The director may design and issue plates of distinctly different color for each classification of motor vehicle, and there must at all times be a marked contrast between the background color of the plates and that of the numerals and letters on the plates. License plates must be acquired from the North Dakota state penitentiary if the penitentiary has the facilities to manufacture license plates. The director shall make a general issue during the biennium beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2015, and continuing into the biennium beginning July 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2017.