State officials unveiled Senate Bill 358 last week, proposing a stylish new “Blackout” license plate option for Ohio drivers. Introduced on February 18, 2026, by Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), the bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee for review.
Bill Details
The plates would feature a solid black background with white letters and numbers, skipping the standard “Birthplace of Aviation” slogan and county stickers. A validation sticker for registration expiration would still be required, with proposed fees including $20 for registration/renewal plus a $10 administration charge.
Path to Production
Under Ohio BMV rules, specialty plates like this need at least 150 pre-commitments from drivers before manufacturing begins. If the bill passes both legislative chambers and reaches Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk, it could join blackout options already popular in nine other states, including Indiana, where sales have topped 40,000 units.
Growing Trend
Blackout plates have surged nationwide, generating significant revenue—Colorado alone has issued over 486,000 since 2019, pulling in millions. Sen. Manning noted constituent demand after the idea appeared in last year’s state budget but didn’t make the final cut, positioning SB 358 as a driver-focused expansion of Ohio’s 100+ specialty plate choices.
