We’ve all seen them… license plates different from our own standard, ‘default’ design. Don’t get me wrong, moving here after a long detour in Southern California I craved to be among those tall evergreen trees like the one pictured on the standard Oregon plate. But I had no idea what other design options we have here, so I figured I look it up and share them with you.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - -
Here’s what the Oregon plate looked like in the late 50s/early 60s.
Compare with all the new design options today…
>> Regular Issue & Special Plates:
Standard – “Tree”
“Salmon”
“Crater Lake”
“Cultural Trust” (can anyone tell me what it’s supposed to be? perhaps just a work of abstract art)
There’s also one for “Amateur (HAM) Radio Operator”, “Antique Vehicle”, and “Special Vehicle”, but there’s not much to them.
>> Higher Education Plates:
You can choose Eastern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Portland State University, University of Oregon, University of Portland, and Willamette University.
Um, excuse me, but why is there one for every Oregon state university except for Western Oregon University? (which happens to be where I’m teaching now).
>> Non-Profit Plates:
Other organizations / causes include:
- Oregon State Elks
- Support Our Troops
But by far the most interesting of these is the “Share the Road” plate:
>> Veteran & Service-Related Plates:
The choices are: Congressional Medal of Honor, Disabled Veteran, Ex-POW, First Marine Division FMF, Gold Star Family, Non-Commission Officers Assoc, Purple Heart, Veterans Recognition, Vietnam Veterans of America
and the last (but not least) category is
>> Custom (Personalized) Plates aka Vanity Plates
Those are the DMV samples; here are a few real ones, not all Oregon. You can find more following the links below…
(This is pretty cool – it belongs to a woman who created a site about women’s travel called ‘Wanderlust and Lipstick’ – http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/ )
Find more examples here http://www.pl8s.org/category/usa-oregon/ and an entire blog devoted to vanity plates here: http://horriblelicenseplates.blogspot.com/
You can see the Oregon DMV site for more practical info if you so desire (http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/vehicle/plates.shtml#Available_Plates)
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
I’ve always had a fondness for stuff made out recycled plates, and even made a box for myself one time. Here are some other ideas:
(You can buy these from http://www.stevenshaver.com/products_license_plate_car_part_clocks_plaques.htm)
Terrific post!