Ohio launches revised design for license plate
Starting Wednesday, the sun will rise on a new era of Ohio license plates.
Gov. Mike Dewine’s new license plate design, “Sunrise in Ohio,” will be available to drivers online at bmv.ohio.gov and at all local deputy registrar locations starting Wednesday. The design replaces former Gov. John Kasich’s Columbus College of Art & Design-crafted “Ohio Pride” plate.
The new design features a wheat field from Ohio’s state seal, a cityscape and a girl on a tree swing with a dog nearby. But the element that caused the most controversy was a replica of the Wright brother’s famous airplane – which was flying in the wrong direction.
Ohio had already printed 35,000 licenses plates with the wrong Wright Flyer before social media and reporters pointed out the mistake. The state recycled the faulty plates and started anew. Ohioans with “Ohio Pride” or “Beautiful Ohio” license plates don’t need to replace them.
But the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
has sent letters to those with “Ohio Gold” license plates, saying they must purchase a new one. Issued between 1997 and 2001, the plates have become difficult to read, creating a possible public safety issue, the BMV says.
The BMV won’t renew registration for the old plates. A 2020 change in Ohio law requires only one license plate on the back of the vehicle. Front license plates are optional.
Reporter Titus Wu contributed to this article. Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.