What license plate do you like best?
I realize bluebirds are small, but that is ridiculous. It is so small that there isn't much point in putting it on the plate. They could have at least made it close to actual size and put it in the center, or off to one side. 
- 156
Looks like they moved "Show-Me State" to the center from the right side of the plate.
- 1,610
I think state outlines are boring for plates. Then again, I now live in NC, where the first-in-flight plate hasn't significantly changed in decades, though that perhaps makes it more widely known outside NC.
Anyway, thinking of the MO state outline, I'll never forget a guy from Iowa I met interning in the late '90's for County Planning who told me how he was personally taught to remember the shape of states. He said those states lining the Mississippi primarily on its West bank form the side-profile of a chef facing East. As such, MN is the chef's hat, IA his head, MO his fat torso, AR his pants, and LA his boot. But when you think of it like that, it always makes me think of St. Louis forming his man-boob/nipple.
Anyway, thinking of the MO state outline, I'll never forget a guy from Iowa I met interning in the late '90's for County Planning who told me how he was personally taught to remember the shape of states. He said those states lining the Mississippi primarily on its West bank form the side-profile of a chef facing East. As such, MN is the chef's hat, IA his head, MO his fat torso, AR his pants, and LA his boot. But when you think of it like that, it always makes me think of St. Louis forming his man-boob/nipple.
- 5,433
I know this is out of scale, but here is the original proposd bluebird design that won the popular online vote last year:
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And here is the slightly revised version:
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The biggest and best change was made by moving the required "Show Me State" slogan from the RH column of the plate to a spot underneath a revised Missouri font. Even those these pictures aren't on scale, it's also clear that the bluebird perched on the hawthorn branch has shrunk.
After looking at other state plates with questionable graphic choices (a pelican on Louisiana's plate, tacky plates with state seals from Indiana and Kansas, a mess on Texas plates, and grapefruit that looks like testicles on Florida's plates) I've learned to get used to the idea of seeing these new Missouri plates. However, I think jlblues is right about the bluebird. It's so small, what's the point of including it? I know the renewal stickers are going to remain in the center, which is fine by me, but if the bluebird can't be placed there why include it in the first place? Of course, I don't even know why we have graphics on license plates anyway, when their primary function is to aid law enforcement officials with identifying vehicles.
Some key information: The plates will be distributed beginning June 16 to motorists whose registration is due in June 2008, and motorists' plates will be replaced in the month of renewal until the current plates are completely phased out in 2010. There's a one-time $2.75 surcharge for the new plates upon renewal, and it's $4.25 extra for those of you that have plates with a clever(?) message. I don't know about the numbering format, but the plates will have the month of expiration embossed in the top LH corner with expiration stickers in the plate center like the maroon plates used for so many years.
Frankly, I like the current design for its abstract simplicity even it it won't win awards, and I think they should've simply reissued plates without changing the design since they've made some changes (moving the sticker location and changing the alphanumeric format when the old one was exhuasted) in recent years anyway. Or, the DOR could simply dump the bluebird, change the state name font back to all caps, and move the slogan to the bottom. European countries have it right IMHO- license plates ought to be as simple as possible.
And here is the slightly revised version:
The biggest and best change was made by moving the required "Show Me State" slogan from the RH column of the plate to a spot underneath a revised Missouri font. Even those these pictures aren't on scale, it's also clear that the bluebird perched on the hawthorn branch has shrunk.
After looking at other state plates with questionable graphic choices (a pelican on Louisiana's plate, tacky plates with state seals from Indiana and Kansas, a mess on Texas plates, and grapefruit that looks like testicles on Florida's plates) I've learned to get used to the idea of seeing these new Missouri plates. However, I think jlblues is right about the bluebird. It's so small, what's the point of including it? I know the renewal stickers are going to remain in the center, which is fine by me, but if the bluebird can't be placed there why include it in the first place? Of course, I don't even know why we have graphics on license plates anyway, when their primary function is to aid law enforcement officials with identifying vehicles.
Some key information: The plates will be distributed beginning June 16 to motorists whose registration is due in June 2008, and motorists' plates will be replaced in the month of renewal until the current plates are completely phased out in 2010. There's a one-time $2.75 surcharge for the new plates upon renewal, and it's $4.25 extra for those of you that have plates with a clever(?) message. I don't know about the numbering format, but the plates will have the month of expiration embossed in the top LH corner with expiration stickers in the plate center like the maroon plates used for so many years.
Frankly, I like the current design for its abstract simplicity even it it won't win awards, and I think they should've simply reissued plates without changing the design since they've made some changes (moving the sticker location and changing the alphanumeric format when the old one was exhuasted) in recent years anyway. Or, the DOR could simply dump the bluebird, change the state name font back to all caps, and move the slogan to the bottom. European countries have it right IMHO- license plates ought to be as simple as possible.
- 359
Anyone know what they're going to do with people with collegiate license plates or other kinds of specialized ones? I have Mizzou plates like this one and don't want to change them.
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If MO had done something similar, say with KC skyscrapers on one end and the Arch with a riverboat scene on the other, with mountains and farmland incorporated inbetween, maybe everyone would be happy.
not me. these overly designed plates are totally hoosh imo. bring back the maroon. they should state the numbers and that's it.
^ Here! here! The simpler the better. For those of us who are picky about how our cars look a plate that is busy looks really really bad.
I decided to go for the Year-of-Manufacture antique historical plate - No more inspections, renewal fees or stickers at all!
- 667
The thing with the bluebird is that most license plate frames will cover it. I don't understand why they put it there and didn't make it bigger and put it off center in the center. 
- 10K
Fortunately, Missouri offers lots of personalized plates, if you're interested in getting something that doesn't look like arse. I look forward to getting mine.
http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/plates/
http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/plates/
- 5,433
Bevo Bill- That's a great looking 1967 Dodge! (I'm not well versed on my models even though I dig those old Mopars- is that a Polara or a Monaco?) The YOM plates are a nice touch! 
At first I thought the bluebird was placed on the bottom of the plate to accommodate the annual renewal sticker in the center of the plate. Then I realized on the original bluebird plate submitted for the public's consideration, the annual renewal sticker was originally supposed to be in the LH corner of the plate until the DOR decided to keep it in the center of the plate as it is on newer issues of the current plate and the maroon plates used from 1979 through 1997. So I'm not sure what the person that designed the plate was smoking.
I don't foresee getting personalized plates since my license plate frames will cover up the bluebird as 10-intuition mentioned. I guess I'll give my dealer some more free advertising after all. I don't even mind the bluebird so much, it's just the awkward location that makes it seem pointless. My car doesn't have a prestigious badge, but it's only a year old, and like BL211 I'm pretty picky about how my car looks.
As DeBaliviere pointed out, Missouri has many personalized plates. I'm sure the basic design of those will stay the same save for the state name font which will match the new plates, and a new month/year sticker format (obviously, they can't put them in the middle like standard plates). I'm also pretty sure the state couldn't care less about those people that don't like the new plates, as it's an opportunity to make more money off specialty plates. (I know that was the case in Kentucky when they had those ghastly Teletubbies sun plates a few years ago- sales of specialty plates went through the roof!)
At first I thought the bluebird was placed on the bottom of the plate to accommodate the annual renewal sticker in the center of the plate. Then I realized on the original bluebird plate submitted for the public's consideration, the annual renewal sticker was originally supposed to be in the LH corner of the plate until the DOR decided to keep it in the center of the plate as it is on newer issues of the current plate and the maroon plates used from 1979 through 1997. So I'm not sure what the person that designed the plate was smoking.
I don't foresee getting personalized plates since my license plate frames will cover up the bluebird as 10-intuition mentioned. I guess I'll give my dealer some more free advertising after all. I don't even mind the bluebird so much, it's just the awkward location that makes it seem pointless. My car doesn't have a prestigious badge, but it's only a year old, and like BL211 I'm pretty picky about how my car looks.
As DeBaliviere pointed out, Missouri has many personalized plates. I'm sure the basic design of those will stay the same save for the state name font which will match the new plates, and a new month/year sticker format (obviously, they can't put them in the middle like standard plates). I'm also pretty sure the state couldn't care less about those people that don't like the new plates, as it's an opportunity to make more money off specialty plates. (I know that was the case in Kentucky when they had those ghastly Teletubbies sun plates a few years ago- sales of specialty plates went through the roof!)
Well, if you have a license-able car that is 25 years old or more, it's really a cool option. Especially since the 383 V8 was going to cost me over $80 in renewal fees every year. So, I went for this and it's $28.75 for the rest of the life of the car, with no inspections or anything.
(the only catch is, the car can't really be your daily driver. You have to log your mileage, and it can't go over a certain amount in a year; but only if you get pulled over and the officer wants to go through the mileage records is it going to be an issue.)
Although it took a while searching through swap meets and antique malls for a 1967 license plate. I had to end up getting one off of Ebay for like $10.
Antique Historic License Plates
The owner of any historic vehicle possessing a license plate issued by the state of Missouri that is over 25 years old in which the year of issuance of such plate is consistent with the model year of the vehicle may register such plate as a historic vehicle plate as set forth in section 301.13,Revised Statutes of Missouri, provided the plate configuration does not conflict with the current numbering system. If you are in possession of a plate that is consistent with the model year of the vehicle, please submit a picture of the plate with the application and requirements one through five above (the $25.25 registration fee is a one-time fee for antique historic license plates).
From http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/historic.htm
Thanks! It's a Polara- (The less-fancy of the two full size Dodge models)- no power drum brakes, no Air Conditioning, AM radio, etc.
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(the only catch is, the car can't really be your daily driver. You have to log your mileage, and it can't go over a certain amount in a year; but only if you get pulled over and the officer wants to go through the mileage records is it going to be an issue.)
Although it took a while searching through swap meets and antique malls for a 1967 license plate. I had to end up getting one off of Ebay for like $10.
Antique Historic License Plates
The owner of any historic vehicle possessing a license plate issued by the state of Missouri that is over 25 years old in which the year of issuance of such plate is consistent with the model year of the vehicle may register such plate as a historic vehicle plate as set forth in section 301.13,Revised Statutes of Missouri, provided the plate configuration does not conflict with the current numbering system. If you are in possession of a plate that is consistent with the model year of the vehicle, please submit a picture of the plate with the application and requirements one through five above (the $25.25 registration fee is a one-time fee for antique historic license plates).
From http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/historic.htm
Bevo Bill- That's a great looking 1967 Dodge! (I'm not well versed on my models even though I dig those old Mopars- is that a Polara or a Monaco?) The YOM plates are a nice touch!
Thanks! It's a Polara- (The less-fancy of the two full size Dodge models)- no power drum brakes, no Air Conditioning, AM radio, etc.
