DMV offers two new specialty license plates
CARSON CITY — If Nevada’s 150th anniversary license plate isn’t on your must-have list, Department of Motor Vehicles officials hope two other new license plates might pique your interest.
Starting Tuesday , the DMV will offer plates honoring the Nevada-based U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Nevada Health Centers.
The Thunderbirds precision air squadron is nearly as much a Nevada tradition as the Strip. Since 1956, the team has been based out of Nellis Air Force Base.
Its specialty plate features the squadron’s red, white and blue F-16 Fighting Falcons, which often are seen in Nevada skies flying in their famous “Delta” formation. The plate also is stamped with the “SD” designation — signifying “Star Dusters” — by which the squadron was known when it was formed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona in 1953.
Proceeds from the sale of the Thunderbirds’ plate will help support the Nevada State Veterans Home.
“Las Vegas has a huge veteran and retiree population,” said Lt. Col. Greg Moseley, Thunderbirds commander. “It feels good for us to celebrate our 60-year history while giving back to those who have supported us for so many decades.”
Revenue from the Nevada Health Centers plate will support a “mammovan,” which will travel to all 17 counties to provide mammograms to uninsured women.
Under state law, DMV can manufacture up to 35 special plates for non-profit organizations. The plates are in such great demand by organizations that 16 groups now are waiting in line for an opportunity to have their own. Only when sales for existing specialty plates drop below a minimum standard can they move up the list.
Funds raised through the sale of such plates go to support those groups’ causes. Non-profits receive $25 from the initial $61 cost of a specialty plate, and $20 of the $30 renewal fee.
Other Nevada specialty plates have sold well.
Since Friday, 831 vehicle owners have purchased the 150th anniversary plate.
The most popular special plate — celebrating the 100th anniversary of Las Vegas — has been purchased by 81,998 residents as of July 31. The next most popular plate, featuring Lake Tahoe, has been purchased by 17,270 people.
When it comes the rivalry between UNLV and UNR, the specialty plate fight is one-sided. Drivers have purchased 8,143 University of Nevada, Reno, plates, while only 4,786 have bought plates supporting the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Photos and information about all specialty and other license plates available in Nevada can be found at http://www.dmvnv.com/platesmain.htm.
Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.