Free · no signup
How many states can you find?
Plates spotted
Game options
Saved on this device · passenger play only
For passengers only. Set up before departure; the driver must not search for plates or interact with the screen.
How to play the License Plate Game.
- 1
Spot a plate
Passengers look for a plate from a state you have not found yet.
- 2
Tap the state
Find its abbreviation on the board and tap once to mark it.
- 3
Keep rolling
Play until the journey ends—or keep the same hunt for the whole trip.
Want a paper version?
Open Game options beneath the board, then choose Print. You can print it or save a PDF.
Passengers play. Drivers drive.
Set up before leaving and hand the phone to a passenger. Read NHTSA guidance
The classic board uses all 50 US states. Use the small selector above the board to add Washington, DC, Canada, or the full North America challenge. Created and reviewed by the TripMemo team.
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Why it works
One road.
Fifty tiny wins.
A plate from far away turns an ordinary stretch of road into a car-wide celebration. No rules to remember. No setup screen. Just look, tap and cheer.
Made for the back seat
One lookout.
A car full of cheers.
Big buttons make every find easy to mark. The board remembers your trip automatically, so passengers can spend less time on the screen and more time looking out of the window.
Spot it
Keep eyes on the road, not buried in a screen.
Tap it
Mark the state with one easy thumb-sized tap.
Cheer
Every milestone becomes a tiny back-seat victory.
Rules, formats and spotting tips
The complete License Plate Game guide.
Spot vehicles from different states and mark each place once. Play the classic 50-state hunt or add Washington, DC for 51.
- Players
- 1–10
- Age
- 5+
- Length
- 30 min–whole trip
- Equipment
- Nothing extra
Classic formatLicense Plate Game rules
- 1. Choose the board. Play with 50 states, add DC, choose Canada, or try North America.
- 2. Agree on the finish. Stop at your destination, after a set time, or when every place is found.
- 3. Call the plate. The first passenger to identify a new state claims it.
- 4. Mark it once. Repeat sightings do not add another state.
- 5. Count the result. Complete the team board or finish with the highest multiplayer score.
Choose your formatSolo, team or multiplayer
Solo: keep one score and try to beat it next time.
Cooperative: everyone works on one shared 50-state checklist.
Multiplayer: add two to ten names and colours. Select the passenger before marking a state and the board keeps score.
Quick drive: set a 30- or 60-minute timer; the highest total wins.
Find more statesTips for spotting rare plates
- Keep one hunt for the whole trip to give uncommon plates more time to appear.
- Look where travellers gather: rest areas, visitor attractions and large service stops.
- Expect location to matter. Alaska and Hawaii are often difficult on the mainland, but every route differs.
- Check the full name beneath each official two-letter abbreviation when unsure.
Decide before leavingWhat counts as a plate?
A place counts when a passenger can clearly identify the issuing state or jurisdiction. Agree whether parked cars, trailers, temporary tags, dealer plates and commercial vehicles count.
TripMemo uses the simple first-claim multiplayer format: the first passenger to call a new place owns that square.
Safety rule: the driver never searches for plates or touches the game.
Screen-free optionFree printable checklist
Choose a collection, open Game options and select Print. The clean checklist includes every place name and abbreviation; print it or save it as a PDF.
Open the checklistSources and review
Written and reviewed by the TripMemo team. Last reviewed . Codes follow USPS Publication 28 and the Government of Canada. Safety guidance follows NHTSA.
Quick questions.
Everything else you might want to know.
How do you play the license plate game?
Look for license plates on vehicles around you. A passenger taps each state, province or territory the first time the car spots it. Keep going until the journey ends or the collection is complete.
Is this license plate game free?
Yes. The TripMemo License Plate Game is free to play in your browser. There is no account, app download or email signup required.
Does my road-trip progress save?
Yes. Your spotted plates, chosen collection, player names, colours and scores save locally in this browser on this device. Clearing browser storage or switching devices will start a separate hunt.
Can several passengers play against each other?
Yes. Choose Play with friends, add two to ten player names and give each passenger a colour. Select a player before tapping a plate; the square changes to their colour and the live score shows who is leading.
Can I print a license plate game checklist?
Yes. Choose the USA, USA plus DC, Canada or North America collection, then use Print checklist. Your browser can print the clean checklist or save it as a PDF.
Are Washington, DC and Canadian plates included?
Yes. The classic mode contains the 50 US states. You can also choose a 51-place USA plus DC hunt, a 13-place Canada hunt, or the full 64-place North America challenge.
Does the license plate game use 50 states or 51 places?
The classic US License Plate Game uses the 50 states. Many families add Washington, DC as a separate place, creating a 51-place version. TripMemo lets you choose either board before playing.
What counts in the license plate game?
A plate counts when a passenger can clearly identify its issuing state, province or territory. Before leaving, agree whether parked cars, trailers, temporary tags and dealer plates are eligible. Each place counts once on the main board.
Which state license plates are hardest to find?
It depends on your location and route. Alaska and Hawaii are often difficult to spot on the mainland, while small or distant states may be rare in your region. Longer trips and busy visitor stops usually produce a wider mix.
Can children play the road trip license plate game?
Yes. Large buttons, full state names, familiar two-letter abbreviations and cooperative play make it easy for families. An adult passenger can tap on behalf of younger children.
Should the driver use this game?
No. This is a passenger-only game. Set it up before departure and hand the device to a passenger. The driver must keep their attention on driving and should not search for plates or interact with the screen.
Is “licence plate game” the same game?
Yes. “Licence” is the common British spelling of the noun, while “license plate game” is the usual US search term and name for this American road-trip activity.
