Who Has License Plate “1” in the United States?

There is no single “license plate 1” holder for the entire United States. License plates are issued by states and the District of Columbia, not by the federal government, so many jurisdictions have their own plate marked “1.” In practice, that number is often reserved for the governor or another top state official on an official vehicle; in a few places, a “1” plate may be a legacy registration held by a private individual due to early issuance and long-standing rules.

How U.S. License Plates Are Assigned

Every U.S. state and the District of Columbia run their own vehicle registration systems, with unique numbering formats, special plate series (such as government, legislative, or law enforcement plates), and distinct policies about who can hold low numbers or specific combinations.

Where the Number “1” Usually Ends Up

While policies vary state by state, there are recurring patterns in how the number “1” is handled. The points below outline the most common arrangements seen across U.S. jurisdictions.

• Governor’s official vehicle: In several states, the plate “1” is traditionally displayed on a governor’s state car, reflecting protocol rather than personal ownership.
• Other top officials: Some states reserve the first few numerals for high-ranking officials (e.g., lieutenant governor, secretary of state, legislative leaders), typically for use on official government vehicles.
• Historic private holdings: In a handful of states with long registration histories, single-digit passenger plates (including “1”) were issued early and can remain with a family or individual; these are rare and typically subject to strict transfer rules.
• Special series instead of a simple “1”: Many governors use distinct “Governor” or “Official” plates rather than a standard passenger tag with the numeral “1,” so the governor may not display “1” at all.

These norms mean that “who has plate 1” depends on the jurisdiction and whether you’re looking at a standard passenger plate or an official government tag used for protocol and security.

Notable, Well-Documented Examples

The following examples illustrate common practices. Exact assignments can change with administrations, legislative updates, or policy revisions, but these reflect established and publicly documented norms.

• Delaware: The number “1” is reserved for the Governor’s official vehicle. Low-number Delaware plates are a long-standing status symbol, but the top numbers (including 1) are not in general circulation.
• Rhode Island: The Governor’s state vehicle traditionally bears the number “1.” Rhode Island also maintains a culture of low-number plates; while many low numbers are periodically reissued via lottery, the very lowest (such as 1) are reserved for top officials.
• Elsewhere: Numerous states assign the governor a distinctive “Governor” or “Official” plate rather than a numeric “1.” In those states, you won’t typically see a standard passenger plate marked “1” on the governor’s car.

Because plate policies are state-specific and can shift over time, it’s best to verify the current holder of “1” within the specific state you’re asking about.

Common Misconceptions

Questions about “plate 1” often stem from assumptions about a national system or the federal government. The points below clarify what’s not the case.

• There is no national “U.S. license plate 1.” All standard plates are state or D.C. issuances.
• The President does not have “plate 1.” Presidential vehicles use federal government plates (and sometimes none for security), not a state-issued “1.”
• “Anyone can buy plate 1 if they pay enough.” In many states, the number “1” is reserved for officials and isn’t available to the public; where single-digit plates are privately held, they are typically legacy registrations with strict transfer limits.

Understanding these points helps frame why a universal answer doesn’t exist and why local policy is decisive.

How to Find Who Has “1” in a Specific State

If you’re trying to identify the current holder of “plate 1” in a particular state, these steps usually lead to a reliable answer without violating privacy rules.

• Check the state DMV or equivalent agency’s published plate policies and low-number assignments.
• Review state statutes or administrative codes that outline special or official plate series and reserved numbers.
• Look at official photos or press footage of the governor’s motorcade; inaugural events often display the state’s “1” plate if it’s used.
• Consult local news coverage or historical plate collector organizations, which often document low-number traditions and changes.

Because official-vehicle assignments can change with administrations, using multiple sources helps confirm the current practice.

Summary

There is no single owner of “license plate 1” in the United States. Each state and D.C. control their own registrations, and the numeral “1” is typically reserved for the governor’s official car or another top official in some jurisdictions (notably including Delaware and Rhode Island). In other states, governors use special “Governor” or “Official” plates instead of a numeric “1,” and in rare cases, early-issued “1” plates can be privately held under legacy rules. To know who has “1” in any given place, consult that jurisdiction’s current policies and public records.

Who owns number plate 1D?

Nabil Bishara
This was not the case. Instead of being bought by Harry Styles or Zayn Malik, the plate was a gift from Nabil Bishara to his wife in 2009. He bought 1D for £352,000 but it is likely the plate will be worth a lot more than that now, due to the fame of One Direction.

Who has the #1 license plate?

Today, a businessman named Saeed Abdul Ghafour Khouri was willing to pay 52.2 dirham — the equivalent of $14.3 million — for the local license plate labeled “1” at an auction at the 7-star Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, making it the world’s most expensive license plate.

Who has mass license plate 1?

Massachusetts license plate number 1 is still held by the family of the original recipient, Frederick Tudor, who was issued the plate in 1903. Because it is a low-numbered, historic plate, it is passed down through generations and is not available to the general public.
 
History of the Massachusetts Plate #1

• 1903: Frederick Tudor, who worked for the highway commission, was issued the very first Massachusetts license plate, featuring the number “1”. 
• Ongoing Tradition: The plate has remained in Tudor’s family and continues to be held by a family member as an active registration. 
• Availability: Low-numbered plates like “1” are extremely valuable and are typically only passed down within families. If a low number becomes available, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) uses a lottery system to determine its next owner. 

Which states only have one license plate?

The “Rugged Nineteen” states that require only one plate include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico. North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.