Maryland to get new license plates (Baltimore, California: live, design, car)

[bus man]

Gov. Hogan has announced that Maryland will get new license plates, thus bringing to an end the War of 1812's six-year run as American's worst standard-issue license plate. (OK, he didn't say that last part.)

Governor Hogan unveils new Maryland license plates - ABC2News.com

It's nice that the new plate will incorporate our flag, since I think that Maryland has the best state flag in the entire country. I'm a little concerned about readability, where the bottom of the letters overlap the top of the flag. This is especially true at the point where the letters RO (in the sample) sit. Other than that, though, it doesn't seem too bad. Not as good as the old plates with the state flag in a shield between the numbers and the letters (that one was a classic), but light-years better than the War of 1812 ones. In my opinion, of course.

Any other thoughts about this?

[dkf747]

I like it. I wish I still lived in Md so I could get a set.

[Chevalier de Saint-George]

It looks nice. It has a clean look to it.

[North Beach Person]

Unlike many I had no problem with 1812 plates. Of course many people are morons and didn't understand what they were.

Then again I have DU or Bay tags on all of my now reduced in size fleet. One car does have the 1812 tags now that I think of it. They don't look bad since the blue in the plate is the same as the car's blue.

OCD kicking in.

[westsideboy]

Not too bad. I would prefer a cleaner view of the flag......it seems the focal point is the middle where yellow, black, red, and white all meet and none of the quadrants are very clear. Still, a simple design showing off the state symbol that is unique and popular from the mountains to the shore is a solid choice.

My personal favorite plate is the red Ag. plate..........looked nice on my red and black car. The bay plate is nice, I love herons. They are one of my favorite birds.

[InchingWest]

Originally Posted by 80s_kid

It looks nice. It has a clean look to it.

I agree that it's one of the best features. While Maryland played a big part in the war of 1812 I don't think we need to feature it on our license places. Besides, they look like a fireworks display and the small dual lettering that replaces the 2nd digit is terribly hard to read.

And we SHOULD incorporate our flag. About half, or perhaps even a slight majority, of state flags are blue fields with the state seal in the center which is not only boring but does nothing to distinguish them from each other (which from a vexillological point of view defeats the purpose of having an instantly recognizable symbol), especially from far away.

It's also stupid to have your state's name on your flag (lookin at you Montana!) I will give some exception to California though since that bear does look pretty awesome. But yeah guys....you're gonna have to come up with something better than these here:



About ten of the others that aren't simple blue fields with an undistinguished seal are really just modified Confederate battle standards. Hmmmm, seems to be a trend here:

[misterjimmy]

War of 1812's six-year run as American's worst standard-issue license plate.

I lived in Maryland 1988-1996. I had to look up the 1812 plate; I didn't know they got rid of the shield plate.

IMO, the 1812 plate is not bad, but if I lived in MD and had to turn in my shield plate for that thing I'd'a been PO'd.

The new one is nice, and yes, it could do with a little more flag.

I've moved around a lot, and the Maryland flag is still one of my faves. I enjoyed my time in Maryland. Unfortunately, last time I was back for a visit, D.C. is creeping closer and closer to Baltimore. Like killer bees....

Best of luck with all of it, and enjoy yer new plate!!

[kcmo]

I like the new plate. Maryland has decent plates. I don't like the 1812 plates (we have the bay plates), but Maryland is nowhere near the worst. There are some really ugly plates out there in other states.

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by kcmo

I like the new plate. Maryland has decent plates. I don't like the 1812 plates (we have the bay plates), but Maryland is nowhere near the worst. There are some really ugly plates out there in other states.

Michigan's license plates are terrible, especially considering that it's the automotive capital of the U.S.

[bus man]

Originally Posted by Dequindre

Michigan's license plates are terrible, especially considering that it's the automotive capital of the U.S.

Perhaps you're not aware, but Michigan has new license plates. The standard issue ones aren't anything special, but I really do like the Mackinac Bridge ones: