Michigan Drivers – If You See These License Plates, Look Out

Anyone driving down the highway will almost certainly never pay attention to the license plates of fellow drivers - unless, of course, you have kids playing the License Plate Game.

However there are a few license plates you should really keep your eyes out for. Michigan drivers in particular should watch for a very specific plate issued by Ohio that is yellow with red lettering.

No, this isn't a law enforcement plate as your first guess may be. Rather it's a plate issued to drivers who have previously been convicted of impaired driving.

Beyond the Guess: What Ohio's "Party Plate" Really Means

These plates are known as "Party Plates." That's certainly not an official name. Calling them Party Plates belies the fact that a drunk or otherwise impaired driver puts themselves and everyone else on the road at risk.

Ohio is one of only four states that have license plate mandates for drivers who have been convicted of this crime. The others are New Jersey, Georgia and Minnesota. In Minnesota the DUI plates also carry a too-cute name, the Whiskey Plate. The Minnesota version are plain white backgrounds with black letters that start with a 'W' for whiskey.

A "Scarlet Letter" on Wheels: States with DUI License Plate Mandates

Both the example from Ohio and Minnesota resemble standard plates from other states. The Ohio yellow on red is a standard plate in New Mexico while the Minnesota black-on-white is what Indiana uses for every pick-up truck.

READ MORE: Michigan Is Totally Divided on The Importance of Your License Plate Sticker Placement

The DUI plates do no carry any words that indicate why they are being used likely many residents of those states will know instantly that particular aspect of the driver's criminal history. They act as a modern-day Scarlet Letter.

The Rules of the Road: Driving Privileges for "Party Plate" Holders

In general, drivers assigned a Party Plate are only allowed to travel for work, school or medical purposes.

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The Ohio Party plates do pop up for sale on occasion on eBay. A current listing at publication had a used plate listed at $55 and another at $127.49.