100+ Vanity License Plate Ideas + Tips to Pick One!

Deciding on your vanity plate is a big decision, so if none of the above ideas are quite what you’re looking for, don’t worry! Here are some tips to consider when crafting your perfect vanity plate.

Check your state laws

Depending on the state you live in, your vanity plate could cost you a fair few bucks. In some states like California, for example, the registration fee for a vanity plate is $103, and the renewal is $83! 

With price in mind, you want to make sure your plate won’t be rejected and to do that, you need to know the rules when applying for a vanity plate. While these rules don’t apply in every state across the US, it pays to be safe and do some extra research beforehand.

Here are some vanity plate rules that apply to most states:

• Periods, spaces, or punctuation marks are not permitted.
• Most states allow the letters “I,” “O,” “Q,” and “U” to only be used as part of a word that is clearly defined and correctly spelled.
• Letter and/or number combinations that convey an offensive message or appear to duplicate an existing license plate are not permitted.

Use a generator

Don’t give up hope if the plate you want isn’t available! Use a generator like leetspeak to find an alternative to the word or phrase you originally wanted. These types of generators will take the word or phrase you’re after and change up the spelling by omitting unnecessary letters or swapping letters out for numbers that are visually similar to the removed letter.

Certain letters cannot be omitted for numbers in some states, so if you use a generator to create your vanity plate, it may be worth double-checking your state laws to ensure it’s acceptable.

Keep it simple

While it might be tempting to go all-out and create a vanity plate that’s super edgy and unique, it still needs to be legible to the average person’s eye. If your plate is too complex, most people will likely find it difficult to understand. Avoid the temptation to be too clever with your vanity plate and ensure it’s readable. 

If your vanity plate is purely for yourself and you don’t care or want people to understand your plate, then you can make it as wild as you want!

Consider using a mixture of letters and numbers

Before deciding on your new vanity plate, you’ll need to master the art of autonumerology, where numbers are used in place of letters on plates to create unusual and unique plate numbers. For example, you could switch out the letter E for a 3, giving your plate a fresh look without obscuring what you want your plate to say.

Here are some examples of numbers that can be used as letters (check your state rules, as some don’t allow certain letter-to-number changes):

• 0 can represent the letter O
• 1 can represent the letter I
• 2 can represent the letter Z
• 3 can represent the letter E
• 4 can represent the letter A
• 5 can represent the letter S
• 6 can represent the letter G
• 7 can represent the letters T/Y
• 8 can represent the letter B
• 9 can represent the letter G

Pick something with meaning

Whatever you choose, make sure it isn’t tacky. There’s nothing worse than a cringeworthy vanity plate! Choosing something significant to you is the best way to avoid a poorly thought-out vanity plate. Whether it’s your favorite hobby or a nickname that’s near and dear to you, you can’t go wrong with a meaningful vanity plate. 

Conclusion

You now have all the tools you need to pick your vanity plate. So sit down, get your thinking cap on, and find the perfect personalized vanity plate for you and your ride!