure IMHO, but a simple design in a few color schemes may be the winning option. Blackout plates and white plates. Maybe also blue ones? All those combinations are easily readable...