License Plate Roundup: Vermont

A state is only as interesting as its—license plates? While not generally the main attraction when traveling across state lines, one of the first things out-of-towners notice are a new region’s unique placards.​

There’s something oddly mesmerizing about the foreign colors, designs, and special-interests a state chooses to display on its number plates—and in this series, we’re trekking through all 50 U.S. states to find our favorites.​

This month, License Plate Roundup is heading to the heart of the American Northeast—the great New England state of Vermont. Stay tuned as we cover some history, interesting facts, and the Green Mountain State’s most memorable license plate designs.

Before we get into Vermont’s number plate designs, let’s first cover some background information on the state. Here, we’ll learn more about Vermont’s beginnings, standout monuments and features, and most notable facts.

Vermont holds a unique place in American history. While not one of the original 13 colonies—that later became the country’s first states—Vermont was the first state to be admitted to the Union after the initial 13.​

Prior to joining the United States, Vermont existed for 14 years as the independent Vermont Republic (originally declared in 1777). The primary reason for this delayed entry into the Union was a conflict between New York and New Hampshire over overlapping land claims. Eventually, New York withdrew its claims, and Vermont formally entered the United States on March 4, 1791.

Vermont is primarily known for its natural landscapes and the goods it produces. Starting with lush foliage, Vermont is covered in trees—including the sugar maple. As the nation’s largest supplier of maple syrup—producing over half the entire U.S. supply—this tree isn’t just a staple of Vermont’s countryside, but also its economy.​

However, it’s not just sweet syrup that makes Vermont a destination for travelers. World-class ski resorts, Lake Champlain, and the 272-mile Long Trail keep outdoor adventurers occupied year-round. Come fall, the entire state shifts into a palette of striking oranges, yellows, and reds, making it a must-see autumn destination.​

Beyond the outdoors, Vermont is known for its culture and exports. As the birthplace of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and home to more breweries per capita than any other state, Vermont knows a thing or two about quality consumables. It’s also one of the states with the strictest land-use laws, preventing eyesore billboards and big-box stores from polluting the beautiful landscape.

Vermont earned the nickname the “Green Mountain State” due to its geographical location—being bisected by the lush, forested Green Mountains. The state’s proper name, Vermont, is also a direct translation of the French words vert (green) and mont (mountain).

Vermont has less variation in its license plates—likely due to the state’s desire to retain its clean, well-kept aesthetics. As a result, nearly every design features the same green color scheme and “Green Mountain State” branding. Due to the limited variation, rather than list out our top 10 license plates, here’s RealTruck’s top five Vermont plate designs.

We’re kicking things off with Vermont’s standard-issue license plate—a striking emerald green design with white alphanumerics and the state’s iconic nickname featured below.​

Like most standard-issue plates, this design is free, aside from routine registration fees.

Up next is Vermont’s Street Rods license plate, which shares the same aesthetics as the standard-issue design, except for the diagonal “Street Rods” text before the alphanumerics.

This license plate is designed for use on particular applications—vehicles manufactured before 1949 and heavily customized. If your vehicle is categorized as a street rod, fill out the associated paperwork to acquire your street rod license plates.

In 1995, the Vermont legislature passed legislation creating the first Conservation Plate. Available in three designs—the Common Loon, Brook Trout, and White-Tailed Deer—pick whichever best suits your preferences and style.​

Each design requires an annual fee, with a portion of which directly benefits conservation efforts in Vermont.

The Building Brighter Futures license plate shows support for local Vermont children and communities, with portions of the annual fee directly benefiting the organization.

In response to the devastation of Hurricane Irene, Vermont introduced the Vermont Strong vanity plate. The design—which features “We are Vermont Strong” text and a silhouette of the state—can only be affixed to the front of a vehicle. It requires a one-time fee, with proceeds benefitting disaster relief for individual Vermonters.

While Vermont doesn’t have much variety in its license plate designs, the state’s dedication to clean design and simplicity extends to its vehicles.​

If you’re a Vermont resident, display your license and vanity plates with pride with RealTruck accessories, including license plate frames, holders, brackets, and relocation solutions. Whether you're upgrading your daily driver or trail rig, we've got the accessories to match.​

Stay tuned for the next installment of our License Plate Roundup series, where we explore another state's eye-catching plate designs.