Fulton 1

iTrader: (9)

Has anybody had to replace their plates due to their old ones being 7 years old (by law its required in WA)? My question is, are the new plates physically different than the old style, raised number/letter ones that look like this?

Poik

Funny you should mention it. Hadn't heard anything about this until last night when the guy at the US border crossing said something about it. At first I thought he told me I didn't have a front plate, but then he said something about the new law or something blah blah.

Fulton 1

iTrader: (9)

Interestingly its the first time I've run across it, but the DMV website states that this has been in effect since 1997 Funny thing is that I have plates on a 2007 rental car right now that are identical to the original ones on my 2000. Apparently, it has to do with the reflectivity of the plates wearing off over time or so they say...

1BAD95Z

Yup, it's a law. You will get a notice when yours are due and will have to buy new plates. Instead of the raised lettering, it looks like they took black tape and did the letters. I think Howard has a good picture of his somewhere. I was disappointed when they passed the law, but haven't had to get the new plates yet. I don't think it went into effect until around 2002 or so, but I could be wrong there.

Rokko

iTrader: (2)

The new plates arent raised letters anymore, they're painted on and totally flat.

DrEvyl

iTrader: (5)

I had to replace the "DR EVYL" plates on my Formula this year, and yeah, it's the new ones that are perfectly flat instead of raised... I've never kept a particular car long enough to have to do that.. LOL

Poik

A few months ago I replaced the plates on my Camaro and got the raised lettering plates. Did that in Whatcom county though.

Fulton 1

iTrader: (9)

Interesting. So the new ones are physically different then. Weird how that would be the case and yet I see brand new vehicles with standard old raised letter plates on them. Guess I'll just wait the 2 weeks and see what I get...

Tails

Hmmm sounds like time to get some Veil.

Ackattack1

iTrader: (7)

I got a collector's tag for my pickup in Feb and got the flat style.

OSUBraden

You're right about so they say. I'd say it has to do with committee's of state employed people sitting in conference rooms trying to find new ways to bring in additional revenue for the state. Seriously... what a ******* bunch of bullshit. Rather than require people to update their plates (by force with fix it ticket if needed) as they wear out over time, they force everyone to pay $$ every 7 years. ****, in the past even if your plate was worn out you could easily just RE-PAINT it to update the colors.

Sigh.

DrEvyl

iTrader: (5)

THey are still doing raised letter plates if you don't have a personalized plate.... all personalized plates are the new style, though.

planemech2

Tails: What is Veil?

DrEvyl

iTrader: (5)

It's that stuff you spray on plates to hide them from traffic cameras.

Fulton 1

iTrader: (9)

Zeke, are you certain about the standard plates being "same-ole" raised letter style still? If so, it would save me some time since I can just apply the tabs to my existing plate and not have to wait several weeks for the new ones (long story). I do not have a personalized plate FWIW.

GEARHED

iTrader: (5)

Fulton, just hang onto the tabs still attached to the registration and if you are pulled over, show the officer and tell him why you haven't put them on yet.

I got raised letters for the truck last year when somone ripped off the front plate. Now the front plate resides in the windshield and I've still yet to be pulled over for not having it on the front.
I think its cuz I'm old

DrEvyl

iTrader: (5)

I just put new plates on my GTO 3 months ago.