Massachusetts drivers are clamoring for the state’s new blue commemorative license plates, introduced in late 2023 to mark 250 years of US independence. But a rare opportunity is about to surface: the chance to own plate number one for a mere $60 upfront, with renewal fees of $40 every two years.
Unprecedented Demand for Blue Plates
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has already issued over 57,000 of the MA250 plates in just seven months. This surge in popularity far exceeds previous limited-edition plates, such as the Cape and Islands design, which took three decades to reach 30,000 registrations. The plates’ appeal lies in their crisp white lettering against a blue background, featuring a patriotic 1776 insignia encircled by 13 stars.
Lottery for Low-Number Plates
To further incentivize demand, the RMV, in partnership with the Massachusetts State Lottery, will hold a lottery for plates numbered 1 through 999, including the highly sought-after 250 and 1776. This is a unique chance for drivers to acquire a low-digit plate beyond simply waiting for it to be assigned.
The $60 Prize: Plate #1
The most coveted prize is license plate number one, which will be awarded to a random winner for the initial $60 fee, plus standard biennial renewals. Eligibility requires an active Massachusetts vehicle registration and limits entries to one per applicant. Businesses, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and employees of MassDOT or the Mass Lottery are excluded from the drawing.
Fate Determines Winners
Applicants cannot request specific numbers; the RMV will assign plates randomly via an electronic generator. This means even the most desirable combinations, like 007 or 1776, are subject to chance. The winning plate could end up adorning anything from a luxury vehicle to an economy car like a Nissan Versa.
Winners will be announced in early May and will have until late August to replace existing plates. Applications are being accepted through the RMV’s website.
The lottery highlights how even mundane state-issued items can become objects of desire when scarcity and chance are involved, turning a simple license plate into a status symbol.
