How to Upcycle, Sell, or Recycle Your Old License Plates

Crafty, decorative, and practical ideas for old license plates

Co-authored by David Julien and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: November 3, 2023 Fact Checked

You've got an old license plate or two—maybe a whole box of them—gathering dust because you don't know what to do with them. Well, you've come to the right place! The easiest thing to do is sell or recycle them, but why not turn them into art instead? Read on for some great ideas—just remember to check with your local motor vehicles licensing office and make sure you're not required by law to turn them in before you jump into a project.

Things You Should Know

Turn an old license plate into a piece of vintage decor by upcycling it using a few basic tools and hardware.
Sell significantly older, vintage, or specialty plates to collectors—if it's in good condition, it could sell for a decent amount.
Take more recent old plates to a scrap metal place to have them recycled. Depending on where you live, your local licensing office might do this for you.

1

Wall Art

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Use an old license plate to create an interesting decorative piece. It would be easy enough to just hang the old license plate up, which might be enough for you if it's something that brings up nice memories for you. But don't be afraid to get creative—especially if you've got several old license plates.^{[1]
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- For example, you might cut several license plates and glue them together so that the letters spelled out a special word or message.
- You could also make a collage of pieces of several license plates that represented trips you've taken or places you've lived.

2

Bookend

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Bend the end of the license plate to create an interesting bookend. Since this project doesn't require any cutting, it's something you can do with kids. All you need to do is measure about 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) from the end, then bend the license plate over the straight edge of a table or countertop. Stick the bent end under the books and the rest of the license plate will hold them upright in place on the shelf.^{[2]
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- Use a ruler and a marker to draw a straight line where you want to bend so you can make sure it's even.

3

Dust Pan

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Attach an old license plate to a handle for a unique dust pan. If you've got some scrap wood, plastic, or metal that you could use as a handle, you only have to bend the sides of the license plate up to make a unique dustpan that all of your friends will ask about. Just find some screws or other hardware that you can use to attach the bent license plate to the handle.^{[3]
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- Use a wood block to easily bend the license plate. Decide where you want to bend it, set the wood block down at that spot, and bend the plate up along the block.

4

Clipboard

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Make the old license plate useful for keeping notes and lists. Clean the old license plate well, then attach a decorative binder clip to the license plate with glue.^{[4]
X
Research source} You could also use actual clipboard hardware that you bolt onto the license plate if you want something sturdier.
- If you want to get really fancy, you could even add a pen holder to it.

5

Wind Chimes

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Turn your old license plate into a musical addition to your yard or patio. Drill some holes into the bottom of the license plate to build a wind chime. Hang objects from the holes, such as old spoons or pieces of scrap metal or glass. Take care to find objects that make pleasing tones when they bump into each other. Use the pre-drilled top holes to attach a chain or some twine to hang your wind chime when you're done.^{[5]
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- Pay attention to the distance of your holes. The further apart they are, the harder the wind will have to be blowing for your wind chime to make any noise.

6

Fridge Magnets

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Cut up your old license plate and repurpose it as interesting magnets. This is especially fun if you have a license plate that's really colorful. Individual letters and numbers make great magnets—all you have to do is stick a magnet square on the back and you're all set.^{[6]
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- Remember to sand down the edges after you cut—otherwise, they'll be dangerously sharp.

7

Key Holder

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Drill some hooks into the license plate and you'll never lose your keys again. All you need for this one is a few metal hooks, although you could also use plastic hooks with strong adhesive. Clean the license plate well and attach your hooks to the bottom. Hang it by the door and your keys will always be ready to go when you are.^{[7]
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- You could also mount the license plate on a piece of wood and use that for your hooks if you don't want to drill into the license plate itself.

8

Pencil Cup

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Organize your desk with a whimsical license plate pencil cup. If you have a spare scrap of wood, cut it in a circle, then bend your old license plate around it and voila—a pencil cup with a little personality and vintage flair. Just find some way to attach the license plate to the piece of wood. Strong glue might work, but you could also use nails or bolts.^{[8]
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- If you've got the tools and you want your cup to look more polished, weld the two ends of the license plate together to seal the cup.

9

Planter

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Give your plants an interesting new home that's also a conversation piece. Cut a circle out of wood and bend your license plate around the wood to form a planter. Bolt the license plate to the wood so it stays on securely. Drill a hole in the center of the wood for water to drain and add an old lid at the bottom for a water dish if you want to set the planter on a solid surface.^{[9]
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- If the planter's going to be hanging outside, attach chains from the pre-drilled holes at the top of the license tag.
- If you have several license plates, you could even make several planters and hook them together to create a larger hanging basket.

10

License Plate Box

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Build a box to turn your old license plate into something useful. This project is a little more complicated, but if you're already familiar with basic woodworking and know how to make a box, it's pretty easy. Instead of using wood for the long sides of the box, just use license plates instead.^{[10]
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- You could also simply bolt the license plate onto the side of a wooden box you've already made to give it a vintage vibe.

11

Selling to Collectors

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Connect with a plate collecting club or sell your plate online. In North America, check out the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. In Europe, look to Europlate. These organizations have tons of resources so you can ensure you get top dollar for your old license plates.^{[11]
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- Use a grading guide to determine the condition of your plate. It can help you understand online listings and figure out what your plate might be worth.
- Online auction and classifieds sites, such as eBay and craigslist, often have listings from collectors.

12

Recycling

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Take your plate to a scrap metal place near you to have it recycled. Typically, you can't just drop a license plate in your curbside recycling bin—you've got to take it to a scrap metal yard. Scratch, bend, or break the plate before you do this so it can't be used again.^{[12]
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- There are a few curbside recycling programs that take old license plates, so it's worth a call to make sure. If you can just pitch the plate in your recycling bin, you'll save a lot of time and effort.^{[13]
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- Some motor vehicle departments are willing to take care of the recycling for you—all you have to worry about is postage. Call or check your local motor vehicle department's website to see if this is a service they offer.^{[14]
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Warnings

Always call your local licensing office before you do anything with an old license plate to make sure it's not supposed to be turned in.^{[15]
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The law requires some types of plates, including US government plates, to be given back to the government. You can't keep them or do anything with them.^{[16]
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