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What's more popular, KU or K-State? Or Gadsden Flag? Kansas license plates say

    The Kansas Department of Revenue has announced a new design for personalized license plates, but Kansas residents who aren't interested in personalized or standard plates can still choose from more than 50 options.

    Most Kansas residents simply opt for the standard license plates, accounting for 73,601 of the 89,486 numbers issued in Kansas in 2023. Personalized numbers are the next most common option at 2,452.

    The remaining issued plates are special plates. For a royalty of between $25 and $100, people can get a special plate, with the proceeds going to charities. Special plates cumulatively raise more than $2 million for these organizations each year.

    There must be 250 orders before the plates go into production and there must be continuous support, otherwise there is a risk of rejection. If a plate does not get 125 orders in two years, production is stopped.

    Customers walking into the Shawnee County Motor Vehicle Annex, 5938 SW 17th St., on Friday will be greeted with a display of the more than 40 different license plate styles for the state. A bill sent to Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk this week could add three more, including one of the Topeka flag.Customers walking into the Shawnee County Motor Vehicle Annex, 5938 SW 17th St., on Friday will be greeted with a display of the more than 40 different license plate styles for the state. A bill sent to Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk this week could add three more, including one of the Topeka flag.

    Customers walking into the Shawnee County Motor Vehicle Annex, 5938 SW 17th St., on Friday will be greeted with a display of the more than 40 different license plate styles for the state. A bill sent to Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk this week could add three more, including one of the Topeka flag.

    Most popular school license plate

    There are 10 higher education institutions that offer special license plates. The most popular are Kansas State University and the University of Kansas.

    Washburn University in Topeka also offers a personalized plaque, but relatively few people received one in 2023 compared to other institutions. Garden City Community College is the least popular plaque, with zero orders in 2023.

    The additional costs for obtaining a unique license plate go to alumni associations of colleges and universities.

    Kansas State University is the most popular license plate featuring a college or university, followed by the University of Kansas.Kansas State University is the most popular license plate featuring a college or university, followed by the University of Kansas.

    Kansas State University is the most popular license plate featuring a college or university, followed by the University of Kansas.

    Military license plates

    The military veteran's license plate made up more than half of all individual military license plates in the state. Veterans who served in specific conflicts can also get plates that specify the war in which they served.

    The license plates for various branches of the military are only available to active duty military personnel. The most common is the Army with 250 plates and the least common is the Space Force with only one order in 2023.

    The veteran license plate is the most common distinguishing military license plate in Kansas. Two options, the Korean War Veteran plate and the Space Force plate, had only one order in 2023.The veteran license plate is the most common distinguishing military license plate in Kansas. Two options, the Korean War Veteran plate and the Space Force plate, had only one order in 2023.

    The veteran license plate is the most common distinguishing military license plate in Kansas. Two options, the Korean War Veteran plate and the Space Force plate, had only one order in 2023.

    Organization of license plates

    Nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and certain business areas have their own license plates in the state.

    The Kansas Rifle Association’s Gadsden Flag design is the most popular organizational plate, followed by those purchased by firefighters and one for the city of Wichita. Topeka also has a separate plate, but it didn’t go into production until 2024 at the last report on plate orders.

    More than 15 organizations in Kansas have their own license plate.More than 15 organizations in Kansas have their own license plate.

    More than 15 organizations in Kansas have their own license plate.

    New license plates

    The Kansas Legislature approved eight new, distinct license plates in 2024 that could take some of the most popular license plates today. Proposals for license plates during the legislative session were consolidated into Senate Bill 39, which passed with overwhelming support in both the Kansas House of Representatives and the Senate.

    The new license plates will be available from January 1, 2025 and will include separate plates for the following:

    • The Kansas City Chiefs.

    • The Kansas City Royals.

    • Sports in Kansas City.

    • The Kansas City Stream.

    • Sedgwick County Zoo.

    • Topeka Zoo.

    • First city of Kansas.

    • Support the troops.

    This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas License Plates Ranked by Popularity, Including KU and K-State