New license plates on the way

[Bellaboo]

That's what they want you to think, but in reality, from their standpoint it was the perfect plan . Create a tag and force the public to pay extra for it. Then make it ugly, so a certain amount of folks will pay extra for one of the cool alternative plates available. It's all about the money, not esthetics. They got over on us, and it worked.

They also gave the reason that it would be easier to enforce people not registering a new tag. Next January if you still have the old tag plate on your vehicle then they know you are in violation. Easy to spot.

[baralheia]

What did these twitter plates look like? I tried to find them on the ok tax website but couldn't find anything.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.ph...096#post964096

[Bill Robertson]

There's more contrast and definition in the picture than there is on the real thing. In the picture you can tell it's a Scissor Tail.

[tfvc.org]

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.ph...096#post964096

I guess I thought they looked different than the new regular plates. Are they considered custom plates, do you have to pay extra to have your twitter handle on it?

[d-usa]

There's more contrast and definition in the picture than there is on the real thing. In the picture you can tell it's a Scissor Tail.

For real. I wonder if anybody in law enforcement got to look at the plates before they got signed off on. The letters don't show up well, the blue is fairly dark and doesn't contrast much with the text, and having a color transition behind the text just makes it even worse.

It's amazing how much clearer the old style is next to the new ones.

[rezman]

I guess I had assumed that they'd use all the existing plates before starting to issue the new ones. Does anybody know what they do with all the plates that were left over when January 1 rolled around?

All the left over plates will be scrapped.

[turnpup]

All the left over plates will be scrapped.

Thanks. Hopefully they can recycle the "scrap" and not just waste it all.

[rezman]

Thanks. Hopefully they can recycle the "scrap" and not just waste it all.

Yes, they will be sold for scrap, and the proceeds go back into the kitty.

[turnpup]

Yes, they will be sold for scrap, and the proceeds go back into the kitty.

Good deal!

[Bunty]

For real. I wonder if anybody in law enforcement got to look at the plates before they got signed off on. The letters don't show up well, the blue is fairly dark and doesn't contrast much with the text, and having a color transition behind the text just makes it even worse.

It's amazing how much clearer the old style is next to the new ones.

Right. The numbers and letters on the new plates don't stand out as much the further the viewing distance. The state should have kept the same plate design, except replace the character on the left side with a different one, such as the Guardian atop state capitol dome. Or else, if it was that important for cops to differentiate between tags, while having greater clarity of numbers and letters, then go back to this tag:

[d-usa]

I'm also somewhat inclined to think that the redesign was to get rid of the "non-Christian" symbolism, looking back at the lawsuit we had.

[bombermwc]

That's what i was thinking d-usa. When i got mine this weekend, the guy in front of me had his own piss and moan fit about the "ugly" new tag and was pissed that the buffalo one wasn't available to him right now. Gimme a break. I wish people put that much effort into real issues instead of worrying about what license plate you'll have....until the next redesign.

[gopokes88]

Lol. New plates are hideous.

[stile99]

I guess I thought they looked different than the new regular plates. Are they considered custom plates, do you have to pay extra to have your twitter handle on it?

I think people are calling it the twitter tag because the design resembles Twitter's logo. I don't think there is an option to put your handle on it, unless it is short enough to be a regular vanity plate. This is the new default plate, and everyone will get one unless the local news very quickly jumps onto the issue of readability and draws unwanted attention to the insanely bad design. But we're at the end of January already, they need to already be working on that story right now and go live tonight or tomorrow. I'm seeing the bad tag more and more now.

[HangryHippo]

I'm also somewhat inclined to think that the redesign was to get rid of the "non-Christian" symbolism, looking back at the lawsuit we had.

I thought the same thing.

[traxx]

I'm gonna get a personalized plate that says SAMPLE.

I've heard all different reasons for the new plates; tax $, easier to tell who's got an old plate etc. Vermont has had basically the same plate since about forever. How is it that they don't have all these needs for a new plate that we do?

[TU 'cane]

Is a Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher religious, or mountains and mesas (that are barely visible)?
I don't think the religious argument holds much water relative to a picture of a statue. This was purely a revenue scheme. Just my opinion.

The new plates certainly are more reflective from my experiences, but they are hard to make out; both design and lettering. I like them more than the current (old) ones, but not by much after seeing them in person.

I'm considering getting an alternative plate now, but I know you still have to pay for an official one. But, hey, more revenue for the state, amirite???

[d-usa]

Is a Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher religious, or mountains and mesas (that are barely visible)?
I don't think the religious argument holds much water relative to a picture of a statue. This was purely a revenue scheme. Just my opinion.

The lawsuit against the old plate basically boiled down to "I'm a Christian and having to drive around with a Native American spiritual statue violates my Freedom of Religion". The judge ruled against him and the case was closed.

So when it was time to redesign the plates, it wouldn't have been hard for some folks at the capitol to take that opportunity to appease the folks who thought that lawsuit had merit. They didn't go out of their way to pass a law just to get rid of the native statue, but since they wanted to get a new plate to raise money it would have been easy to kill two birds with one stone.

Pure speculation of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if that was in the back of some minds.

[TU 'cane]

The lawsuit against the old plate basically boiled down to "I'm a Christian and having to drive around with a Native American spiritual statue violates my Freedom of Religion". The judge ruled against him and the case was closed.

So when it was time to redesign the plates, it wouldn't have been hard for some folks at the capitol to take that opportunity to appease the folks who thought that lawsuit had merit. They didn't go out of their way to pass a law just to get rid of the native statue, but since they wanted to get a new plate to raise money it would have been easy to kill two birds with one stone.

Pure speculation of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if that was in the back of some minds.

In bold is the main reason why I don't agree with the theory. But, I do understand what you are saying and where you're coming from, it does make sense and could be possible. But, I simply don't believe that would have been even one of the biggest reasons for the re-design after a judge ruled against the lawsuit. Plus, this is "Native America" after all, and I don't feel that would have been something they would have gotten rid of for one Christian complaining. Such a silly lawsuit to begin with, again, just my opinion.

[d-usa]

In bold is the main reason why I don't agree with the theory. But, I do understand what you are saying and where you're coming from, it does make sense and could be possible. But, I simply don't believe that would have been even one of the biggest reasons for the re-design after a judge ruled against the lawsuit.

To be fair, judges ruling against something has never stopped our legislators from passing laws anyway

Plus, this is "Native America" after all,

Interestingly enough, "Native America" was also dropped from the plate.

[Bellaboo]

I'm gonna get a personalized plate that says SAMPLE.

I've heard all different reasons for the new plates; tax $, easier to tell who's got an old plate etc. Vermont has had basically the same plate since about forever. How is it that they don't have all these needs for a new plate that we do?

What does Vermont have - 500 cars ?? LOL

[rezman]

Interestingly enough, "Native America" was also dropped from the plate.

And it is replaced with advertisement for the state tourism bureau, plus we get the privilege to pay for it.

[tfvc.org]

I think people are calling it the twitter tag because the design resembles Twitter's logo. I don't think there is an option to put your handle on it, unless it is short enough to be a regular vanity plate. This is the new default plate, and everyone will get one unless the local news very quickly jumps onto the issue of readability and draws unwanted attention to the insanely bad design. But we're at the end of January already, they need to already be working on that story right now and go live tonight or tomorrow. I'm seeing the bad tag more and more now.

Oh! Call me dumb. I didn't even think about it looking like the twitter design. From a distance it doesn't even look like a bird, just some abstract art.

[traxx]

What does Vermont have - 500 cars ?? LOL

But this is a design issue, not a numbering issue.

[bombermwc]

I say go generic like TX and be done with it. Can't argue with black on white right?

I dont use mine anyway because i have an OCU vanity plate. It's on $30 a year for it.