Public to vote on new license plates
Published Feb. 20, 2007
For the first time since 1997, the Show-Me State is considering a new license plate design.
The public can vote online at the Department of Revenue's Web site until March 5 for one of three designs to replace the Missouri license plates.
An advisory committee chose the three designs, according to a Department of Revenue news release. The committee was comprised of Revenue Director Trish Vincent and Col. James Keathley, the superintendent of the Missouri Highway Patrol. Also on the committee were Rep. Neal St. Onge, R-Ellisville, and Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Boonville, who are the chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Transportation Committees.
"I encourage Missourians to vote for the plate they'd like to see on Missouri's roads," Vincent stated in the news release. "It's been a privilege to be part of this process, and I look forward to meeting with Missourians about our plate designs in the coming weeks."
The first design, titled "Reflection," is a white plate with "Show-Me State" written along the bottom and "Missouri" along the top. The "o" in Missouri is a sun and the entire word is reflected below.
The "Bluebird" design fades from blue to white from the bottom to the top of the plate. "Show-Me State" is written vertically along the right side of the design and the top shows "Missouri" in blue block letters. An outline of the state as well as the state bird, the bluebird, are depicted in the middle of the plate.
"Ribbon" is a white design with "Show-Me State" written along the bottom and Missouri across the top. Behind the text at the top, there is a blue ribbon and a small sun.
The current design, in place since 1997, is green and blue and fades to white from bottom to top. The plate numbers are blue and Missouri is written in green at the top with a wavy-blue underline. Prior to the current design, the plates were maroon with white lettering.
The new plates are needed to increase visibility for law enforcement, reduce tab theft and to aid in collection of state and local sales taxes and local property taxes. The new tab will be larger and easier for law enforcement to read whether the plate is expired.
Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia, said though she had no preference for any of the three options, she thought the plates would be an improvement for law enforcement.
"I think it's a good thing if it is easier for highway patrol to read," she said.
The design that wins the public vote will begin being issued on Jan. 1, 2009. According to the Department of Revenue's Web site, the new plates will replace the current plates when a driver comes to the license office to renew his or her plates.
There has been one public meeting, held last Friday in Springfield, to discuss the issue. Two more are scheduled for Friday in Kansas City and March 2 in St. Louis.