Vote for Florida's new tags.

[-kj]

Maybe back in the day when states were a little more unique from each other and had more authority, but in today's world, it's an outdated concept.

Aren't the plates still issued by states, under the authority of the state governments?

[BBTV]

Maybe back in the day when states were a little more unique from each other and had more authority, but in today's world, it's an outdated concept.

Aren't the plates still issued by states, under the authority of the state governments?

Physically, yeah. My post was more a commentary on the homogenization of America. Obviously there are still some pretty huge differences between states from a cultural and legislative perspective which affect a lot of people, but I would wager that the differences were greater back in the early-to-mid 20th century than now. Now granted, politically, I lean towards centralizing many things, and don't see the need for different states to have different rules regarding driving (I could actually see different rules being more relevant on a local level rather than at the state), and wouldn't really have a problem if everyone's plate looked the same.

From an aesthetic perspective, (and I realize this is just personal opinion), I don't really want to notice the plate. If I spend a lot of money on a car, or just really love whatever car I have, I don't want anything distracting from it's look. I look at a lot of current plates as basically bumper stickers. You are correct that there's nothing wrong with state pride, however why should one be forced to "show their pride"? If I really loved my state, I'd purchase something to display as an add-on.

As for your other comment regarding slapping a long-rectangular plate in a square spot, well yeah - obviously we're just spitballing here and any change would be phased in over years. From a car-manufacturer's perspective, they'd certainly have to make adjustments at their factories, but could probably just wait until their current systems depreciate, then replace them with the molds (or whatever it's called) for the same vehicle but from a plant that manufacturers them for Europe. In the case that a model is US exclusive, then some money would need to be spent. But we're waaaaaaaaaaaaay far away from this even being something to think about.

[1990hornet]

I voted top left, I just like flashy over simple.

btw, this one has also been floating around

And as for special plates, I've always been partial to these two.

[BlueSky]

One thing I've yet to figure out is why Georgia goes to the time and trouble of having the county name on the tag. My work interacts with law enforcement so I know it's got nothing to do with that, a tag's a tag when it comes to IDing a vehicle.

[BBTV]

Maybe back in the day when states were a little more unique from each other and had more authority, but in today's world, it's an outdated concept.

Aren't the plates still issued by states, under the authority of the state governments?

Physically, yeah. My post was more a commentary on the homogenization of America. Obviously there are still some pretty huge differences between states from a cultural and legislative perspective which affect a lot of people, but I would wager that the differences were greater back in the early-to-mid 20th century than now. Now granted, politically, I lean towards centralizing many things, and don't see the need for different states to have different rules regarding driving (I could actually see different rules being more relevant on a local level rather than at the state), and wouldn't really have a problem if everyone's plate looked the same.

From an aesthetic perspective, (and I realize this is just personal opinion), I don't really want to notice the plate. If I spend a lot of money on a car, or just really love whatever car I have, I don't want anything distracting from it's look. I look at a lot of current plates as basically bumper stickers. You are correct that there's nothing wrong with state pride, however why should one be forced to "show their pride"? If I really loved my state, I'd purchase something to display as an add-on.

As for your other comment regarding slapping a long-rectangular plate in a square spot, well yeah - obviously we're just spitballing here and any change would be phased in over years. From a car-manufacturer's perspective, they'd certainly have to make adjustments at their factories, but could probably just wait until their current systems depreciate, then replace them with the molds (or whatever it's called) for the same vehicle but from a plant that manufacturers them for Europe. In the case that a model is US exclusive, then some money would need to be spent. But we're waaaaaaaaaaaaay far away from this even being something to think about.

Hope you didn't have plans this evening....

http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/

http://worldplates.blogspot.com/

[Lights Out]

Greatest license plate ever:

[rainmaker17]

We have myplates.com here in TX, it's de-standardized our "official" look dramatically.

[IceCap]

Greatest license plate ever:

Close, but no cigar

[BlueSky]

We have myplates.com here in TX, it's de-standardized our "official" look dramatically.

I had no idea such a thing existed. If I lived in Texas I could have a Dr. Pepper license plate??

Or push one of my favorite causes? It would even be ironic since I drive an SUV.

[IceCap]

Maybe back in the day when states were a little more unique from each other and had more authority, but in today's world, it's an outdated concept.

Aren't the plates still issued by states, under the authority of the state governments?

Physically, yeah. My post was more a commentary on the homogenization of America. Obviously there are still some pretty huge differences between states from a cultural and legislative perspective which affect a lot of people, but I would wager that the differences were greater back in the early-to-mid 20th century than now. Now granted, politically, I lean towards centralizing many things, and don't see the need for different states to have different rules regarding driving (I could actually see different rules being more relevant on a local level rather than at the state), and wouldn't really have a problem if everyone's plate looked the same.

I think what Mockba is getting at is that in order to standardize plate design you'd need to have the Federal government issue the plates and not the states. That would require the states to give up the authority to relegate and issue such things to the Federal government.

Which is certainly possible, just not probable. Getting fifty independent state governments to voluntarily give up more authority to the Federal government isn't going to be easy, and trying to do it from a Constitutional perspective is going to open the doors for discussions concerning states' rights in board terms, which has the potential to drag on for decades. I'm not sure it's worth it just to standardize plate design

Though I will say I think Ontario has a very nice, non offensive plate design, and I wouldn't mind it if Canada standardized its plates along a similar template.

[BBTV]

Maybe back in the day when states were a little more unique from each other and had more authority, but in today's world, it's an outdated concept.

Aren't the plates still issued by states, under the authority of the state governments?

Physically, yeah. My post was more a commentary on the homogenization of America. Obviously there are still some pretty huge differences between states from a cultural and legislative perspective which affect a lot of people, but I would wager that the differences were greater back in the early-to-mid 20th century than now. Now granted, politically, I lean towards centralizing many things, and don't see the need for different states to have different rules regarding driving (I could actually see different rules being more relevant on a local level rather than at the state), and wouldn't really have a problem if everyone's plate looked the same.

I think what Mockba is getting at is that in order to standardize plate design you'd need to have the Federal government issue the plates and not the states. That would require the states to give up the authority to relegate and issue such things to the Federal government.

Which is certainly possible, just not probable. Getting fifty independent state governments to voluntarily give up more authority to the Federal government isn't going to be easy, and trying to do it from a Constitutional perspective is going to open the doors for discussions concerning states' rights in board terms, which has the potential to drag on for decades. I'm not sure it's worth it just to standardize plate design

Though I will say I think Ontario has a very nice, non offensive plate design, and I wouldn't mind it if Canada standardized its plates along a similar template.

Not really. The states could still issue plates, the shape and format would just be regulated. I would assume it's already regulated to some extent now... or could Pennsylvania just decide tomorrow that they want their plates to be a completely different size and shape than any other state's?

[OnWis97]

What I am seeing here (unless it's just a less-detailed illustration) is what I am guessing is going to become a trend: black flat letters. Minnesota just went from a raised blue letter to a flat black letter. My reaction was that it is cheaper, but maybe it's more durable in some way. In any case I am disappointed as it's a sizable aesthetic downgrade, IMO and the old ones are going away through attrition.

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New

[theSLVRBCK]

Yes, that is the trend, most states seem to be going away from the stamped plates. Purely a cast cutting situation in my opinion.

[Joshawaggie]

What I am seeing here (unless it's just a less-detailed illustration) is what I am guessing is going to become a trend: black flat letters. Minnesota just went from a raised blue letter to a flat black letter. My reaction was that it is cheaper, but maybe it's more durable in some way. In any case I am disappointed as it's a sizable aesthetic downgrade, IMO and the old ones are going away through attrition.

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New

I actually like the black letters better. I was glad when i got mine. When I see the blue ones, they just look old to me now.

[shaydre1019]

We have myplates.com here in TX, it's de-standardized our "official" look dramatically.

I loved our old ones, just super super cool imo yet simple enough

then we switched to these monstrosities which i absolutely hated

and i think the current ones are fine, i'd rather they go minimalist than colorful and ugly like the last ones

and of course all of the custom ones, which i dont see too often.

[BlueSky]

Is that a thunderhead at the top right of the middle plate?

[-kj]

What I am seeing here (unless it's just a less-detailed illustration) is what I am guessing is going to become a trend: black flat letters. Minnesota just went from a raised blue letter to a flat black letter. My reaction was that it is cheaper, but maybe it's more durable in some way. In any case I am disappointed as it's a sizable aesthetic downgrade, IMO and the old ones are going away through attrition.

Old


New

I actually like the black letters better. I was glad when i got mine. When I see the blue ones, they just look old to me now.

I disagree fully. The black looks completely out of place. Add in the loss of the full-bleed design, and I'll be holding on to my old-style personalized plates for as long as I can.

[nuordr]

I voted for the top left.

[Lights Out]

Those must be an absolute bitch to mass-produce. Very cool though.

[FiddySicks]

My home town has California license plates dedicated to it, which I always thought was a bit weird

But it's definitely a good way to spot a pretentious douche of a tourist who won't shut up about their "Cabin" in Tahoe.