Utah License Plates: Specialty Designs Receive Full-Color Overhaul
Utah motorists looking to personalize their vehicles have a wave of fresh options at their disposal. The state has officially rolled out a massive design revitalization for Utah specialty license plates, transitioning dozens of traditional styles into high-resolution, full-color displays.
Source: Utah DMV | dmv.utah.gov
From local university pride and professional sports teams to regional conservation causes, here is everything you need to know about the state’s updated license plate options and how to secure one.
Establishing a Unified Aesthetic
The transition to these modernized designs stems from a state law that restructured how customized plates are managed. The legislation established a formal review board to oversee submissions, moving away from a previous system that allowed highly mismatched layouts across different organizations.
To create a clean and recognizable theme across all Utah specialty license plates, the state collaborated with a dedicated graphic designer. While each group preserves its unique artwork, all updated plates will feature:
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The word “Utah” displayed across the top in a single, standardized font.
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A dedicated section for a specific tagline along the lower border.
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A minimalist beehive emblem anchored in the bottom-right corner.
Featured Layouts: Sports, Schools, and the Environment
Many participating organizations chose to upgrade from their old layouts—which typically featured a small graphic icon squeezed onto a plain white background—to dramatic, edge-to-edge full-plate visuals.
A few of the major designs hitting the roads include:
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Collegiate Pride: Reimagined, vibrant backgrounds for the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Weber State, and Snow College.
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Professional Sports: Bold, refreshed backdrops representing teams like the Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club.
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The Great Salt Lake Plate: An updated design showcasing a detailed pelican set against a vivid sunset dropping behind the local mountain ranges.
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Upcoming Editions: State officials confirmed that a stark white plate with black lettering (a mirror image of the highly sought-after retro black plate) is arriving soon. Additionally, a dedicated “Dark Sky” plate featuring stargazers beneath the Owachomo Bridge is currently being finalized.
Upgraded Production Methods
The sharp imagery and intense colors on these new plates are made possible by an overhaul in the state’s manufacturing facilities.
Utah’s license plates are produced using modern printing infrastructure that utilizes a completely flat surface. By transitioning away from older, stamped or embossed metal letters, the state can now execute crisp, digital graphic printing across the entire surface. This methodology allows for rich colors and intricate details without obstructing the visibility of the plate numbers.
Replacement Fees and Ordering Procedures
If you want to swap out your current plates for one of these updated designs, the state has outlined specific steps and pricing guidelines:
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Updating an Existing Specialty Plate: If you already carry a specialty plate and simply want to upgrade to its newly released full-color counterpart, the state charges a standard $23.75 replacement fee.
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Switching to a New Specialty Category: If you are changing to a completely different cause or school, you will be responsible for the replacement fee plus the standard annual donation fee (which is typically $25 and goes directly to fund the plate’s associated cause).
💻 Online Ordering Required: To prevent severe delays and overcrowding at local Motor Vehicle Division offices, state officials are instructing drivers to submit their requests entirely online. The redesigned plates are not stocked for over-the-counter pickups at local branches and will be sent directly to your residence via mail.
You can view the entire catalog of updated choices and begin your application process directly through the official Utah DMV License Plates Portal.
