Utah license plate changes now in effect

SALT LAKE CITY — Several new Utah laws went into effect Jan. 1, including one that changes the way license plates are bought, handled and manufactured in the state.

Now, Utah vehicles only need one license plate instead of two. Front plates are no longer required.

“The standard issue license plate cost will now be $7.50,” said Jason Gardner, Utah Tax Commission director of policy, planning and public affairs.

He said plates used to cost $11.50. Now, $1 from every plate purchased will go toward a public safety fund through Utah Highway Patrol.

Plates will also look different this year.

“The first decal you get with a license plate is going to come with that decal already preprinted directly on the license plate itself, so all you’re going to have to do when you get that last plate is pop it on your car,” Gardner said.

When it’s time to renew the registration, he said the single sticker decal will go on top.

The new law also introduces a design review committee. Special groups can submit their designs to them.

“We just get those designs submitted to us, sometimes they were not really well designed and sometimes, some of our special group plates look like clipart that you might have pulled off of a computer,” Gardner said.

He said now, the designs go to a graphic designer who can refine it.

Special group plates do come with an annual fee on top of the initial $7.50 price.

“That donation is at least $20, but every special group sets their donation at a different amount,” Gardner said.

How Utah plates are manufactured has also changed.

“Now, license plates won’t have raised letters anymore, which means they can be printed on kind of like high speed printers, and much more efficient technology can be used for making license plates, which reduces costs,” Gardner said.

He said they estimate the new process will save consumers $3 million.

“All the normal registration fees that would have been associated with your vehicle is are still going to apply,” Gardner said.