North American vs. European license plate design (crimes, buy)

[Catbelle]

I notice that American plates have more things than identification numbers, sometimes little pictures, different colour text etc. In Europe plates are used just for identification and it is the only purpose, it is forbidden to add more details on them. Easier to read as well.

[BigCityDreamer]

I wish Maryland had some nicer license plates. Not something I've been totally cool with, especially compared to other nearby states.

[cali3448893]

American license plates are much better, who wants a boring color and some numbers, i rather have a colorful picture with maybe a animal on the back representing america!

[jtur88]

Ask yourself two questions:

1. Why do cars have license plates?

2. How can this purpose best be met?

If you are being honest, your answers will be:

1. So authorities can positively identify a particular car and know that current fees and taxes have been paid.

2. With large block letters and numerals readable from a distance on a plain contrasting-colored rectangular plate that is large enough and the correct shape to accommodate as many digits as are necessary for each number to be unique, also bearing an identifier for the issuing country and/or state.

However, some of you might answer:

1. So a state can force every driver to be a traveling publicity billboard for the state.

2. To save people the trouble of going out and buying their own vivid, colorful banner with pretty pictures on it, that proclaims their belief that their state is the best and most Patriotic/God-fearing/Beautiful/Progressive/Historically important of all.

[iNviNciBL3]

Originally Posted by jtur88

However, some of you might answer:

1. So a state can force every driver to be a traveling publicity billboard for the state.

2. With a vivid, colorful banner with pretty pictures on it, that assumes that everyone who sees it is so ignorant and gullible they will actually be inspired to go and spend money in the state where everyone is required to assert their belief that their state is the best and most Patriotic/God-fearing/Beautiful/Progressive of all.

I know you hate everything about America but seriously its just a license plate.

Is it really that hard to read "000AA" ?

[cmptrwlt]

Did you design that using MS Paint?

[KathrynAragon]

These simply are not difficult to read - and they're attractive. Much more so than the Euro style.

[Magnatomicflux]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

These simply are not difficult to read - and they're attractive. Much more so than the Euro style.

Agreed, and they are tasteful.
Here's Canadian ones:

















I'm a fan of our Veteran's plates as well. There are only two that really stand out, the rest generally just have a Poppy on them somewhere:

[cmptrwlt]

Tasteful?

[Magnatomicflux]

Mm, yeah. I thought about that well after the post. lol

Now that you've said something, I can't go back and change it!

THANKS!