By Constitution Staff

In August, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell and Service Oklahoma unveiled the new standard issue license plate design, called the Iconic Oklahoma Plate. The new license plate became available on September 1, 2024. Also on that date, a new pre-registration process for newly purchased vehicles was launched.

“It’s great to finally unveil the Iconic Oklahoma Plate design, which honors and highlights our truly iconic state,” said Pinnell. “Using color and intentional symbology, this design pays tribute to Oklahoma’s culture and history, nodding to iconic landmarks, our original flag, state animals, and more. This design celebrates much of what makes Oklahoma unique, and I am excited to see it out on the road.”

The new standard license plate is a striking departure from previous versions in both color and design. The red, white, and blue 46-star icon pay homage to Oklahoma’s original state flag. The previous plate, which was launched in 2017, depicts a close-up outline of a scissor-tailed flycatcher in white and blue. The new license plate is similar to the “Original State Flag” specialty plate which has been previously available. That plate is among the ten most popular specialty license plates in Oklahoma. It features the star-46 icon on a red background. The plate was designed by Freestyle Creative, a marketing and advertising firm based in Oklahoma City

The star-46 logo was the first one that appeared on the official state flag. It took Oklahoma four years to adopt its first flag, and it was eventually replaced by another version in 1925 that is nearly identical to the one that flies today. The number 46 refers to Oklahoma being the 46th state to join the union. Oklahoma’s first state flag is a red banner with the number 46 inside a white star. It flew 14 years until 1925, when the state adopted another flag similar to the one in use today.

The design also features elements from the state’s past, as well as modern touches that conform to Oklahoma’s marketing brand. The Iconic Oklahoma Plate promotes Oklahoma’s updated brand including its logo wordmark, and tagline, “Imagine That.”

Along the bottom of the new license plate is a series of hand-drawn symbols that represent different aspects of Oklahoma’s culture and economy. The nine hand-drawn landmarks and symbols represent all regions of Oklahoma. These may be obscured by some license plate frames.

The American Bison, often mistakenly called a buffalo, is Oklahoma’s state mammal. The Wind Turbine is a modern sight on the Oklahoma plains. Only three states produce more wind energy than Oklahoma. The Skydance Bridge over Interstate 40 in Oklahoma City was dedicated in 2012. It resembles the state bird, the scissortail flycatcher, which was the inspiration for the previous license plate design. . The Red-tailed Hawk, also known as the “chickenhawk,” is the state raptor. The Gates of Time are the twin bronze gates that lead visitors into the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The Route 66 and the Pops Sculpture, represents the 66-foot-tall artistic sculpture of a soda bottle. Pops, a restaurant on Route 66 in Arcadia, is known for its wide selection of soda pop. The Sacred Rain Arrow statue depicts the original bronze statue located at Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum. The Golden Driller Monument in Tulsa is one of the country’s tallest statues, about half as tall as the Statue of Liberty. The Waving Wheat symbol recalls the image in the state song. In addition to the nine icons is a crescent moon with three stars and a pair of clouds that represent the Oklahoma sky.

The plate incorporates the state’s tagline that was unveiled four years ago. In 2020, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced the new branding and said the tagline “Imagine That” conveys the hopeful idea that Oklahoma is a state that “surprised people by defying expectations, providing countless opportunities and inviting audiences to dream of their own personal potential.”

Using feedback from the public, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) helped select the finalized license plate design. “I’m honored to have worked with Lt. Governor Pinnell on this project that was inspired by our state’s unique past and the moment we are in now with so many opportunities ahead to showcase our beautiful state,” said Shelley Zumwalt, Executive Director of the OTRD. “A license plate is a small piece of real estate to tell Oklahoma’s story, and by incorporating elements of the state’s original flag with iconic tourist attractions, we give a nod to the past while welcoming visitors to be a part of our future.”

On September 1, all 240 Service Oklahoma licensed operators (formerly called a Tag Agency) in the state began issuing the Iconic Oklahoma Plate for newly purchased vehicles. Unlike previous plates issued, Oklahomans will not automatically receive the newly designed plate. For those purchasing a vehicle, the new plate will automatically be issued during the vehicle registration process. Oklahomans wishing to replace their current license plate with the Iconic Oklahoma Plate will also have the option to do so at any time. Oklahomans wishing to upgrade to the Iconic Oklahoma Plate can do so by paying a $4 plate replacement fee during their vehicle registration or $9 outside of their annual renewal.

“The new design perfectly captures Oklahoma’s history and our most iconic landmarks,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt. “No matter where you drive in America, everyone will see Oklahoma’s unique identity in an awesome way. I can’t wait to see them out on the roads, and I hope Oklahomans are proud to display this new design.”

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections Correctional Industries (OCI) is producing the new license plates. The plates are reverse printed on white reflective stock, which allows the numbers to remain reflective, enhancing public safety. OCI has produced state license plates since 1982.

September 1 also marked the launch of the new pre-registration process for recently purchased vehicles in Oklahoma. Under the new quick and secure vehicle pre-registration process for a safer Oklahoma, all vehicles purchased at a dealership or through a private seller must be pre-registered with the state within two business days of the purchase. Oklahomans will then have ten days from the date of purchase to get metal license plates with pre-registration decals on their vehicles. Oklahomans still have two months from the date of purchase to obtain the title, pay sales and excise tax and fully register the vehicle. The pre-registration process does not apply to vehicles purchased before September 1.

In a dealership sale, the dealer submits the necessary information for pre-registration at the time of initial purchase and will provide a 10-day temporary paper tag. If the buyer is keeping their metal license plate from their previously owned vehicle, they will place that on their vehicle instead. Within ten days, the buyer will receive two pre-registration decals and, if needed, a metal license plate in the mail from the dealer-selected licensed operator. The buyer must replace the 10-day temporary paper tag with the metal license plate and decals within those ten days.

In a private sale, either the buyer or seller must pre-register the vehicle online at OkCars, or in-person at Service Oklahoma headquarters in Oklahoma City or a licensed operator location. If completing pre-registration online, the buyer will receive two pre-registration decals and, if needed, a metal license plate in the mail from the selected licensed operator. If completing pre-registration in-person, the selected licensed operator will provide the buyer with two pre-registration decals, and, if needed, a metal license plate at the time of completing pre-registration.

The new vehicle pre-registration process came with the passage of Senate Bill 2035, also known as the Mason Treat Act, as Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat’s son was critically injured in January 2024 during a traffic stop for not displaying a car tag. Canadian County Deputy Jose Tayahua-Mendoza was also seriously injured in the accident. The bill aims to improve road safety for drivers and law enforcement officers by limiting the amount of time temporary paper tags are on vehicles.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) supports the new registration process. OTA said the change will help prevent them from losing toll money. The OTA does not know who to bill in the PlatePay system when a vehicle with temporary tags drives on a turnpike. They said the information will also allow them to connect new vehicles with someone’s PikePass if they already have an account.

Service Oklahoma said it is working on a statewide campaign to help people understand the new law.