10 Best US State License Plate Designs of All Time
License plate design has interested me for a few years. It’s surprising how little thought seems to have gone into so many plate designs, considering their high visibility. My wife and I have spent hours debating the merits of the Texas plate, and our DC plates have gained national attention recently after President Obama agreed to use the District’s “Taxation Without Representation” plates on his presidential limousine.
This month, the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association announced their pick for Best Plate of 2012, the deeply mediocre effort from Nebraska that celebrates the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. Runners up included fairly rubbish plates from Nunavut, Oregon, and Arkansas. The criteria for the vote are supposedly “legibility and attractiveness.”
Using this same criteria, I’ve curated a collection of the ten best standard US license plates of all time. They are:
10. Nebraska – 1970
The shape of Nebraska invites its use as a frame for the plate content, and this design duly obliges with a restrained and easy-to-read rendering.
9. Colorado – 1983
Simplicity is the byword for Colorado’s 1983 plate, which cleverly uses the embossed edges to give both the thoughtful typography and the mountains a pleasing sense of depth.
8. Ohio – 1915
In 1915, motorists and pedestrians alike had time to appreciate this lovely monogram as it rolled past at the 8 mph speed limit within municipalities.
7. Washington – 1991
Pleasing colors, a subtle background and a jaunty swash on the “n” make this Washington plate from 1991 one of the best.
6. New York – 1986
Though the same can’t be said for New York drivers, the 1986 plate design is harmonious and elegant, with the Statue of Liberty sitting comfortably amid the surrounding elements.
5. Wyoming – 1969
The oversized and unapologetic bucking bronco makes this 1969 plate from Wyoming a symbol of the West.
4. North Carolina – 1941
The fabulous ornate script on North Carolina’s 1941 plate is a real treasure, and remains a perfect demonstration of how legibility doesn’t necessitate blocky, sans-serif type.
3. New Mexico – 1969
Strong symbols and an appropriate color palette benefit this New Mexico plate, which just edged out the 2011 version.
2. Alaska – 1965
Featuring unique typography and a vibrant color palette, the Alaska plate has a tremendous amount of character while still largely adhering to the standard layout of elements.
1. Illinois – 1927
Who can argue with slanted type that fits so snugly into the state’s silhouette? Though the task was made easier by having fewer characters to accommodate, the Illinois plate from 1927 is simply fantastic.
And, as an added bonus, here are the best plate designs for each state:
Alabama – 1967
Alaska – 1965
Arizona – 1980
Arkansas – 1997
California – 1982
Colorado – 1983
Connecticut – 1989
Delaware – 2010
District of Columbia – 1985
Florida – 1983
Georgia – 1992
Hawaii – 1981
Idaho – 1970
Illinois – 1927
Indiana – 1985
Iowa – 1953
Kansas – 1965
Kentucky – 1937
Louisiana – 1989
Maine – 1987
Maryland – 2005
Massachusetts – 1968
Michigan – 1968
Minnesota – 1962
Mississippi – 1981
Missouri – 1977
Montana – 1975
Nebraska – 1970
Nevada – 1985
New Hampshire – 1972
New Jersey – 1979
New Mexico – 1969
New York – 1986
North Carolina – 1941
North Dakota – 1985
Ohio – 1915
Oklahoma – 1983
Oregon – 2003
Pennsylvania – 1977
Rhode Island – 1994
South Carolina – 1985
South Dakota – 1960
Tennessee – 1960
Texas – 1975
Utah – 1979
Vermont – 1975
Virginia – 1975
Washington – 1991
West Virginia – 1996
Wisconsin – 1987
Wyoming – 1969
