Alabama Unveils Beachy ‘Sweet Home’ License Plate

By Lynne Jones

Published: October 7, 2008

Governor Bob Riley has unveiled the new design for Alabama’s state license plates.

The redesigned car tags feature the slogan, “Sweet Home Alabama” over a beach scene.  The new phrase replaces “Stars Fell on Alabama” which has been used for the past 6 years.

The governor’s office says the new design continues the theme started a year ago by the Alabama tourism department to highlight the state’s beaches as a vacation spot.  Baldwin and Mobile counties generate more than 30 percent of the state’s $9.8 billion tourism revenue.

In a press release from Governor Riley’s office he said, “A lot of people outside of Alabama don’t even know that we have beaches. When we put more than three million tags showing sea oats and a beautiful sunset over water into circulation, that will change.”

Alabama tourism director Lee Sentell said, ‘“Sweet Home Alabama” is the third most played song identifying a destination, behind ‘New York, New York’ and ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco.’”

The new beach scene plates will be issued for five years beginning January 2, 2009.  They may also be personalized with up to seven characters.

Car owners may opt for the “God Bless America” license plate with the flag design which does not identify the county where the plate was purchased.