NASHVILLE, Tenn. — UPDATE 10/5/2021 - You voted, and now the winner has been announced.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee unveiled the next standard license plate design for the state. More than 300,000 Tennesseans voted, and the winning design got 42% of the vote.
The new plates will be available online and in-person beginning January 3, 2021. The state said up to 100,000 license plates per week will be produced to meet demands.
“In our 225th year of statehood, we invited Tennesseans to cast their vote and help select the state’s next license plate,” said Gov. Lee in a statement. “I’m proud to announce the winning design that will represent our unique grand divisions and take its place in Tennessee history.”
Under Tennessee law, the plate is to be redesigned every eight years if funds are approved in the General Assembly’s annual budget. “Tennessee,” Volunteer State,” and “TNvacation.com” were required to be on the plate under the state statute, as well as county and expiration year.
The current design launched in 2006 but was later modified in 2011, 2016, and 2017.
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9/20/2021 - Tennessee is planning to roll out a new design for its standard license plate at the start of next year, and the state is calling on residents to pick their top choice.
Under state law, the license plate is redesigned every eight years if funds are approved in the General Assembly's annual budget.
"As Tennessee celebrates 225 years of statehood, it's a perfect time to redesign our license plate and feature the Tri-Star that represents each of our state's unique grand divisions," said Gov. Bill Lee. “We welcome all Tennesseans to cast their vote and play a role in choosing this piece of our state’s history.”
Voting began on Monday and will end at 11:45 p.m. CT on Monday, September 27. The winning design will be announced later this fall and will be available in January 2022.
The new license plate design will replace the current plate that launched in 2006 with modifications in 2011, 2016 and 2017.
According to the Governor's Office, Tennessee statute requires the display of "Tennessee", "Volunteer State", and "TNVacation.com" on the plate, as well as places for county name and expiration year decals. The statute also gives residents the option to pick an "In God We Trust" license plate.
To vote on your favorite design, click here.