Vanity plates can also be practical or meaningful. Some use them for small business branding, like “DOGWALKR” for a pet sitter or “FIXURPC” for a computer repair specialist. Others celebrate life milestones—graduations, recoveries, or anniversaries with plates such as “GRAD2024” or “BEATCANC.”

Whether clever, cringey, or heartfelt, vanity plates break up the monotony of bumper-to-bumper traffic and offer a quick glimpse into the lives and stories of the people behind the wheel. Next time you’re stopped at a light, take a moment to read the plate next to you you might just find a little surprise waiting