If you’ve been on Utah roads or looked around a grocery store parking lot since May 2023, you may have noticed a sudden phenomenon: black Utah license plates popping up everywhere. No, you weren’t imagining it. The retro plates were released in the spring, and within six months nearly 40,000 vehicles were wearing them.
In fact, the new Utah license plate was so popular that by August, 11,000 of them were on backorder, according to the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles. People may wait up to eight weeks for one, as opposed to as few as eight days for the Arches, Ski Utah and In God We Trust plates.
Utah sold 37,371 black and white license plates from January through September of 2023.
Basically, it's cool
What’s all the fuss about? The plate is ordinary by Utah standards: a plain black background with raised white letters. It’s that no-frills concept that’s wooing fans.
Farmington resident Kirk Koenen said, “I got one for the simple design. I have a blacked-out Jeep that I wanted to match.”
Zachary Miller, of Saratoga Springs, was quick to pick one up early, too. “I have a black and white license plate on my white Tesla … I wanted to get something that was clean and simple.”
Utah’s new license plate is considered a specialty plate, which means there is an additional annual fee to have one. But, that doesn’t seem to be a hindrance. “It’s so cheap for a designer plate,” Koenen said. “I assumed it would cost like a custom license [plate], but nope.”
The no-frills concept of Utah's black and white license plate is wooing fans. Photo from dmv.utah.gov.
Push start
Enthusiasm for the new Utah license plate may not be that surprising. The impetus behind its creation came from South Jordan resident Johnny Lange, and the idea quickly gained traction. Senate Bill 41 needed 500 signatures to show the state legislature the people wanted it; the requirement took just four hours to complete.
After some starts and stops — it took a few years to find the right reflective paint — the black and white plate finally became available in early 2023.
Order the new plate
The black Utah license plate has a fee of $50, which covers the initial and annual contribution amount. Thereafter, you’ll pay a $25 fee with your yearly vehicle registration. Proceeds from plate sales — some $500,000 as of this writing — goes to the Historical Society of Utah. Fitting, since the plate hails from Utah’s history; a similar black and white version was first distributed here in 1966.
You can order the plate online, in person at your local DMV or by mail. If you want to personalize the plate, up to seven characters, it will cost you an additional $91. You may include up to three options, in case your choice of BLKSBTH or BATMOBL is already taken.
Most vehicles, including motorcycles, may use the new black Utah license plate. Those registered as vintage vehicles from model years 1983 and newer are excluded. However, if you’re willing to give up vintage status, you can sport the retro plate, too.
And even if you have to wait a while to get one, the cool factor may be worth it. “I don’t have one,” said Jason Blake of South Jordan, “but I saw one on an all-black car, and I have to admit it looked pretty slick.”
Find a new or previously-owned vehicle to go with your new Utah license plate: Shop KSL Cars.
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