Throwback plates

Hate the mandatory extra registration cost if you like, but please don’t criticize the design (much). After all, who really likes the current (2001-present) layout and color scheme? And, for that matter, who really enjoyed the boring 1986-2001 red statue of liberty on white background? It may not be as beautiful as Colorado (green with white mountains) but at least it’s not as creepy as Kentucky’s 2003-2005 plate. The proposed new license plates are painted with New York State colors – something that plates from the 1920’s to 1980’s enjoyed:

30's NY plates {worldlicenceplates.com}

Unfortunate, however, is the requirement to turn in plates by the next registration date. No law-abiding citizen will have the current design past mid-2012. In some states, it’s a symbol of pride and respect to carry vintage plates. You’ll find this in Massachusetts and California, for example. The change is all for the best, though, since old plates lack reflective value and cannot necessarily be scanned with the latest license plate reading technology. Plus, unregistered drivers will be weeded out.