Omaha, Nebraska – In Nebraska, the transition to new license plates has brought subtle yet significant changes, posing challenges for both drivers and law enforcement in distinguishing between valid and expired plates.
The new license plates, introduced as part of a routine update, don’t exhibit stark visual differences compared to the older ones. This lack of contrast is a departure from the past, where distinct designs like the U.S. bi-centennial plates (1976-1983) or the colorful sunset plates (2002-2004) made differentiation easy. Now, to identify an expired plate, one must look more closely.
Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing, a former Omaha Police officer, highlights a key visual change: the absence of the blue banner on the new plates. “Visually, there’s not a real significant difference, but the biggest thing is you don’t have the banner across the top, the blue banner,” he explained. Additionally, the sower, a prominent feature in the middle of the old plates, is missing in the new design. These changes, while minor, are crucial for identifying the registration status of a vehicle.
Ewing notes that these updates are part of the state DMV’s strategy to encourage vehicle registration compliance. “The state DMV has a new plate series every few years to make people who maybe haven’t registered to come in and register their vehicle, because then their vehicle will stick out like a sore thumb,” he stated.
As the end of 2023 approached, many vehicles were spotted with plates only two days expired. Ewing mentions a five-day grace period for the wheel tax portion of late registrations but indicates that the issuance of tickets for expired plates may depend on the discretion of law enforcement officers.
This transition to new plates, which occurs every six years (a practice that started in 2010), involves a comprehensive process. The Governor approves the plate design, and the state DMV is responsible for distributing the plates and associated paperwork to all 93 counties in Nebraska.
The most important takeaway, as Ewing emphasizes, is the necessity for all vehicle owners to obtain new plates for any vehicle registered in 2023. This ensures compliance and helps maintain the orderly management of vehicle registrations across the state. The subtle changes in the plates’ design, although challenging to spot at a glance, play a significant role in this statewide effort to streamline vehicle registration and compliance.
