Spotting Rental Vehicles Through License Plate Clues
Certain states have stopped putting rental car markings on license plates because criminals targeting tourists could easily spot them. Driving a rental car that is obviously marked can put your safety at risk. Yet some states continue to use various methods to mark rental vehicles. Before you rent, it's wise to ask the rental company whether they mark their cars and, if possible, request an unmarked one. When rental cars are still identifiable, the markings typically fall into three categories.
By Taylor Cooper3 steps
Many states used a set prefix for rental car license markings, but have withdrawn the use of markings due to criminal activity.
Several states have had to stop identifying rental cars on their license plates because the practice gave criminals a clear way to target tourists. If you are driving a vehicle that is labeled as a rental, your safety could be in danger. Even so, some states still use different methods to mark their rental cars, and these methods vary from state to state. Before you rent, it is a good idea to ask the rental car company whether they mark their vehicles and to request one that is not marked. When rental cars can still be recognized, the markings generally come in three forms.
Step 1
Pay attention to differences in sticker colors on license plates. In Virginia, for instance, rental cars have standard passenger plates but carry a white-on-orange sticker to show that the vehicle is a rental.
Step 2
Check for a license plate frame or placard that promotes a rental car company. Some companies rely on these frames rather than putting markings directly on the plates.
Step 3
Look for symbols on the license plates that appear out of the ordinary. Idaho, for example, places a small heart symbol near the bottom of its rental car license plates.
