Only two U.S. states currently issue purple license plates: New Hampshire and Virginia. These plates are part of specialty or vanity plate programs.
Purple license plates are not standard-issue. Drivers must apply for them through their state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Fees typically exceed regular plates, with funds often supporting specific causes. For example, Virginia's purple plates support domestic violence awareness.
| State | Plate Name | Cause Supported |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | Purple Heart Plate | Military families |
| Virginia | Purple Plate | Domestic violence awareness |
Many assume all purple plates are military-related, like the Purple Heart plate. However, Virginia's purple plates focus on domestic violence awareness., not all states offer purple plates-only a few have adopted them for specific initiatives.
I once helped a friend order a purple plate in Virginia. She chose it to support domestic violence awareness, unaware of the plate's existence until she saw it advertised at her local DMV. The process took about two weeks, including a small fee and proof of vehicle registration.
Purple plates differ from other specialty plates in color and cause. While most states offer pink plates for breast cancer awareness or green plates for environmental causes, purple plates remain rare. Their uniqueness makes them stand out among standard and custom plates.
For example, California offers plates for various causes, including organ donation and wildlife conservation, but none are purple. This makes Virginia and New Hampshire's offerings distinct.