Long drives and cross-country road trips aren’t just for the scenery. On long drives, I love pointing out license plates from states or countries I’ve never seen before. Spotting the beautiful peach on Georgia’s plates or the old New York plates with the Statue of Liberty quickly turns a boring drive into a game.
License plates are a legal necessity, but they also represent regional identity. They’re indicators of when you’re not in Kansas anymore. All around the world, license plates tell a story through beautiful designs and smart slogans.
Remitly loves finding the beauty in all things, even those that appear the most mundane. Our guide breaks down the process of how license plates get made and looks at some of the most beautiful license plates around the world.
How are license plates designed?
Did you know that 1901 was the year New York began requiring all motor vehicle owners to register with the state? Once registered, owners would need to place their initials on the back of the vehicle—and so the beginning of license plates came to be. Eventually, numbers would be assigned and placed on simple embossed plates, and the evolution would continue until today.
License plates are constantly changing to meet new state requirements and legislation, and to keep things exciting. Because what’s life without a bit of fun and color?
Many US states and countries across the globe hold contests for new license plate designs, giving everyone the chance to try and create a plate that represents their state, country, and community.
The design and approval process in four steps:
- Concept and competition: Many regions hold design contests or calls for submissions when they’re updating their standard plate.
- Government regulations: Plates must serve official functions regardless of the design. Requirements such as unique numbering, readability, reflectivity, and barcodes are necessary in the US and other countries. Each country and state will have more specific plate rules, including where they must be placed on the car.
- Legislation and budget: New designs often require legislative approval, especially when new materials, slogans, or special editions are tied to specific causes.
- Manufacturing and security features: Plates need to be durable; they have to withstand weather, fading, and corrosion. They must also include anti-fraud features. For example, Queensland, Australia has directional security marks that can only be seen from certain angles.
Key design features that create standout license plates
While many license plates around the world may be very simple, others are meaningful canvases that tell a story. Design features found on license plates aren’t there by accident; they are carefully thought out and intentionally placed to create an eye-catching effect.
Design features found on license plates:
- Iconography: From hand-painted initials to state emblems, symbols have consistently played a part in license plate design since the beginning. These plates represent the state or country and use animals, landmarks, and other symbols to tell a story. For example, a polar bear wouldn’t be found on a Florida license plate, but an orange or a fish might be.
- Color palette: Color plays a strong role in many plate designs. Turquoise, yellow, and even brown all help evoke the land and the people the license plate represents. Pride comes in many different forms. People love their homes and want to show off where they come from—even through their license plate. Color is a great way to show representation, just like team colors, colors on license plates represent the spirit of a region.
- Typography: License plates must have clear, readable letters and numbers to meet regulations. The days when letters or numbers could fade with weather and time are long gone. Font and placement also contribute to the overall look. Hawaiian license plates used to have a slightly different font, and older plates have now become collector’s items.
- The overall design of a license plate will incorporate all three features above to make a seamless and beautiful design. The image should be clear and show unity not only in the design and colors chosen, but in the state or country it represents.
A tour of the most beautiful license plates around the world
Now that we’ve explored how license plates are designed and what makes them stand out, let’s hit the road! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best license plates out there today—so the next time you’re heading out, you can keep a lookout for these little works of art.
The Northwest Territories, Canada
A polar bear on the road while driving through Canada’s Northwest Territories is probably not what you’re expecting—but license plates are actually in the shape of polar bears and attached to almost every car. The first version of this iconic and original license plate was created in 1970 and has remained the Northwest Territories license plate ever since.
You might wonder how a polar bear license plate works with so many regulations, but you’ll be surprised to find a license plate doesn’t need to be a rectangle. Despite its shape, it meets all of Canada’s specifications for height, size, and pre-determined bolt holes.
This plate is more than just a fun shape of a polar bear; it’s a symbol of the Northwest Territories, its local identity, its climate, and its character. Today, you can find polar bear plates on cars, on the walls of cafes, and in homes—a beloved piece of history.
New Mexico, US
The bright turquoise of the New Mexico license plate is so striking, it’s mesmerizing. The license plate carries a great deal of meaning and is rooted in Native American history. The turquoise background and bright lettering evoke the desert skies, landscapes, and Native American heritage.
On the plates, you’ll also find the Zia symbol. Sometimes in yellow, sometimes in red, the symbol represents the sun and is also part of the state flag. For the Indigenous people of the Zia Pueblo, the four-pronged lines represent the four directions, the four seasons, the four stages of life, and the four life obligations one must develop.
Another version of New Mexico’s license plate is a vibrant yellow—just as striking and beautiful as its turquoise sister.
The slogan, “The Land of Enchantment,” written across all license plates encourages tourism to the beautiful state of New Mexico, is also seen on license plates—enticing people to visit wherever the driver goes.
Hawaii, US
“Aloha” isn’t a mere greeting or slogan on Hawaii’s license plate. It’s a representation of the people and heritage of the islands of Hawaii. Hawaii’s rainbow plate was introduced in 1991, using a colorful rainbow arc that spans the entirety of the plate.
While the Hawaiian license plate has evolved over the decades, the rainbow state’s rainbow plate encapsulates Hawaii’s beauty and wonder. Fonts and technology may have changed, but the rainbow remains a lasting design that no longer fades with time.
Colorado, US
With a backdrop of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, Colorado’s license plate tells a story of the land. The mountains have been a consistent visual on Colorado license plates as they’ve evolved over the years. The plates may change, but the mountains stand strong.
For the state’s 150th birthday, a contest was held for a special license plate design. Over 34,000 people voted, proving the importance of license plate design and its representation of the state and its people.
Queensland, Australia
While many license plates in Queensland fall on the simpler side, special plates have been created over the decades. These plates used vibrant colors and symbols to show off the
“Sunshine State” of the Outback.
In the 1980s, custom plates became all the rage. Queensland continues to offer a variety of designs and color palettes for people to create a personal plate. Today, more than 250 designs are on offer through Personalized Plates of Queensland. Creative plates set Queensland apart allowing personality to shine through on simple metal license plates.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Last but certainly not least is Chiang Mai’s panda plate. Thailand’s provincial series allows custom license plates to be designed and auctioned for charity. The winners get to display the beautiful designs on their cars, making them stand out against the standard plates.
The panda license plate features vibrant pinks and yellows with pandas in the corner. It symbolizes the beautiful Thai skies and landscapes. The license plate is so striking that it could be considered a piece of art or even a postcard.
The famous panda cub born at the Chiang Mai Zoo was a significant event in the region and inspired the license plate design that also includes Thai letters and numerals to identify the vehicle.
The art of specialty & custom plates
One reason the panda license plate was so popular and exciting was that it deviated from the usual, simpler license plates issued. Everyone loves a good vanity plate. Creative license plates not only represent the state or country you’re from, but also who you are personally. It’s now quite common to apply for specialty or custom plates, and they add extra fun when spotting them on the road.
To create your custom license plates, you can choose different colors and styles in Queensland, Australia. You can even have your logo on your specialty plate if you have a business.
In states like Colorado, you can purchase a Wildlife Sporting Plate if you’re passionate about wildlife and conservation. Although not fully customizable, it still represents many on a personal level and tells a story of Colorado’s rich and diverse landscapes.
Specialty plates allow drivers to be even more creative while also meeting standard requirements. Brightly colored plates, fun letter combinations, and logos all help bring a uniqueness to the everyday license plate.
More than a number
License plates might seem like just a bunch of numbers and letters on metal—easy ways to identify your car—but they’re so much more. When done well, they become moving works of art. Pieces of art that show the world where you come from.
There’s magic and history everywhere, even on our license plates. While many plates worldwide keep the design simple, those that stand out invite you into the world they represent and tell a story.
So the next time you’re on the road, how many cool license plate designs can you point out?
FAQs
What makes a license plate stand out?
Key features that make a license plate stand out are the colors, fonts, and symbols used to create a cohesive and beautifully eye-catching design.
Why do license plates change over time?
New regulations, fresh looks, or better technology are just some of the reasons license plates might change over time.
Can I design my own license plate?
Yes, custom plates are quite common nowadays. Many countries and US states offer a variety of colors and designs to make your license plate a bit more personal.
Which license plate has a polar bear on it?
You’ll find the iconic polar bear license plate in Canada’s Northwest Territories.