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Finally! A Michigan license plate a Spartan can get behind

Move aside, maize and blue

Sample green and white license plate (Michigan SOS)

I am so sick of the plain white and blue Michigan license plate.

It’s obviously not that serious, but the standard license plate is pretty boring, and has been around for much too long.

The current white Michigan license plate with blue lettering has been around since 2013, and before that -- get this -- it was another white and blue plate. Before 2007, the standard plate had a blue background and white lettering. For decades.

Yawn. Where is the variety?!

The standard Michigan license plate since 2013. (State of Michigan)

Sure, there have been alternative options available for some extra money, like the Mackinac Bridge plates, but I’ve never felt compelled to spend money on any of the non standard plates.

That is, until the “Water-Winter Wonderland” license plate from the ‘60s was made available once again in 2021. Since then, that license plate has spread like wildfire -- I swear I’ve seen the plate more often than not when driving around Metro Detroit.

As a lover of Michigan’s waters and winters, I loved the idea of the plate. And, there were new colors, finally!

Michigan Water-Winter Wonderland license plate released in 2021. (State of Michigan)

There was just one problem: I do not want to rep maize and blue.

I’m sorry, Michigan fans. I’m a Spartan through and through. I cannot, in good faith, show support for the enemy, no matter how much better your football team is.

It’s as though the leaders of Michigan have been reading my mind, because the state is releasing a green and white “Water Wonderland” license plate in 2024! The green plate with white lettering is similar to one issued in 1963, and will be available starting at the end of January.

It’s missing the “winter” part, but I’ll take it.

Sample green and white license plate (Michigan SOS)

As excited as I am to finally have a green license plate, the fun doesn’t stop there.

Earlier this month, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill into law allowing three legacy license plates to make a comeback! The plates will require some additional fees, but if you’re willing to pay, you could buy one of three different plates to add some variety into your life. (Fair warning: One of them is blue and white.)

Under the new act, the following legacy plates will be made available within the next year:

  • A blue registration plate that replicates a registration plate issued by this state during the years 1983 to 2007.
An example of a Michigan registration plate from 1983-2007. (Michigan Senate)
  • A black registration plate that replicates a registration plate issued by this state during the years 1979 to 1983.
Example of a Michigan registration plate from 1979-1983. (Michigan Senate)
  • A red, white, and blue registration plate that replicates a registration plate issued by Michigan in 1976. This plate would only be available in 2026 to celebrate the United States’ semiquincentennial -- the country’s 250th anniversary.
Example of a Michigan registration plate from 1976, which commemorated the bicentennial, the 200th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence. (Michigan Senate)

---> Michigan to begin issuing new-look IDs, plates in 2024: Here’s what to know

Will you be purchasing one of the new plates, or sticking to the standard? Share your thoughts below!

Learn more about Michigan license plates on the state’s website here.


About the Author
Cassidy Johncox headshot

Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.

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