What a custom New York license plate is and how to order one

A custom New York license plate lets you choose your own combination of letters and numbers instead of receiving a random one from the state. New York calls these Personalized Plates, and you order them through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) either online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The plate itself costs extra — currently $20 on top of your regular registration fee — and you keep the same plate as long as you renew your registration.

You can request almost any combination of up to eight characters (letters, numbers, or both), but the DMV rejects requests that are already taken, contain offensive language, or look too much like official government plates. The approval process usually takes two to four weeks, and you'll receive your new plate by mail once it's approved.

Key Takeaways

  • Personalized plates cost $20 extra per registration period and are ordered through the New York DMV online, by mail, or in person.
  • You can request any combination up to eight characters, but the DMV will reject duplicates, offensive content, or plates that resemble official state plates.
  • The DMV typically approves or denies your request within two to four weeks and mails the plate to your address.
  • You renew your personalized plate the same way you renew regular registration, and the $20 fee applies each renewal period.

How to order online through the DMV website

The fastest way to order a personalized plate is through the New York DMV's online system at dmv.ny.gov. You'll need your vehicle registration number, driver's license number, and the plate combination you want. The system will tell you when ready whether your choice is available or already taken.

After you submit your request and pay the $20 fee online, the DMV sends you a confirmation number. You'll receive your new plate by mail within two to four weeks. If your requested combination is rejected, you can submit a new request right away at no additional cost.

Ordering by mail or at a DMV office

If you prefer not to order online, you can request a personalized plate by mailing Form MV-44 (process for Personalized Plate) to the DMV address listed on the form, along with a check or money order for $20. You can read the form from dmv.ny.gov or pick one up at any DMV office.

You can also walk into any DMV office and request a personalized plate in person. Bring your vehicle registration, driver's license, and payment. Processing takes the same two to four weeks whether you mail it or submit it in person, since the DMV processes all requests through the same system.

What character combinations the DMV will and won't accept

New York allows up to eight characters on a personalized plate, using any mix of letters and numbers. The DMV rejects requests that duplicate an existing plate, contain profanity or slurs, spell out offensive phrases, or look too similar to official state or federal plates (for example, anything that mimics a police or government vehicle plate).

The DMV also rejects combinations that could be confused with standard registration plates — so you can't request something that looks like it came from the state's regular issuance system. If your first choice is rejected, the DMV will tell you why, and you can submit a different combination. There's no extra charge for resubmitting.

Cost and renewal of personalized plates

The one-time cost for a personalized plate is $20, which you pay when you first order it. Every time you renew your vehicle registration — typically every two years in New York — you pay the $20 personalized plate fee again to keep the same plate. If you don't renew the fee, your plate reverts to a standard registration plate at your next renewal.

You renew a personalized plate through the same process as regular registration: online at dmv.ny.gov, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The plate itself doesn't expire; you're just paying to keep that specific combination assigned to your vehicle.

Transferring a personalized plate to a different vehicle

If you sell your car or buy a new one, you can transfer your personalized plate to the new vehicle. You'll need to submit a request to the DMV showing your old registration and new vehicle information. The transfer fee is $20, and the process takes about two weeks.

You can also surrender a personalized plate and return to a standard registration plate at any time. There's no refund for the unused portion of your registration period, but you won't owe the $20 personalized plate fee at your next renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve a personalized plate before I buy a car?

No. You must have an active vehicle registration to order a personalized plate. Once you register your new vehicle with the DMV, you can when ready request a personalized plate for it.

What if someone else requests the same plate while I'm waiting for approval?

The DMV processes requests in the order they're received. If your request is submitted first, the plate is yours. If someone else submits the same combination before yours is approved, your request will be rejected and you'll be notified to choose a different one.

Do I have to keep a personalized plate if I don't like it anymore?

No. You can surrender it at any time and return to a standard registration plate. Contact the DMV or visit an office to request the change. You won't get a refund, but you won't owe the $20 fee at your next renewal.

How long does it take to receive my personalized plate after approval?

The DMV typically mails your plate within one to two weeks after approval. Total time from order to delivery is usually two to four weeks. You'll receive a confirmation number when you order, which you can use to track your request on dmv.ny.gov.

Can I use special characters or symbols on a personalized plate?

No. New York personalized plates use only letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). You cannot include hyphens, spaces, or other symbols, though the DMV may add a standard hyphen in the middle of your plate for formatting.