MI Ham Call Letter Plates Available in Lansing

Hams are still having trouble getting amateur radio plates in Michigan. We have been told to go to the Secretary of State offices. However sometimes when we go there, the clerk does not know what amateur radio plates are and cannot service us. For example:
Rick NE8Z went to the Secretary of State to get ham call letter plates. They looked at the sample plate form to try to find what he was asking for. They found the amateur radio plate as a "sample" and told him they would sell him a plate for $10. The plate he would receive would say "AMATEUR RADIO" down the left side, his call sign and "MICHIGAN" in the blue stripe across the top just like the sample plate on the form at this link: Sample Plate . They emphasized what it said on the form "These plates are for display purposes only - not for vehicle registration" and that it would say N8EZ instead of "SAMPLE" . They added that if he was caught driving with that on his car he would be arrested.
They told him that it was illegal to drive a car with the call letter plate that says AMATEUR RADIO down the side. They offered to sell him a regular vanity plate for $30 extra that would say NE8Z. It would not say "AMATEUR RADIO". They said that was all that was available. He then sent out an email to the amateur radio community saying that he was informed by the Secretary of State office that if you have a plate that says "AMATEUR RADIO" and your call, it is an illegal plate and a sample and if you are caught driving with that on your car, you would be arrested.
Amateur radio call letter plates are issued by the Distributed Services Unit of the Secretary of State office - a special division located in Lansing. This unit issues specialized plates like: amateur radio,clergy, physicians, etc. To get an amateur radio plate you must fill out a form. This form should be available at the local Secretary of State office or online at ARO Plate Form .
Only 2 types of amateur radio plates are available: MICHIGAN blue stripe or Spectacular Peninsula. You must indicate on the form your choice. They both will say "AMATEUR RADIO" on the left side with your call letters.
To complete the process you must:
Fill out the form
include a copy of your amateur radio license
include either $2 for the regular MICHIGAN plateor $7 for Spectacular Peninsula plate [ABOVE THE NORMAL REGISTRATION FEE (if you don't know then contact your local Secretary of State office )
Send all documents and money to the address shown on the form
You will receive a license plate in the mail with your call letters on it, "AMATEUR RADIO" down the left side and either "MICHIGAN" blue stripe or Spectacular Peninsula design (depending on what you ordered) with a current Tab.
All plates with "AMATEUR RADIO" on the left side and your call sign with current Tab and "MICHIGAN" the across the top or the Spectacular Peninsula design ARE LEGAL. These are white background with blue letters.
Should you have any trouble you can call the Distributed Services Unit directly at 517-322-6274. I find they are most helpful in resolving issues like Rick had. They also will fix it if you do end up ordering a vanity plate my mistake and need to get a refund and order your regular amateur call letter plates.
NOTE: the number on the bottom of the form is for the general Secretary of State's office in Lansing and not the direct line to the Distributed Services Unit as shown above.
Also, to clear up some more license plate confusion, as of January 1, 2007 the Secretary of State is issuing new plates. These new plates will replace your old blue background with white letter plates and also any plate issued before January 1, 2007 even if it has a white background. These new plates have a new special reflective paint applied to them that makes the license plates completely reflective and are supposed to be better for safety and that is why the state is offering them. When you apply for any new tabs, you will receive this new plate. It will say www.michigan.gov and only pay for a license Tabs at no extra charge.
If you are an amateur radio operator and want to be recognized by state officials in time of emergencies while driving your car, then you need an amateur call letter plate. That is what identifies you as an amateur radio operator. We lobbied hard to get these plates at a reduced cost from the vanity plates.
Vy 73,John Fleming K8UP