What Color Are U.S. License Plates?

There is no single color for U.S. license plates: they vary by state and plate type. Most standard passenger plates today use a white, reflective background with contrasting letters and colored accents, but you’ll also see green, yellow, black, blue, and multicolor scenic designs—plus many specialty and government variants.

Why There’s No One Color

In the United States, license plates are issued by individual states and territories, not the federal government. That means each jurisdiction designs its own standard and specialty plates to reflect local branding, readability needs, and production methods. Over time, many states have shifted to high-contrast, reflective backgrounds for visibility and automated enforcement, but design palettes still differ widely.

What You’re Most Likely to See on the Road

While designs change, the most common trend is a white or light-colored reflective base with dark characters for legibility. Some states keep distinctive hues to maintain identity or visibility in specific environments. The list below highlights typical background colors and examples of current standard-issue plates across the country (special editions and legacy options may look different).

• White or light background: California (white with red script and blue serials), Texas (“Texas Classic” white with black characters), Florida (white with green/orange accents), Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania (white with blue/gold bands), New York’s current “Excelsior” plate (white with blue and gold accents).
• Green-dominant: Vermont (green with white characters), Colorado (green field with white mountain silhouette).
• Yellow or gold: Alaska (yellow with blue elements), New Mexico (bright yellow with red and turquoise accents).
• Blue or scenic hues: Wyoming (scenic sky-blue background with the bucking horse), Minnesota (white/blue tones), Michigan has offered white/blue as a standard in recent years alongside other options.
• Black or dark options (often optional/legacy): California black with gold characters (“legacy”), Michigan and other states offer black/white high-contrast alternatives.
• Multicolor/special graphics: Hawaii (rainbow on white), Utah, Arizona, and Oregon frequently feature scenic or emblematic imagery on standard issues.

These examples reflect the most commonly encountered standard plates, but exact designs change as states refresh artwork, update security features, or rotate through commemorative themes.

Special and Non-Standard Plates

Beyond standard passenger plates, colors can signal a vehicle’s purpose or issuing authority. The following overview covers categories where palette and markings often differ from everyday plates.

• Specialty and vanity plates: Fundraiser or themed plates (universities, causes, military) use distinctive color bands and graphics; color schemes vary widely by state and program.
• Government plates: Federal plates typically use a plain, high-contrast look (often white with dark characters and “U.S. Government” markings). State and municipal plates may carry seals and subdued color schemes.
• Diplomatic plates: Issued by the U.S. Department of State, these are commonly blue with white characters and specific codes identifying diplomatic status.
• Commercial, dealer, and fleet plates: Often resemble standard issues but may use alternate color bands or bold text to denote vehicle class.
• Temporary tags: Usually printed on white paper or card stock with black text; some states add red/orange elements for visibility.
• Motorcycle and trailer plates: Smaller formats with simplified graphics; colors usually match the state’s current standard palette.
• Digital plates (limited availability): E‑ink displays in a monochrome black-on-light-gray scheme, currently offered in a handful of states for certain vehicles.

Because these categories serve identification and enforcement needs, colors and markings prioritize legibility and clear differentiation over aesthetic consistency.

How to Identify Plates Quickly

Color can be a clue, but the fastest way to identify a plate is to read the state name and look for distinctive emblems or slogans. Here’s what typically stands out at a glance.

• State name placement and font style are usually prominent at the top or bottom edge.
• Iconic symbols (mountains in Colorado, a rainbow in Hawaii, the bucking horse in Wyoming) act as instant visual cues.
• High-contrast character colors (black or blue on white; white on green) enhance readability day and night.
• Special codes or prefixes can denote vehicle type (commercial, dealer, government, diplomatic).

These cues matter more than color alone, since designs can change and multiple palette options may be valid in the same state at the same time.

The Bottom Line

U.S. license plates don’t have a single color: they’re state-designed and span white, green, yellow, blue, black, and multicolor schemes. The most prevalent look is a white reflective background with contrasting characters, but specialty, government, and diplomatic plates—as well as newer digital options—add even more variety.

Summary

There isn’t one “U.S. license plate color.” Designs are state-specific, with white reflective backgrounds most common for standard plates. Green (Vermont, Colorado), yellow (Alaska, New Mexico), scenic multicolor (Hawaii, Wyoming), and dark optional styles (e.g., black legacy plates) are also widely seen. Special categories—government, diplomatic, commercial, temporary, and digital—use palettes and markings optimized for recognition and readability.

Do all states have black license plates?

No, not all states have black license plates, though many states now offer them as a special option. The availability of black license plates varies by state, and you must check with your specific state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see if they are offered. 
Why Black Plates are Offered

• Aesthetic Preference: Many drivers prefer the minimalist, sophisticated look of black plates with white lettering to the colorful designs of standard plates. 
• Customization: Blackout plates provide a way for drivers to customize their vehicles and express a personal style. 

Examples of States Offering Black Plates 

• Iowa: has offered them for several years.
• Colorado: added them in 2021.
• Minnesota: launched theirs in 2024 and has seen significant popularity.
• Mississippi, Utah, and Kansas also have them.
• California, Tennessee, and Indiana have also introduced or are considering them.

How to Find Out if Your State Offers Them 

1. Visit Your State DMV Website: Opens in new tabThis is the most reliable way to find out what special plate options are available in your state.
2. Contact Your Local DMV: Opens in new tabYou can also contact your state’s DMV directly for information on their license plate offerings.
3. Consider the Cost: Opens in new tabBlackout plates are often considered a specialty plate and may cost more than a standard plate.

Are all license plates white?

Similarly, Connecticut’s license plates feature a navy blue background. The license plates of California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia all feature a plain white background. Delaware’s plates have featured gold text on a black background since the 1960s.

Which US license plate has red and blue?

License Plates

State	Description	Source
CA	California – Amateur Radio Call Letters – Script	Source
CA	California – Amateur Radio Call Letters – Sun	Source
CA	California – Apportioned Power Unit – Blue + Red	Source
CA	California – Apportioned Power Unit – Single	Source

What US license plates are green?

In the USA, “green license plate” can refer to environmental or zero-emission vehicle plates as seen in some regions, or it can describe the white-on-green color scheme of Vermont’s license plates, which are a traditional design rather than an environmental indicator. While not a universal standard, green plates can signify eco-friendly vehicles or, in the case of Vermont, a specific state design. 
For Environmental or Zero-Emission Vehicles

• Some regions and countries have introduced green-colored license plates to identify vehicles that produce zero emissions, such as electric cars. 
• This is intended to highlight a vehicle’s environmental impact and potentially offer benefits like reduced parking fees or free access to certain zones. 
• In some countries, like the UK, these plates have a green line on the left side to denote an electric vehicle, according to this YouTube video. 

For State-Specific Designs

• Vermont: is a notable example in the U.S. where license plates have frequently used a distinct green and white color scheme. This is a standard, traditional plate design for the state and not an indicator of environmental status. 
• The green color in this context is a prominent feature of the state’s identity, rather than a sign of eco-friendly vehicle technology. 

Other Meanings

• In other parts of the world, green license plates can also indicate commercial or fleet vehicles to distinguish them for regulatory purposes. 
• For example, in South Korea, lime green plates are used for corporate vehicles to deter companies from misusing tax benefits.