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Transportation Committee hears proposal for a blackout license-plate option; DOT to supply amendment clarifying fees
Summary
Senate Bill 2133 would authorize a solid-black background license plate with white lettering as a specialty option; DOT estimates initial production costs and projected revenues and the committee requested an amendment to clarify recurring fees and personalization options before further action.
Senate Bill 2133, which would add a blackout plate option for passenger vehicles and qualifying motorcycles, was heard by the Senate Transportation Committee, and the Department of Transportation testified in support.
Senator Rohrs introduced the idea, saying blackout plates are a popular specialty option in neighboring states: “Minnesota, in their 1st year had over 250,000 vehicles request the blackout plates,” the sponsor said while describing constituent interest. Brad Schafer, director of Driver and Vehicle Services for the North Dakota Department of Transportation, told the committee the department supports SB 2,133 and outlined costs and participation estimates: he said production would cost approximately $7 per plate (versus $5.95 for the regular plate) and estimated more than 760,000 qualifying vehicles and over 42,000 qualifying motorcycles in the state.
Schafer explained the fee structure his office expects and noted a drafting issue to be amended: an initial $15 one-time plate fee, a $25 annual recurring fee for the blackout plate option, and a further $25 annual fee if the owner chooses a personalized (special request) plate. “That way you would pay with your registration yearly,” Schafer said. He also told the committee the fiscal note projects roughly $3 million in revenues and estimated the department would need an initial appropriation of about $1 million to produce plates and stock materials.
Law-enforcement representatives told the committee they had no principled objection but asked that the plate clearly show the issuing state so dispatchers and automated readers can identify state of registration. Dave Drevich of the Bismarck Police Department said law enforcement “would like it to be plain what state is represented on that plate,” noting some license-plate readers and dispatch returns rely on a readable state designation. Committee members discussed whether the Legislature must authorize the plates or whether administrative authority could handle future similar plate options; witnesses said other states vary and North Dakota currently needs legislative authorization for this plate option.
Committee members asked DOT to prepare a friendly amendment to clarify fee language in the bill (ensuring the blackout plate is optional, specifying the $15 initial fee and $25 annual fee, and that the $25 special-request/personalization fee is separate). The committee did not vote on SB 2,133 at the hearing and scheduled follow-up once DOT provides the amendment.
Why it matters: supporters said blackout plates are popular with vehicle owners and can generate recurring revenue through specialty fees; law enforcement emphasized readability and state identification on the plate.
What’s next: DOT will supply a clarified amendment on the fee language and personalization options; the committee paused further action pending that amendment.
