How to Play the License Plate Game
Step 1: Decide on tracking method
Choose how you’ll keep track of the states you find. The passenger can use pen and paper, a printable checklist, or a notes app on their phone to record each state as it’s spotted.
Step 2: Establish the rules
Agree on whether each player is competing individually (first person to spot a state claims it) or if you’re working together as a team to find all 50 states collectively. For competitive play, once someone claims a specific vehicle’s plate, that car is off-limits to other players.
Step 3: Start scanning
Keep your eyes on the road (drivers should focus on driving, not plate-hunting). Look at license plates on vehicles ahead, behind, in adjacent lanes, and in parking lots you pass.
Step 4: Call out your finds
When you spot a new state, shout it out immediately: “Oregon!” “Vermont!” “Texas!” The first person to call it gets to claim that plate. Be specific if needed, if there are multiple cars from the same state, clarify which vehicle you’re claiming.
Step 5: Record the state
Mark the state on your tracking sheet or list. Cross it off, check it, or write down the order you found them, whatever system works for you.
Step 6: Keep hunting
Continue spotting and claiming plates throughout your entire trip. The game ends when you reach your destination or when someone spots all 50 states (though that’s extremely rare and would require some serious dedication).
Step 7: Declare a winner (optional)
If playing competitively, the person who spotted the most unique states wins. If playing cooperatively, celebrate however many states your team found together.
Variations:
- Play for just one hour or one stretch of highway instead of the whole trip
- Award bonus points for spotting particularly rare states
- Include Canadian provinces or specialty plates for extra challenge
- Take photos of rare plates as proof
Download Free License Plate Game Printables
Hit the brakes for a sec and click on the thumbnail below to snag your very own road trip license plate game card! It’ll pop open in a new window as a PDF, ready for you to save to your desktop or phone. Then, just print it out, and you’re all set for some high-speed spotting action!
License Plate Road Trip Game
Grab this free state license plate game printable PDF and kick your road trip into high gear! This visually fun design features labeled state license plates that you can circle as you spot them along the way. It’s the perfect co-pilot for your next adventure!
State License Plate Checklist
This 50-state license plate checklist comes with handy checkboxes so you can easily mark off each state as you spot it. Be sure to download a copy for everyone in the car!
Canadian License Plate Game
This Canadian version of the popular road trip game lets you track license plates from all the provinces and territories. Perfect for your journey through the Great White North! Download it now and get ready to spot those maple leaf-adorned plates!
Buy License Plate Games
No printer? No problem! If you’re looking for something reusable and tough enough to handle countless road trips, grab a pre-made set online. Keep it in your car for endless road trip fun and never be caught without your game again!
License Plate Travel Bingo Set
Turn this game into a game of bingo! This set of four reusable cards have shutter slides so you can click them closed whenever you see one of the states listed.
License Plate Travel Bingo
Hold the card in your lap and slide the window closed when you spot one of the states. Comes with two cards featuring different states — so it is anyone’s game!
License Plate Journal
Keep tabs on all the license plates you see across every road trip you take. This license plate journal has records for fifty trips, so you’ll never miss a plate.
Flip to Win Travel License Plate Game
This wooden travel game is easy and durable. Made for two players the pieces feature color-coded edges so you can tell who spotted hich plate.
Magnetic Activity Tin
This magnetic game comes with 3-D license plates for you to pin to the state their from.
License Plate Travel Sticker Book Game
This fun road trip sticker book lets kids and family record all the license plates they see from the car and complete activities while they go.
Road Trippin
A different type of license plate game, this version isn’t meant for the car, more for a party (or in your hotel room). The word game pits you against each other to create and solve vanity license plates.
List of States for License Plate Game
Want to create your own game or printable? Use this list of all the US States to check off on your own.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
