California personalized plate fees break into two parts: the base personalized plate fee and your vehicle registration renewal
A personalized (vanity) plate in California costs $40 additional on top of your regular vehicle registration fee when you first order one. When you renew that plate every two years, you pay another $40 at renewal time. Your regular registration fee — which varies by vehicle value, weight, and county — stays the same whether you choose a standard or personalized plate.
The $40 fee is set by California law and does not change based on how many characters you use, what letters or numbers you pick, or how desirable the combination might be. You pay the same amount whether you want FASTCAR or something more obscure.
You order through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The process takes about four to six weeks from the time the DMV approves your requested combination.
Key Takeaways
- California charges $40 when you first order a personalized plate, then $40 again every two years when you renew your registration.
- The $40 fee covers the personalized plate itself; your regular registration renewal cost is separate and depends on your vehicle's value and county.
- You can request a specific combination of up to six characters (letters, numbers, or both), but the DMV rejects combinations that are already taken or violate content rules.
- Processing takes four to six weeks, so order early if you need the plate by a specific date.
- If your requested combination is taken, the DMV shows you alternatives with similar characters so you can choose a backup without restarting the process.
What character combinations are allowed
California personalized plates can hold up to six characters total. You can use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), or a mix of both. You cannot use spaces, punctuation, or special symbols — the plate itself has no room for them.
The DMV rejects combinations that are already assigned to another vehicle, that spell out words or phrases the state considers offensive, or that look too similar to standard plates (which use a specific format the DMV protects). If your first choice is taken, the DMV's ordering system shows you suggested alternatives using similar letters and numbers so you can pick a second choice without submitting a new request.
You can request up to three different combinations when you order, ranked in order of preference. The DMV processes them in that order and approves the first available one.
How to order through the DMV website
The fastest route is the California DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. Go to the "Plates" section, select "Personalized Plates," and choose whether you want a standard California plate design or one of the special interest plates (such as environmental, veteran, or collegiate designs). Each design option costs the same $40 fee.
Enter your requested character combination and check availability in real time. If it is taken, the system shows alternatives. Add your vehicle information, current registration number, and driver's license number. Pay the $40 personalized plate fee plus any registration renewal fees due using a credit or debit card.
After you submit, the DMV mails you a confirmation. Processing takes four to six weeks. Once approved, the DMV mails your new plate to the address on file. You keep your current plate until the new one arrives, then swap them out yourself — no appointment needed.
Ordering by mail or at a DMV office
If you prefer not to order online, you can request a personalized plate using the DMV form REG 17 (process for Personalized or Vanity License Plates), available on the DMV website or at any DMV office. Fill out the form with your requested combinations, vehicle information, and current registration details, then mail it with a check or money order for $40 to the address listed on the form.
You can also walk into a DMV office with the completed form and pay in person. Processing time is the same — four to six weeks — whether you mail or submit in person. Submitting in person does not speed up approval.
If you order by mail and your first choice is taken, the DMV mails you a notice and asks you to choose from alternatives or submit new requests. This back-and-forth adds time, so ordering online (where you see availability when ready) is usually faster.
Renewal costs and timeline
Every two years, when your vehicle registration renews, you pay another $40 to keep your personalized plate active. This renewal fee is separate from your regular registration renewal cost. You receive a renewal notice from the DMV about 60 days before your registration expires, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person using the same methods as a standard registration.
If you do not renew the personalized plate fee, your registration renews with a standard plate instead, and you lose the personalized combination. If you want it back later, you would need to request it again and pay the $40 fee — though if someone else has taken it in the meantime, you cannot have it.
You can also cancel a personalized plate at any time and switch back to a standard plate. The DMV does not refund the $40 you already paid, but you stop paying the $40 renewal fee going forward.
Special interest plate designs and their costs
California offers personalized versions of special interest plates — designs that support environmental causes, military service, colleges, or other organizations. Examples include the environmental "Protect Our Oceans" plate, veteran plates, and University of California alumni plates.
The personalized fee remains $40 regardless of which design you choose. However, some special interest plates carry an additional annual donation or contribution that goes to the organization the plate supports. For example, a personalized environmental plate might include a $3 annual contribution to a conservation group. Check the DMV website for the specific plate design you want to see if an additional contribution applies.
What happens if your requested combination is already taken
When you order online and your first choice is unavailable, the DMV's system when ready shows you alternative combinations using similar characters. You can pick one of those alternatives or enter a completely different combination. You do not have to start over or pay again.
If you order by mail and your combination is taken, the DMV sends you a letter with suggested alternatives. You then mail back your choice, and processing continues. This adds one to two weeks to the timeline compared to ordering online.
You can request up to three combinations in order of preference on a single process. The DMV approves whichever one becomes available first, so listing backups increases your chances of getting a plate without reapplying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my personalized plate to a different vehicle?
Yes. You can transfer a personalized plate to another vehicle you own by submitting form REG 166 (process for Replacement or Duplicate License Plates) to the DMV. You pay a transfer fee (currently $20) but not the full $40 personalized plate fee again. The plate remains active on your new vehicle, and you continue paying the $40 renewal fee every two years.
Do I have to pay the $40 fee every year, or just every two years?
You pay $40 every two years when your registration renews, not annually. California registration renews on a two-year cycle. If you do not renew the personalized plate fee at that time, your plate reverts to a standard plate and you lose the personalized combination.
How long does it take to get a personalized plate after I order?
Processing takes four to six weeks from the time you submit your order. The DMV first checks availability and content rules, then manufactures and mails the plate. You keep your current plate until the new one arrives. Ordering online is faster than by mail because you see availability when ready and avoid back-and-forth if your choice is taken.
What if I want to cancel my personalized plate?
You can cancel at any time by contacting the DMV or requesting a standard plate at your next renewal. You do not get a refund for the $40 you already paid, but you stop paying the $40 renewal fee going forward. Your personalized combination becomes available for someone else to request.
Can I put spaces or symbols on a personalized plate?
No. California personalized plates allow only letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9) in combinations up to six characters. Spaces, punctuation, and special symbols are not available. The plate design itself includes the California flag and state name, but the personalized section is letters and numbers only.