9 ms·

As a Maryland resident who happens to have this special "commemorative" license plate, I do find this newsworthy and of interest. I got my car in 2012 -- this

As a Maryland resident who happens to have this special "commemorative" license plate, I do find this newsworthy and of interest. I got my car in 2012 -- this was the "standard" plate for 2012-2016, that you got whether you wanted it or not (unless you paid for a "specialty plate", an existing program. https://mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/Pages/info/27300/27300-29T.aspx https://mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/Pages/info/27300/27300-29...) State MVA puts a URL it does not own or control in any way on a license plate that will last for decades, never even considers that the URL could change hands, is pretty hilarious. I've hated this license plate for 11 years now -- I don't want to advertise flags and wars on my license plate. I wonder if via this snafu I can get them to replace it with a regular one; there seemed to be no normal way to ask for a standard one to replace this 2012 commemorative one up to now. > “The MVA does not endorse the views or content on the current website using that URL, and is working with the agency’s IT department to identify options to resolve the current issue.” The "option," we all know, would be paying now-hostage-level price for buying the domain. I don't know whether I'd rather my tax dollars went to that or replacing the plate of any 2012 plate holder who asks. What I'd really rather is they stop spending any resources on annoying mandated special commemorative license plates. Bring back two-color solid license plates.

VWWHFSfQ 3y ago
can't you just get a different license plate if you want to though
- csbingel 3y ago
  If you give more money to the incompetent agency, yes.
  - FridayoLeary 3y ago
    In the uk its trivial to replace a plate. What would you do if it falls off? Over here i've seen number plates written by hand on a white card.
    - Symbiote 3y ago
      > number plates written by hand on a white card. Those aren't legal, although you can probably get away with them for a while.
    - rahimnathwani 3y ago
      The UK has extremely detailed and demanding standards for number plates: https://www.bnma.org/advice-centre/the-new-rules-british-standard-bs-au-145e/ https://www.bnma.org/advice-centre/the-new-rules-british-sta... But you can choose from many different suppliers. Here in the US, you have to get them from the DMV, but the legibility requirements are so low. The backgrounds, narrow font, and minimal reflectivity all make them much worse than those in the UK and Europe. (Lack of enforcement is also a problem: I lived in the UK for ~10x the time I've lived in the US, but in the US I've seen ~10x as many cars with missing numberplates.
- jrochkind1 3y ago
  As far as I could tell, my options for doing that were: 1. Reporting my plate as stolen or damaged (assume there's a replacement fee, don't know how much) 2. Paying $20 and then $10/year forever for a "specialty" plate. Granted, even though I'm complaining about this like a grumpy old man, I have spent probably 20 minutes on three occasions looking into it by googling. If someone can find a free way (or even reasonable one-time fee) for me to get a standard plate without having to lie about it being stolen or damaged (or getting someone to steal or damage it haha), do point me to the procedure. In general, as expected, doing most anything with the MVA is a really confusing maze of bureaucracy, so I have some conditioned fear of trying it even if there is a procedure (but I haven't found one). I am now wondering what, say, Jehovah's Witnesses did, I bet they and/or other religious groups would not be okay with a flag on their car for religious reasons.
  - GenerWork 3y ago
    You have to pay yearly for a specialty plate on top of registration fees? Is this a Maryland thing or have I been lucky enough to only get a specialty plate in a state that charged a one time fee?
    - jrochkind1 3y ago
      Yes, in Maryland. Every state is different (i'd imagine not every state even has "specialty" plates), I don't know what's more common. But I imagined the whole reason they have "specialty" plates is revenue generation? https://mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/Pages/info/27300/27300-29T.aspx https://mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/Pages/info/27300/27300-29... I think "specialty" plates are silly. I am old enough to remember when there was one option, and for every state it was white letters on a different solid color background, and that was fine.
      - jdmichal 3y ago
        In Florida, the fees paid for specialty plates are given directly to an organization which established the plate -- typically a charitable organization. So they're a way to support, while also providing personalization. The $25/year for my plate goes directly to my alma mater. Even Disney set up their plates to go to the Make a Wish Foundation.
- gwbas1c 3y ago
  "You can just" and "Can't you just" phrases should trigger you to think twice. The phrases show poor empathy on your part: It's a hassle to go to the RMV and get another plate, it's a hassle to update any place where your plate needs to be registered, it costs money...
hoofhearted 3y ago
Maryland resident as well. I believe you payed a few extra dollars for the commemorative license plate. The war that is being advertised is the one where the British were a bit frustrated that we didn’t accept their ways, and they were coming back to take what was theirs. They rolled up to DC and burned everything except a few buildings. Legend has it that Madison and family left the White House so fast that when the British arrived, the food was still warm on the table. The British then rolled up to Baltimore thinking it would be an easy capture just like D.C. was. They were wrong, and we ended up causing them to pack up and leave in defeat. The war is prestigious to Maryland because over 3,000 militia members from Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania successfully kept the worlds superpower at bay, saving Baltimore and probably the rest of the country.
- jrochkind1 3y ago
  > I believe you payed a few extra dollars for the commemorative license plate. I am absolutely 100% positive that I neither paid extra dollars for the War of 1812 commemorative license plate, nor was offered an option -- this was the "standard" plate in 2012, no other "standard" plate was available, this was what you got unless you wanted to pay for a "specialty" plate. Perhaps in 2013-2016 it was different. Or perhaps if you already had a standard pre-2012 plate, you could pay to replace it with the commemorative one? But if you were getting new plates in 2012, you got this one as the default option. I am sure. Other interesting historical facts about the War of 1812 include all the native indian nations who allied with Great Britain in the desperate futile hope that somehow they could stop their inexorable disposession and ethnic cleansing by the USA.
  - jfk13 3y ago
    Indeed, it was the standard plate issued for several years (2010-2016). You could also pay a $20 fee to change from an existing plate to the 1812 commemorative one. https://web.archive.org/web/20101128031616/http://starspangled200.org/About/Pages/LicensePlate.aspx https://web.archive.org/web/20101128031616/http://starspangl...
  - kabouseng 3y ago
    Maybe they should have first checked with the other kind of Indians what it is like to live under the rule of Britain? :D
systems_glitch 3y ago
Hear, hear! Two color plain stamped plates. Our vehicle's tags don't need to be a weird advert no one cares about. It's bad enough to get forced into paying for a reissue (remember when NY changed to yellow-and-blue and started charging for keeping the old plates?), doubly so when it's for some bureaucrat's amusement on having a "fun" plate.
- Symbiote 3y ago
  The European way is even plainer: countries choose either black on white or black on yellow. The country puts their code ("DK", "S" etc) on the left. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_vehicle_registration_plate#Countries https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_vehicle_registration_...
- bsagdiyev 3y ago
  Eh, I like my choice of plate design here in NC. Our previous, Save The Honeybee: https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/138097239_1899194976897317_7871318575789666289_n.jpg https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/138097239_1... Current, NC Aquariums: https://www.obxtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NCA-plate51.png https://www.obxtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NCA-plat... Next, Venus Flytrap: https://i.redd.it/v1d1vce3uks31.jpg https://i.redd.it/v1d1vce3uks31.jpg Funds from these support the cause on the plate typically.
  - systems_glitch 3y ago
    > Funds from these support the cause on the plate typically. What percentage, though?
    - bsagdiyev 3y ago
      Not enough I'm sure but more than zero. Out of the $30 you pay for the plate it looks like $20 goes to the fund for that cause. So it's not a small amount.
      - 3y ago
joenot443 3y ago
Depending on how sophisticated the operators are, it's possible hostage level pricing could still be low six figures. They may not actually realize just how valuable what they've scooped up actually is. At government scale, I'd actually say anything <$1m is probably less costly in total than any kind of action involving replacing a recall of rollback or existing plates.
- ct0 3y ago
  They could change the law in MD allowing these plates to cover the URL with a sticker. Hopefully of a url of your choosing.
  - thelastparadise 3y ago
    Pretty sure it's already legal to do this so long as your tag number is still legible.
jacquesm 3y ago
Maybe just slap a sticker on the URL?
moomoo11 3y ago
As if war and flags didn’t build the society you enjoy today. And they will build the society for future generations to enjoy. Whether they like it or not.
- jrochkind1 3y ago
  Of things that built the society I enjoy today, I am fully aware that, for instance, enslaved labor and stolen land built the society I enjoy today -- I am not in favor of the government forcing me to advertise that fact positively on my car. Certainly human history is full of war and violence, and that is what has led to where we are, sure. That doesn't mean we need to glorify it. Or that the state has to impose the glorification of it on car identification plates. What's with the proto-fascism on HN these days? Scary times.
  - moomoo11 3y ago
    I’m just saying be realistic. Everything that exists today can be judged easily. Future generations will crap on us for various reasons too while enjoying all the benefits. Sent from my iPhone, unfortunately built using slave labor in the supply chain. I could use an android but it probably does the same or worse. To others who are equally complicit whenever they use a computer. Should I remove the apple sticker I placed on my car?
phpisthebest 3y ago
One of the side benefits of driving a truck is that most states do not do anything to their Truck Plates.. Mine is a Plain white piece of metal, with black letters, no logo, no seals, no anything. White and black
CatWChainsaw 3y ago
Would you be willing to try replacing your plates with Chesapeake Bay plates? I don't recall the add-on being that high.
- jrochkind1 3y ago
  $20 then $10/renewal forever. Renewal I guess is every two years?
  - CatWChainsaw 3y ago
    Yes. I actually had to fully replace my plates this year because one was quite literally flaking apart, and full replacement was $155.
RandallBrown 3y ago
> I don't want to advertise flags and wars on my license plate I chuckled a little at this because the Maryland flag is on EVERYTHING in Maryland, including the current standard license plate.
- Larrikin 3y ago
  To be fair the Maryland flag is easily one of the best state flags. It fails the "Could you easily draw it from memory" test but the design and color scheme more than makes up for that. I'd put it everywhere too.
  - rsfinn 3y ago
    I remember spending a day in fourth grade during Maryland history reproducing the flag on construction paper. (Admittedly that was many years ago; my children apparently didn’t get this exercise.) The Crossland parts are pretty easy; the Calvert parts are a little harder. The tricky parts are getting the number of pales correct, and coloring in all the countercharges correctly (i.e. where the red goes vs. white, and where the black goes vs. yellow).
bigbacaloa 3y ago
You don't have to drive
JohnFen 3y ago
> State MVA puts a URL it does not own or control in any way on a license plate that will last for decades, never even considers that the URL could change hands, is pretty hilarious. I'm not a resident, but I found this hilarious as well. I think putting any URL on a license plate (or similar) is poor form, actually, but one that you don't actually control and take pains to ensure you keep registered? Hilarious level incompetency right there.

VWWHFSfQ 3y ago

can't you just get a different license plate if you want to though

csbingel 3y ago
If you give more money to the incompetent agency, yes.
- FridayoLeary 3y ago
  In the uk its trivial to replace a plate. What would you do if it falls off? Over here i've seen number plates written by hand on a white card.
  - Symbiote 3y ago
    > number plates written by hand on a white card. Those aren't legal, although you can probably get away with them for a while.
  - rahimnathwani 3y ago
    The UK has extremely detailed and demanding standards for number plates: https://www.bnma.org/advice-centre/the-new-rules-british-standard-bs-au-145e/ https://www.bnma.org/advice-centre/the-new-rules-british-sta... But you can choose from many different suppliers. Here in the US, you have to get them from the DMV, but the legibility requirements are so low. The backgrounds, narrow font, and minimal reflectivity all make them much worse than those in the UK and Europe. (Lack of enforcement is also a problem: I lived in the UK for ~10x the time I've lived in the US, but in the US I've seen ~10x as many cars with missing numberplates.
jrochkind1 3y ago
As far as I could tell, my options for doing that were: 1. Reporting my plate as stolen or damaged (assume there's a replacement fee, don't know how much) 2. Paying $20 and then $10/year forever for a "specialty" plate. Granted, even though I'm complaining about this like a grumpy old man, I have spent probably 20 minutes on three occasions looking into it by googling. If someone can find a free way (or even reasonable one-time fee) for me to get a standard plate without having to lie about it being stolen or damaged (or getting someone to steal or damage it haha), do point me to the procedure. In general, as expected, doing most anything with the MVA is a really confusing maze of bureaucracy, so I have some conditioned fear of trying it even if there is a procedure (but I haven't found one). I am now wondering what, say, Jehovah's Witnesses did, I bet they and/or other religious groups would not be okay with a flag on their car for religious reasons.
- GenerWork 3y ago
  You have to pay yearly for a specialty plate on top of registration fees? Is this a Maryland thing or have I been lucky enough to only get a specialty plate in a state that charged a one time fee?
  - jrochkind1 3y ago
    Yes, in Maryland. Every state is different (i'd imagine not every state even has "specialty" plates), I don't know what's more common. But I imagined the whole reason they have "specialty" plates is revenue generation? https://mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/Pages/info/27300/27300-29T.aspx https://mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/Pages/info/27300/27300-29... I think "specialty" plates are silly. I am old enough to remember when there was one option, and for every state it was white letters on a different solid color background, and that was fine.
    - jdmichal 3y ago
      In Florida, the fees paid for specialty plates are given directly to an organization which established the plate -- typically a charitable organization. So they're a way to support, while also providing personalization. The $25/year for my plate goes directly to my alma mater. Even Disney set up their plates to go to the Make a Wish Foundation.
gwbas1c 3y ago
"You can just" and "Can't you just" phrases should trigger you to think twice. The phrases show poor empathy on your part: It's a hassle to go to the RMV and get another plate, it's a hassle to update any place where your plate needs to be registered, it costs money...

hoofhearted 3y ago

Maryland resident as well. I believe you payed a few extra dollars for the commemorative license plate. The war that is being advertised is the one where the British were a bit frustrated that we didn’t accept their ways, and they were coming back to take what was theirs. They rolled up to DC and burned everything except a few buildings. Legend has it that Madison and family left the White House so fast that when the British arrived, the food was still warm on the table. The British then rolled up to Baltimore thinking it would be an easy capture just like D.C. was. They were wrong, and we ended up causing them to pack up and leave in defeat. The war is prestigious to Maryland because over 3,000 militia members from Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania successfully kept the worlds superpower at bay, saving Baltimore and probably the rest of the country.

jrochkind1 3y ago
> I believe you payed a few extra dollars for the commemorative license plate. I am absolutely 100% positive that I neither paid extra dollars for the War of 1812 commemorative license plate, nor was offered an option -- this was the "standard" plate in 2012, no other "standard" plate was available, this was what you got unless you wanted to pay for a "specialty" plate. Perhaps in 2013-2016 it was different. Or perhaps if you already had a standard pre-2012 plate, you could pay to replace it with the commemorative one? But if you were getting new plates in 2012, you got this one as the default option. I am sure. Other interesting historical facts about the War of 1812 include all the native indian nations who allied with Great Britain in the desperate futile hope that somehow they could stop their inexorable disposession and ethnic cleansing by the USA.
- jfk13 3y ago
  Indeed, it was the standard plate issued for several years (2010-2016). You could also pay a $20 fee to change from an existing plate to the 1812 commemorative one. https://web.archive.org/web/20101128031616/http://starspangled200.org/About/Pages/LicensePlate.aspx https://web.archive.org/web/20101128031616/http://starspangl...
- kabouseng 3y ago
  Maybe they should have first checked with the other kind of Indians what it is like to live under the rule of Britain? :D

systems_glitch 3y ago

Hear, hear! Two color plain stamped plates. Our vehicle's tags don't need to be a weird advert no one cares about. It's bad enough to get forced into paying for a reissue (remember when NY changed to yellow-and-blue and started charging for keeping the old plates?), doubly so when it's for some bureaucrat's amusement on having a "fun" plate.

Symbiote 3y ago
The European way is even plainer: countries choose either black on white or black on yellow. The country puts their code ("DK", "S" etc) on the left. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_vehicle_registration_plate#Countries https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_vehicle_registration_...
bsagdiyev 3y ago
Eh, I like my choice of plate design here in NC. Our previous, Save The Honeybee: https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/138097239_1899194976897317_7871318575789666289_n.jpg https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/138097239_1... Current, NC Aquariums: https://www.obxtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NCA-plate51.png https://www.obxtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NCA-plat... Next, Venus Flytrap: https://i.redd.it/v1d1vce3uks31.jpg https://i.redd.it/v1d1vce3uks31.jpg Funds from these support the cause on the plate typically.
- systems_glitch 3y ago
  > Funds from these support the cause on the plate typically. What percentage, though?
  - bsagdiyev 3y ago
    Not enough I'm sure but more than zero. Out of the $30 you pay for the plate it looks like $20 goes to the fund for that cause. So it's not a small amount.
    - 3y ago

joenot443 3y ago

Depending on how sophisticated the operators are, it's possible hostage level pricing could still be low six figures. They may not actually realize just how valuable what they've scooped up actually is. At government scale, I'd actually say anything <$1m is probably less costly in total than any kind of action involving replacing a recall of rollback or existing plates.

ct0 3y ago
They could change the law in MD allowing these plates to cover the URL with a sticker. Hopefully of a url of your choosing.
- thelastparadise 3y ago
  Pretty sure it's already legal to do this so long as your tag number is still legible.

jacquesm 3y ago

Maybe just slap a sticker on the URL?

moomoo11 3y ago

As if war and flags didn’t build the society you enjoy today. And they will build the society for future generations to enjoy. Whether they like it or not.

jrochkind1 3y ago
Of things that built the society I enjoy today, I am fully aware that, for instance, enslaved labor and stolen land built the society I enjoy today -- I am not in favor of the government forcing me to advertise that fact positively on my car. Certainly human history is full of war and violence, and that is what has led to where we are, sure. That doesn't mean we need to glorify it. Or that the state has to impose the glorification of it on car identification plates. What's with the proto-fascism on HN these days? Scary times.
- moomoo11 3y ago
  I’m just saying be realistic. Everything that exists today can be judged easily. Future generations will crap on us for various reasons too while enjoying all the benefits. Sent from my iPhone, unfortunately built using slave labor in the supply chain. I could use an android but it probably does the same or worse. To others who are equally complicit whenever they use a computer. Should I remove the apple sticker I placed on my car?

phpisthebest 3y ago

One of the side benefits of driving a truck is that most states do not do anything to their Truck Plates.. Mine is a Plain white piece of metal, with black letters, no logo, no seals, no anything. White and black

CatWChainsaw 3y ago

Would you be willing to try replacing your plates with Chesapeake Bay plates? I don't recall the add-on being that high.

jrochkind1 3y ago
$20 then $10/renewal forever. Renewal I guess is every two years?
- CatWChainsaw 3y ago
  Yes. I actually had to fully replace my plates this year because one was quite literally flaking apart, and full replacement was $155.

RandallBrown 3y ago

> I don't want to advertise flags and wars on my license plate I chuckled a little at this because the Maryland flag is on EVERYTHING in Maryland, including the current standard license plate.

Larrikin 3y ago
To be fair the Maryland flag is easily one of the best state flags. It fails the "Could you easily draw it from memory" test but the design and color scheme more than makes up for that. I'd put it everywhere too.
- rsfinn 3y ago
  I remember spending a day in fourth grade during Maryland history reproducing the flag on construction paper. (Admittedly that was many years ago; my children apparently didn’t get this exercise.) The Crossland parts are pretty easy; the Calvert parts are a little harder. The tricky parts are getting the number of pales correct, and coloring in all the countercharges correctly (i.e. where the red goes vs. white, and where the black goes vs. yellow).

bigbacaloa 3y ago

You don't have to drive

JohnFen 3y ago

> State MVA puts a URL it does not own or control in any way on a license plate that will last for decades, never even considers that the URL could change hands, is pretty hilarious. I'm not a resident, but I found this hilarious as well. I think putting any URL on a license plate (or similar) is poor form, actually, but one that you don't actually control and take pains to ensure you keep registered? Hilarious level incompetency right there.