You may have noticed a black license plate with white lettering while driving around lately. A lot of people have. Blackout plates seem to be showing up more often, whether you’re in traffic, at your school pickup, or parked along a neighborhood street. They don’t look like most plates, so they stand out without being flashy. For many drivers, that’s exactly the appeal.
Blackout plates aren’t only about style, though. They’re connected to how states offer different license plate options and specialty designs. Ahead, this article explains what blackout plates are, where they’re legal, how much they cost, and what goes into getting one.
What Are Blackout Plates?
Blackout plates are a type of specialty license plate with a black background and light-colored lettering. The design is simple and subtle, without the slogans, images, or extra graphics that often appear on many standard plates.
Even with the darker look, blackout plates still meet state visibility and reflectivity requirements, so they’re readable for law enforcement and cameras. The appeal is mostly visual. Many drivers appreciate how blackout license plates complement almost any vehicle color and don’t draw too much attention. In most states, they’re issued the same way as other specialty or personalized plates, whether the numbers are custom or randomly assigned.
Where Are Blackout Plates Legal?
Blackout plates are only legal in states that officially issue them through a Department of Motor Vehicles or a similar agency. Drivers cannot create their own black plates or purchase one online and use it legally, even if it appears convincing.
More states now offer blackout license plates as an optional design, usually through existing specialty plate programs, including Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Utah, and more. How they’re handled varies. Some states treat them like any other specialty license plate, while others associate them with state programs or causes. Not every vehicle qualifies, either. Passenger cars are usually included first, and other vehicle types may be added later or excluded entirely.
Since each state controls its plate designs, availability can change. A blackout plate may be offered for one year and limited or paused the next. The best way to check what’s currently allowed is through a state’s official motor vehicle website, where specialty plate options and rules are listed.
How Much Do Blackout Plates Cost?
Blackout plates typically cost more than standard-issue plates, but their price remains within the typical range for specialty designs. Most states charge an upfront fee to issue the plate, along with a recurring annual renewal fee that stacks on top of normal registration costs. For example, in Wisconsin, the plates will cost $15 up front, and then $25 to renew yearly when they become available in 2026.
In some states, part of that extra fee supports transportation funds, environmental programs, or other state-run initiatives. Others simply treat blackout plates as a premium design option with no specific cause attached. You may also incur additional fees if you opt for personalized lettering instead of a randomly assigned number.
While blackout license plates aren’t inexpensive, they cost significantly less than cosmetic vehicle upgrades, such as custom paint or wraps. For many drivers, the plate feels like a minor upgrade that subtly changes the car’s overall appearance.
How To Get Blackout Plates
Blackout plates must be obtained from the state. There’s no legal way to buy one from a third-party site or make your own and use it on the road. Most drivers request them through their state’s DMV website, though some locations still handle applications in person.
Obtaining one typically begins with a brief eligibility check. Standard passenger vehicles typically qualify as long as the plate is available. From there, drivers choose the blackout plate option, pick between standard or personalized numbers, and pay the fees. Some states show available number combinations. Others assign them automatically.
For new vehicle registrations, blackout plates are often available immediately. If a vehicle already has plates, the request usually counts as a specialty plate upgrade or replacement. Processing time varies. Some plates arrive quickly. Others take longer when demand is high.
Blackout plates still have to follow the same rules as any other license plate. They must stay fully visible and readable. Covers, altered characters, or frames that block any part of the plate can cause problems. States do enforce those rules.
Blackout license plates are simple by design, but they reflect a broader shift toward more plate options that still meet state requirements.
SOURCES
- North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division. “Blackout Plate.”
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. “Blackout License Plate Fact Sheet.”
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Wisconsin unveils blackout, retro yellow license plates“
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