Ohio could be the next state to adopt the popular "blackout" license plate trend, following several other states. Proposed in Senate Bill 358 by state Sen. Nathan Manning, the plates would feature a black background with white letters and numbers.
The bill is currently under review by the Senate Transportation Committee. It would need to pass committee, be voted on by both legislative chambers, and then be signed by Governor Mike DeWine to become law.
The design would remove the "Birthplace of Aviation" slogan and county stickers for a clean look, though a registration expiration sticker would still be required. The annual cost for the blackout plate would be $20 plus a $10 fee and standard registration.
If approved, Ohio would join states like Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Indiana's 2025 launch saw over 40,000 plates sold in the first months, generating significant new revenue.