Experts Weigh In On Backlash Surrounding New OK License Plate

The reviews are in, and many Oklahomans say they do not like the state's new license plate.

People all over social media say it's confusing, even ugly.

The new Oklahoma license plate will be rolled out in January, and people like Foglio Valle say they’re confused.

Valle: "Bird - what is it? Peacock?"
Annie: "It's a Scissortail."
Valle: "Well, I don't like it."

Terry Koontz said, "Yeah, I mean, it's a dove. People probably consider that - is it a Scissortail?"

Governor Mary Fallin revealed the new design on Monday.

8/23/2016 Related Story: Gov. Mary Fallin Unveils New Oklahoma License Plate

Drivers will pay an extra $5 for the new plate, bringing in about $18.5 million for the state's public safety fund.

But aside from the cost, people just don't like the way it looks.

"The design is a little simpler, but I don't get it," said Chris Lo with Matcha Design.

Lo is an award-winning designer with clients including MidFirst Bank and even the City of Tulsa.

He agrees that it's hard to recognize the state bird on the plate, and people don't like what they don't understand.

"People from out of the states want to come here. When they see something they don't understand, they don't get it - then why would you put TravelOK.com on it for," he said.

But Andrea Maduro, art director at Byers Creative, said the new plate is fine, people just don't like change.

"They build up this familiarity with a brand, or just anything in their lives, and if that looks different from what they expect, sometimes it's human nature," she said.

Regardless of what it looks like, Fallin said the plate is designed to catch uninsured drivers.

"The new design of our license plates will help law enforcement officers to be able to spot Oklahoma motorists who are overdue on their plates, and will also be helpful spotting the uninsured motorists driving in the state of Oklahoma," the governor said.

The state says one out of every four Oklahoma drivers does not have car insurance and requiring new plates is a good way to catch them.