Ohio announces license plate switch

4/1/2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio is replacing its standard red-white-and-blue license plates with a "Beautiful Ohio" design, featuring illustrations of a city skyline, a farm and a biplane.

The change was announced Wednesday by Ohio Registrar of Motor Vehicles Carolyn Williams.

The new plate was introduced in November. Williams says it has since outsold the red-white-and-blue "Sunburst" design three-to-one, with 800,000 Ohioans buying the new plate.

Beginning June 7, a less-illustrated version of the new design will be available for personalized and other special plates.

The "Sunburst" plate has been available since March 2004 and will be an option for standard plates through Nov. 30. and for special plates through June 6.

The new plate will be offered, but is not mandatory, for those renewing registrations.