Actually I kinda think the European ones seem quite squished. They're certainly wider, but the letters are smaller to fit the shorter vertical height. A matter

Actually I kinda think the European ones seem quite squished. They're certainly wider, but the letters are smaller to fit the shorter vertical height. A matter of what you're used to? (Incidentally, in Australia, you can get three kinds of local plate shapes, as well as German-style, Japanese-style and American-style plates. I guess shape and size aren't really that important as long as they're legible and all those plate dimensions have been deemed legible.) They're allowed to act as regional advertisements since it's the regional government that creates them. Why would they ban themselves? Why do German number plates have symbols of Europe, Germany, the state and the city that issues them? French and Italian plates are similar. There's definitely an unsubtle nationalism in European plates, it's just not as loud and in-your-face as the American ones. More like: "We in europe are important. Become accustomed to our authority. We in germany are important. Become accustomed to our authority." etc. I think the only real issue is why they're so bloody hard to read. I see nothing wrong with a black-on-white plate that says "How great's Ontario!" but why so much color? It seems that the decentralisation of law enforcement in North America probably has something to answer for here - they can't adequately veto stupid plate designs.