So Long to the Old Blue License Plates?
Andrew Norton
There is a bill currently in the State House that would effectively replace our familiar "Old Blue" license plates with lighter-colored plates similar to the other plates currently being sold. The new plates would have a reflective background which makes it easier to see the plate numbers at night. The frontrunner design for the replacement plate would have the white/light-colored reflective background with blue lettering. If the bill were to go into effect, the next time you had to renew your license tabs you would be issued the new plate at no charge. Another benefit to switching plates is to make those with expired or forged blue plates to purchase the new plate and get their vehicles registered. This could mean approximately $15 million in additional revenue.
My wife would be happy if we were forced to switch to a new plate. I kept my first ever license plate and had it transferred to our new vehicle a few years ago. The plate has some chips and rust which, according to my wife, just looks junky. I am not partial to the old style, I just liked knowing one of our vehicles license plate numbers. I still don't have my truck's license plate number memorized and I have had it for five years. :)
For a neat photo that shows what our state's license plates have looked like over the years, view this past post - Wall of Michigan License Plates.