State Receives "Best Plate Of The Year" Award

State Receives "Best Plate of the Year" Award Honors For Limited Edition Centennial Plate

National Recognition for the First Plate to Ever Honor the History of License Plates

Dover -- Today, on the steps of the Old State House on The Green in Dover, Governor Jack Markell, Secretary of Transportation Carolann Wicks, and Jennifer Cohan, Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), proudly accepted the award for Best Plate of the Year from the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) President, Jeff Francis.

Governor Markell announced, "The Centennial Plate is a great tribute to Delaware's license plate history. Being chosen as the best plate in the country proves it. I hope Delaware drivers will take advantage of this unique opportunity to get a plate for themselves, and keep the special history alive for another 100 years."

"I am thrilled to announce that Delaware has the nation's best license plate design this year," said ALPCA President Jeff Francis. "With so many states opting for elaborate graphics," said Mr. Francis, "it's refreshing to see a distinctive design that is still easy to read by law enforcement."

The black onyx & heritage gold colored plate - which honors the 100th anniversary of the license plate in Delaware - was selected for its combination of attractiveness and legibility of design. Other finalists for the award were Alaska, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wyoming. Prior to winning this year, Delaware had never been selected a winner in the Best Plate of the Year contest, which has been sponsored annually by ALPCA since 1970.

The award winning Centennial Plate can only be purchased through December 31, 2009. Orders can be placed with a credit card online at www.dmv.de.gov. Customers may also visit any DMV location to get an application; they can download the form off the website, or call (302) 744-2503 for details. In addition to the plate application there are a number of interesting facts and pictures available on the website that chronicle the unique history of license plates in Delaware. Centennial Plates may be displayed on all vehicles except motorcycles, mopeds, and IRP apportioned vehicles. Centennial Plate numbering matches the number currently assigned to the registered vehicle. All numerical plates and those with prefixes PC, RV, FT, C, CL, T, and D, as well as all vanity plates are permitted. Proceeds from the plate sales will be used to supplement the Transportation Trust Fund and enhance DMV customer service via online services and technology enhancements