How Many Different Types of State License Plates Are There?

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.

What Does License Plate Type Mean?

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.

What is The Standard License Plate Type?

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 Plate Searches

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.

How Many Different Types of License Plates Are There?

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
Handicap Plates	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.
Diplomatic Plates	Issued to vehicles owned by foreign diplomats, featuring special codes and often offering certain legal immunities.
Antique Plates	For classic or vintage cars, usually with restrictions on the vehicle’s use to preserve its condition.
Truck/RV Plates	Specific plates for trucks and recreational vehicles, often indicating the vehicle's purpose or weight class.
Hearse Plates	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:

• Breast Cancer Awareness Plates: Plates that promote awareness and funding for breast cancer research and support.
• Environmental Concerns or Endangered Species Plates: Plates that highlight environmental causes or feature endangered species to raise awareness and funds for conservation efforts.
• Historic Preservation Plates: Plates that support the preservation of historic sites and landmarks.
• Specific Sites or Images Identified with the State: Plates that feature images or landmarks unique to the state, promoting state pride and tourism.
• College/University Logos: Plates that display logos or mascots of colleges and universities, supporting educational institutions.

Professional Sports Teams Logos: Plates that feature logos of professional sports teams, allowing fans to show support for their favorite teams.

Custom & Personalized License Plates

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:

• “VLAD” on an Impala
• “EEW A BUG” on a VW Beetle
• “NOT POOR” on a Mercedes
• “TIMELESS” on a DeLorean (a nod to the vehicle’s role as a time machine in the movie "Back to the Future")
• “4EVAL8” a reference to punctuality
• “WHASAAB” on a Saab vehicle
• “N BYOND” on an Infiniti (a reference to Buzz Lightyear in Disney’s "Toy Story movies")
• “MOMTAXI” on a minivan
• “OIL LOL” on an electric Tesla
• “RUBIX” on a Nissan Cube

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.

Temporary Registration Plates

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 Plate Regulations by States

License plates are regulated by individual states that determine:

• the use of special characters
• any code embedded in the plate number to signify the plate’s expiration
• letters on the plate that identify the county of registration
• how handicapped plates are awarded
• whether new designs are approved to support special interest groups
• how plates must be displayed
• the use of digital plates
• how long a registration lasts
• if plates may be transferred
• whether special categories of vehicles need specific plates

License Plate Designs in Different States

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
Alabama	Simple blue and white	University of Alabama, Breast Cancer Awareness	Clean, simple design
Alaska	Gold on blue background	Denali National Park, Iditarod	Reflects natural beauty of Alaska
Arizona	Grand Canyon	Desert Cactus, Route 66	Iconic Grand Canyon imagery
Arkansas	Red, white, and blue	Razorbacks, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state flag colors
California	White with blue lettering	Black plates (retro design), Yosemite National Park	Black retro plates from the 1960s
Colorado	Mountain range	Wildlife conservation, Professional Sports Teams	Plates often feature the Rocky Mountains
Connecticut	Blue and white	Long Island Sound, United We Stand	Coastal and patriotic themes
Delaware	Black and gold	Historical plates, Wildlife Conservation	Classic black and gold design
Florida	Oranges	Save the Manatee, University of Florida	Bright orange background
Georgia	Peach state plate	University of Georgia, Wildlife	Peach state symbol
Hawaii	Rainbow	Haleakalā National Park, Polynesian Voyaging Society	Vibrant rainbow design
Idaho	Scenic landscape	Famous Potatoes, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects diverse landscapes of Idaho
Illinois	Red, white, and blue	Route 66, Abraham Lincoln	Reflects state flag colors
Indiana	Simple white and blue	Colts, Breast Cancer Awareness	Clean, simple design
Iowa	White with blue lettering	University of Iowa, Wildlife	Clean, simple design
Kansas	State seal	University of Kansas, Breast Cancer Awareness	Reflects state history
Kentucky	Bluegrass theme	University of Kentucky, Horse Country	Reflects Bluegrass State
Louisiana	Pelican	LSU, Wildlife Conservation	Pelican imagery
Maine	Pine tree	University of Maine, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects natural beauty of Maine
Maryland	Black and yellow design	Chesapeake Bay, Agricultural Heritage	Most specialty plate options
Massachusetts	Cape Cod and Islands	Low-number plates, Boston Red Sox	Highly sought-after low-number plates
Michigan	Blue with white lettering	Mackinac Bridge, Wildlife Conservation	Iconic bridge imagery
Minnesota	Lakes and pines	Land of 10,000 Lakes, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state's natural beauty
Mississippi	Biloxi Lighthouse	University of Mississippi, Wildlife Conservation	Coastal and natural themes
Missouri	Bluebird	University of Missouri, Breast Cancer Awareness	State bird imagery
Montana	Mountain and plains	University of Montana, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects diverse landscapes of Montana
Nebraska	Pioneer theme	University of Nebraska, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state's pioneer history
Nevada	Desert scenery	Lake Tahoe, Breast Cancer Awareness	Limited to 30 specialty plates in circulation
New Hampshire	Old Man of the Mountain	University of New Hampshire, Wildlife Conservation	Iconic rock formation imagery
New Jersey	Yellow and black	Rutgers University, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state flag colors
New Mexico	Zia symbol	University of New Mexico, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects Native American heritage
New York	White with blue lettering	Empire State Building, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state flag colors
North Carolina	Wright Brothers	University of North Carolina, Wildlife Conservation	Aviation heritage imagery
North Dakota	Bison	University of North Dakota, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state's natural beauty
Ohio	State outline	Ohio State University, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state pride
Oklahoma	Native American shield	University of Oklahoma, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects Native American heritage
Oregon	Trees and mountains	University of Oregon, Crater Lake	Reflects state's natural beauty
Pennsylvania	Liberty Bell	University of Pennsylvania, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state's history
Rhode Island	Anchor	University of Rhode Island, Coastal Conservation	Reflects maritime heritage
South Carolina	Palm tree	College Plates, Coastal Conservation	Palmetto tree symbol
South Dakota	Mount Rushmore	University of South Dakota, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects iconic monument
Tennessee	State outline	University of Tennessee, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state pride
Texas	Lone Star	Mighty Fine Burgers, Houston Texans	Over 400 different options, including local brands
Utah	Arch and mountains	University of Utah, Ski Utah	Reflects state's natural beauty
Vermont	Green mountains	University of Vermont, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state's natural beauty
Virginia	Standard plate with state seal	Over 1 million vanity plates, historical sites	Most vanity plates issued in the US
Washington	Mount Rainier	University of Washington, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state's natural beauty
West Virginia	Blue and gold	University of West Virginia, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state flag colors
Wisconsin	Farm and factory	University of Wisconsin, Wildlife Conservation	Reflects state's agricultural and industrial heritage
Wyoming	Cowboy on a bucking horse	University of Wyoming, Wildlife Conservation	Iconic cowboy imagery

Which State Has The Most License Plate Options?

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:

• Virginia is the state with the most – over 1 million – vanity plates
• Maryland offers the most license plate options with 700 possibilities
• Nevada capped the number of specialty license plates in circulation at 30
• Most states require new plates when ownership is transferred except for Minnesota where the plate stays with the vehicle.

FAQ

What Type of License Plate Do I Have?

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.

What State Has Yellow License Plates?

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.

Why Should Vehicles With Out-of-State License Plates Be Given Extra Room on the Road?

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.

What State Has Black License Plates?

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.

What Are the Different Types of Colorado License Plates?

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.

What License Plates Are Required in Washington State?

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.