Supporting your favorite charity has never looked so good! Four new Arizona specialty license plates are now available for purchase from MVD and each one supports a different organization…

The new plates feature designs that spotlight the Arizona Coyotes, Midwestern University, the U.S. Marine Corps and Firefighter Safety Training. In addition to these new specialty plates, the Classic Car license plate is now available for personalization.

As we mentioned before, the funds raised by each plate will go to support a different charity.

• The money raised by the Arizona Coyotes license plate will go to the Arizona Coyotes Foundation, which supports nonprofit organizations that serve children and service men and women with health care, education, cultural arts and youth sports in the state of Arizona.
• Funds raised by the Midwestern University license plate will go to support scholarships for students studying health sciences.
• The U.S. Marine Corps license plate funds will be used to award scholarships to children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen killed or wounded in combat or those children who have demonstrated financial need. This plate is also available for motorcycles and golf carts.
• The money raised by the Firefighter Safety Training license plate will be used to provide scholarships for life safety training of firefighters in Arizona.

Specialty license plates have an annual fee of $25 for a non-personalized plate and $50 for a personalized plate, with $17 going to support the charities. Vehicle owners can order the new plates online at ServiceArizona.com or at any MVD office or Authorized Third Party business. The plates are also available with a disability symbol.

To learn more about specialty plates, including the steps an organization or group must take to get a plate approved, you can revisit this blog post. If you’re really interested in license plates, which we’re assuming you are because you’re reading this right now (!!), check out this post that takes a look at how plates are made.

The availability of energy-efficient license plates for owners of qualified vehicles has ended as the maximum number of plate applications has been reached.

In May 2014, 1,800 energy-efficient license plates became available as previous owners of the plates turned them in due to moving out of state, selling their qualifying vehicle or other reasons.

Plates were available on a first-come, first-served basis and were exclusively distributed through ServiceArizona.com.

The energy-efficient plate program was established by the federal government. The program, which offers a maximum of 10,000 license plates in Arizona, allows owners of qualifying plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to receive a plate and use the HOV lane during rush hours regardless of the number of passengers.

While the energy-efficient plate program is suspended until further notice, ADOT will continue to update the list of eligible vehicles pending resumption of the program. Also, those vehicle owners who already have an energy-efficient plate can still transfer the plate to another currently qualifying vehicle they own while the program is suspended.

For more information about the program, including a list of qualifying plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, please visit azdot.gov/eev.

*** UPDATE (5/6/15) *** The availability of energy-efficient license plates for owners of qualified vehicles has ended as the maximum number of plate applications has been reached.

Please see our recent blog post for the latest.

We’ve blogged about the Energy Efficient license plate program a couple of times in the past few months (you might remember THIS blog post or THIS one). Today, we’re at it again. We don’t have much to say on the subject, but we do have something to show you...

The infographic below is intended to help explain the Energy Efficient Plate and Alternative Fuel Vehicle programs. Check it out for a good overview of the two programs. As always, you can visit our MVD website for more details on both the Alternative Fuel Vehicle program and the Energy Efficient Plate program.

*** UPDATE *** This infographic has been updated since it was first published. The update includes the addition of qualifying 2015 vehicle models. More information can be found on our website.

Supporting your favorite cause has never looked so good…

Three new specialty license plates now available from MVD.

The new plates include a Girls Youth Organization plate to support the Girl Scouts; an Arizona Motorsports Commemorative plate for Phoenix International Raceway; and a redesigned Phoenix Suns plate. Like many of Arizona’s specialty plates, these three support specific charities.

Funds raised by the Girl Scouts plate will provide enriching experiences in Arizona’s Girl Scouts program, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects and cultural exchanges.

The money from The Phoenix International Raceway license plate will go to Motorsports Charities to provide resources and charitable support for children through education, medical treatment, dream experiences and volunteerism.

The redesigned Phoenix Suns plate will continue to support Phoenix Suns Charities for youth education and development, college scholarship programs and community development.

More of the details

The license plates have an annual fee of $25 for a non-personalized plate and $50 for a personalized plate, with $17 going to support the charities. Vehicle owners can purchase the new plates at any MVD or Authorized Third Party office location or online at ServiceArizona.com.

Because the Phoenix Suns license plate is a new design, anyone with the current plate design can request the new plate design for a $5 replacement fee. However, the redesigned plate has six characters instead of the seven that are on the current Suns plate. So those with a personalized Suns plate with seven characters would not be able to transfer their personalization to the new design. They can reapply for the new design, but would have to start the application process from the beginning. The older, original Phoenix Suns license plate design is still valid for use.

There are no special requirements to get the license plates. The plates are also available with a disability symbol.

Specialty plates

Even though ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division issues license plates, ADOT and MVD do NOT choose which plates get approved. That decision is actually a function of the legislative process.

So, if you’re part of a nonprofit group looking to get a plate for your cause, you’ll need to get the attention of your state lawmakers. A bill sponsored through the legislature must pass and then be signed into law by the governor before any specialty plate can be manufactured.

Once that step is cleared, the group pays an implementation fee to cover all programming costs and production.

The group then works on the plate design alongside ADOT/MVD. Guidelines for the design ensure that plates are readable from 100 yards and aren’t too busy. Once a final design is agreed on, prototype plates are created for review. Law enforcement officials, representatives of the nonprofit group and MVD’s director must sign off on the plate before production begins.

For more information on the new specialty plates, please visit azdot.gov/mvd. You can also check out our previous license plate posts, including this one that explains how plates are made and this one that goes into even more detail on the specialty plate approval process.

*** UPDATE (5/6/15) *** The availability of energy-efficient license plates for owners of qualified vehicles has ended as the maximum number of plate applications has been reached.

Please see our recent blog post for the latest.

Beginning today (May 20), specific hybrid vehicle owners will have another opportunity to obtain one of the “Clean Air – Blue Skies” Energy Efficient license plates being made available by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.

The federal program, which began in 2007 as a pilot, is designed to test the impact of allowing 10,000 hybrid vehicles to use the HOV lanes in Arizona during peak travel times without occupancy restrictions. ADOT is again offering the opportunity to Arizona owners of qualifying vehicles to obtain a “Clean Air – Blue Skies” plate for unrestricted access to HOV lanes. The maximum limit of 10,000 is still part of program stipulations; there are 1,800 of the special plates now available as a result of non-renewed or canceled registrations.

Until Sept. 30, 2017, states may allow low emission vehicles, and those certified and labeled as low emission and energy-efficient vehicles (including alternative fuel vehicles) that do not meet the established occupancy requirements to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes so long as the state establishes procedures to enforce the restrictions on the use by these vehicles.

The program requirements for qualifying vehicles have changed.

Qualifying vehicles will be limited to include only plug-in hybrid electric vehicles according to the certification list established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA is responsible for issuing the rules that establish the certification and labeling requirements for low emission and energy-efficient vehicles.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may be driven for a longer period of time on solely electric power, reducing both the amount of fuel consumed and tailpipe emissions released compared to normal hybrid vehicles. Reduced vehicle pollution supports the purpose of the “Clean Air – Blue Skies” program by encouraging the use of low-emission vehicles to improve the air quality in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

To qualify for the Energy Efficient plate, a customer must own one of the following plug-in hybrid electric vehicles from specific model years, which must be currently registered at the time of application: Chevrolet Volt (2011-2014), Fisker Automotive Karma (2012), Ford C-MAX Energi (2013-2014), Ford Fusion Energi (2013-2014), Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid (2014), and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2012-2014). (UPDATE: Please see our most recent blog post for additional details on qualifying vehicles.)

If qualified, the vehicle owner must complete the online Energy Efficient plate application process located only on ServiceArizona.com and submit a payment of $8 (initial application fee) plus postage and handling. Plates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Energy Efficient plates will not be distributed at Motor Vehicle Division or Authorized Third-Party offices. The standard Arizona vehicle license tax applies to all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Only owners of currently registered, qualifying vehicles under the revised program requirements will be able to secure one of the 1,800 plates. Those with a temporary registration paper plate or permit are not eligible until the owner actually receives an issued license plate.

After completing the Energy-Efficient license plate application and the customer chooses to have the disability emblem added, the customer must complete a Disability-Hearing Impaired Plate/Placard Application. The completed application form must be mailed to: Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division-Special Plates Unit; P.O. Box 2100-Mail Drop 801Z; Phoenix 85001-2100.

Customers with a vehicle that qualified under the previous program (Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight and non-plug-in Toyota Prius) and is currently registered with an Energy Efficient plate will be allowed to continue to use their plate on that vehicle and drive in the HOV lane until they sell/transfer the vehicle. The Energy Efficient plate may only be transferred to a qualifying plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that is owned or leased by the same registered owner.

Drivers are reminded that this is a federal- and state-approved program that could be changed or ended at any time. For more information on the Energy Efficient Plate Program, application process and qualifying vehicles, please visit the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division website.

License plates are a popular topic here on the ADOT Blog. We’ve covered how they’re made, the many specialty designs available and the differences between various plates.

But today’s subject is less about the plates themselves and more about what you can and cannot do to them.

Defacing vehicle license plates is illegal

ADOT, in partnership with the Phoenix Police Department, wants to make drivers aware of the laws governing registration and proper display of Arizona-issued license plates.

A vehicle owner who breaks the law could be charged with a misdemeanor, with court fines of at least $300.

What you need to know

Your Arizona-issued license plate must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle with the following requirements:

• Must be displayed in a position so the license plate is clearly legible, securely attached to prevent swinging and at a height at least 12 inches from the ground to the bottom of the plate. The name of the state at the top of the plate cannot be obscured or covered.
• Temporary issued placards must also be displayed per the same requirements.
• Arizona law requires the vehicle owner to replace any issued license plate that has become damaged, deteriorated, illegible or unreadable.

Phoenix Police Department officers, along with other law enforcement agencies around the state, are vigilant in the enforcement of traffic violations, with a focus on issuing citations to motorists for the improper display of a license plate along with violations of vehicle registration and proof of insurance requirements. ADOT Enforcement and Compliance Division officers also conduct statewide enforcement campaigns aimed at vehicle registration compliance.

Arizona law requires, with some exceptions, all motor vehicles that will be operated on a public roadway or highway to be currently registered and displaying the issued license plate and validation tab. A vehicle owner must apply for an Arizona vehicle title and current registration within 15 days of the purchase or transfer of a motor vehicle or trailer.

State law also prohibits the issued registration card from being changed, defaced or altered. A vehicle registration card and proof of insurance must be provided upon request of a police officer conducting a traffic stop.

Find more MVD information on our website.

*** UPDATE (5/6/15) *** The availability of energy-efficient license plates for owners of qualified vehicles has ended as the maximum number of plate applications has been reached. Please see our recent blog post for the latest.

*** UPDATE (5/20/2014) *** The program requirements for qualifying vehicles have changed.

Qualifying vehicles will be limited to include only plug-in hybrid electric vehicles according to the certification list established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA is responsible for issuing the rules that establish the certification and labeling requirements for low emission and energy-efficient vehicles.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may be driven for a longer period of time on solely electric power, reducing both the amount of fuel consumed and tailpipe emissions released compared to normal hybrid vehicles. Reduced vehicle pollution supports the purpose of the “Clean Air – Blue Skies” program by encouraging the use of low-emission vehicles to improve the air quality in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Please see this news release for additional information on qualifying vehicles.

Ever since we blogged about alternative fuel and energy efficient license plates more than a year ago, we have received many questions asking for even more clarification...

And that’s exactly what we aim to deliver to you today with our newest infographic. We’ve taken the most frequently asked questions on this subject and provided all the answers in one convenient spot!

For additional information on alternative fuel and energy efficient license plates (along with all the other plates Arizona has to offer) visit the MVD website for more details.

Q. Are there differences between the Alternative Fuel and Energy Efficient license plates?

A. Yes. While they look very similar to each other, the two plates (and the types of cars that can display them) are different. Alternative Fuel "blue cloud" plates begin with AF and owners pay a reduced Vehicle License Tax. Energy Efficient plates also sport the "blue cloud" design, but they come with a Hybrid logo and contain the letters "L" and "N".

Q. Who can drive in the HOV lane?

A. Per state law, vehicles carrying two or more people have the ability to use the HOV lanes during posted restricted time periods in morning and evening rush hours. In addition thee are other vehicles authorized to utilize HOV lanes, such as buses, motorcycles, emergency response vehicles and vehicles bearing either an Alternative Fuel license plate or an Energy Efficient license plate. Violating the restrictions for HOV lane usage may result in a driver receiving a traffic citation with a fine starting at $350.

Q. Who is eligible to register for an Alternative Fuel license plate?

A. Alternative Fuel license plates are available for vehicles powered ONLY by alternative fuel. For a vehicle to be eligible for an alternative fuel License plate, it must be powered exclusively by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, propane) natural gas (CNG/LNG), a blend of 70 percent alternative fuel and 30 percent petroleum based fuel, hydrogen, solar or electric (excluding golf carts). There is NO LIMIT to the number of alternative fuel vehicles that can be issued the Alternative Fuel license plate.

Q. If I convert my vehicle to run on an accepted alternative fuel, will I be eligible for an Alternative Fuel license plate?

A. Yes. You would need that vehicle to be inspected by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to obtain an alternative fuel certificate. After that, you can register your vehicle for an Alternative Fuel plate.

Q.Who can obtain an Energy Efficient license plate?

A. Energy Efficient license plates were made available as part of a federally approved program that launched in 2007. The plates were limited to three eligible vehicles (Toyota, Prius, Honda Civic and Honda Insight). The Energy Efficient Pilot program has a maximum capacity of 10,000 vehicles - that number was reached in 2008. In 2011, approximately 2,500 vehicles had dropped out of the program. ADOT reopened the program and re-issued the 2,500 plates in less than 15 days. The Energy Efficient Pilot Program is currently at capacity. No more energy efficient plates are being issued at this time.

Q. I heard a rumor that more Energy Efficient license plates will soon be released for hybrid vehicles. Is this true?

A. At this time, ADOT has NOT reopened the Energy Efficient Pilot program and there is no set schedule for another reissue.

Q. If more Energy Efficient license plates are ever released, will I be able to get one?

A. You would be eligible for a plate at the next offering if you have a qualified car that is currently registered. At this time the federal government has included three cars in the program: the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight.

Q. How will I know if more Energy Efficient license plates have been released? Is there a list I can get on so that I can be notified right away?

A. Announcements will be made in the media and we'll certainly let you know about it through our website, blog, Facebook and Twitter. We do not maintain any sort of a waiting list for these plates, but we will make sure the public is made aware if there is a reissue of the Energy Efficient license plates.

Q. Can I transfer my Energy Efficient license plate to someone else?

A. No, you cannot transfer your Energy Efficient license plate to someone else. However, the owner of a vehicle enrolled in the Energy Efficient pilot program can transfer their Energy Efficient plate to another qualifying replacement vehicle that they obtain.

By now, you ought to know plenty about license plates…

We’ve blogged about how they’re made and the awards they’ve won. We’ve even attempted to answer all your questions relating to the “blue cloud” plates (a sequel to that post is coming soon – stay tuned!).

So, for today’s post, we’ll keep things fairly short and just let you know there’s a new specialty plate that’s available for purchase in Arizona.

The new plate is: Keep Arizona Beautiful.

Like other special plates there’s a $25 initial application fee and a $25 annual renewal fee to consider – $17 of the fee goes to the litter prevention and cleanup special plate fund. This plate has no special requirements and is available to everyone. It may be personalized with a maximum of six characters and is also available with a disability symbol.

For more information on special plates, visit the MVD site.

If you’re in the market for a new license plate we’ve got some good news for you – two new options are now available to consider!

Late last month a new specialty license plate benefitting childhood cancer research was released along with a re-design of the specialty plate supporting the University of Arizona.

Like all specialty plates, these will cost drivers a $25 initial application fee and a $25 annual renewal fee – $17 of which goes right to the nonprofit group/cause that supported the plate’s production (more on that later in the post).

The childhood cancer research plate was supported by Ella’s Tea Party, Inc., a nonprofit organization created by friends and family of a young girl fighting cancer.

Money collected from the sale of this plate will go toward a fund supporting research of childhood cancer and rare childhood diseases. Money collected from sales of the newly redesigned U of A plate will go to the university for academic scholarships.

Just a note to anyone driving around with the “old” U of A design: don’t worry – those plates are still valid. However, for a $5 replacement fee you can purchase the new plate design.

More about specialty plates
Check out this blog post from last year for an in-depth look at the process behind the creation of specialty plates … or just keep reading for a condensed version.

ADOT and MVD do not decide which plates get the OK, that’s up to state lawmakers.

First, a nonprofit group or cause has to get the attention of lawmakers. From there, a bill sponsored through the legislature must pass and then be signed into law by the governor.

Once that happens, the group must pay a $32,000 implementation fee – this covers programming costs and production. Next up is design. Once a prototype is approved by law enforcement officials, the nonprofit group and MVD’s director, the new plates are rolled out and made available to motorists.

For even more information on license plates, visit MVD’s Web page on plates and placards, or read some of our previous blog posts.

Next time you’re at a party and really want to impress the crowd, try throwing out this bit of transportation trivia: more than 1.3 million new Arizona license plates were produced last fiscal year.

That’s a lot of plates!

Your friends surely will be impressed by your knowledge, but if you really want to wow them, tell them they’ll never see the letters I, O, Q or U printed on standard plates.

Want to know why? It’s because the letter I could be confused with the numeral one and the letters O, Q and even U could be seen as zeros on a fast-moving vehicle. Since license plates are used to identify vehicles and by law enforcement, it’s pretty important that they are easily readable.

OK … this party’s starting to pick up! Now that you’ve got everyone’s attention, why not tell them how license plates are made in Arizona?

First, fill them in on a little history …

License plates (in one form or another) have been around for quite some time. Shortly before Arizona became a state, some cities required that vehicles be licensed, but it wasn’t until June 1912 that an Arizona state legislative act required all motor vehicles within the state to be registered with the Secretary of State (we got that information from a 1992 news letter of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association – they really know their stuff!).

In 1914 license plates started to resemble the familiar rectangular shape we know today – before that, drivers were issued a 2-inch aluminum disc once they paid their registration fee, according to the ALPCA.

For a long time, license plates were embossed, meaning the design was “stamped” into the aluminum, giving the letters and numbers a raised look.

MVD’s Division Logistics Administrator Bill Beckett filled us in on how the plate manufacturing process has worked in recent years…

Back when plates were still being embossed (remember the maroon and white Arizona plates?), everything would start off with a large coiled roll of aluminum substrate sheeting…

The coiled maroon aluminum would go through something called a blanking line, where it was cut by machine into the shape of a plate (bolt holes were punched out, too). Next, the blank plate would go to a press that embossed the license plate number onto the plate. Then it was onto a roll coater so paint could be applied to the raised portion of the plate. From there, tiny reflective glass beads would be applied to the paint so the numbers could be seen at night. Finally, the plate would go into the oven to dry.

Recently, new technology has given us a streamlined process that’s a little more environmentally friendly (no paint or ovens) and allows for a lot of creativity when it comes to license plate design.

The new digital plate making technology uses a thermal transfer ribbon process to print the license plate number and design onto a large roll of white reflective vinyl sheeting. Thermal transfer printing is quite common (it’s used regularly to print receipts and postage labels). When it comes to license plates, the process uses heat to print the desired image onto the vinyl surface using multiple color ribbons for the desired color or design effect.

The machine that does this can print about 1,100 plates onto one roll of vinyl, which, by the way, has an adhesive backing.

After the vinyl is printed, it's rolled up again (by the machine). That roll then heads over to the blanking line that feeds the vinyl through a system that simultaneously peels away the backing to the sheeting to reveal the adhesive while pressing it onto a large roll of aluminum substrate sheeting. (Just think of it as a big roll of stickers getting pressed onto some metal.)

From there, the sheeting is cut up into rectangular plates by the blanking line. Then the plates are boxed up and sent off to MVD for distribution to drivers.

One more interesting thing to know about license plates … all of the state’s plates are made by inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence.

With any luck, you’ve now won over your fellow party-goers with all this license plate wisdom! No thanks necessary … all we ask is that you tell your friends about the ADOT Blog and maybe invite us to your next party!

As far as license plates go, we haven’t even scratched the surface. Stay tuned in the coming weeks when we’ll write about some more of the measures that are taken during the manufacturing process and what drivers should do if their plate, for whatever reason, becomes unreadable.