Transportation Cabinet
Sales of ‘In God We Trust’ license plate top 100,000

Accounts for 16.5 percent of 2011 new standard-issue license plate sales

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2011) – Kentuckians have purchased more than 100,000 standard license plates bearing the national motto, “In God We Trust,” since the plate was introduced in January as a no-added-cost option for passenger vehicles.

The sales represent 16.5 percent of total standard-issue license plate sales, according to the Department of Vehicle Regulation in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

2011 is the first year that Kentucky motorists registering passenger vehicles have had a choice between two standard-issue license plates.  Both feature the “Unbridled Spirit” brand, but one plate also bears the motto, “In God We Trust.”

Both plates are available in county clerk offices for the standard-issue fee of $21 each. Unlike a special license plate, there is no extra fee for a standard-issue plate.

Sales of the “In God We Trust” plate thus far in 2011 totaled 103,519 at the close of business on Tuesday, Sept. 27. That was 16.5 percent of new standard-issue plates purchased. Sales of the other plate, “Unbridled Spirit,” stood at 523,005.

The Legislature, through KRS Chapter 186, has given the Transportation Cabinet responsibility for registration and regulation of motor vehicles.

The statute sets minimum requirements for a standard-issue plate – the Kentucky name, county name, three letters and three digits – but does not dictate design.

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