By Andrew W. Griffin

Red Dirt Report, editor

Posted: September 22, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY – When Oklahoma motorists place their newly-designed license plates on their cars upon renewal of their tags, they may notice something different about the plates themselves – they’re flat.

Joining a growing list of states around the country, when the new standard-issue Oklahoma “Native America” license plate is produced, it won’t have the familiar raised numbers and letters. For the first time ever, Oklahoma’s license plates are using digital license plate technology.

Rep. Ken Miller , R-Edmond, chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee and author of the license plate reissuance measure, confirmed this fact this past week during an interview with Red Dirt Report. Miller said that the flat plate design was chosen for several reasons.

“First, there’s a hologram in the middle of the plate to make sure it’s authentic,” Miller said. He also noted that the flat plates, processed using digital technology, are highly reflective and don’t wear out like the current tags where, in some cases, the green-colored numbers and letters have completely worn off making them unreadable.

And that issue is the most important.

“The main impetus behind the reissue is not the design, but public safety,” Miller said, noting the improved readability for law enforcement.  “These new plates are giving (the Department of Public Safety) the tools they need to catch tax evaders.”

To clarify, law enforcement will be able to see if someone has updated their tag and has an insured vehicle.

Additionally, the production of the new digital plates reduced the labor, time, paint and other methods required to print up the plate.

And while the Osage shield, featured on the current plate will still be on the new plate, although smaller and in the lower, right corner, it will predominantly featured the Gilcrease Museum’s Sacred Rain Arrow sculpture and a new color scheme. This will replace the prominent green letters and numbers that Oklahoma has used on its plates since the 1980’s.

Copyright 2008 West Marie Media