What personalized plates are and how to order them
A personalized license plate (also called a vanity plate) is one where you choose the letters and numbers instead of accepting the random combination your DMV assigns. You order it through your state's DMV, pay an extra fee beyond your standard registration renewal, and wait for the plate to arrive in the mail. The process takes anywhere from two to eight weeks depending on your state, and the plate is yours to keep as long as you renew your registration.
The main difference between a personalized plate and a standard one is choice and cost. A standard plate costs nothing extra — it comes with your registration. A personalized plate typically costs between $50 and $200 per year in additional fees, depending on your state. Some states charge a one-time vanity fee plus an annual renewal fee; others charge one combined annual fee.
You cannot order a personalized plate without an active vehicle registration. If your registration has expired, you will need to renew it first. If you are buying a used car and the previous owner had a personalized plate, that plate stays with them — you cannot inherit it.
Key Takeaways
- Personalized plates cost between $50 and $200 per year in addition to your standard registration fee, and the amount varies by state.
- You order through your state DMV's website, by mail, or in person, and must have an active vehicle registration before you can request one.
- Your chosen text must follow your state's character limits and content rules — most states reject plates with profanity, slurs, or text that mimics official plates.
- Processing takes two to eight weeks, and you will receive the plate by mail; some states let you use a temporary plate while you wait.
- If your chosen text is already taken, you will need to pick a different combination — there is no waiting list or reservation period.
Character limits and what text you can use
Every state sets its own rules for how many characters fit on a personalized plate and what those characters can be. Most states allow between 2 and 8 characters, though a few allow up to 10. You can usually use letters, numbers, and spaces, but not punctuation or special symbols.
Your state's DMV will reject your request if the text violates content rules. Common rejections include profanity, slurs, references to drugs or alcohol, text that looks like an official government plate, or combinations that spell out something offensive when read a certain way. The DMV staff member reviewing your request makes the final call, so what one state approves, another may reject. If your first choice is denied, you can submit a different combination.
Check your state's DMV website for the exact character limit and content policy before you submit. Some states publish a list of rejected plates so you can see what has been turned down before. California, for example, maintains a searchable database of denied vanity plates.
How to order through your state DMV
Most states let you order personalized plates online through their DMV website. You will need your vehicle registration number, driver's license number, and the text you want on the plate. The website will tell you when ready whether your chosen text is available. If it is, you proceed to payment and submit your order.
If your state does not offer online ordering, you can order by mail or in person at a DMV office. By mail, you typically fill out a form (often called an process for Personalized Plates or similar), include a check or money order for the fee, and mail it to the address listed on your state's DMV website. In person, you bring your registration and driver's license, tell the clerk what you want on the plate, and pay the fee on the spot.
Some states charge the full fee upfront; others charge only the vanity fee when you order and the standard registration renewal fee when your registration comes due. Read the fee structure on your state's website before you pay, so you know what you are being charged and when.
Fees and what they cover
Personalized plate fees are separate from your standard vehicle registration renewal. A standard registration renewal might cost $100 to $300 depending on your state and vehicle; a personalized plate adds $50 to $200 on top of that. Some states charge the vanity fee only once, when you first order; others charge it every year when you renew your registration.
A few states offer discounted vanity plates for military veterans, disabled drivers, or other groups. Check your state's DMV website to see if you fall into a category that qualifies for a reduced fee. The discount, if available, is usually $10 to $30 off the standard vanity fee.
If you move to a different state, you cannot transfer your personalized plate. You will have to surrender it to your old state and order a new one in your new state, paying that state's vanity fee. Some people keep their old plate as a souvenir, but it is no longer legal to display on a vehicle.
Processing time and what happens while you wait
After you submit your order, the DMV processes it and manufactures your plate. This typically takes two to eight weeks. You will receive the plate by mail at the address on your registration. Some states send a temporary plate or a notice that you can display while you wait for the real plate to arrive.
During the waiting period, you are still required to display a valid license plate on your vehicle. If your state does not provide a temporary plate, you must continue using your old plate until the personalized one arrives. Do not remove your old plate early — driving without a visible plate is illegal.
Once your personalized plate arrives, remove the old one and install the new one. Keep the old plate in case you need it later (for example, if you sell the vehicle and the new owner wants to use it). When your registration renews each year, your personalized plate renews with it — you do not have to reorder it unless you want to change the text.
Changing or canceling a personalized plate
If you want a different text on your plate, you can order a new personalized plate. You will pay the vanity fee again. Your old plate becomes invalid once the new one is issued. Some states let you keep the old plate as a souvenir; others require you to return it.
If you want to go back to a standard plate, contact your DMV and request to cancel the personalized plate. You will stop paying the vanity fee at your next registration renewal. The personalized plate becomes invalid, and a new standard plate will be issued to you.
If your personalized plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, report it to your DMV right away. You can request a replacement plate, and your state will either reissue the same personalized plate or issue a standard plate, depending on the damage and your state's policy. Replacement fees vary by state.
Transferring a vehicle with a personalized plate
If you sell your vehicle, the personalized plate does not transfer to the new owner. The plate stays with you and your registration. When you sell the car, you remove the personalized plate and either keep it or return it to your DMV, depending on your state's rules. The new owner will need to register the vehicle with a standard plate or order their own personalized plate.
If you buy a used vehicle that has a standard plate, you can keep that plate or order a personalized one. The previous owner's personalized plate, if they had one, will have been removed when they sold the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if someone else orders the same text I want?
Personalized plates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. If someone orders a plate with your chosen text before you do, that text is no longer available. You will need to pick a different combination. There is no waiting list or reservation system — you either order it or you do not get it.
Can I use numbers and letters together on a personalized plate?
Yes. Most states allow any combination of letters, numbers, and spaces within your character limit. For example, "ABC123" or "2FAST4U" are typically allowed. Check your state's rules to confirm what characters are permitted.
Do personalized plates expire?
Your personalized plate renews automatically when you renew your vehicle registration. You do not have to reorder it every year unless you want to change the text. As long as you keep your registration current, your personalized plate remains valid.
Can I order a personalized plate if my vehicle registration is expired?
No. You must have an active, current vehicle registration before you can order a personalized plate. If your registration has expired, renew it first, then order the personalized plate.
What if the DMV rejects my personalized plate request?
The DMV will tell you why it was rejected — usually because the text violates content rules, is already taken, or does not meet character requirements. You can submit a new request with different text. There is no appeal process for content rejections, but you can try as many combinations as you want.