Michigan’s 11.7M license plates have many colors

The state of Michigan has issued more than 11.7 million license plates.

More than 70% of Michigan license plates have the white Pure Michigan design first issued in 2013, according to a December report from the Michigan Department of State. There are 498,744 personalized license plates in circulation (4.25% of all plates) and 305,762 disability plates (2.6%).

Standard license plates cost $5. The white Pure Michigan plate is the most popular by a country mile, accounting for 71.5% of all issued plates — over 8.3 million on the road. There are also university-themed plates, special cause plates, permanent trailer plates and other specialty plates that use the design’s white background.

The blue and yellow Water-Winter Wonderland plate, a nostalgic nod to Michigan’s past, was reintroduced in 2021. It is the second-most popular design with over 1.27 million issued (10.9% of all plates). In third place is the multicolor Mackinac Bridge plate at 1.25 million (10.7%). Other designs include the discontinued white, green and blue Spectacular Peninsulas plate, which celebrates Michigan’s natural beauty. It has over 453,000 plates still in circulation. There is also the green and white throwback Water Wonderland plate reintroduced in 2024, with 218,000 currently issued.

Legacy plates, which cost $55, bring back designs from decades ago. The Legislature created these plates to raise revenue for Michigan’s Transportation Fund, which pays for road construction and repairs across the state. The Secretary of State began issuing legacy plates in February. The black and white Great Lake State design has had the strongest interest with 58,325 issued. The blue and white Great Lakes legacy plate is on 4,953 vehicles so far. A red, white and blue design will be available during 2026 to celebrate our nation’s semiquincentennial.

Michigan honors military veterans through specialized plates, with more than 136,000 issued across various military branches and service recognitions. Army veterans have the most plates on the road with 26,955, followed by Marine Corps veterans with 14,322, Navy veterans with 13,948, Air Force veterans at 11,001 and Coast Guard veterans with 1,225.

University pride also runs deep in the state, with 122,586 university fundraising plates on the road. Michigan State University leads the way with 56,413 plates, followed by the University of Michigan with 28,194, Central Michigan University with 7,450 and Western Michigan University with 5,919.

Michigan drivers also use their license plates to support causes and organizations close to their hearts.

More than 140,000 special cause or organization plates have been issued, with the Wildlife Habitat plate the most popular at 24,362. Other top choices include the Detroit Lions team foundation at 13,558 plates and the Detroit Tigers team foundation at 10,235. These specialty plates not only allow residents to showcase their passions but also to fund charitable work. Several plates represent concerns about medical conditions, such as breast cancer, sickle-cell anemia,“ and organ or bone-marrow donations.

Military-related plates and number issued:

• Disabled veteran (permanent): 30,215
• Army veteran: 26,955
• Marine Corps veteran: 14,322
• Navy veteran: 13,948
• Vietnam War veteran: 12,176
• Air Force veteran: 11,001
• Disabled veteran: 4,695
• Persian Gulf veteran: 4,480
• Iraq Conflict veteran: 3,001
• Vietnam Service Medal veteran: 2,653
• Combat wounded veteran – Purple Heart: 2,258
• Iraq Campaign Medal veteran: 1,834
• National Guard member: 1,822
• Afghanistan Conflict veteran: 1,656
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal veteran: 1,631
• Coast Guard veteran: 1,225
• Korean War veteran: 825
• Gold Star family: 713
• Lebanon Conflict veteran: 290
• Military Reserve member: 216
• Cuban Missile Crisis veteran: 201
• Somalia Conflict veteran: 167
• Panama Conflict veteran: 164
• Grenada Conflict veteran: 143
• Blue Star Family: 114
• Ex-prisoner of War: 67
• Merchant Marine member: 35
• Laos Conflict veteran: 20
• Dominican Republic veteran: 16
• Medal of Honor veteran: 1
• Pearl Harbor survivor: 1
• TOTAL military-related plates: 136,845

University fundraising plates and number issued:

• Michigan State University: 56,413
• University of Michigan: 28,194
• Central Michigan University: 7,450
• Western Michigan University: 5,919
• Michigan Tech University: 4,418
• Ferris State University: 3,916
• Grand Valley State University: 3,495
• Wayne State University: 2,527
• Oakland University: 2,166
• Eastern Michigan University: 2,128
• Saginaw Valley State University: 1,884
• Northern Michigan University: 1,742
• Lake Superior State University: 1,142
• University of Michigan – Dearborn: 656
• University of Michigan – Flint: 536
• TOTAL university-related plates: 122,586

Themes, special causes and special organization plates, and number issued:

• Wildlife habitat: 24,362
• Patriotic: 13,896
• Detroit Lions foundation: 13,558
• Detroit Tigers foundation: 10,235
• Lighthouse preservation: 7,508
• Breast cancer awareness: 7,500
• Water quality: 6,157
• Detroit Red Wings foundation: 6,057
• Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union: 6,047
• Agricultural heritage: 5,857
• Donate life: 5,613
• Michigan Fraternal Order of Police: 5,096
• Ducks Unlimited: 4,388
• Children Trust Michigan: 4,008
• Support Michigan Veterans: 3,998
• Veteran Memorial: 3,378
• Amateur radio operator: 3,346
• Michigan State Firemen’s Association: 2,588
• Olympic education: 1,748
• Police Officers Association of Michigan: 1,492
• Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons: 1,310
• Detroit Pistons foundation: 983
• Boy Scouts of America: 606
• Be the Match: 374
• Michigan 4-H: 165
• Delta Sigma: 119
• Sickle Cell Anemia: 24
• TOTAL special causes or organizations: 140,413