Blackout license plates have been popping up all over the US and this is why
Published on Dec 21, 2025 at 10:06 PM (UTC+4)
by Jack Marsh
Last updated on Dec 19, 2025 at 9:00 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Ben Thompson
With more ways than ever before to make your car stand out from the crowd, people across the US are now flexing blackout license plates – and this is why.
Over in Europe, every driver is forced to have the same white or yellow license plates.
But in the US, there’s a lot more wiggle room to play with, with a lot of creative backgrounds being officialized in different states.
Now, the new trend is blackout license plates, and it’s for good reason.
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Where can you get blackout license plates?
License plates are quickly evolving as a new way to flex your State pride or your burning passions, with the likes of Ohio now decorating limited edition tags with Dolly Parton’s face.
But before physical plates become a thing of the past, amid new digital versions that have been approved for the US, one final trend has arisen in a number of Northern states.
In a trend starting in Iowa back in 2019, blackout license plates are now being sold in small batches throughout an additional eight constituencies.
Following Iowa was Colorado in 2021, but the trend didn’t really catch on until 2024.
Then came Minnesota, Mississippi, Utah, Indiana, North Dakota, Kansas, and Wisconsin, with the latter two states opening orders in January 2026.
Typically, the blackout license plates come with a yearly fee.
For example, the ones releasing in Wisconsin in 2026 will cost $15 upfront and a recurring $25 charge for as long as they are donned.
This is to replace existing tags, rather than creating private registration numbers.
Why are they so popular?
For the most part, they are simply a customization feature that looks cool.
They certainly stand out, and people have been using them to reveal sneaky messages.
There are limited practical reasons for them, aside from standing out equally to other monochrome designs, but there’s an argument that they can be more visible in snowy states.
As a contrast to the usual looks, they are cheap, affordable, and cool, and its clear why they are quite a hit with the flashier drivers.
Especially on black and white cars.
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Jack Marsh is a journalist who started his media career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from the University of Chester. As an avid supercar and racing enthusiast, he has a passion for everything from Formula 1 to NASCAR. Whether it's highlighting the intricacies of McLaren’s anti-dive suspension revelations or recognizing celebrities’ multi-million-dollar rides, he has a keen eye for the faster things in life.
