| Vehicle registration plates are known by different | | | | For an extra fee, motor vehicle departments issue |
| names, such as license plate, number plate, plate, or | | | | "vanity" license plates. These plates carry some |
| tag. It is a metal or plastic plate attached to the | | | | message on them. Some plates in Washington, D.C. |
| motor vehicle for official ID. Its record is as old as | | | | read "taxation without representation" to vent |
| the record of vehicles. Massachusetts was the first | | | | dissatisfaction over Washington's not having voting |
| state to issue government plates. | | | | representation in Congress. |
| In most countries license plates are issued by the | | | | Similar to vanity plates, there are also novelty license |
| national government. In the U.S, however, they are | | | | plates. These are often sold in gift or novelty shops. |
| issued by state governments. But the federal | | | | These novelties are printed with individual names. But |
| government retains the right to allot numbers to its | | | | unlike vanity plates, these are not intended for lawful |
| own motor vehicles and vehicles possessed by | | | | recognition of automobiles. |
| foreign envoys. | | | | Specific designs and dyes for the special license |
| A person who wishes a special license plate has to | | | | plates can be suggested by the user. Personalized |
| apply to the state department of motor vehicles. At | | | | license plates, custom license plates, and vanity |
| this stage the applicant has to specify whether the | | | | license plates read almost anything the user wishes. It |
| special license plate being requested is intended to | | | | is a great way to advertise businesses, promote the |
| generate financial support for a particular cause or | | | | user's favorite hobby, or just be displayed for fun. |
| charitable group. | | | | |