Most Nevada autos will get colorful new license plates

Wednesday, June 28, 2000 | 10:42 a.m.

The new plate, authorized by the 1997 Legislature at a cost of $3.9 million to design and produce, will be mailed to motorists beginning late this year.

The new license plate will replace the current silver, white and blue plate issued in 1983, showing a Joshua tree and a desert bighorn sheep.

The governor's office made the final choice among three plates. Others depicted a desert scene with wild horses, and a mountain scene with wild horses.

Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, a member of a panel of state officials that reviewed new designs, said a desert scene was her first choice. But there were concerns the design was too similar to Arizona's new plate.

"Some members of the committee felt like maybe the peaceful, snow-capped mountains would be a nice choice," Chowning said. "Some people think Nevada is only slot machines and twinkling lights. A license plate is really a message to the rest of the country, and we wanted something appealing, with some color, that would convey a nice, inviting message."

Motorists with one of the state's many specialized plates can keep them. Also exempted from the change are vehicle owners with occasionally seen solid blue plates, last issued in 1983.