Looking for a cheap way to spruce up your ride?

On Thursday, the Arizona Department of Transportation released three new specialty license plates to add to its lineup of unique designs.
The new designs — all with a black background — support three different causes: supporting veterans and military families, helping support children and families throughout Arizona who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or child and the State Forty Eight Foundation that helps support Arizona entrepreneurs and small business owners through grant funding, a press release said.

The program for specialty plates started in 1989 and has been popular in recent years, said Bill Lamoreaux, an ADOT spokesman.

There were about 799,000 specialty plates in Arizona in fiscal year 2023 — which runs from July 1 to June 30, he said.

So which plates are the most popular?

The top 10 for fiscal year 2023 are as follows: Veterans plate; first responders plate, Arizona Highways plate; Cardinals plate, Freedom plate; Route 66 plate, Arizona State University plate; University of Arizona plate; the Golden Rule plate and honoring fire and police, Lamoreaux said.

$17 from each plate goes to the specific charity associated with the plate, he said. Each plate costs $25.

So far, $12 million has been raised for local charities, the spokesman said. There are currently 101 different designs.

“It’s an absolute amazing thing for the charities,” Lamoreaux said.

The top 10 change from year to year and plate designs are reviewed by ADOT and law enforcement, he said. Personalized nicknames or phrases can be added for an additional $25 per year.

Officials say specialty plates are an easy way to customize your car.

“Specialty license plates offer a great way to customize a vehicle and show your proud support for one of these uniquely Arizona organizations,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said in a press release. “MVD is pleased to offer the various plates that will have an impact for the organizations dedicated to improving Arizona and our communities.”

The Empower plate goes to “supporting veterans and military families by empowering charitable organizations with resources necessary to carry out” their missions.

The “In Loving Memory” license plate helps “support hundreds of thousands of kids and families throughout Arizona who have experienced the death” of a parent, sibling or child, the press release said.

The State Forty Eight plate proceeds go toward its foundation which holds educational events for local entrepreneurs, according to the press release.

For information, visit azmvdnow.gov/plates.