License Plate Numbers Revenue Falls Short

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A plan to make money off Oklahoma drivers hit a detour after drivers passed on keeping their old license plate numbers.

All Oklahoma vehicle owners are getting newly designed license plates this year as part of a reissuance program approved last year.

Lawmakers were hoping to raise $2 million this year by charging drivers $15 to keep the same license plate numbers. So far, the tactic has only raised about $94,000. That is less than five percent of the projected revenue.

"I think a lot of people don't care. They just get their tag and then they're on their way, another check off the list," said Jeff Segell with Classen Tag Agency.

But each person that accepts a new plate number is another $15 the Department of Public Safety won't get to pay for their exam sites. The Department of Public Safety already has temporarily closed sites in some small towns like Chandler.

"We've been without a license site for the last year, but people are still upset and surprised with the closure. We don't think DPS will reopen our site and that is disappointing. Now, locals have to drive 30 miles to get a license," Chandler City Clerk Jan Neufeld said.

Although those in Chandler don't have much hope for their site, the Department of Public Safety said they have not identified what sites would be on the chopping block.

It's still unclear if more revenue will be generated, but tag agents said it's unlikely. Many said they've had few people who request to keep their tag number.

The Department of Public Safety said they were hoping to use the revenue to avoid cutting the number of exam stations in half.