License plates are required on all vehicles using public roads. Each is inscribed with a unique series of numbers or letters and numbers as well as a symbol or motto that reflects the state’s history. This is the standard license plate but there are many other options available to most residents.
A license plate type refers to the specific category or classification assigned to a vehicle's registration plate. Different types of license plates serve various purposes and are distinguished by their unique designs, regulations, and uses. Each state license plate is tailored to meet the needs and legal requirements of its respective state, providing a means of vehicle identification, regulation, and personalization. The license plate type meaning encompasses a range of factors including the vehicle's use, the owner's preferences, and state-specific regulations.
A standard license plate type is the state or territory’s basic design. These are the least expensive plates a vehicle owner can get, the ones that come. The state’s logo/image, name of the state, and a sequential identification number are all part of the standard plate.
License plates may be used to trace an individual back to their home through a car plate search. These run the license plate through the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles database. Fortunately, the ability to search for a vehicle’s owner by license plate is limited to law enforcement, private detectives, and a small number of others authorized by state law.
While a car plate search may provide information about the owner, the plate may too, as many states are allowing people to choose among many designs that put the owner’s interests on display by including a college or university logo design, a special interest group, or optional state design that echoes the individual’s personal philosophy.
All state license plates are different for each territory (the latter being Guam, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia). Each of these locations issues a standard plate and, generally:
Type of License Plate
Description
Issued to individuals with disabilities, often granting special parking privileges.
Vanity (Personalized) Plates
Customizable plates where the vehicle owner can choose a specific combination of letters and numbers.
Issued to vehicles owned by foreign diplomats, featuring special codes and often offering certain legal immunities.
For classic or vintage cars, usually with restrictions on the vehicle’s use to preserve its condition.
Specific plates for trucks and recreational vehicles, often indicating the vehicle's purpose or weight class.
Issued to funeral hearses, typically distinguishing them from other commercial vehicles.
Municipal Vehicle Plates
Used by official government vehicles for municipal purposes, often with distinctive markings to identify their official use.
Fleet Vehicle Plates
Used for a group of vehicles owned by the same organization, simplifying the registration process.
Commuter Bus/Van Plates
Issued to vehicles used for public transportation, such as buses and commuter vans.
Others may be issued according to a petition process established by the state. In recent decades states have realized the opportunity to make money by charging a premium for specialty plates such as:
Professional Sports Teams Logos: Plates that feature logos of professional sports teams, allowing fans to show support for their favorite teams.
Are available on a limited basis at the discretion of state DMV authorities. In general, custom plates, also known as vanity plates, must follow certain rules of acceptability, including no profanity or explicit language, and no racist or violent references. Despite the limitations, many people have fun with vanity plates, going beyond displaying their initials to show other drivers their occupations, their flair for initialisms (such as LOL, ROFL, LMAO), and other plate phrases such as:
Note that vanity plates may be revoked after they are issued if DMV authorities believe the message violates its standards, such as codes that message racial hate or supremacy, even if they are not clear to the agency at the time of issuance.
Dealerships and the DMV may provide temporary (usually paper) plates during a period of transition, such as when a new owner is waiting for aluminum plates to be mailed. These are usually good for 60 days, allowing the owner to acquire the proper registration and permanent plates.
The availability of temporary plates varies by state. Massachusetts, for instance, does not issue temporary license plates under any circumstances, but allows a few challenging routes to attaching plates from a formerly owned vehicle as long as the registration is updated. California, the state with the most registered vehicles, used to have a similar law but in 2019 began allowing temporary plates issued by dealerships that are good for 90 days.
License plates are regulated by individual states that determine:
Some states have distinctive designs such as Wyoming’s cowboy on a bucking horse, Florida’s oranges, and South Carolina’s palm tree. In other states there are pitched battles to own a distinctive plate, such as a low-number, single-digit plate (when Massachusetts unveiled a new plate design celebrating Cape Cod and the islands, someone paid almost $150,000 to have the first plate issued, with “1” on it).
Here are some of the unique license plate designs and types by state:
State
Standard Plate Design
Notable Specialty Plates
Unique Features
Simple blue and white
University of Alabama, Breast Cancer Awareness
Clean, simple design
Gold on blue background
Denali National Park, Iditarod
Reflects natural beauty of Alaska
Desert Cactus, Route 66
Iconic Grand Canyon imagery
Red, white, and blue
Razorbacks, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state flag colors
White with blue lettering
Black plates (retro design), Yosemite National Park
Black retro plates from the 1960s
Wildlife conservation, Professional Sports Teams
Plates often feature the Rocky Mountains
Long Island Sound, United We Stand
Coastal and patriotic themes
Historical plates, Wildlife Conservation
Classic black and gold design
Save the Manatee, University of Florida
Bright orange background
Peach state plate
University of Georgia, Wildlife
Peach state symbol
HaleakalÄÂ National Park, Polynesian Voyaging Society
Vibrant rainbow design
Famous Potatoes, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects diverse landscapes of Idaho
Red, white, and blue
Route 66, Abraham Lincoln
Reflects state flag colors
Simple white and blue
Colts, Breast Cancer Awareness
Clean, simple design
White with blue lettering
University of Iowa, Wildlife
Clean, simple design
University of Kansas, Breast Cancer Awareness
Reflects state history
University of Kentucky, Horse Country
Reflects Bluegrass State
LSU, Wildlife Conservation
University of Maine, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects natural beauty of Maine
Black and yellow design
Chesapeake Bay, Agricultural Heritage
Most specialty plate options
Cape Cod and Islands
Low-number plates, Boston Red Sox
Highly sought-after low-number plates
Blue with white lettering
Mackinac Bridge, Wildlife Conservation
Iconic bridge imagery
Lakes and pines
Land of 10,000 Lakes, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state's natural beauty
University of Mississippi, Wildlife Conservation
Coastal and natural themes
University of Missouri, Breast Cancer Awareness
State bird imagery
Mountain and plains
University of Montana, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects diverse landscapes of Montana
University of Nebraska, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state's pioneer history
Lake Tahoe, Breast Cancer Awareness
Limited to 30 specialty plates in circulation
Old Man of the Mountain
University of New Hampshire, Wildlife Conservation
Iconic rock formation imagery
Yellow and black
Rutgers University, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state flag colors
University of New Mexico, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects Native American heritage
White with blue lettering
Empire State Building, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state flag colors
University of North Carolina, Wildlife Conservation
Aviation heritage imagery
University of North Dakota, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state's natural beauty
Ohio State University, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state pride
Native American shield
University of Oklahoma, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects Native American heritage
Trees and mountains
University of Oregon, Crater Lake
Reflects state's natural beauty
University of Pennsylvania, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state's history
University of Rhode Island, Coastal Conservation
Reflects maritime heritage
College Plates, Coastal Conservation
Palmetto tree symbol
University of South Dakota, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects iconic monument
University of Tennessee, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state pride
Mighty Fine Burgers, Houston Texans
Over 400 different options, including local brands
Arch and mountains
University of Utah, Ski Utah
Reflects state's natural beauty
University of Vermont, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state's natural beauty
Standard plate with state seal
Over 1 million vanity plates, historical sites
Most vanity plates issued in the US
University of Washington, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state's natural beauty
University of West Virginia, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state flag colors
Farm and factory
University of Wisconsin, Wildlife Conservation
Reflects state's agricultural and industrial heritage
Cowboy on a bucking horse
University of Wyoming, Wildlife Conservation
Iconic cowboy imagery
In Texas, residents may choose from 400 different options when deciding upon a license plate – and the list includes Mighty Fine Burgers with a picture of a giant hamburger on the plate. But Texas is not the state with the most license plate options.
The National Conference of State Legislatures compiled statistics about state license plates that includes:
The type of license plate you have depends on several factors, including the state where your vehicle is registered and the specific type of plate you chose. To determine what type of license plate you have, look at the design and any special features or symbols on the plate. You can also check your vehicle registration documents or contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles for more information on your license plate type.
Yellow license plates are commonly associated with New York. The state has used a distinctive yellow design since 2010. The yellow background with blue lettering makes these plates highly recognizable.
Vehicles with out-of-state license plates, including those from Washington state, may be driven by drivers unfamiliar with local roads and traffic patterns. Giving them extra room can help prevent accidents and ensure a safer driving environment for everyone.
California is known for its black license plates, which were originally issued in the 1960s and have since been reintroduced as a popular choice among residents. These plates feature black backgrounds with yellow lettering.
Colorado offers a variety of license plates, including standard plates, personalized plates, specialty plates supporting various causes, and plates for specific vehicle types such as motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Each plate type has its own design and fee structure.
In Washington state, there are several types of license plates required depending on the vehicle type. Standard passenger vehicles typically need front and rear license plates, while motorcycles and trailers may only require a rear plate. Additionally, Washington offers specialty license plates for various causes, organizations, and interests. For more specific information on obtaining new Washington state license plates, you can visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website.
