License Plates Specialty Picture Organization People Personalized Eslpod

In the United States, as in many other countries, all cars and trucks must have "license plates." A license plate is a rectangular piece of metal that usually has six or seven numbers and letters, so that each car can be identified by police and the government. One license plate is put on the front of the car, and one on the back of the car. In each state, license plates have a picture of something that represents the state. For example, in Oregon the license plates have pictures of tall, green trees.

States also sell "specialty" license plates. These specialty license plates are more expensive than normal license plates, because they are "fundraisers" (ways for an organization to get money). For example, many universities have specialty license plates that have the university's "logo" (a small image or picture that represents an organization or business). The university's "alumni" (people who have graduated from a university) buy these specialty license plates and the extra money is given to the university for its programs.

Other specialty license plates are used as fundraisers for environmental or social groups. An environmental group that protects fish might have a specialty license plate with a picture of a fish that lives in the state's rivers. An organization that helps "orphans" (children whose parents have died) might have a specialty license plate with a picture of children playing.

Some people have "personalized" license plates, sometimes called "vanity" plates. When a person pays for personalized license plates, he or she can choose which numbers and letters are on the license plates. Sometimes people choose to use their names or a word that is important to them. Other people buy personalized license plates that say "MY CAR" or"FOR MOM," and businesses sometimes purchase personalized license plates with the name of their company for their company-owned cars.