# Are New York license plates orange or yellow? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 29, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977 "2017-08-29T00:20:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Parthol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/1 "2017-08-29T00:20:48Z")
Please help me and my wife settle an argument: are New York license plates orange or yellow? Yes, I know they’re technically “empire gold,” but if someone held a gun to your head and made you choose either “yellow” or “orange,” which would you pick? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/2 "2017-08-29T01:27:16Z")
Orange ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/3 "2017-08-29T01:30:09Z")
Except of course from the ones that are white or some other color. A Google search shows that the orange/yellow isn’t even consistent. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/4 "2017-08-29T01:30:13Z")
Orange. Drunks in Ohio get yellow plates. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/5 "2017-08-29T01:30:45Z")
I used to have one of those newer New York plates, and I say it’s yellow. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/6 "2017-08-29T01:43:03Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Except of course from the ones that are white or some other color. A Google search shows that the orange/yellow isn’t even consistent. [Current plates](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2009/11/11/nyregion/11plates_ready/popup.jpg) [2001 - 2009](http://www.plateshack.com/y2k/New_York/ny2001.jpg) [Pre-2001](http://www.15q.net/us4/nylib4a.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/7 "2017-08-29T02:03:01Z")
> **[Log into Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154627123551326&set=gm.1944595592455988&type=3)** > > Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. Yellow to me on my device [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/17/53/49/17534924686b703505c217586d73ac88.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/17/53/49/17534924686b703505c217586d73ac88.jpg) Orange ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/8 "2017-08-29T02:04:07Z")
Sorry about the first link. Don’t know what happened. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/9 "2017-08-29T02:56:01Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > [Current plates](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2009/11/11/nyregion/11plates_ready/popup.jpg) > > [2001 - 2009](http://www.plateshack.com/y2k/New_York/ny2001.jpg) > > [Pre-2001](http://www.15q.net/us4/nylib4a.jpg) Or if you’re old like me, you remember [these](http://www.statetrooperplates.com/OLDSITE/NYSP1968.jpg) (1966-1972). ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/10 "2017-08-29T03:35:07Z")
And even earlier: > **[Vehicle registration plates of New York | 1910 to 1965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_New_York#1910_to_1965)** > > In 1956, the United States, Canada and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first New York license plate that complied with these standards. I’d say orange was a common color choice for my lifetime ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/11 "2017-08-29T05:42:33Z")
Yellow. On the orange side of yellow, but still yellow. About the same color as a school bus. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/12 "2017-08-29T06:29:29Z")
I see tons of NY plates in all kinds of light conditions. They are orange. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/13 "2017-08-29T09:21:17Z")
Former New Yorker here. Orange. ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/14 "2017-08-29T12:45:22Z")
If the links provided by Spiderman are good representations(yeah I know), then they are orange. The only New York plate I recall ever seeing in the wild are the ones with the Statue of Liberty. I like the look of those and am sorry to see they ditched ole Lady Liberty. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/15 "2017-08-29T12:54:55Z")
I’m looking through [pictures of NYC taxis](https://untappedcities-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5_NYC-Fun-Facts-Why-Are-Most-NYC-Taxi-Cabs-Yellow.jpg), and they look to be just about the same color as the plate. And I wouldn’t call the taxis orange (although, like with school buses, there’s a hint of orange in the yellow). (Yes, I know, color is subjective, and something that’s yellow in one context might be orange in another. So they could be yellow when they’re next to a [big expanse of a color](http://www.thecatyouandus.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/IMG_2423.jpg) we’re culturally conditioned to call yellow, and orange when there are different cues.) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/16 "2017-08-29T13:25:27Z")
New Jersey plates are yellow. New York’s are orange. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/17 "2017-08-29T14:21:26Z")
Most current NY plates are orange. Living in New Jersey I see them all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/18 "2017-08-29T14:38:11Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > I’m looking through [pictures of NYC taxis](https://untappedcities-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5_NYC-Fun-Facts-Why-Are-Most-NYC-Taxi-Cabs-Yellow.jpg), and they look to be just about the same color as the plate. And I wouldn’t call the taxis orange (although, like with school buses, there’s a hint of orange in the yellow). > > (Yes, I know, color is subjective, and something that’s yellow in one context might be orange in another. So they could be yellow when they’re next to a [big expanse of a color](http://www.thecatyouandus.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/IMG_2423.jpg) we’re culturally conditioned to call yellow, and orange when there are different cues.) Congrats you found the most orange cab in NYC. Yes some of them are more orange than yellow but most are still yellow. [![](http://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2017/02/23/Yellow_cabs.jpg) ](http://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2017/02/23/Yellow_cabs.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/19 "2017-08-29T19:31:51Z")
It appears to me to be yellow-orange, and thus I could go either way depending on context. Beside something really orange, I’d call it yellow. Beside something yellow, I’d call it orange. Beside both, I’d call it either yellow-orange or dark yellow. Or, yes, “gold,” assuming I wasn’t contrasting it with something actually shiny enough to be gold. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977/20 "2017-08-29T19:38:05Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Congrats you found the most orange cab in NYC. Yes some of them are more orange than yellow but most are still yellow. > > [http://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2017/02/23/Yellow\_cabs.jpg](http://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2017/02/23/Yellow_cabs.jpg) I’d guess it’s more likely a difference in the camera. When googling the license plates, I get some that look [more yellow](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/NY-2010-License-Plate.jpg), and others that look (relatively) [more orange](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/New_York_Empire_Gold_License_Plate.jpg). At least, unless there are some cabs that look [this color](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yellow_icon.svg/1024px-Yellow_icon.svg.png). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-york-license-plates-orange-or-yellow/794977.md?page=2)