Hilarious License Plates That Will Brighten Up Your Commute
Commuting stinks. Especially if you have to sit in your car for what feels like forever. Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic is no one's idea of fun. Luckily, these creative and hilarious vanity plates are here to brighten up your commute!
Many people shell out extra money for the privilege of choosing their own license plates. Some make us groan, some are confusing to figure out, and some are darn-right clever and deserve a chuckle. Have a look at some of the best license plates spotted from coast to coast.
A Hardcore Fan
This hardcore Metallica fan was clearly dead-set on honoring their favorite band with a vanity plate. Unfortunately, the character limit is seven, so this guy had to improvise.
Metallica fans are dedicated and the internet bots know it. When the band announced a 20th-anniversary show with the San Francisco Symphony in Mission Bay, tickets bots scooped up everything within seconds of going on pre-sale. If fans wanted to get into the show they'll have to go to third-party sites that have tickets listed for thousands of dollars. Getting a personalized plate kind of pales in comparison.
A Puzzler Of A Plate
Most of us have seen a Rubik's Cube at some point... you know those multi-colored 3-D puzzles? The driver of this vehicle made clever use of their car's model (Cube) and had their plate personalized to say 'Rubiks.'
You might say that the Rubik's Cube and the Nissan Cube represent some of the best and the worst designed products in history. Not to offend anyone who's a fan of the Nissan Cube, just pointing out the obvious. I mean, they stopped selling them in North America in 2014 for a reason, while Rubik's Cubes still fly off the shelves.
Stating the Obvious
No humble-bragging here. Just in case you couldn't tell by the fact that this person was driving a six-figure Mercedes Benz, they want to make it extra clear that they are financially well-off with their vanity plate choice.
So next time you see this person pulling ahead of your run-down Toyota Camry and their vanity plate is basically rubbing salt into the wound, try to resist the urge to show them a certain finger of yours.
Vlad The Impala
The clever play on words on this vanity plate is one for the history buffs. Vlad the Impaler was the voivode of Walachia in the 15th century. He earned his name "the Impaler" when he gained notoriety for impaling his enemies on stakes in the ground and leaving them to die.
Some believe Bram Stoker based the title character of Dracula on Vlad (his full name was Vlad III Dracul, of the Dracul family).
Virginia Is For Pet-Lovers
The second Virginia vanity plate to make this list is arguably the best. Look at this very good doggo! Virginia is one of the most pet-friendly states in America, so it's no wonder this driver dedicated their vanity plate to man's best friend. This photo went viral thanks to whoever captured it.
This dog clearly loves car rides. He's looking very happy riding in the back of his human's Volkswagen Paw-ssat. Good boy!
A Nod To South Park
Virginia plate #3. Those who watch South Park may recognize this vanity plate as a hilarious reference to Timmy Burch, the 4th grader with a very limited vocabulary. Timmy rolls around saying his name, "Timmay!"
Comedy Central was hesitant to keep Timmy as a consistent character in the show due to the potential controversy surrounding his disabilities, but the show's creators pointed out that although Timmy is different, the children in the series treat him equally.
"Do Or Do Not. There Is No Try"
Yoda, who orders sentences by object-subject-verb, couldn't have said it better himself. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas created one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. With worldwide box office revenues of $9.31 billion, it's safe to say everyone has at least heard of Star Wars.
Yoda was a muppet created by Jim Henson and voiced by Frank Oz. Oz also voiced muppets Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam the Eagle, among others.
Oops
The fourth Virginia vanity plate on this list is another victim of a character limit who had to get clever in order to get their message across. He or she wanted to make it look like there had been an epic fail when ordering the plate, but instead, it's a huge win.
Clearly, the tag was ordered with the "L" intentionally left off. The driver then used some tape and a marker to put the letter off to the side. Pretty good.
Logo Use
Virginia again! This Nationals baseball fan got clever with their use of the Nats' logo incorporated into the rest of the plate's characters. It also plays into the plate's frame ("Legen... dary!).
It's reminiscent of Tim Curry's line in the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show and leaves us with antici... pation. Unfortunately for this driver, he's still waiting on the Nats to come close to making it in the World Series.
Forrest Gump Fan
This plate is a cute and clever tribute to Forrest Gump. It references the hospital scene that takes place after Lieutenant Dan has his legs amputated and Forrest brings him an ice cream cone to console him.
"Lieutenant Dan, I got you some ice cream," Forrest said, before Dan grabbed the treat and threw it into a bedpan. This license plate gets bonus points because it involves both a personalized tag AND a frame.
Logo Use Part III
The next Virginia license plate on this list is another car just asking to get a DUI (or at least be suspected of driving under the influence). The fine for getting a DUI in Virginia ranges from $250 to $2,500 and is a class 1 misdemeanor.
This driver is using his vanity plate to really toe the line with the law. In addition to the fine for a DUI in Virginia, drivers will get their license suspended for an entire year.
May the Force Be With You
This is just one of many Star Wars-related license plates that populate North America's vehicles. This "CAR2D2" license plate is an ode to one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars franchise, R2-D2.
R2-D2 is a droid robot who appears in nine of the ten Star Wars movies. In the original three films R2 was played by actor Kenny Baker, who was physically inside the droid controlling its movements. In the more recent films, the droid is controlled by radio-controlled props and CGI.
Not Everything Is Bigger In Texas
This Smart Car might be having identity issues driving around Texas. As the saying goes, "Everything is bigger in Texas!" and that includes the majority of the vehicles spotted on Texas roads.
While other Texans are driving their lifted trucks, this little Smart Car is barely visible. The owner of this vehicle adopted the license plate "huge" to add some irony to the situation. At least that's what they want you to think!
Definitely A Carnivore
Ontario is the Virginia of Canada when it comes to vanity plates, because they've got a ton of them. It's safe to say this Canadian driver is probably not a vegan.
One must wonder, as this is a Canadian license plate, did the driver chose those characters as an ode to American bacon or Canadian bacon? American bacon comes from pork belly where Canadian bacon comes from pork loin. Where do this driver's bacon preferences lie?!
DUI Magnet
This license plate is just asking for a cop to pull the driver over. One in three traffic deaths in the United States involves a drunk driver. And according to the CDC, over 10,000 people were killed by drunk drivers in California between 2003-2012.
In 2013 there were over 155,000 arrests made for drunk driving in California. In that state, a first, second, or third DUI is usually a misdemeanor. A felony may be charged if the DUI results in an injury or death. Drunk driving is no joke!
Divorce Win
It looks like the ex-wife got quite the prize out of a crummy marriage. A Porsche Boxster starts at about $60,000 while the fancier versions with all the trimmings start at $83,000.
She's clearly holding a grudge to be driving around town with that kind of vanity plate. If the marriage was that bad, maybe she drives a few laps around his house just to rub it in. At any rate, she was able to walk away with a high-end German sports car!
Mini Indeed
Do you think this driver regrets buying a Mini Cooper? According to US News & World Report, the front seats are very spacious. Good luck if you're the passenger stuck in the backseat, though, especially if you are riding in a two-door model.
The two-door models have 8.7 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk and 34 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. It's safe to say this is more of a two-person ride.
Worth It?
If you had over $100,000, would you blow it on a Ferrari? It seems this driver did, but must have used whatever money was leftover to be the butt of his own joke by buying this vanity plate.
Italian luxury vehicles don't come cheap! The Ferrari mission statement is: "We build cars, symbols of Italian excellence the world over, and we do so to win on both road and track. Unique creations that fuel the Prancing Horse legend and generate a 'World of Dreams and Emotions.'"
Map-Challenged
Someone get this driver a map! Or a GPS. Or teach them how to use their smartphone. They may not know where they are, but at least their license plate tells them where they came from.
Maybe this driver is not actually lost, but lots of us are. A study in 2002 revealed that Americans are extremely geographically illiterate. Only 17 percent of young adults could find Afghanistan on a map thanks to modern technology.
K-K-K-Kia!
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! We all remember that jingle for the '80s commercials for Chia Pets, silly terracotta figurines in that shape of SpongeBob, Garfield, or Bob Ross that sprout a chia plant. This Kia driver must have an affinity for them!
Apparently, the jingle catchphrase came from an agency brainstorming meeting, where one of the people present pretended to stutter the product name. Other figurines include Barack Obama, Shrek, characters from The Simpsons, and Scooby Doo.
Excuse Me, But Of Course They're From Canada
Of course, this car's owner is from Ontario, Canada, since the people there are considered really polite. If this car were in the US, the license plate would probably read something along the lines of "move over" or "stay in ur lane."
According to BBC Travel, "Canadian niceness is pure and untainted by the passive-aggressive undertones found in American niceness (have a good day, or else!). It's also abundant. Canada is to niceness as Saudi Arabia is to oil."
To Infiniti And Beyond!
This New Jerseyan took an idea and ran with it. Honestly, we're so happy they did. How can someone pass up a chance to have their license plate have such an iconic quote on it, and directly placed underneath the "Infiniti." It's a stroke of pure genius.
Toy Story was released in 1995 and became an instant Disney and Pixar classic. The film was the first of its kind, as it was the first completely computer-animated movie. Since the original, the Toy Story toys have been featured in four full-length motion pictures. And, yes, each one is more emotional than the last.
Is There Anything More California Than "L8R Bra"
Try and find a license plate that is more California than one say "L8R BRA," we dare you. The Golden State is known for its infamous lingo that only the locals use. So, if you are planning on visiting anytime soon, make sure you know some of the verbiage, yadadamean?
Yes, that last word is short for "you know what I mean?". No, we're not kidding, people use that in everyday life. So, bro, if you're tryna come to SoCal and be in the industry, that's cool. English: So, friend, if you're trying to come to southern California and be in Hollywood, that's cool.
OMG Virginia People
If you drive a car, then you've probably have shouted "move over" to complete strangers once or a hundred times. This Virginia driver is just voicing something that we as humans prefer to keep in the safe and locked space of our cars.
Ironically, according to WalleHub's "Best & Worst States to Drive in" list, Virginia isn't too horrible, ranking at number seven. Perhaps this southerner is a California transplant and isn't used to the laid back southern lifestyle, which includes taking your time to get places.
Punch Buggy, No Punch Back
This Volkswagen Beetle owner has the best sense of humor. They saw an opportunity and just ran with it. And when you have a baby blue bug against an orange New York license plate, it's going to be hard for other drivers to miss the fantastic display of "EWWWABUG."
The VW Beetle came on the market in 1938 and has been remodeled and upgraded ever since. Originally, the concept behind the VW cars was affordability and practicality, making it a "people's car." Little did the manufacturers know that it would become a "punch buggy" car game.
Whoops?
Now, this is ironic, or the Eclipse owner has a habit of losing their back bumper. We're going to have to go with the latter because there is no way they would randomly get a license plate that says "Whoop C" without this being a common occurrence.
It also begs the question, how id the bumper actually fall off? There are no dents or scratches that would cause it to detach from the body of the car. So what on Earth happened here?! Inquiring minds need to know.
Toy Yoda. Get It?!
What you did here, we see. This Toyota owner must be a die-hard Star Wars fan. Or maybe they're just a Yoda fan, considering the bumper sticker as well as the well-placed license plate pun. We very much appreciate the play on words, master Toyota driver.
We're not sure when this license plate came to be, but with the rise in Yoda popularity since Baby Yoda broke the internet in 2020, we're not surprised by it. May the force be with you, Toy Yoda.
Looks Like The Person Didn't Read The License Plate
We promise we're not laughing because this minivan was rear-ended. We're laughing because the person who caused the collision didn't look at the license plate in front of them. If they had, maybe the van wouldn't have an ironically-placed dent!
Alas, rear-end collisions are no laughing matter in the United States. According to Abels & Annes, P.C., Personal Injury Lawyers, around 1.7 million rear-end collisions take place each year. Yikes!
Funny And Yet Rude. We Approve
If you can't make yourself laugh at your job, you're in the wrong industry. This tow ruck employee has the right idea! While it's a bit rude to rub the lack of car in their clients' face, he is from New York, so the subtle jab makes complete sense to us.
These people must not live in the city, though, because the locals know that it is completely useless to own a car in Manhattan. According to a 2018 census, only 22 percent of households own cars in Manhattan.
Bye Bye Gas, Hello Electric!
This Tesla owner from Maryland has the right idea. Say goodbye to money-sucking environmentally-unfriendly gas and say hello to the new age of electric cars! We can totally get behind that cause, but not the weird green color of the car. There are just some things we have to put our foot down for, and lily-green cars are one of them.
According to Investopedia, there are many perks to buying a Tesla, but the gas savings is definitely one of the best. It's said that, on average, gas savings can be as high as $612 annually!
A Not-So-Dumb Smart Car
This smart car driver wants everyone to know they and their car are not dumb. Thank you, kind Michigan person, for letting us in on your education. Although people who do not own this type of vehicle tend to trash talk it, we can't help but shrug. We mean, it's kind of convenient for parking, right?
According to Smart ForTwo, the only good thing about the tiny car is all the parking options that open up. Pretty much, if you live in a busy area of the city and need a car, this is a sound choice. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with slow accelerating speeds, bad quality shifting, and clumsy handling.
Finally, A Person With Bellybutton Humor
Thank you, Pennsylvania driver, for bringing bellybutton humor into our lives. If you don't understand the joke, allow us to break it down for you. The car is an Audi, in this case, "outie," and the license plate says "or innie." So, the driver is literally asking the person behind them if they have an outie or innie bellybutton. Genius.
Although, it's kind of a personal question when you think about it. Then again, there are no other jokes that really go with an Audi/outie car. So we'll let the personal and yet funny joke slide.
Need For Speed
Do you think this Corvette driver needed to let others know that they are going too slow for them? We think not. You're already driving a red Corvette, friend; there is no reason to add insult to the Toyota driver's injury by telling them they are going too slow.
Then again, this person is in Tennessee, where there is probably a bunch of open roads to cruise on. We understand if they get upset because they're going 90 down the high and suddenly have to swerve around a family van.
No Kids = Corvette
So, what this Rhode Island driver is telling us is that if we don't have kids then we're going to be able to afford a Corvette. For some reason we find that hard to believe. But, who are we to say? Maybe this person is saving a massive amount of funds and blowing it away on toys, such as this car.
That being said, Corvette people are a bit nuts. And the car is more a lifestyle than an actual car. Meaning that owners tend to customize the vehicles and bring them to shows around the country. No wonder they have no kids!
Best Believe The Lambo Is In The Prenup!
We're not car fanatics, but you best believe that if we were married and owned a Lamborghini, it would most certainly have a place in the prenuptial agreement. Those cars are not cheap! This person had the right idea, publicly stating that the car is and will always be in the prenup.
Lambos are luxury cars and can be used for racing, since models such as the Aventador S can go from zero to 62 in 2.9 seconds, according to the Lamborghini website. They also cost a pretty penny, ranging from $200,000 to $500,000, depending on the model.
Just In Case They Forgot What It Was
This license plate is the most North Dakota-inspired thing ever. Just in case the driver or someone else forgot what the piece of metal screwed onto their car was, all they have to do is look at their own plate, which aptly tells them that it is, in fact, a license plate.
Plates such as these make it hard not to smile and shake your head. Whoever thought to do this is A) a genius and B) has a great sense of humor.
A Blond, Brunette, And A Redhead Walk Into A Garage...
We're not one for blond jokes, but this license plate is making it very difficult. Do you think the person knows that they put their license plate on upside down? Maybe they realized it halfway through securing it to the car and went, "ugh, I've come too far to turn back now," and left it.
The thing is, we'd be lying if we said we would unscrew the license plate solely to flip it back around. It would probably take being pulled over to get us to fix the mistake.
Wonder What This Person Owes
If we had to guess, we'd say that this person's dad got the license plate as a constant reminder that their son or daughter owes them. The question is, what do they owe him for? Maybe he bought them their first car, and they agreed to pay him back?
Personally, we'd take the license plate anyway just because it's funny and a conversation starter. This person can even get creative with their story, saying they owe something different each time someone asks. "What do I owe my dad? Oh, you know, just some cash for that time we got caught using a stolen 3D printer to make a family dog."
Not Always Lucky
This Lexus driver got too cocky, saying they're "always lucky." It looks like their luck ran out, and they were rear-ended. Either that or they ran into a pole. Use your imagination! It's too bad, too, because a Lexus is a nice car! This person is probably very bummed that they have to go to a shop and get their entire back bumper and trunk hood fixed.
The thing is, they're from California, so it's safe to assume they were most likely in stop-and-go traffic. Meaning this might not be their fault. The person behind them was most likely changing the song on their Spotify account and not paying attention.
Kids First, Main Course Second
A study done by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators found that Virginia has the most vanity license plates out of any other state in the U.S. (which comes as no surprise as there are several Virginia plates on this list).
Part of the fee for this "Kids First" plate is transferred to the Family and Children's Trust Fund of Virginia to support children's programs. While this Virginian did a charitable thing and might even get a tax deduction, they didn't do it without a sense of humor.
The Most New York License Plate Ever
If you've been to New York, then you probably know that a New Yorker having a license plate that says "Ew Bye" is the most Empire State thing ever. The "ew" doesn't even have multiple "w"s. It's short, abrupt, and very much illustrates the fast-paced environment that is New York City.
We're fine with it. Because even though it is a bit rude, you can't fault the driver for being themself! You go on with your bad-self, New York driver. No hard feelings.
