Alberta to change license plates

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

I just don't see this happening based solely on the fact that existing vehicles would need upgrading and the public backlash would be enormous. Unless of course they are willing to cough up reimbursements for people to become compliant or have some kind of grandfathering program in effect.

Not to mention the aesthetic point, where the vast majority of vehicles today (especially cars) are not designed to carry a front plate and actually have it look good. The (ugly) bracket is seemingly always slapped on as an afterthought once the car's design has been finalized.

[nieuwy-89]

Alberta is long overdue for new license plates. The numbers are running out and the design is out-dated. Its an administrative need and its hilarious to blame it on the Premier, who probably has nothing to do with the decision.

As for the front plates, I see it as a minor annoyance in that the front of my car won't look as "clean", and the extra cost is a concern. However, I know the police forces are advocating it for improved vehicle identification. I've heard of cases in rural areas where thieves exploit the lack of front plates by backing out of someone's property after committing a crime, so that the plate can't be identified.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

Alberta is long overdue for new license plates. The numbers are running out and the design is out-dated. Its an administrative need and its hilarious to blame it on the Premier, who probably has nothing to do with the decision.

As for the front plates, I see it as a minor annoyance in that the front of my car won't look as "clean", and the extra cost is a concern. However, I know the police forces are advocating it for improved vehicle identification. I've heard of cases in rural areas where thieves exploit the lack of front plates by backing out of someone's property after committing a crime, so that the plate can't be identified.

right, and you expect these thieves to abide by the law and keep the front plate on their car while doing a job?

[Mr. Ski]

Explain why this wouldn't work to add millions of new plates to the list:

Old System - ABC 123
New System - ABC D12

It would give them even more than the original template, as you have 24 Letters (26, less O and I) replacing only 10 numeric digits.

[the-rasta-masta]

I'm sure some of you older folk will remember this, but apparently back in the day you used to get a new license plate every year, rather than just a new sticker. My uncle has kept all his plates that he has ever had and has them all up in his garage. Pretty cool to see the evolution of the plates over the years. I vote we go back to the yellow and black!

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

I'm sure some of you older folk will remember this, but apparently back in the day you used to get a new license plate every year, rather than just a new sticker. My uncle has kept all his plates that he has ever had and has them all up in his garage. Pretty cool to see the evolution of the plates over the years. I vote we go back to the yellow and black!

I'm missing about 15 plates from 1931-the present plate. I also have a 1921, 1922, 1923, and a 1926. My grandpa must have piled them up as he replaced them from year to year. Pretty cool to see some of the color combos. I like the 1946 orange and black.

[habernac]

Stranger/rasta, if you ever have any you can trade, let me know. I think I'm complete about 58 - present. I especially like my 58-61 plates. they're practically mint, an old friend of mine gave them to me.

[BlackArcher101]

I might have missed this, but why is there talk about us running out of different plate combinations? I don't see that mentioned in the original article. Seems to me they are doing this based purely on the fact that it's ugly.

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by habernac

Stranger/rasta, if you ever have any you can trade, let me know. I think I'm complete about 58 - present. I especially like my 58-61 plates. they're practically mint, an old friend of mine gave them to me.

I just looked at mine. From 1920-present I'm missing:

1920,1924,1925,1927,1928,1929,1930,1932,1934,1936, 1937,1938,1940,1945

I don't know if I have any duplicates I can trade though, I'll have to look around. Does anyone know when licence plates were first issued in Alberta?

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by habernac

Stranger/rasta, if you ever have any you can trade, let me know. I think I'm complete about 58 - present. I especially like my 58-61 plates. they're practically mint, an old friend of mine gave them to me.

I just checked eBay. There are quite a few listed there. There's a mint 1926 there.

[nieuwy-89]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

right, and you expect these thieves to abide by the law and keep the front plate on their car while doing a job?

It doesn't really matter what you or I think. The cops think it's a good idea and I trust their judgement in this case.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Stranger

I don't know if I have any duplicates I can trade though, I'll have to look around. Does anyone know when licence plates were first issued in Alberta?

History of Alberta license plates

Looks like 1912 is the first official year of government issue.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

I might have missed this, but why is there talk about us running out of different plate combinations? I don't see that mentioned in the original article. Seems to me they are doing this based purely on the fact that it's ugly.

From the survey site:

Alberta's licence plate design is nearly 25 years old. With the province's growing population, in the next few years it's expected the province will run out of licence plate numbers.

Seems to me they're doing their due diligence and addressing the problem before it actually becomes a problem.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

From the survey site:


Seems to me they're doing their due diligence and addessing the problem before it actually becomes a problem.

Thanks. Was wondering why people were discussing it. Hard to believe we are running out soon with that many combinations. Let's throw symbols in there! Maybe some wingdings.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

History of Alberta license plates

Looks like 1912 is the first official year of government issue.

Yeah, that's Joe Sallmen's site, lots of great info there.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Mr. Ski

Explain why this wouldn't work to add millions of new plates to the list:

Old System - ABC 123
New System - ABC D12

It would give them even more than the original template, as you have 24 Letters (26, less O and I) replacing only 10 numeric digits.

In Saskatchewan and BC, when they ran out of ABC-123 combos, they just swapped the order to 123-ABC.

I would assume that's one of the options on the table for Alberta too. The advantage is that they wouldn't need to replace every existing plate in Alberta.

[Bill Bumface]

Wow, never heard about photo radar where you could get points because the driver is photographed. I'd have to start driving around in a balaclava

[Locke]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Wow, never heard about photo radar where you could get points because the driver is photographed. I'd have to start driving around in a balaclava

I do it anyways. It dramatically increases the hilarity of the looks I get when driving.

You'd probably be surprised how much someone will hesitate to flip off a dude wearing a balaclava who is in (sometimes marginal) control of a vehicle operating at speed......

[the-rasta-masta]

Motor vehicles were required to be registered just one year after Alberta became a province in 1906. Prior to that, it was considered part of the NWT. The province assigned a number, and the motorist was required to provide the markers. These were usually made of leather or sometimes painted directly on the car. One motorist Joe Morris was assigned #1, and he took the liberty of displaying his number using a broomstick! After being dragged into court he won his case by arguing that the broomstick was in the shape of the number '1'. So, needless to say, the early markers didn't always carry the identification of the province. In 1912 the province began issuing annual license plates.

Funniest thing I've heard all day.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by Locke

I do it anyways. It dramatically increases the hilarity of the looks I get when driving.

You'd probably be surprised how much someone will hesitate to flip off a dude wearing a balaclava who is in (sometimes marginal) control of a vehicle operating at speed......

yet another advantage to the burka wearer