Blackout continues to sell out

When the state of Iowa first issued specialty “blackout” license plates there was no idea of how prevalent they would become.

Specialty plates are license plates with different color schemes and designs than the standard plate design, and they are completely optional and require additional fees. There are currently a variety of specialty plates, including several designed with the logos and colors of different state colleges. While many of these designs are common in the state, none compare to the massive market the blackout plates achieved in a short time.

“They took off right away when we first got them, then it slowed down a little bit, but now it’s picked up again and people are getting them for Christmas presents,” said Marilee Kerber, Adair County Deputy Treasurer. “People like the look of it. The biggest thing we’ve heard is that people do not like the new county plates we got last year. They don’t like the green color of the grass or the wind turbines on it so they’re going to the black one for a different option.”

The plates originally had face statewide shortages due to unexpected demand. The Associated Press had reported in late October that over 46,000 of the plates had been issued. For an idea of just how unprecedented that is, there are currently over 30,000 University of Iowa plates issued, thus making the new design the most prominent specialty plate in the state.

The funds generated from the plate go to good use: they help fund road construction and maintenance.

The Road Use Tax Fund is the primary source of funding for road construction and maintenance in Iowa. The plate has quickly become a popular method of raising state funds in a voluntary way as opposed to taxes.The blackout design alone had generated over $2 million in state revenue since July 1.

While the plate’s design may be simple, its origins can be traced to a bizarre repeated occurrence, as the idea for the design came about after officials began to realize a common trend in motorists defacing specific plates such as the Dordt College plate, which is mostly black. Some Iowans would cover with tape or paint, or in some instances even physically alter the plate itself.

The Adair County Treasurer’s Office estimates the county currently has about 300 vehicles with blackout plates, some which are personalized as opposed to standard.

The blackout plates cost an initial fee of $35 with an annual $10 registration fee for renewals. Personalized versions of this plate cost $60 and have a registration renewal fee of $15 annually.

“I think a lot of people have said these are so easy to read when you meet somebody because it doesn’t have all the pictures to distract from it,” Kerber said.

Editor’s Note: Creston News Advertiser staff writer Dustin Maeder contributed to this report.