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Filtering by Tag: michigan-license-plate

Out with the blue (license plates) and in with the new

Andrew Norton

The new standard license plate for Michigan drivers became effective on January 1, 2007. This new standard plate replaces the familiar old blue plate with white lettering. Now the background is white and the lettering is blue in order to make it easier for law enforcement to see your plate number. According to the Secretary of State's website the new plate is -

Clean in design, rust-resistant, tamper-proof and easily identifiable.

Does this mean that the state admittedly sold us license plates that were not rust-resistant or tamper-proof before this new plate became available? ;) I think my first-ever blue plate can attest to the fact that they were not rust-resistant.

So, when it is time for you to renew your plates this year you will have the option of the new standard plate (at no charge) or the other "special plate" (aka extra revenue makers for Michigan) - Spectacular Peninsulas for $5. The other special cause fundraising plates are still available at $35 a pop.

For those wondering what to do with your old blue plates -

I will pay the postage for you to send them my way. Old license plates make great projects for crafty individuals like myself. Drop me a line in the comments for this post if you want to get rid of your old plate. I would rather recycle them than have them get tossed in the trash.

Seriously, I really want your old license plates. :)

1 Comment
categories State of Michigan
tags michigan, michigan-license-plate, new-michigan-standard-license-plate, recycle, recycle-license-plates

Thoughts on the New Michigan License Plate

Andrew Norton

Just so you know, this is the new commemorative plate that will replace the Great Lakes Splendor plate that was introduced in 1997. It is not the plate that will replace the classic blue Michigan license plate. That one will have a white background and blue letters to aid law enforcement officers.

New Michigan License Plate

I actually like the look of this plate as far as the design elements included. What I do not like is the color scheme. The neon green and electric blue looks like something from the 80's. I would have liked to have had the green and blue be a bit darker. I realize they are keeping the colors light in order to make the letters and numbers stand out, but I find them ugly.

The city skyline in the upper left contains the Renaissance Center, State Capitol, and the Amway Grand Plaza. The upper right shows off our pine tree forests and the Mighty Mac graces the bottom of the plate. In the middle is an outline of Michigan and the surrounding Great Lakes.

What do you think?

Interesting Michigan License Plate Links for you to check out: Michigan license plate trivia A brief history of Michigan license plates.

Via Michigan.gov and the Detroit Free Press

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2 Comments
categories State of Michigan
tags michigan-license-plate, new-commemorative-plate, spectacular-peninsulas

Say 'So Long' to Old Blue License Plates

Andrew Norton

Well, it is as good as finished. All it will take is Jennifer Granholm's signature to put the final nail in the coffin of the blue license plate that has been a Michigan standard for the past 25 years. I wrote about the possibility of this happening back in March. I will sadly have to retire my very first license plate in 2007. Sure, the paint is scratched and pealing off. There is rust around the edges and the once vibrant blue is now dulled by the years.

I will not just throw it away when the forced retirement comes. I'll probably nail it up to the wall in my woodshop. That plate has seen a lot of miles and milestones. You can't just pitch something that weighted down with fond memories.

Via the Detroit Free Press

4 Comments
categories Michigan History
tags michigan-license-plate, old-blue