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'Ohio Gold' license plates to be phased out
The BMV registrar says the decision to phase these plates out is out of necessity, not style points.
Still, it's got some drivers questioning that need.
Still, it's got some drivers questioning that need.
Tuesday, November 9th 2021, 5:46 PM EST
Updated:
Ohio -
Books, classic toys and even fountain pens - all have stood the test of time.
Around here, the "Ohio Gold" license plate could well make that list.
First issued in 1996 five governors ago, it seems they've finally worn out their welcome.
"The national standard from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators says we should recycle plates around every 10 years," says Charlie Norman, Ohio's Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
That goes more than double in the case of the Gold plates.
Never mind that the reflective sheeting they came with is mostly gone within five years.
"We've got a lot of complaints from law enforcement that 'hey, we can't read these plates'," said Norman. "It's really a public safety issue for us."
Which is why the Ohio BMV has picked now as the time to pull the plug on the plates.
We couldn't find any drivers at this bureau who had one - but we heard from a few on social media.
Barbara was a bit bummed.
Debra was down on their look.
And Slovak said he smelled a money grab.
Norman said in response to that: "it doesn't require an additional trip to the BMV, you don't have to come in early...this is not an uncommon thing across the country."
Fortunately it won't cost you much - seven bucks or so - to swap out the old plates.
So whenever it's time to renew, you know what to do.
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