Oct 22, 2021 - News

Ohio fixes license plate mistake with new design

Tyler Buchanan

A license plate design for Ohio, featuring a plane pulling the banner, "Ohio: Birthplace of Aviation." — The new state license plate design, nicknamed "Sunrise in Ohio." Photo courtesy Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The new Ohio license plate is full to the brim with imagery.

You've got rolling hills, a river, a rising sun and a city skyline.
Gov. Mike DeWine told reporters during the announcement yesterday that the child and dog underneath the tree represents our state's future.

Why it matters: This is Ohio's first new license plate design in eight years, replacing the current plate of faded slogans and facts with a more colorful array.

Front and center: The Wright Brothers' plane pulling a banner reading, "Birthplace of Aviation." Take that, North Carolina!

Yes, but: The artist initially messed up the Wright flyer's direction.

The tail-looking part was actually the front of the early-20th century plane, meaning this plate shows the banner being pushed, not pulled.
The Ohio BMV quickly issued a redesign with the plane flipped to the correct side.

Driving the news: This new plate will be available for drivers starting in late December.

Reminder: As of last year, Ohioans only need a back license plate on their vehicles. The front plate is now optional.

💭 Tyler's thought bubble: The new design is a bit too crowded for my taste.

I get the desire to combine rural and urban themes to not alienate any part of the state, but I'd prefer to see a simpler design with a central color and slogan.
Maybe the BMV could sell any incorrect plates already printed to novelty hunters and donate the proceeds to charity.

📬 What's your opinion of the new license plate design? Send us an email at [email protected] and let us know.

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Ohio fixes license plate mistake with new design

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