licenseplate2014BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s general license plate is getting the first makeover in more than 20 years.
 
     The Legislature’s Budget Section approved the new design unveiled by the state Transportation Department on Wednesday.
 
     The new plate retains much of the same design components of the current plate released in 1993.
 
     The new plate still has a blue sky, a butte and a bison. It also has two wheat sheaves instead of one and the state’s tourism slogan, “Discover the Spirit,” has been replaced by “Legendary.”
 
     The new plate also is flat instead of embossed.
 
     North Dakota lawmakers set aside almost $7 million last year to make and distribute the plates.
 
     More than 1 million license plates must be replaced with the new plate by June 30, 2017.

NDDOT News Release:

A new motor vehicle license plate is on the horizon for North Dakota motorists. Last
legislative session, the legislative body approved funding to replace the general
issue plate, which has been in circulation for 22 years. Many of these old plates
are deteriorating and losing their color and reflectivity making license plate
identification difficult. Today, the North Dakota Legislative Management and Budget
Section approved a design submitted to the committee by the North Dakota Department
of Transportation (NDDOT). The new license plates will replace the existing general
issue plate.

The new plates will continue to be made through Roughrider Industries at the North
Dakota State Penitentiary. Roughrider Industries is currently working to obtain the
necessary equipment to manufacture the plates.

“Choosing the plate design is just the first step in the process of issuing the new
plates,” stated Grant Levi, NDDOT Director. “It will take time for Roughrider
Industries to purchase new equipment and establish distribution guidelines.
Therefore it will be the fall of 2015 before NDDOT can start distributing the plates
to motorists.”

The new design will be produced on a flat plate featuring actual photographs of the
beautiful sunrise in the North Dakota skyline with a buffalo and will be adorned
with wheat. It will also feature the ND tourism slogan Legendary, along with Peace
Garden State, the official state nickname.

All general issue plates will be distributed prior to the June 30, 2017 deadline as
designated in the current legislation.
The NDDOT worked with Tourism, Highway Patrol and Roughrider Industry on the design
elements of the plate. Design of the plates was completed by NDDOT staff.

Each year the NDDOT renews approximately one million vehicle registrations across
the state.