RICHMOND — Virginians like to express themselves through their cars: the style, the color and especially the license plate. The state offers about 180 specialized plates promoting colleges, military units, service organizations, hobbies and other causes.

Thanks to the 2003 General Assembly, Virginians soon will have a dozen more special auto tags to choose from. They include plates honoring teachers, Virginia's coal mining heritage, the Washington Capitals hockey team and the Izaak Walton League, an environmental and conservation group.

During the legislative session, the proposed license plate that got the most attention was one that said "Choose Life" — a pro-life statement sponsored by Delegate Richard H. Black, R-Sterling.

His bill passed both chambers of the General Assembly but was vetoed by Gov. Mark R. Warner. "I do not support political or ideological slogans on license plates, regardless of their expressed viewpoint," Warner said. "I would also veto a bill authorizing a 'pro-choice' plate, even though I support a woman's right to choose."

Black's bill was among 43 proposed license plates considered by the General Assembly during its session in January and February.

For example, Delegate Ryan T. McDougle, R-Mechanicsville, wanted a plate commemorating the 30th anniversary of the racehorse Secretariat's winning of the Triple Crown. Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Woodbridge, proposed a plate for supporters of scholastic rowing. And Sen. Patricia S. Ticer, D-Alexandria, suggested a plate that would have said "Free Tibet."

Most of the bills died quietly in committee. But 12 of the proposed plates were rolled into a single bill. The Senate approved the omnibus legislation, 34-6, on Feb. 18; two days later, the House passed it, 92-7.

The combined bill was a group effort: It was Black's idea to promote the Izaak Walton League; Sen. Phillip P. Puckett, D-Tazewell, pushed for recognizing coal mining; and Delegate James F. Almand, D-Arlington, wanted the license plate featuring the Washington Capitals.

The approved legislation takes effect July 1.

Specialized license plates may seem harmless, but some feel they monopolize a disproportionate amount of the General Assembly's valuable time. In recent years, the legislature has approved auto tags commemorating beekeepers, the Class J No. 611 steam locomotive and "Parrotheads," also known as Jimmy Buffet fans.

"When I first came to the General Assembly, it amazed me that we wasted our time dealing with these license plate bills," said Delegate Robert Hurt, R-Chatham.

Hurt has come to realize that specialized license plates hold significant meaning to certain citizens, such as the plate commemorating the USS Cole. Seventeen sailors on the ship were killed in a terrorist attack in October 2000.

Other Virginia lawmakers feel that proposing specialized license plates helps them stay in touch with voters.

"Licenses plates are a good way to get constituents' support that you may not otherwise receive," said Chris Winslow, legislative aide to Delegate Robert B. Bell, R-Charlottesville.

During this year's legislative session, Bell proposed a license plate for Virginia scuba divers. His bill failed.

"It's a fairly cheap and easy thing for the state to do," Winslow said. He believes lawmakers propose specialized license plate bills to appeal to people across the political spectrum.

Specialized licenses plates are hugely popular among drivers in Virginia. Of the state's 6.7 million registered vehicles, one in five exhibits a specialized plate.

After the General Assembly authorizes a specialized license plate, the Department of Motor Vehicles doesn't start printing it right away. The DMV waits until at least 350 people have completed prepaid applications for the plate.

The department gives the group that wanted the specialized plate three years from the time the legislation is approved to get the 350 prepaid applications. If the group fails, the plate is not issued.

For instance, the Family Policy Network, a Christian conservative group based in Northern Virginia, is collecting prepaid applications for the plate stating, "In God We Trust." The organization, which helped get the national motto posted in all public schools in Virginia, has started a campaign to publicize the new auto tag.

Only 15 percent of the specialized plates approved by the General Assembly have met the 350 prepaid application requirement, according to the DMV.

Why 350 prepaid applications? Because that's how many the DMV needs to offset the costs associated with the new plate.

Revenues from the first year of issuance generally cover the costs of designing and developing the license plate. Usually, a profit is generated during the second year after issuance of the plate.

In many cases, the college or group that sponsors a specialized license plate gets part of the proceeds. In such instances, the specialty plate costs $25 annually; after 1,000 plates have been sold, the sponsoring institution gets $15 per plate.

If a group is not receiving revenue from a specialized license plate, the plate usually costs $10 a year.

Though Hurt now sees the significance of specialized license plates, he doesn't think it's a good use of tax dollars for the General Assembly to handle the proposals for new auto tags.