license plates have played an important role in identifying vehicles across Kansas, with their designs, materials, numbering systems, and markings changing over time. Early Kansas plates reflected basic registration needs, while later versions introduced more recognizable colors, symbols, slogans, and standardized formats. Each period in Kansas license plate history provides useful details about vehicle registration practices and state design choices. From early metal tags to modern plates, these changes show how Kansas vehicle identification has developed across generations while retaining a connection to the state’s history.
license plates provide a record of how Kansas vehicle identification has changed through different periods. Older plates featured simple layouts and materials, with later designs adopting improved numbering, graphics, colors, and security features. Kansas license plate history includes changes linked to registration requirements, manufacturing methods, plate appearance, and vehicle classification. Collectors and motorists can compare older and newer Kansas plates to see how state-issued designs have developed. Looking at these changes offers useful historical context about Kansas vehicle registration and the plates used on cars and other vehicles.
Kansas License Plate History Timeline 1913–1929
Kansas plate history from 1913 through 1929 shows a gradual shift from simple, undated identification plates to standardized plates that displayed the registration year. Early Kansas plates relied heavily on changing colors and layouts to distinguish one year from another. The 1913 Kansas License Plate established an early statewide format, followed by annual variations through the 1920s. By 1921, Kansas began placing the year directly on its plates, making registration periods easier to identify. The 1929 design then introduced the full “KANSAS” name and a shorter plate format.
1913 Kansas License Plate
The 1913 Kansas License Plate represents one of the first statewide plate formats used across Kansas. Its appearance featured a black-on-white scheme with an embossed serial number and the abbreviation “KAN.” The plate was undated, so its year was identified through its physical characteristics rather than a printed registration year. This early format helped establish a recognizable Kansas plate identity and provides an important reference point for Kansas plate history.
1914–1915 Kansas Plates
Kansas plates in 1914 and 1915 continued the early statewide approach, with annual changes in plate colors and visual details helping distinguish one registration year from another. These early Kansas plates did not rely on a printed year, so color and design became useful identification features. Changes in background and lettering created a distinct annual plate design, giving collectors and historians visual clues for identifying plates from this period.
1916 Kansas License Plate
The 1916 Kansas License Plate used a black background with a white embossed serial number and a “KAN” monogram. A notable variation appeared on higher-numbered plates, where the “KAN” marking was narrowed to make room for a sixth digit. This adjustment reflects the growth in registered vehicles and the need to accommodate longer serial numbers. The 1916 design is significant in Kansas plate history for combining a strong visual format with a practical change in serial-number capacity.
1917–1920: The Undated Era Continues
From 1917 through 1920, Kansas continued issuing undated plates, with annual color changes serving as a primary means of distinguishing one year’s plates from another. The position and presentation of “KAN” could change between issues, creating additional visual differences. Since a printed registration year was absent, color, lettering arrangement, serial format, and other physical features became useful clues for identifying vintage plates. These early plate designs show how Kansas relied on visual variation before adopting a consistent year-dating system.
1921–1929: Kansas Begins Dating Its Plates
The 1921 Kansas plate marked a major change in the state’s registration system because it was the first Kansas plate to display a date. This shift came as Kansas moved away from its earlier fiscal-year registration practice. A six-month transition in 1921 helped move registrations into the new dating system, after which annual plate years became a standard part of Kansas plate identification. From 1922 onward, dated plates made the registration year much easier to identify from the plate itself. Throughout the 1920s, Kansas continued modifying its plate colors, lettering, serial arrangements, and dimensions. The abbreviation “KAN” remained an important identifier on several designs, linking the dated plates with earlier Kansas issues. By 1929, the state made another recognizable change: the baseplate used the full “KANSAS” name rather than the shorter “KAN” marking. The 1929 plate was shorter in length, creating a more compact appearance than several earlier designs.
Plate History 1930–1950
Kansas License Plate History from 1930 through 1950 reflects major changes in county identification, plate dimensions, materials, colors, and registration practices. This period introduced numbered county designations, stronger use of state identification, and several distinctive annual designs. Wartime shortages in the 1940s caused Kansas to change how passenger registrations were validated, including the use of zinc-coated tabs instead of regular plates in 1943. The period closed with aluminum construction and new plate styles that helped shape later Kansas registration plates.
1930
The 1930 Kansas License Plate introduced numbered county designations, marking a major change in Kansas plate history. Historical records identify 105 county codes, with numbers assigned according to county population. A “C” designation could appear with the county number, linking the registration to the issuing county. These plates were issued through county offices, with the county treasurer playing a central role in vehicle registration. The black-and-white appearance gave the plates a simple format, combining county identification with the vehicle’s serial number.
1931
The 1931 Kansas License Plate moved to a green background with white serial characters. The plate carried “KAN 31,” clearly identifying Kansas and the registration year. Plate dimensions changed from the preceding issue, giving the 1931 design a different overall proportion. County identification remained part of the numbering system, allowing registrations to be associated with the county that issued them. The combination of green, white lettering, the year, and county number made this plate easy to distinguish from earlier Kansas issues.
1932–1937 Plate Evolution
From 1932 through 1937, Kansas continued changing plate colors and layouts from year to year. The placement of “KAN” and the registration date could alternate, producing visible differences among annual plate designs. County codes remained a key part of the identification system. The 1934 Kansas License Plate is a useful example, featuring a black-on-white appearance with a county code and a distinct plate size. These changes gave collectors clear visual clues for separating early Kansas plates by registration year, county numbering, lettering placement, and base color.
1938–1940
Kansas plate designs from 1938 through 1940 continued the use of strong black-and-white contrasts. The 1940 Kansas License Plate is particularly recognizable for its “KANSAS ’40” marking, set against a black background with white embossed characters. The embossed construction provided raised identification numbers that could be read from the plate surface. These Kansas historical plates retained county identification practices, linking each registration to its issuing county. The period reflects a move toward simpler, high-contrast designs before the distinctive colors used during the early 1940s.
1941 Plate
The 1941 Kansas License Plate introduced a distinctive red-and-yellow color scheme associated with the Coronado anniversary. Its Spanish-inspired colors gave the plate a memorable appearance unlike many surrounding annual issues. The design connected Kansas vehicle registration with the historical commemoration taking place that year. For collectors examining historical Kansas plates, the 1941 issue stands out through its color combination, anniversary connection, and distinctive presentation.
1942 Plate
The 1942 Kansas License Plate returned to a green background with white serial characters. Small sunflower decals were incorporated into the design, reflecting Kansas’s official state flower. The sunflower imagery gave the plate a recognizable state identity during a period when Kansas registration plates were changing in both appearance and production. Its green-and-white format, serial number, county identification, and sunflower details distinguish the 1942 issue from neighboring years.
1943 Wartime Validation Tabs
In 1943, Kansas did not issue a normal passenger vehicle plate due to World War II metal shortages and conservation requirements. Registered motorists reused their 1942 plates and received a zinc-coated validation tab to indicate current registration. This approach reduced the need for new metal plates during wartime production restrictions. The 1943 system is therefore associated with wartime plates, validation tabs, zinc plate tabs, and the broader impact of World War II on vehicle registration materials.
1944–1946 Smaller Plates and Postwar Changes
The 1944 Kansas plate was notable for its very small dimensions, making it the smallest Kansas plate produced during this period. Designs and materials changed again in 1945 and 1946, including differences in borders and construction. These years reflected postwar adjustments in plate production and a return to regular annual plates. Changes in available materials and manufacturing practices influenced the appearance and physical characteristics of Kansas registrations during these years.
1947
The 1947 Kansas License Plate used a white background with black serial characters and retained county identification. The period has an unusual issuance history involving single- and paired-plate situations, making surviving examples particularly interesting to collectors. County coding continued to connect each registration with its local issuing authority. The simple black-on-white format gave the 1947 issue a clean appearance compared with several of the more colorful plates produced earlier in the decade.
1948
The 1948 Kansas License Plate shifted back to a black background with white characters. County coding remained part of the registration format, and plate construction reflected material choices used during the postwar period. Aluminum became increasingly relevant to Kansas plate production, setting the stage for the material changes seen in subsequent issues. The contrast between the dark base and light characters made the 1948 plate visually distinct from the white-background 1947 design.
1949
The 1949 Kansas License Plate has an unusual production history tied to the use of aluminum and an unpainted background. One version displayed “The Wheat State,” reinforcing Kansas’s agricultural identity. Two distinct 1949 versions are associated with the year, reflecting changes in production and replacement practices. Late in 1949, 1950 dies were used to produce replacement plates, creating examples that can appear different from standard 1949 issues. These production details make the 1949 plate an especially interesting part of Kansas License Plate History.
History in the 1960s
Kansas License Plate History in the 1960s reflects a period of changing designs, county identification, anniversary themes, and improved visibility. Plate colors and layouts continued to vary by year, giving collectors clear visual markers for different registration periods. Kansas moved further into reflectorized materials during this decade, improving how plate characters appeared under headlights. The period also introduced the memorable “MIDWAY, USA” slogan, connecting Kansas plates with the state’s central geographic identity and giving several 1960s issues a distinctive historical character.
1960
The 1960 Kansas License Plate carried a centennial theme connected with the approaching 100th anniversary of Kansas statehood in 1961. Its blue-and-white styling gave the plate a distinctive appearance associated with the celebration. The design formed part of a broader commemorative period in Kansas plate history, using the state’s registration plate as a way to mark an important state milestone.
1961
The 1961 Kansas License Plate continued the centennial theme marking 100 years of Kansas statehood. County coding remained part of the registration system, helping identify the county associated with a vehicle. Replacement plates could carry the word “REPLACEMENT,” creating a variation from standard passenger plates. These details make 1961 plates particularly useful for historical identification, since both the centennial presentation and replacement markings can distinguish surviving examples from other Kansas issues.
1962 and 1963 Plates
The 1962 Kansas License Plate and 1963 Kansas License Plate continued the county-code system used on Kansas registrations. Annual design changes affected colors, lettering, spacing, and the placement of identifying information. County numbers remained an important part of the plate format, linking registrations with local county administration. These two years represent continued design development before Kansas made further advances in reflective plate production and nighttime visibility later in the decade.
1964
The 1964 Kansas License Plate marked an important change through the adoption of partially reflectorized plate surfaces. Reflective material improved the visibility of plate characters when illuminated by vehicle headlights, helping officers and other motorists read registration information at night. Raised characters remained part of the physical plate construction. The combination of embossed lettering and reflectorized paint represented a practical improvement in nighttime visibility, supporting traffic safety and law-enforcement readability.
1965–1969 Plates
The 1965 Kansas License Plate continued Kansas’s movement toward reflectorized plates and improved visibility. During the later 1960s, the state continued refining plate materials, lettering, and reflective surfaces. The 1967 Kansas License Plate, 1968 Kansas License Plate, and 1969 Kansas License Plate belong to this period of ongoing reflectorized plate development. These issues are closely associated with the “MIDWAY, USA” slogan, which promoted Kansas’s geographic position in the United States and became a recognizable feature of the state’s plate history.
Plate History in the 1970s
Kansas License Plate History in the 1970s brought major changes to registration expiration, plate validation, materials, and manufacturing. The decade moved Kansas away from a single annual expiration date and introduced systems that assigned expiration periods based on the registered owner’s surname. New plate materials and longer validation periods later reduced the need for frequent plate replacement. The decade also included the Wheat Centennial designs, which connected Kansas vehicle registration with the state’s agricultural identity.
1970 License Plate
The 1970 Kansas License Plate came during a period when Kansas needed a more practical expiration system for a growing number of registered vehicles. A single annual expiration date created a heavy concentration of renewals during one period. The state began changing its registration schedule so expiration dates could be distributed across different months, reducing the administrative workload associated with annual renewals.
1971 License Plate
The 1971 Kansas License Plate reflected the introduction of staggered expiration dates. Rather than having every registration expire at one common point, Kansas began assigning expiration periods based on the vehicle owner’s surname. Month identification became part of the system, with examples such as “EXP JUL 71” showing the applicable expiration month and year. This approach distributed registration renewals across the calendar and marked a significant change from the earlier single annual expiration date system.
1973 License Plate
The 1973 Kansas License Plate continued the surname-based expiration system introduced during the early 1970s. Letters associated with the registered owner’s surname helped determine the expiration period, while the plate or validation information identified the applicable month and year. This system gave Kansas a way to spread registration renewals across different parts of the year rather than processing most annual expirations at one time.
1974–1975 Wheat Centennial Plates
The 1974 and 1975 Kansas plates featured Wheat Centennial themes that highlighted the state’s strong agricultural identity. Multiple designs were produced during the commemorative period, giving collectors several visual variations to identify. Wheat imagery connected the plates with Kansas’s agricultural heritage, while the centennial theme marked an important milestone in the state’s history. These commemorative plates stand apart from routine annual issues through their agricultural symbolism and special presentation.
1976 License Plate
The 1976 Kansas License Plate represented a major manufacturing change. Aluminum returned as a primary plate material, and Kansas introduced a multi-year plate intended to remain in use for several registration cycles. A new manufacturer produced the plates, while a five-year validation system reduced the need for frequent replacement of the physical plate. Kansas temporarily returned to issuing two plates during this transition. The 1976 issue helped move Kansas plate production toward more modern manufacturing methods and longer-lasting registration formats.
1977–1979 License Plates
Kansas continued using the 1976 plate design during the late 1970s, with validation stickers providing current registration information instead of requiring a completely new plate each year. The 1979 Kansas License Plate is part of this multi-year design period and retained the basic appearance established in 1976. Z plates became another identifiable part of Kansas registration during this period. The use of stickers and multi-year plates represented a shift away from the traditional annual plate replacement system and toward a more durable registration format.
Plate History in the 1980s
The 1980 Kansas License Plate featured a wheat graphic placed against a blue background, giving the plate a clear Kansas agricultural identity. The design received Plate of the Year recognition, reflecting its appearance among notable state plates of the period. Over time, concerns developed about character readability, particularly under certain viewing and lighting conditions. These visibility issues affected the design’s practical use for identification. After continued use, the 1980 design was eventually discontinued, marking another change in Kansas plate styling and production.
1981–1987 Design Transition
From 1981 through 1987, Kansas moved toward a reflective white plate that used blue characters for stronger visual contrast. The design continued Kansas agricultural imagery, with sunflower and wheat elements appearing as recognizable state symbols. The reflective surface helped characters stand out more clearly under headlights and daytime conditions, improving plate readability for motorists and law enforcement. This period retained the use of registration stickers, giving officials a way to show current registration status without producing a completely new plate each year. The combination of reflective material, blue lettering, and familiar Kansas imagery represented a practical shift in plate production.
1988 Kansas License Plate
The 1988 Kansas License Plate marked the final year of the surname-letter expiration system used during this period. Earlier Kansas plates had incorporated county codes as part of the identification system, linking registration numbers with county-based administration. By 1988, this older numbering structure was nearing its end. Kansas prepared for a new numbering approach in 1989, moving away from the previous system and creating a different format for identifying registered vehicles. The change became an important step in the later history of Kansas vehicle plates.
From County Codes to Modern Serial Numbers 1989–2007
The year 1989 marked a major break in Kansas plate numbering. The long-running county-code system stopped serving as the core part of the plate serial, moving Kansas toward a more standardized alphanumeric plate format. The new serial format used three letters followed by three numbers, creating more combinations for vehicle identification. A Vanity Lookup could help identify whether a preferred combination is available, while county information did not disappear from registration records a county sticker continued to identify the county associated with the vehicle. This change represented a major step in the development of Kansas plate numbering.
1989–1994: New Numbering and Design Changes
The 1989 redesign introduced the three-letter/three-number format and moved away from county-based serial identification. A 1990 revision followed, refining the appearance and layout of the plate. County stickers remained part of the registration system, giving county information a separate place from the main serial. These years established the basic structure used in later Kansas plates and reduced reliance on county codes as part of the serial itself.
1995 Kansas Wheat Design
In 1995, Kansas introduced a wheat-themed design that reinforced the state’s agricultural identity. The wheat imagery became a recognizable feature of the plate and continued the long connection between Kansas plates and the state’s nickname, The Wheat State.
2002 Statehouse Design
The Statehouse design arrived in 2002, replacing the earlier wheat-focused appearance. The Kansas State Capitol became the central visual feature, giving the plate a stronger connection to the state’s government and history.
2007 Transition
By 2007, Kansas was preparing for another plate change. The period from 1989 through 2007 shows the shift from county-based serials to a modern alphanumeric system and later statewide design themes.
Plate Evolution from 2007 to 2020
Kansas license plate designs changed noticeably from 2007 to 2020, with new artwork, numbering formats, and production methods appearing during this period. The 2007 state seal plate continued for several years before the America’s Heartland design brought a different visual identity. Later plates featured sunflower imagery and the “Sunflower State” wording, followed by a shift from embossed characters to screened characters. These changes show how Kansas license plates moved from traditional raised lettering and established designs toward newer production methods used on modern plates.
2007 Kansas License Plate
The 2007 Kansas License Plate introduced a state seal design that became one of the state’s longer-running plate styles. The plate used a three-number/three-letter serial format for vehicle identification, continuing the statewide numbering approach that had replaced county codes as the main serial system. The state seal gave the plate a distinct Kansas identity, combining official symbolism with a practical registration format. This design remained in use for several years and represented a period of stability in Kansas license plate production before another major visual change appeared.
2010–2014
Between 2010 and 2014, Kansas used the America’s Heartland design. The plate presented a distinctive state-themed appearance that connected Kansas with its agricultural heritage and central location in the United States. The design continued the established serial-number format used for vehicle identification. Registration stickers remained part of the system, providing a visible indication of current registration status. This period marked another visual phase in Kansas plate history, replacing the earlier state-seal appearance with a design centered on Kansas’s identity as America’s Heartland.
2015–2018
The 2015–2018 period brought a sunflower plate featuring the state’s well-known sunflower imagery. The plate used embossed characters, giving the registration numbers a raised appearance. The wording “Sunflower State” reinforced Kansas’s official state nickname and connected the plate design with a familiar state symbol. This design reflected the continued use of traditional manufacturing methods before Kansas moved more fully toward modern plate production techniques.
2018–2020
From 2018 through 2020, Kansas moved from traditional embossed plates toward plates using screened characters. This production change reduced reliance on raised lettering and supported newer manufacturing methods, including digital printing processes. The shift marked an important stage in modern Kansas plate production, creating a transition from embossed plates to digitally produced designs with screened registration characters.
2020 Kansas License Plate
The 2020 Kansas License Plate introduced a modern visual style with a red and yellow gradient forming the main background. Three wind turbines appear as a central graphic, reflecting Kansas’s growing role in wind energy production. The plate features the phrase “Powering the Future” and uses screened white serial characters rather than traditional embossed lettering. This combination gave the plate a cleaner, contemporary appearance. The 2020 design became an important part of recent Kansas plate history, marking a clear shift toward modern graphic presentation and newer production methods used for state vehicle plates.
2023 Plate
The 2023 Kansas License Plate introduced a new registration-number format as Kansas moved beyond the previous alphanumeric sequence. The new format uses seven characters, with four numbers and three letters arranged as the registration serial. This change gave Kansas a larger pool of available combinations for vehicle registration. The new sequence was connected to plate production needs, since available serial combinations must support the continued manufacture and distribution of vehicle plates. The change forms an important point in Kansas plate history, showing how registration history and serial format developed as vehicle registrations increased.
How the 2023 Plate Fits Into Kansas Plate History
The 2023 format represents another stage in Kansas plate evolution. Earlier plates relied heavily on county codes, making the county part of the registration identification system. Later systems moved to statewide alphanumeric plates, separating county identification from the primary registration number. The 2023 system continued that statewide approach but introduced a different character arrangement with four numbers and three letters. This change reflects the ongoing development of Kansas vehicle registration, plate years, and serial formats. It also connects the 2023 registration system with the redesign that followed, showing how Kansas continued updating plate identification and production methods.
2024 License Plate
The 2024 Kansas License Plate marked a major visual change in the state’s recent plate history. The new “To the Stars” design features the Kansas Statehouse dome within the shape of the state, set against a yellow, white, and blue gradient. The design pays tribute to Kansas’s state motto through the “To the Stars” wording. It replaced older embossed standard plates as Kansas moved further into modern plate production. The change was linked to declining reflectivity and readability of older embossed plates, giving the 2024 design both a new appearance and a practical role in Kansas plate evolution.
The New Kansas To the Stars License Plate
The 2024 Kansas License Plate introduced a new standard plate design known as “To the Stars.” The design places the Kansas Statehouse dome within an outline of the state, set against a yellow, white, and blue gradient background. The phrase “To the Stars” appears across the bottom as a reference to Kansas’s state motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera.” The new plate gives Kansas a modern visual identity through state colors, the Statehouse image, and a clean flat appearance. Kansans selected the design through a public voting process, making it a notable stage in Kansas plate redesign history.
Why Did Kansas Replace the Older Embossed Plates?
Kansas began replacing standard embossed plates in January 2024 after years of deterioration. The Kansas Department of Revenue states that embossed plates can lose about 50% of their reflectivity after five years, making them harder to read at night. Reduced reflectivity affected nighttime readability and created identification concerns for law enforcement. The replacement program shifted Kansas plate production away from older raised-character manufacturing. Newer production methods provide a flat plate surface and printed registration characters, supporting current plate manufacturing needs.
How the 2024 Design Differs From Previous Kansas Plates
The 2024 redesign differs from the 2020 design through its Statehouse-centered artwork and “To the Stars” theme. The 2023 period focused more on changes to the registration-number sequence, whereas the 2024 change brought a major visual update. Older Kansas plates used embossed characters that physically raised the letters and numbers above the metal surface. Modern Kansas plates use flat, digitally produced characters, creating a cleaner appearance. This shift represents another stage in Kansas plate evolution, connecting historical plate designs with modern Kansas license plates and current production methods.
2025 Plate
The 2025 Kansas License Plate continued the “To the Stars” design introduced as Kansas replaced older standard embossed plates. The design features the Kansas Statehouse dome inside an outline of the state, with a yellow, white, and blue gradient and the “To the Stars” slogan. The same modern plate background remained in use for new standard plate issuance after the replacement program began in 2024. A plate year can refer to the year a plate is issued, so a 2025 registration plate does not necessarily represent a new design year. The design and registration number are separate parts of the plate system.
What Does the 2025 Plate Tell Us About Kansas Plate Evolution?
The 2025 plate reflects the shift from older embossed plates to modern flat production. Kansas began replacing standard embossed plates after deterioration reduced their reflectivity, with the state citing concerns about nighttime plate visibility and readability. Modern production uses digitally printed characters on a flat plate rather than raised letters and numbers. The “To the Stars” design keeps strong Kansas symbolism through the Statehouse image and state motto reference. This stage of Kansas plate history shows how plate design, readability, and manufacturing methods have changed from historical embossed plates to modern Kansas license plates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kansas License Plate History includes many changes in plate designs, numbering formats, materials, and production methods over the years. The following frequently asked questions cover key points from the 2023 Kansas License Plate through the 2024 and 2025 designs, including the “To the Stars” plate and the replacement of older embossed plates.
What changed with the 2023 Kansas license plate?
The 2023 Kansas License Plate introduced a seven-character registration sequence using four numbers followed by three letters. This marked a change from earlier Kansas numbering systems that used different combinations and, in older periods, county-based codes. The new sequence provided more combinations for vehicle registrations as Kansas moved through its modern plate series. The change is part of the state’s broader plate evolution from locally identifiable numbering toward a statewide serial system.
What does the 2024 Kansas license plate look like?
The 2024 Kansas License Plate introduced the “To the Stars” standard design. It features the Kansas Statehouse dome inside an outline of the state, with a yellow, white, and blue gradient background. The words “To the Stars” appear along the bottom as a reference to the state motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera.” Kansas began replacing standard embossed plates in 2024 after years of wear affected their reflectivity and nighttime readability.
Is the 2025 Kansas license plate different from the 2024 plate?
The 2025 Kansas License Plate continued the “To the Stars” standard design introduced during the 2024 plate replacement period. The year does not represent a completely new standard design. The same Statehouse dome, Kansas outline, gradient background, and “To the Stars” wording remain associated with the current standard plate. This distinction helps separate the year a plate is issued from the year its design was introduced.
What is the “To the Stars” Kansas license plate?
The To the Stars Kansas plate is the current standard design selected through a public voting process. Its artwork combines the Kansas Statehouse dome with the state’s outline and a yellow, white, and blue background. The phrase “To the Stars” refers to “Ad Astra per Aspera,” Kansas’s state motto. In Kansas plate history, this design represents a move from older embossed plates to flat plates produced through the state’s digital printing process.
Why did Kansas replace embossed license plates?
Kansas replaced standard embossed plates after their reflective quality declined with age. The Kansas Department of Revenue states that embossed plates can lose about 50% of their reflectivity after five years, making them harder to read at night. The replacement program began in January 2024 and focused on standard embossed plates. This change represents a significant stage in Kansas plate evolution, with modern production replacing the older raised-character format.