Ohio License Plates
From license plates that show off your alma mater to your support for an organization, there are plenty of Ohio license plates to choose from.
Written by Christelle Agustin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Show off your membership in an organization, your love for a sports team, or your pride for your alma mater with a customized
Ohio
license plate. Cars can be personalized down to the details, including the license plate. Like an ID number, license plates allow your car to be identified by other drivers. But what’s the fun in having the same license plate design as everyone else on the road? Fortunately, Ohio has many options for you to customize your plate.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat are Ohio license plates and why do I need them?
License plates are like your IDs for your vehicle to gain access to the road. They confirm that you’re a law-abiding driver—which is important because you don’t want anyone thinking you have a stolen vehicle!
Aside from being an easy way to identify you on lanes and crowded parking lots, license plates provide valuable information in the event of a car accident, theft, or other mishap.
When it comes to displaying your license plate, the Ohio BMV requires vehicles to display a single license plate with its expiry sticker on the rear. However, if you prefer having a front license plate, you must also have an identical plate on the rear of the vehicle.
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What license plates does Ohio have?
There are two types of Ohio license plates:
- Standard plates are the plates you’re used to seeing on the road and in dealerships. Most of them are red, white, and blue.
- Special interest platesdisplay your special interest or your membership in a group like the military, your company, your alma mater, or a charity organization.
Standard license plates
- Red, white, and blue plates:These plates are straight to the point. Ohio borders the top of the plate with a red background, while your license plate number is blue against a white background—simple and easy to read.
- “Sunrise in Ohio” plates:Introduced as the new standard in 2021, these plates are a colorful change of scenery, where your license plate number is written on a colorful wheat field and sunrise background.
- “Beautiful Ohio” plates:An older version of the “Sunrise in Ohio” plate, these 2009 plates are a vibrant blue and yellow, which are sure to make you stand out on the road.
- Personalized plates: These plates contain four to seven characters that you choose, and you can also add a logo if it can fit! Register for your own atOPLATES.
Special interest license plates
All special interest license plates can be registered for a fee, except military license plates, which are free of charge.
- Organizational: From Girl Scouts to ALS Awareness, you can show your community involvement pride. Some organizational license plates require an annual fee as a contribution.
- Collegiate: Yearning for those college days? You can display your alma mater—including Ohio Northern University and the University of Cincinnati—to let everyone know, “Yup, I went there!”
- Company logo: If your company has a registered license plate with the BMV, you have the choice of sporting their logo on your vehicle.
- Historical: Vehicles that are over 25 years old and are used in club activities or are a collector’s item, can have a matching historical license plate.
- Disability: If you’re a person with a person with a disability, you’re eligible for a license plate that features the signature symbol of access. Disability parking placards are also available to those with certain disabilities. Both will give you access to accessible parking areas.
- Professional Sports Team:Cheer on your favorite Ohio sports team with this license plate. Each plate is blue and comes with the team’s logo.
- Military: As a thank you for your service, military plates are free of charge. They range from awards to the emblem of your specific service branch.
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How do I get an Ohio license plate?
You can get an Ohio license plate when you renew your vehicle registration or register your vehicle for the first time.
If you’re renewing your vehicle registration, you have two options:
If it’s your first time registering your vehicle, you will need to visit your local
deputy registrar license agency
and have the following:- Your lease agreement and power of attorney documents (if applicable)
- Proof of emissions inspection (if applicable)
- Ohio driver’s license, state ID, or proof of Social Security number
- Tax ID number if titled in a business name
Along with taking care of registration, you also need to make sure you have the right car insurance to meet
Ohio’s minimum requirements
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FAQs
How many license plates does Ohio have?
Ohio has nearly 30 license plates for cars and motor vehicles. Their designs vary from simple red, blue, and white plates and orange gradient plates, to more colorful illustrated ones like the recent “Sunrise in Ohio” plate introduced in 2021.
Do I need a front license plate in Ohio?
Nope! Ohio requires vehicles to only display license plates on their rear. If you want a front license plate, you’ll also need the same plate on the back of your vehicle.
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