Automobile License Plates

On this day in 1955 the Federal Government standardized automobile license plates. Thus, removing a State's right to determine license plate size. Now, that was a committee that would have driven (excuse pun) anyone a little nutty!

Can you imagine the process? "So, ummm, Julie, ummm, what do you think the size of a license plate, ummm, should be?" Julie's reply, "How about 12 inches x 6 inches?" The committee replies, "Great idea!" And so it goes...

South Carolina is in the midst of a license plate redo. If you have a great design for a South Carolina plate go here: SC Plate Design Contest.

South Carolina has had some great plates. Yes, we have had our controversial plates...just ask our little Carolina Wren. According to some of our friends at Audubon, the tail on the 1991-1998 plate was just not "perky" enough. I remember a great quote from an article in the State newspaper suggesting that the plate looked like a serving tray that a grandmother would use.

The 1976 plate is still used, but only on the front of the car. See, in South Carolina we use only rear plates. So, folks will move plates from the rear to the front. Every now and then I will see a 1976 plate on the front of a car. The 1976 plate is cool because it was the first time we used more than two colors. Before 1976, we used a single color background and white letters and numbers.

So, which State has the coolest plate? You can't downplay Wyoming. They have used the same logo/gliff since 1936. That's 70 years. They branded their State before branding was cool.

Throughout the years, States have used plates to make a statement. You know, North Carolina is "First in Flight", New Jersey is the "Garden State", Illinois is "Land of Lincoln", but New Hampshire has the most interesting slogan, "Live Free or Die." Hmmm, live free or die. Take a moment and think about it. The statement does not lean toward increasing tourism, nor does it make a statement on the beauty of the State. What does it mean to you? For a more indepth explantation you can click on the State of New Hampshire link (http://www.nh.gov/nhinfo/emblem.html).

License plates serve as a window into the soul of a State. Some States use this opportunity well, and some do not. Think about it. In this world of homogeneous interstate intersections you can find a McD's, BP gas, Taco Bell or Motel 6. While traveling on interstates you are unable to determine the difference between an interstate exit in Georgia and an interstate exit in Montana. It is the State's license plate that may make the first impression.

So, what are your ideas? What should South Carolina's next plate look like? Submit your ideas to SC Plate Design Contest.

For those who want more on license plates you have got to visit http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/. This is the most comprehensive site on license plates from around the world. It is truly cool.