Maryland unveils new Chesapeake Bay license plate

The Maryland Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Administration has unveiled a brand new license plate celebrating the Chesapeake Bay.

The new plate features the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the blue crab, and honors the tradition of the "Treasuring the Chesapeake" license plates that have been in circulation for 14 years.

According to the MDOT, 250 designs were considered. TM Designs, a Frederick-based design firm, created the winning design for the license plate after it received the majority of votes among survey responders.

The new Chesapeake Bay design was revealed at a ceremony at Sandy Point State Park on Thursday.

"MDOT MVA is pleased to offer this new option to Maryland drivers," said MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer. "We look forward to providing premier customer service to all those interested in purchasing the new Bay Plate at one of our branches or through our convenient web services starting on Monday, October 29th."

"We are thrilled to introduce this iconic Chesapeake Bay Plate that captures the essence of where we live," said Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. "By asking for the Bay Plate, drivers help to get kids outside on field trips and trees and gardens planted across our communities, all of which helps the Bay and its contributing rivers and streams."

Vehicle owners can buy the license plate for $20 at an MVA branch, car dealerships, tag and title agencies and online at https://cbtrust.org/purchase-a-bay-plate/.