When you spot a vanity license plate, it’s often hard not to roll your eyes. Some people use these custom plates to make grand statements, unlike the rest of us who settle for ordinary combinations of letters and numbers. They’re essentially saying, ‘Look at me, everybody!’
However, not all vanity plates are about showing off wealth or a sense of superiority. Some folks use their small piece of automotive real estate to give us all a good laugh during long car trips.
Even the DMV’s attempts to keep it all proper haven’t stopped these creative individuals from sneaking in a bit of humor. These fun plates offer great roadside entertainment, especially on those tedious drives.
This collection highlights some of the funniest and most creative license plates out there, featuring dad jokes, Pokemon, and even a few riddles!
Read on to enjoy this amusing roundup, and share your thoughts with us later on!
#1
According to Chrysler Capital, iron plates covered with porcelain enamel were among the first issued by the state. These days, Delaware is the only state still offering porcelain plates, starting at $110.
They say, “Because the fragility of the porcelain plates made them impractical, manufacturers experimented with replacement materials such as cardboard, leather, and even pressed soybeans.”
#2
In 1928, Idaho introduced the first graphic license plates featuring—you guessed it—a potato!
Not long after, Pennsylvania created the first personalized license plate in 1931. As noted by licenseplates.tv, “As Americans became more prosperous, custom or official vanity license plates became very popular.”
The increased fees for these custom plates have earned states hundreds of millions of dollars, funding education, wildlife conservation, and other projects.
#3
#4
Today, license plates are mass-produced by governments using inmates as labor, except in Alaska, Hawaii, and Oregon. These states use privately held factories for production.
Interestingly, USPS vehicles do not display license plates.
Vanity plates are now legal in every state. Virginia leads with the highest percentage of custom plates, followed by New Hampshire and Illinois. Texas, on the other hand, has the lowest usage. This distribution surely gives some insight into the culture of these states!
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#7
What is the World’s Finest License Plate?
Your opinion on the best license plates might depend on your sense of humor! The internet, however, offers plenty of intriguing info, such as the most expensive and funniest designs.
Let’s cut to the chase. The consensus among netizens is that the number “P7” is the world’s coolest license plate.
What makes it so impressive? The owner spent a staggering fifteen million dollars on it! Auctioned in August 2023, the proceeds were donated to charity. The simple number plate’s high price alone earns it high marks in the coolness department!
And what does “P7” mean? Absolutely nothing! Despite its lack of hidden meaning, its uniqueness makes it far from cheap. Vanity plates often appeal because of their hidden meanings, but this one breaks the mold.
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#12
A license plate recently became a sensation on social media for its smart use of language. An amusingly concealed word on a Kia Sportage’s plate grabbed attention in a Perth shopping center parking lot.
What do you think of these 12 hilarious license plates? Which one made you laugh the most?
Please share this article with your family and friends, and tell us your thoughts in the comments!