License Plate Power Rankings: The Southeast

Welcome back (or welcome anew) to our License Plate Power Rankings, arguably the most important thing I have ever done on The Internet™. Today, we’ll be going through the Southeast, but if you want to catch up, here are the other regions we’ve covered:

New England
The Mid-East States
The South
The Great Lakes
The Great Plains
The Mountain West
The West Coast

Let’s get to work.

7. Tennessee

Tennessee is a very cool state.

But this license plate isn’t great.

The idea behind it—the green, rolling hills—is a good one, but the insertion of the tourism website url is done tackily and takes up too much space. Also, it has that same odd double helix in the center that while fainter than New Jersey’s, is still perplexing.

Bonus points for having the county on it, though. I do love counties.

6. Virginia

Virginia’s devotion to saying “Virginia is for Lovers” is admirable. It’s quite a brand they’ve built over there. Yet still, when I think of lovers, I don’t really think of Virginia.

Nonetheless, the state has doubled down, adding the phrase to license plates a few years ago. And while I respect the commitment to the bit, it takes away from what was formerly a distinctive plate thanks to its plain nature and its distinguished font.

5. Florida

Florida’s got a good license plate. The oranges are nice. So’s the state outline.

But again, the tourism website url is an odd move. Who, when trying to visit Florida (or Tennessee, for that matter), goes to the state’s official tourism website? Do these states not know about TripAdvisor? Or Google?

4. South Carolina

The Palmetto Moon is a beautiful motif. It’s a shame the state of South Carolina lessened its impact by adding such an angsty state motto to the plate. Had the state not done that, its license plate would have ranked higher on these power rankings. Bet they regret the decision now.

3. Kentucky

Kentucky’s license plate is very blue and includes the words “Bluegrass State” written so faintly no one could possibly notice them.

These aren’t bad things, though, and “Unbridled Spirit” is a power phrase. Plus, the horse is fun and fitting. Keep doing you, Kentucky.

2. North Carolina

North Carolina’s license plate is consistent and unique. It’s got funky lettering at the bottom. It looks old. It is old.

One of my favorite things about it is the commitment to recognizing the Wright Brothers, one of the few non-polarizing pieces of American history (for now).

1. Georgia

Georgia’s license plate isn’t flashy. But it’s good. It’s solid. It’s clean and crisp and includes a peach, adding some freshness to an already refreshing design.

Not much more to say here, but well done, Georgia.

Tennessee License Plate Image taken from Google Images, which seemed to be getting it indirectly from ebay.
Virginia License Plate Image taken from Wikipedia, where it’s labeled as Public Domain.
Florida License Plate Image taken from Wikipedia, where it’s labeled as Public Domain.
South Carolina License Plate Image taken from ABC News 4.
Kentucky License Plate Image taken from WLKY Louisville.
North Carolina License Plate Image taken from Wikipedia, where it’s labeled as Public Domain.
Georgia License Plate Image taken from Wikipedia, where it’s credited to Dickelbers.