License Plate Question... (Raleigh: purchase, university, property tax)

[a2zmom]

Originally Posted by waterbabies

The color change was made because, from what I'm told, the blue letter fade much faster than red. So, they switched.

Oh I see...well that makes sense...could they have gone with a darker red though?

[wolfeyes]

Good question because I had been wondering that myself..
I agree they could have made the red to a darker red like the old tags are a bold blue color....And I wonder what makes them think these new tags won't fade quicker.

[Waterboy526]

Originally Posted by wolfeyes

Good question because I had been wondering that myself..
I agree they could have made the red to a darker red like the old tags are a bold blue color....And I wonder what makes them think these new tags won't fade quicker.

I agree darker red seems better. How did the the blue fade? Virginia has had blue numbers for a long time and I've never seen one fade. I've seen a lot of old NC plates and the blue doesn't seem to fade, although the outline around the numbers/letters seems to be fading. That would happen whether it's blue or red. I like the blue better...I have a harder time seeing the red.

[anonymous]

Originally Posted by a2zmom

Just curious...why did NC go to red letters, replacing the blue. My husband and I don't particularly care for the red letters and were discussing why the big switch?

Maybe they wanted all the Massachussetts folks to feel at home.

I'm with you, i liked the blue better.

[Asheville Native]

Perhaps the red shows up better on "red light cameras"

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

Perhaps the red shows up better on "red light cameras"

This is probably best scenario mentioned since I have yet to cross any documented proof that fading was the reason for the change.

I just think who ever creates the design just decided to go back to the 70's, 80's design.

When my tags come up for renewal next month I might consider the custom plate so I dont have to have red letters
The initial cost is a little pricey but the annual costs I do not get because technically you really paying for a sticker.

[the 7 oh 4]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

This is probably best scenario mentioned since I have yet to cross any documented proof that fading was the reason for the change.

I just think who ever creates the design just decided to go back to the 70's, 80's design.

When my tags come up for renewal next month I might consider the custom plate so I dont have to have red letters
The initial cost is a little pricey but the annual costs I do not get because technically you really paying for a sticker.

I agree. But you do have to pay that high fee every year...but at leat it is only once a year.

My 2 favorites are...

Friends of the Great Smokey Mountains & NC Coastal Foundation.

Red light camera's are NO longer in Charlotte. They discontinued those awhile back.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

Red light camera's are NO longer in Charlotte. They discontinued those awhile back.

That's good to know, I used to find myself in Charlotte quite often (only because business dictated that I go) and when they first went up you would have people make a panic stop at a yellow light vs. taking a chance with the red light camera gestapo.

Also had a co-worker that got a red light camera ticket, only problem was it wasn't his face, it wasn't his car, it wasn't his license plate, and he still had to go back to Charlotte and go to court to resolve it.

[a2zmom]

Originally Posted by Waterboy526

I agree darker red seems better. How did the the blue fade? Virginia has had blue numbers for a long time and I've never seen one fade. I've seen a lot of old NC plates and the blue doesn't seem to fade, although the outline around the numbers/letters seems to be fading. That would happen whether it's blue or red. I like the blue better...I have a harder time seeing the red.

Illinois has similar paint scheme to North Carolina...light blue Abe Lincoln (to NC's Wright Bros.) and IL has the darker red color for the characters...actually looks pretty nice. Now that I think about it, before IL had the Abe Lincoln plate, they had the same royal blue that older NC plates have now. Hmm...wondering if I might just get that Jimmie Johnson plate after all!

[mm34b]

Some North Carolina drivers have had the same plate on their cars for more than 20 years, said Marge Howell, spokeswoman for the state Division of Motor Vehicles in Raleigh.

I'm not sure if any color is going to last if the unprotected plate is exposed to the elements for up to 20 years or more. The state needs to reissue more often.