The first license plates were issued in the German state of Baden in 1896. Massachusetts was the first state in the United States to manufacture license plates in 1903. The earliest license plates were made of leather, wood and porcelain. The state of Delaware still permits the use of porcelain license plates.

Mexico was the first country to issue reflective license plates in 1936. The embossed numbers were a coated with ink containing glass-like beads to achieve reflective properties. The state of Connecticut introduced the beads-on-paint reflective license plates in 1948. The invention of reflective sheeting by 3M replaced the beads-on-paint process in the 1960’s and adopted by most of the states for license plate manufacturing by 1970.

In 1924, New York and California had each manufactured and issued 1,000,000 license plates. In the United States, license plates are manufactured in correctional facilities which are state or quasi-state owned. Only Alaska, Hawaii and Oregon license plates are manufactured by a privately owned facility but the license plates are issued or distributed by the state government. In Europe and most countries around the world, license plates numbers are state issued, but privately manufactured (motorists take documents to a private manufacturing facility for license plates production).

Idaho was the first state to manufacture license plates with a graphic –a potato in 1928. Pennsylvania manufactured the first custom, vanity or personalized license plate in 1931. As Americans became more prosperous, custom or official vanity license plates became very popular. The increased fees for custom, personalized or vanity official license plates have earned the states hundreds of millions of dollars and a great source of tax revenue for education (colleges), wildlife conservation and other projects.

Over 30 states in the United States and some Provinces in Canada do not require front official license plates. Many auto and license plates enthusiasts install vanity, custom or personalized license plates on their vehicles to add a unique touch. License plates can be promotional –to promote a business or group, vehicle brand, hobby, antique or old USA State, European, sport team, Greek Fraternity or Sorority, International country of origin or custom creations. Other popular vanity license plates are: nautical license plates, religious license plates, military license plates, flag license plates, fun license plates and may more.

 

 

 


TestimonialsToggle

Charles S - Quebec, Canada

I got my plates!Wow!Great plates, quick shipment.Thank you so much

Steve Sierra

My order was on my desk when I arrived this morning. Thank you, great job the folks here in the corporate office were amazed at the quality. The embossed XLR8! wowed all, I've even had requests for plates of their own.I'll place an order for the new states that launch soon and may duplicate the order for our marketing department, these will be great on our conference room wall and our shuttles out in the markets.

Mark - Bensenville, Illinois

I am very happy with the way these plates look.Thanks,Mark.

James R - Canton, MI

received my plates today they look just the way I EXPECTED.,thanks for a fast job and perfect appearance.

Miguel Gonzalez Jr. - Dallas, TX

I had seen this website about 6 months ago prior to purchasing my 2009 VW Jetta. When I finally bought the car I slowly started modifying it: 15" Kicker sub in a ported box, HID lights, smoked taillights, clear sidemarkers, and even a 2" shorty antenna. After debating with myself whether to make the purchase or not I finally gave in and ordered my German license plate with the Universal Holder. About a business week later the plates arrived and I was nervous & anxious to see how they had turned out...the product AMAZING! I still can't believe I only paid $36 for these plates that could easily have been sold for $150. The quality is top-notch and installation took about 5 minutes total. THANK YOU FOR HAVING SUCH GREAT PRODUCTS. I will definitely be recommending you guys.

Matthew A - Knoxville, TN

Great plates, great selection, great price, quick delivery, free customization. What more could you ask for I could not find a Hungarian license plate anywhere else. I have a VW Jetta III, which has been converted to look like a Vento (the European name for the same car). The Hugarian plate is icing on the cake for the transformation. You guys have made my dream a reality.

Pat Lee - Nashville, Tennessee

Thanks!Our order of several hundred plates with multiple cities and various delivery dates was produced without a hitch! Each and every one packed and delivered on the targeted date. Thank you for your attention to detail.Pat LeeVP Production DirectorGS&F

Paul - Canterbury, New Zealand

Thanks for the plates, took 11 days to arrive (new record from USA to NZ, is usually a minimum of 21 days with other items), better plates than I expected, hope to do business again in the future. A+Paul D

Freddy Five Points Alabama

Received my tag today, Saturday, it is a beauty.Thanks for the customer service you gave.Freddy

Elaine - HOLLAND, Ohio

I LUV IT!!- Elaine N.

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