A car lanyard is a printed strap for your keys, a pass or an ID card, made in a car culture design instead of a plain one. Ours come from Late Brake Supply, EuroStance and Strictly Static, from the LB JDM Blossom strap to the EuroStance Koi JDM, and every design below is in stock in our lanyards range.
What is a car lanyard?
It is the same neck strap you would use for a work pass, printed with artwork from the car scene: Japanese cherry blossom and koi, checkerboard finish lines, camo, tattoo flash and brand lettering. People wear them at car meets and shows, hang them from a bag or a hook by the door, or use them to keep a car key easy to find.
The strap is only half of it. The fitting at the end decides how you use it, so it is worth checking whether a lanyard has a plain clasp, a clip or a detachable buckle before you choose.
Which car lanyards do we stock?
Three brands make up most of our range, plus a short key strap and a reversible strap from Driver Apparel.
Late Brake Supply graphic lanyards
The Late Brake Supply lanyards are fabric straps with repeating Late Brake branding, a silver-tone metal clasp and a black detachable buckle, so the bottom part with your keys unclips from the strap.
A charcoal, pink and white cherry blossom print.
A navy and tan checkerboard design.
A cyan, black and grey graphic print.
A black, white and grey branded design for a quieter look.
Orange, grey and black camo.
EuroStance JDM lanyards
EuroStance designs lean into Japanese car culture.
Woven fabric with EUROSTANCE lettering over koi scales, leaves and flowers in orange, green and black, finished with a black metal clip.
£5.99In stockA red take on the JDM theme.
The first version of the EuroStance JDM design.
£5.99In stockBold dragon artwork for meets and shows.
A wave print inspired by Japanese art.
Strictly Static printed lanyards
Strictly Static lanyards are 25mm wide and 400mm long, printed in HD on both sides, with a chrome clasp. Because the print runs on both faces, the design shows however the strap sits.
A blossom print.
Strictly Static Dirt Nasty Lows (Red)
For fans of low cars.
A brighter design.
A short key strap and a reversible lanyard
A short nylon key strap with a carabiner clip that hooks onto a belt loop or bag.
A reversible woven nylon neck strap, 20mm wide and 570mm long, with a metal lobster clip and a release buckle.
Car lanyards compared
| Lanyard | Strap | Fitting | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late Brake graphic | Branded fabric | Metal clasp, detachable buckle | Unclipping keys to drive |
| EuroStance Koi JDM | Woven fabric | Black metal clip | JDM artwork |
| Strictly Static | 25mm, printed both sides, 400mm | Chrome clasp | A print that always faces out |
| Slow Car Club key strap | Short nylon | Carabiner clip | Belt loop or bag |
How do you choose a car lanyard?
Choose the design you like first, then check the fitting and the length so the lanyard suits how you carry it.
- Start with the design: pick the artwork or brand you like, as you will see it every day.
- Check the fitting: a detachable buckle lets you take the keys off without removing the strap, while a clasp or clip stays on.
- Think about length: a full neck strap suits passes and shows, a short key strap suits a pocket or a belt loop.
- Look at both sides: a strap printed on both faces never shows a blank back.
- Match your kit: pair it with a hoodie or a flight tag from the same brand for a set that goes together.
Which lanyard fitting is best for car keys?
A detachable buckle is the most practical for car keys, because you can unclip the key and leave the strap behind when you drive. A clasp or a carabiner clip suits house keys, a work pass or a bag, where the lanyard stays on all day. Lanyards are made for keys, passes and light accessories, so keep a heavy bunch of keys on its own ring.
Should you keep a lanyard on your car key while you drive?
It is better not to. A long strap hanging from a key in the ignition can swing into your knee and adds weight to the key and barrel. Unclip the keys at the buckle, or keep the lanyard for your house keys and pass, and leave only the car key in the ignition or your pocket.
How do you look after a printed lanyard?
Hand wash it in lukewarm soapy water when it gets grubby, rinse and let it dry flat. Check the clasp and buckle now and then, as these take the wear, and keep the strap out of a pocket full of loose change and keys that can scuff the print.
Common questions
Are car lanyards a good gift?
Yes. They are light, easy to post and come in designs for most tastes, which makes them a good stocking filler. Our guide to gift sets and stocking fillers has more small gift ideas.
What does JDM mean on a lanyard?
JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market. On a lanyard it means artwork inspired by Japanese car culture, such as cherry blossom, koi and dragon designs.
Can I wash a lanyard in the washing machine?
It is better to hand wash it, as the drum can scratch the metal clasp and fade a printed strap.
Can I add a flight tag to a lanyard?
Yes. A tag with a split ring or a clip hooks onto the clasp, and our guide to Remove Before Flight keyrings covers the flight tags we stock.
Need help choosing?
Tell our team who the lanyard is for and the cars or brands they like, and we will point you to the right design. For clothing to match, see our guide to car culture clothing.
