Ohio unveils new license plates
The new plate will be available to drivers online at www.bmv.ohio.gov and at all local deputy registrar locations beginning Dec. 29.
Gov. Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine and Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles registrar Charles Norman unveiled Ohio's next generation of standard license plates last week.
The Ohio BMV designed the new Sunrise in Ohio license plate with input from the DeWines, who took inspiration from the Great Seal of Ohio, the state's landscapes, Ohio's past and present innovations, and the state's future.
"We wanted Ohio's new license plate to reflect the heart and soul of our state and to encapsulate where we've been, who we are and where we're going," Mike DeWine said. "The imagery on our new license plate symbolizes what makes Ohio beautiful, unique and extraordinary."
“Growing up and living in Ohio throughout our entire lives, Mike and I love the Ohio story,” Fran DeWine said. “With the new license plate, we wanted to feature Ohio’s beauty, talent and rich history while emphasizing with each new sunrise in Ohio comes a new day and opportunity forward for an even brighter future.”
The Sunrise in Ohio license plate pays tribute to Ohio’s waterways and landscape. A farm field represents Ohio's roots in agriculture while a skyline represents Ohio's momentum as a leader in technology and innovation.
The airplane — the direction of which became a source of controversy shortly after the unveiling — symbolizes Ohio's history as the birthplace of aviation, and a child swinging from a tree with a dog nearby symbolizes Ohio's youth and future generations.
The famous Wright Brothers airplane was facing the wrong direction in the initial design. The state reported 35,000 were printed before the mistake was brought to its attention, adding those will be recycled and the correct design is currently being printed.
“We are pleased and honored to be able to offer this new license plate to our customers,” Norman said. “We look forward to seeing the Sunrise in Ohio plate proudly displayed on our great state’s roadways soon.”
The new plate will be available to drivers online at www.bmv.ohio.gov and at all local deputy registrar locations beginning Dec. 29.
Over the past 20 years, four new standard license plate designs have been introduced including the bicentennial plate in 2001, the Sunburst plate in 2003, the Beautiful Ohio plate in 2009 and the Ohio Pride plate in 2013.