GR8 PL8: Utah’s retro license plate hits a home run

The vehicles on Utah’s roadways span a diverse range of years, styles and purposes, but one thing they all have in common is a license plate. The first year that Utah required vehicle registration was in 1909, and in 1915, the state began issuing license plates. It wasn’t until the mid-1950s that all U.S. states, in addition to Mexican states and Canadian provinces, agreed on a standard plate size of 12 by 6 inches.

Proceeds from purchasing Utah's black and white license plates go to the Utah State Historical Society. Photo by dmv.utah.gov.

Plate collecting hobby

Over the years, Utah’s Division of Motor Vehicles has rolled out a wide array of license plates, each supporting a specific cause or organization. Some have been available for personalization, while others have not. There are entire blogs and websites chronicling the sequence of Utah’s license plate evolution. One of them is a Wikipedia page which serves as a repository for photographic examples, though it’s not yet completed.

If collecting is something that interests you, look no further than the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. The organization was formed in 1954 and has over 2,800 current members, many of whom get together for an annual convention and swap meet. The 2024 program will take place from June 26 through 29 in Lansing, Michigan.

Utah license plate backstory

The State of Utah has offered up many attractive plate designs over the years. For example in 1998, the 2002 Winter Olympics license plate was launched. Its lifespan was short-lived — it was only issued through mid-2002 — but it is still legal for road use on vehicles that received it during that window of time. 

If you're lucky, you might still see cars driving around with a license plate designed to commemorate the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah. Photo by dmv.utah.gov.

The longest-running design is the colorful arches. It was introduced in 1992 in recognition of Utah’s centennial and has been offered (albeit with some minor changes) for over 30 years now. In place of the original “Centennial” footer, however, is the text “Life Elevated.”

Currently, Utah has three standard-issue plates for on-highway vehicles including “In God We Trust,” “Life Elevated Skier” and “Life Elevated Arches.” In addition to those, there are 69 (!) available special group plates. Some are used to promote colleges and universities, while others are designed with special causes in mind. For example, the cancer research plate requires a $35 annual contribution that goes toward organizations designated as cancer research centers.

Utah has three standard-issue plates, plus others designed with special causes in mind. Photo by dmv.utah.gov.

New retro plate launch

An initiative to reintroduce the black and white license plate happened in 2018, but it wasn’t until May 2023 it became available. Since then, Utah drivers have overwhelmingly supported the new plate design. St. George resident Tia Astle said she liked the color scheme since it ties in with the Crystal Black paint color of her Acura RLX. She said, “When I saw the new license plate, I was taken in by its simplicity. I love the vintage-looking plates on newer vehicles — maybe as a reminder of how far we have come over the years.”

Utah residents like the simplicity of the vintage plate's color scheme.

Future of plate design

Much like the vehicles that they are affixed to, license plates continually evolve with technology and design. One aspect that sets Utah license plates apart from some other states’ is that they continue to be embossed with raised letters. Arizona, for example, switched to a digitally-printed flat design in 2007 for its standard issue plates.

The next chapter in license plate design is starting to get interesting. Digital license plates are already legal in Arizona, California and Michigan. While largely considered a status symbol or a novelty, digital plates do provide a few benefits. They can be switched between a light and dark mode, they can be customized with banner messages, they offer vehicle tracking and they streamline vehicle registration via smartphone app.

In addition to an initial setup charge, the digital plates require a service plan of about $95 per year. It remains to be seen if this sort of technology will catch on among Utah lawmakers and consumers.

Brainstorming

Now that Utah voters have succeeded in spicing up the docket of available plate designs, perhaps more vintage license plates will be on the horizon. If you are ready to give your ride a boost in nostalgic style, give the throwback plates a closer look. For more automotive news, reviews and buyer guides, visit the KSL Cars Resource page.

Looking for an excuse to get a new license plate? Shop new and used cars on KSL Cars.

Want to learn more about Utah's black and white plates? Check out these other articles:

• Utah’s black and white vintage plates are (finally!) here

• New black Utah license plate is a winner