Changes

Until the 1960s, states would issue new license plates each year.  However, to save money, most states now send an annual decal to be affixed to the existing license plate to indicate that it has been renewed for an additional year.

Until the 1960s, states would issue new license plates each year.  However, to save money, most states now send an annual decal to be affixed to the existing license plate to indicate that it has been renewed for an additional year.

==Plate design==

==Plate design==

Each state has a sequence number scheme of numbering their plates.  These schemes are designed to be different than the neighboring states.  (Some states start with letters followed by numbers while others use the reverse.)  States design their license plates with a distinctive color scheme and motto.  However, motorists are given the option of purchasing "vanity plates" for an additional fee.  These plates may include a special motto and use a symbol sequence of the owner's choice instead of the typical serial number.   

[[Image:SC Choose Life.jpg|right]]Each state has a sequence number scheme of numbering their plates.  These schemes are designed to be different than the neighboring states.  (Some states start with letters followed by numbers while others use the reverse.)  States design their license plates with a distinctive color scheme and motto.  However, motorists are given the option of purchasing "vanity plates" for an additional fee.  These plates may include a special motto and use a symbol sequence of the owner's choice instead of the typical serial number.   

Both pro-life and pro-choice groups seek to get their supporters to use "vanity plates" expressing their political views.  In ''[[Henderson v. Stalder]]'', 407 F.3d 351 (5th Cir. 2005), the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that Louisiana's prestige license plate program that offered pro-life plates but not pro-choice plates could not be challenged in federal court.

Both pro-life and pro-choice groups seek to get their supporters to use "vanity plates" expressing their political views.  In ''[[Henderson v. Stalder]]'', 407 F.3d 351 (5th Cir. 2005), the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that Louisiana's prestige license plate program that offered pro-life plates but not pro-choice plates could not be challenged in federal court.

In ''[[ACLU v. Bredesen]]'', 441 F.3d 370 (6th Cir. 2006),<ref>http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F3/441/441.F3d.370.04-6393.html </ref> the Court of Appeals for the [[Sixth Circuit]] reviewed the constitutionality of Tennessee's statute making available the purchase of automobile license plates with a "Choose Life" inscription, but not making available the purchase of automobile [[license plate]]s with a "pro-choice" or pro-abortion rights message.

In ''[[ACLU v. Bredesen]]'', 441 F.3d 370 (6th Cir. 2006),<ref>http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F3/441/441.F3d.370.04-6393.html </ref> the Court of Appeals for the [[Sixth Circuit]] reviewed the constitutionality of Tennessee's statute making available the purchase of automobile license plates with a "Choose Life" inscription, but not making available the purchase of automobile [[license plate]]s with a "pro-choice" or pro-abortion rights message.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Transportation]]

[[Category:Transportation]]