More than a handful of vanity Texas license plates could be in danger

Above are some of the license plates at risk of going away in more drivers don't select them.



Check out some of the other custom plates available to Texas drivers .... Above are some of the license plates at risk of going away in more drivers don't select them.



Check out some of the other custom plates available to Texas drivers .... Image 1 of / 75 Caption Close More than a handful of vanity Texas license plates could be in danger 1 / 75 Back to Gallery

If sales don’t ramp up more than a handful of vanity license plates in Texas could be riding off into the sunset according to My Plates, the vendor for specialty license plates in Texas.

My Plates said last week that they are in the process of formally notifying more than 50 organizations that their plate design does not meet the state’s new minimum requirement of 200 plates actively in-use. This new rule came into effect on Dec. 1, when My Plates renewed its contract with the state.

Existing vanity and military plates are not at risk of being removed.

“Under the new threshold requirement, vendor plates that do not meet the minimum of 200 plates actively in-use over a given year are at risk of being permanently removed from the program,” said My Plates brass in a press release.

Houston-centric plates on the chopping block include ones for the Houston Dynamo and the Houston Rockets. Apparently plates also exist for Mighty Fine Burgers, Freebirds, and Dr. Pepper if you want to let the world (and law enforcement) know you love burgers, burritos, and soda.

Other obscure – but no less interesting -- custom plates include ones honoring Texas nurses, Illinois University, and the Fort Worth Zoo. My Plates says they are working with some of the organizations listed to see that their sales numbers improve so they don’t lose their plates.

There are quarterly sales milestones that the in-danger plates must hit in order to survive cuts.

“There are currently 56 plate designs in total that are below the threshold and are at risk of being removed should they not meet the periodic milestones,” said Steve Farrar, President of MyPlates.com.

“We’re hopeful that the fans who wish to support their organization will now purchase their specific plate to avoid it being permanently removed,” Farrar added.

So if you went to Boise State University or Odessa High School, get on Facebook and tell your fellow alums to snap to it, lest you lose your plates.

Don't fret if your existing plate is on the list though. You will keep your plate until the plate's term expires, according to My Plates, and then you need get to pick out a new vanity if you so desire.

According to Farrar the number one specialty plate offered by My Plates is the Lone Star Black plate.

Since November 2009, more than 55,000 have been sold in Texas.