Drop vowels. FAST becomes FST, GARAGE becomes GRG.
Add a number at the end. BOSS1 or BOSS22. Some states only allow numbers at the end, so put them there.
Use sound-alikes. 4 for FOR, 2 for TO or TOO, U for YOU, 8 for ATE.
Change the length. A longer or shorter version is often open when the obvious one isn't.
Avoid characters that cause problems
Letters and numbers that look alike (O and 0, I and 1, B and 8) make plates hard to read, and some states won't issue
the letter O at all. Check your state's rules before you settle on a plate.
Know what gets refused
Anything a reviewer could read as offensive, even in slang or backwards, is likely to be turned down.
See the common reasons.
Search for patterns instead of one plate
If you're flexible, let the plates come to you. With a snipe on License Plate Scan you can ask
for things like "any 3-letter plate", "plates ending in GT" or "4 characters starting with Z", and get a message when
one opens in your state.
Check every variation at once
Check your list of ideas against every state we cover, then order the best open one before
someone else does.
Quick answers
What's the best length for a vanity plate?
Short plates (1-3 characters) are the most wanted and rarely open. 4-6 characters gives you the best chance of finding a meaningful one that's available.