New York Gold Plates

County Clerks from Northern and Central New York, responding to apparent confusion over new state vehicle registration renewal forms that have begun to arrive in local mailboxes, are reminding drivers that they don’t need to replace their number plates with the new “Empire Gold” plates.

The new plates are being offered as an option to every driver who renews a registration—for an extra fee of as much as $45. A small number of drivers—fewer than one percent, according to state officials—have opted to buy the replacement plates so far. Albany decided to go ahead and create the plates even after a popular uprising and petition drive led by the Clerks caused the Governor and State Legislators to abandon a proposal to make them mandatory. But some drivers are apparently confused by an awkwardly worded registration form that has begun arriving in mailboxes, thinking they still must pay for the more expensive plates.

“We made Albany back down on mandating the new licenses, and nothing has changed. Drivers who want to pay extra for the new plates have that option, but drivers who don’t, can keep the plates they already have, and pocket the savings,” said St. Lawrence County Clerk Patty Ritchie, who launched the anti-plate petition drive that eight weeks later forced Albany to change course.