Reporter: Manuel Quinones
Across Virginia - Call us vain or just creative. Virginians really know how to express themselves. A new list puts the Commonwealth right at the top when it comes to having vanity license plates. So many drivers have them -- 16 percent of all Virginia license plates are personalized.
There are more than nine million vanity plates nationwide. And about 900,000 of them are right here in Virginia. The numbers should come as no surprise. Look around. They're everywhere. These plates are so prevalent that right now in this parking lot in downtown Lynchburg, there are at least nine of them.
Sheila Jackson - "I got it ‘cause I could not remember the regular license plate number."
Hers it is easy to figure out, it's her name. Others leave us scratching our heads.
Jackson - "It is hard ‘cause some of them bunch them up together."
That's because vanity plates often have very personal meanings.
Judith Johnson - "All my children's friends call me Ms. J rather than Ms. Johnson."
That's what the MSJ on her plate is all about. But what does the NJ mean?
Johnson - "I had a hard time giving up New Jersey. I love the Jersey Shore, I love New York."
You can tell this guy loves his job fixing pipes.
Wayne McKinney - "Somebody came up with a logo for me about ten years ago and says 'we keep things flowing.'"
But why do a higher percentage of Virginians run to the DMV to get vanity plates?
McKinney - "Maybe we are more vain."
Or more proud. This Korean War veteran celebrates his service on his plates.
Sam Mosley - "The unit that I served with. 7th division and it also has the Silver Star, an award for valor during that campaign."
It could also be that it's more affordable to show your pride in Virginia.
The state only charges $10 extra for them.
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