BLACKSBURG, Va., Sept. 12, 2005 – You’re in a parking lot far from Blacksburg. Your car is sporting your Virginia Tech license plate, and another Hokie comes over to shake your hand. A friendship is in the making because you proudly displayed your Hokie pride.
Virginia Tech now has three different license plates to choose from, the third plate’s being the athletic VT with “Go Hokies” at the bottom. The original plate displays the university seal in maroon in the center of the plate. The second design has the university’s shield on the left in maroon and orange with the words “Go Hokies” written across the bottom of the plate in maroon. Any of these plates identifies the car as holding a Hokie graduate, student, faculty, or friend.
In addition, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has a license plate in the works with its shield on it to allow corps members to recognize one another.
For the past fiscal year, 2,721 plates with VT on them were actively registered, 6,150 plates with the shield, and 4,268 with the seal, according to Eula Moore-Anderson, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) deputy director of titles and registration.
Virginia Tech is still the top seller of university license plates in Virginia, according to Carolyn Easley, agency management analyst for special license plates at the DMV. After the first 1,000 license plates are sold, the DMV transfers $15 of each $25 plate cost to Virginia Tech. Car owners must pay the usual registration fee, and personalized plate messages cost an extra $10 annually. All revenues coming to Virginia Tech are used for need-based and academic scholarships.
Virginia Tech has participated in the college license-plate program since 1989. For more information on Virginia Tech license plates, call your local DMV or see the plates on the web at http://www.dmv.state.va.us/exec/vehicle/splates/info.asp?PLTNO=&idnm=GOHOK and click on “Purchase a Plate” to order online. To purchase your new plates by mail or by visiting a customer service center, complete the application for Special Revenue Sharing Series by clicking on “form VSA-61” on the same webpage.