TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas drivers can now get their hands on the newly-released blackout license plates following action by the State Legislature earlier this year.
27 News got in touch with the Shawnee County Treasurer’s Office this week to learn how people can purchase the new blackout-style license plates that are available starting on July 1. Kansas lawmakers approved of the release of this new license plate option earlier this year during the 2025 session of the Legislature after the plates proved to be extremely popular in neighboring states.
“The blackout plate design has proven to be very popular in surrounding states, and we’ve had many Kansans ask for it to come to Kansas,” said Division of Vehicles Director Deann Williams in May 2025. “We’ve heard them loud and clear, and we are very excited to bring this highly requested plate design to Kansas vehicles this year.”
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Shawnee County Treasurer Susan Duffy said the addition of the blackout license plate just adds one more option to the growing list for drivers to choose from to add a personal touch to their vehicles. The Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) keeps a list that has dozens of options for people to look through when they want a new plate.
“Now, all of a sudden that black plate is gonna be a hot item and has been across the United States where they have been selling it,” Duffy said.
Duffy said the KDOR decided to cash in on the growing blackout license plate trend after other states started selling them. The plates have quickly risen to prominence in the states where they are available and are expected to be popular in Kansas as well.
“It’s that special,” Duffy said. “I guess it really looks slick on a black truck or a black car.”
A photo of a new blackout-style license plate. These plates are being rolled out in Kansas in 2025 and are expected to be very popular with the state’s drivers. (Photo Courtesy/Kansas Department of Revenue)
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People who want to get one of the blackout plates in Shawnee County can do so by filling out the proper forms online or by visiting either the treasurer’s office at 200 Southeast Seventh Street or the annex location at 5938 Southwest 17th Street. Duffy recommends setting up an appointment ahead of time to cut down on a lengthy wait if you decide to go in person.
“Go online and schedule an appointment because on some days our wait is two hours,” Duffy said. “So go in, get an appointment. It’s so simple, we reserve that time for you. You get in, and get out.”
Duffy said her office is especially busy right now as it is a renewal year for local drivers. She said people who come in to get a new blackout license plate now may end up paying more if they decide to get the new plate before it’s time to renew their license.
“The best time to get a new plate is to come in when its your month,” Duffy said. “We’ve had some people coming in early who don’t care about the extra cost.”
KDOR offers blackout plates for standard passenger vehicles and motorcycles. People will need to pay some additional fees to get ahold of them, including:
- A one-time plate fee of $40.
- An annual royalty fee of $50.
- An optional personalization fee of $45.50.
Duffy said that once you order a blackout plate, it should arrive in about three weeks by mail. Drivers will be given a temporary plate to use until the new one arrives.
You can contact the Shawnee County Treasurer’s Office, which is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the work week, by calling 785-251-6493 or by visiting its website. You can find instructions on motor vehicle renewals in Shawnee County by clicking here. Residents in other Kansas counties will need to contact their respective county treasurer’s offices to learn how they can get a new blackout plate.
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