---
title: "What US State Has the Best Looking License Plate?"
description: "How about that old Texas license plate with a space shuttle on it?"
date: "2020-12-17"
modified: "2020-12-17"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/38246/what-us-state-has-the-best-looking-license-plate"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "News"
---

# What US State Has the Best Looking License Plate?

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/12/AR-311029876.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

In my relatively short life, I've managed to live in several countries and even more states. This, in return, has exposed me to many cool aspects of car culture, but one that's often overlooked is [the license plate scene](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/37845/californias-ban-on-offensive-vanity-plates-overruled-by-federal-judge>). No, I'm not talking about multi-million-dollar exclusive license plates like in Dubai; I'm talking cool and fun designs issued by actual U.S. state governments.

This got me thinking, what U.S. state has the best looking license plate?

![message-editor%2F1608226364358-license-plate-img.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1608226364358-license-plate-img.png>)
**Indy 500 Festival**

Growing up in San Antonio, I [got a big kick](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/27731/these-are-the-custom-license-plates-the-state-of-florida-rejected-in-2018>) out of the late '90s Texas standard license plate design, which featured an oil tower and space shuttle, paying homage to Big Oil and the Houston Space Center. This one was later replaced by one nowhere nearly as cool with some Bluebonnet flowers or something.

Nowadays, however, you can get all kinds of Texas license plates sponsored by just as many institutions. It's the same gig where I live nowadays, the state of Indiana, where we're lucky enough to have some cool Indy 500 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway-related license plates.

![message-editor%2F1608226596655-90.jpeg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1608226596655-90.jpeg>)
*The California black plate is a fan favorite—always., *Ebay**

Other states have some neat plates, such as the throwback California license plate that's completely black with yellow characters. I've always had a thing for New Mexico's too, which features some Native American-like designs that remind me of my visit to Alburquerque a few years back.

Show me some plates! But please [keep the emojis to a minimum](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31956/emojis-might-soon-be-allowed-on-state-issued-vermont-license-plates>).

*Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)