As if Howie Carr, the local radio host and Boston Herald columnist, needs to stand out any more than he already does. The Wellesley resident is now proud winner of a new low number license plate: 63M.
Carr is one of 2 Wellesley residents to win a coveted (for whatever reason) random low number license plate in the state’s annual lottery. Some 13,652 applications were submitted for what turned out to be 231 eligible plates.
It’s free to apply, though you must pay a $40 special reserve plate fee on top of the usual $60 registration fee. You must renew it every 2 years if you want to keep it, and you can do so for as long as you’re a driver in good standing.
Wellesley’s other low plate winner is Geoffrey Burns. Leo Li is #25 on the alternate list in case enough people can’t figure out why they applied in the first place.
Carr has poked fun at low number plates in the past as being for “insider hacks.”
And this isn’t the first time Carr has won the lottery. He got one back in 2008, when the lottery was aired live on his radio show.
More: Why you might see a license plate with 3Y on it in Wellesley
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I think the “big deal” for many of us that have low # plates is where and who they came from, for example I have my fathers plate that has been registered to the same “name” since 1956. It has an X designation which back in the day meant that the registered vehicle was for a Non-Resident vehicle owner ie; snow bird or a party that didn’t necessarily live in MA but had property and a vehicle in state.
For me it’s something that has been passed down for generations and is really the ONLY physical thing that I can say was my fathers that I have. I have continued this with my family. I have been fortunate ( as well as patient) where I have been able to get 3 registration in succession. My 4th vehicle (wife’s) has the same letter prefix but the numbers although very close to my plate are not in succession with the others. I got that plate for her some 30 + years ago and even if I were able to get another number plate in succession I don’t think she would give it up.
Side not I have applied to the RMV lottery every year since they started it and have always struck out…haven’t even made it as an alternate, who knows maybe I will be one of the ones that gets selected next year!!!
Thanks for sharing your story and informing us about this. That makes a lot of sense.
Regards,
BobB
I’m with Mr. Swellesley, scratching my head about paying $40 for low-number license plates. Maybe it helps them find their car in the supermarket parking lot?
I get plates with a sense of humor like PB4UGO, but low numbers do not make you smart or good looking. What’s the point?
We love Howie…however after entering this annual plate give away for years and and years and not even close….I guess it is time to see if the RMV might have a five (5) digit plate for me! Congrats Howie! Thanks for all you do to address community issues.
The Big Dig Life Vest man
Christopher Tingus
Sharon
chris.tingus@gmail.com