NY rolling out 10 new regional license plates this month. What will they look like?

Sarah Taddeo, New York State Team
Updated ·2 min read
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Want to show off your hometown New York region while driving the New York State Thruway, winding through the Adirondacks or crossing the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge?

You’re in luck.

New York will unveil new license plates over the month of June, showcasing landmarks from the state’s 10 regions.

“Every region of our state has something unique and interesting about it, and we are happy to celebrate that uniqueness by making these new license plates available for New York drivers,” Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark Schroeder said in a news release. “These also allow drivers to put their own unique touch on their vehicles and show pride for the place they live.”

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What will the new NY license plates look like?

The first regional plate, displaying the New York City skyline, was revealed Monday, while Long Island’s plate, featuring the Montauk Point lighthouse, was revealed Tuesday in Bethpage, Nassau County.

New York is revealing 10 regional license plates over the course of June 2023. Pictured here is the New York City license plate, featuring One World Trade Center and the new York City skyline.
New York is revealing 10 regional license plates over the course of June 2023. Pictured here is the New York City license plate, featuring One World Trade Center and the new York City skyline.

The other eight regions − Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Capital Region and Mid-Hudson − will each have a license plate dedicated to a landmark in their communities.

Featured landmarks will include the Thousand Islands, Niagara Falls and Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes, according to the DMV.

How can I order NY regional license plates?

The plates will go on sale as they are revealed through the end of the month. You can order them on the DMV website at dmv.ny.gov/plates.

New York is revealing 10 regional license plates over the course of June 2023. Pictured here is the Southern Tier license plate, featuring a waterfall at Watkins Glen State Park.
New York is revealing 10 regional license plates over the course of June 2023. Pictured here is the Southern Tier license plate, featuring a waterfall at Watkins Glen State Park.

There are a variety of other custom plates available, including an “Empire state Flower” plate with roses, or an “I Love NY Adventure” plate featuring a Niagara Falls scene.

Prices vary − for example, the flower plate is $60 and the “I Love NY” plate is $43.75, if you order one with assigned initials. Personalized plates cost more.

Doesn't NY already have new license plates?

Yes. Well, new-ish.

New York started rolling out new regular license plates in 2020, after an online competition to select New Yorkers’ favorite design. The blue and white "Excelsior" plates replaced the mustard yellow, “Empire Gold” plates that were distributed starting in 2010.

This is New York's new license plate design, which the state will begin rolling out in April 2020.
This is New York's new license plate design, which the state will begin rolling out in April 2020.

The Excelsior plates display clusters of mini New York landmarks, including Niagara Falls and the Statue of Liberty, with a yellow “Excelsior” across the bottom. Counties that deplete their stores of Empire Gold plates will provide the Excelsior plates instead.

Drivers have the choice to keep their old plates or replace them with the Excelsior plates for a $25 fee at the time of registration. You’ll pay an additional $20 to keep your old license plate number on your new plates.

This article originally appeared on New York State Team: NY unveiling new regional license plates. What they'll look like