As people begin driving more, you might notice some recent changes to Arizona’s license plate numbers. Instead of being three letters and four numbers in order, they are now randomly generated and can be anything.
These new plates are already on the road, but it will take years for them all to be replaced. ADOT says this new system will give them more variety for combinations and more options for specialty plates.
Alzheimer's Awareness, Distinguished Flying Cross, Fiesta Bowl, Habitat for Humanity and Share the Road are all debuting their specialty plates in Arizona. A purchase of a specialty plate in the state means a donation to a nonprofit organization.
In the past year, these plates have raised a record $11.4 million for local causes and charities.
The state first began selling these plates in 1989, and ADOT spokesperson Doug Nick said it’s been a self sustaining program.
“You have to get legislation passed, then the organization has to raise $32,000 to defray the costs designing the plate and so forth," said Nick. "So, once you go through all those hoops, so to speak, if you are able to get a plate successfully, presumably there’s a pretty good audience that wants to get it.”
There are now more than 70 types of specialty plates, and Nick says Veteran-specific plates account for the most sales.
