Oklahomans are saying “bye bye birdie” as the state rolls out a new red license plate design featuring iconic landmarks, state history and colors of the original state flag .
The blue and white scissortail flycatcher plate is replaced by a red background, white lettering and a blue and white star with “46” in the middle. A row of nine icons pays homage to state animals and parts of history.
Mariah Carter, a spokesperson for Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell’s office, said many Oklahomans had been requesting a new standard plate design, and this one matches the state’s brand identity, “Imagine That.”
Oklahomans will not automatically receive the new plates, and those who want to switch can do so. But the option to keep the scissortail design is available, Carter explained.
Carter said the new design shows off the diversity and culture of Oklahoma.
“We hope it will pique outsiders’ interests in what Oklahoma has to offer,” she said. “From attractions like Route 66 and the Oklahoma City (National) Memorial (& Museum) to waving wheat and buffalo, this plate showcases what makes Oklahoma unique and will serve as a warm welcome to come visit.”
Oklahoma historian Bob Burke said he liked the idea of Oklahomans being able to choose a license plate that honors the first state flag because it’s simple and nods to the Sooner State becoming the 46 th state in the Union.
“The first state flag was forthright, just like the early residents who carved out a new home in a new land. The flag's lack of detail was plain-spoken, as the early pioneers were,” he explained. “The simple design is honest. That describes the Native Americans who were driven here on the Trail of Tears and in other federal government relocation projects. Honesty also describes the mixing of people from around the nation and world who settled Oklahoma, the true melting pot of cultures and religions.”
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Burke pointed out that a new flag was adopted in 1925 because of concern the solid red color of the original might be interpreted as people favoring communism or socialism.
The new plate is the state’s third redesign in the last 15 years, said Emily Hill, a spokesperson for Service Oklahoma. Standard issue plates featuring an image or graphic were introduced in 1982 starting with the Sunbelt Plate, then Oklahoma OK five years later. A Native America plate followed in 1993, then Sacred Rain Arrow plate in 2009 and the scissortail plate in 2017.
Oklahoma City based marketing firm Freestyle Creative said they were grateful to work with the lieutenant governor’s office to design a plate that highlights landmarks and an optimistic future, the company said in a statement, adding the company is proud to amplify the state’s brand through this design. The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation gathered public feedback in August 2023.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is confident the new design is readable by the cameras to collect tolls, agency spokesperson Lisa Salim told The Oklahoman.
Public has mixed reaction to new design
The public’s reaction to the new plate has been mixed, though many say they’re happy to see the scissortail fly off the design, with one commenter saying they were glad to get rid of the “ Twitter plate .”
Others reacted to the new red color and made connections to Oklahoma’s status as a conservative "red" state, and others went so far as to point out it reminded them of Texas ’ lone star, or Russia and Communists. Some pointed out the icons are too small to be seen while driving.
Many people questioned the tagline, “Imagine That” and referenced Oklahoma’s recent education ranking by WalletHub and other shortcomings, such the condition of Oklahoma’s roads.
Carter said the tagline invites people to dream of the opportunity and adventure Oklahoma has to offer, and sends a positive message.
She added it’s impossible to please everyone, but the office has seen a largely positive response, and officials are looking forward to seeing it on the road. In addition to the standard plate, Service Oklahoma offers 232 specialty plates , ranging from military, education, tribal, civil service and special interest.
The original state flag specialty plate is still available, and that design features the state motto, “Labor omnia vincit” Latin for “labor conquers all.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Farewell to scissortail: Why Oklahoma is changing to a new standard license plate
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