In St. Louis, what do the four digit license plates mean?

Question

I moved to St. Louis recently and have noticed that many cars have personalized license plates with only four numbers on them (e.g. the plate just reads 2764 or whatever). A friend told me they're sort of a status symbol and I've since noticed they are usually on nicer cars. Does anyone know what exactly they mean, or how it started? Thanks!

Answer 1

The governor's office awards license plate numbers between 1 and 9999. Usually 1 and 2 go to the governor and his wife.



The lower the number, the better the governor knows you (and likes you).



This is the case in almost all states.

Answer 2

Low Digit Tags

Answer 3

Your friend is right. When I was little(I'm 39 now) my dad's friend had his 4-digit home address on his Cadillac like many do. He lived in a nice gated subdivision where all the homes had a 4-digit number. Some use a birthdate or other significant date. I'm not sure how it started.

But your friend is right regardless and I used to always see them on older 'gentlemens' Caddy's, Lincoln's and Mercedes etc.



EDIT: vibecop and I are the only sane people here. You just fill out the form for a custom plate. Yes they cost extra. Like $25 bucks whoopee.

http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/licplate.htm#viewplate

Answer 4

It's called a "Political Plum". "You scratch my back, I'll scratch your back". "You make a LARGE donation to my campaign, and I'll see that you get a low numbered license plate for your car".



It's not just in St Louis, it will be all over the State of Missouri, and other states.



It's been going on in many states since license plates were first issued, at the turn of the 20th Century - yes, early 1900's, and it's still going on to this day.



If you know someone, or you've got DEEP POCKETS, you can get on of those 4 numbered license plates in Missouri. or many other states.



Can you say: "Politicians and Campaign Donors Make Strange Bedfellows".

Answer 5

A lot of times the number represents a ham radio operators #. especially with the older crowd.

Answer 6

My parents have one because my moms brother is a senator. You get them because of who you know or who you contribute to. They are a status symbol.

Answer 7

mine was inherited,,so what