California personalized plates let you choose your own combination of letters and numbers, within limits set by the DMV

A personalized license plate in California is one where you pick the characters instead of receiving a random assignment. You can choose up to six characters (letters, numbers, or a mix), and the plate stays yours as long as you renew it. The DMV checks your request against a list of banned combinations — mostly profanity, slurs, and references to drugs or violence — and also against plates already issued to other drivers.

The process takes place entirely through the California DMV, either online, by mail, or in person at a field office. You pay a one-time personalization fee on top of your regular registration fee, and the personalized plate itself costs extra. Once approved, your plate arrives by mail, and you install it on your vehicle.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request a personalized plate online through the California DMV website, by mail using form REG 17, or in person at a DMV field office.
  • Your chosen combination must be between one and six characters, and the DMV will reject it if it matches an existing plate or violates content rules.
  • The personalization fee is a one-time charge, separate from your registration renewal, and the plate itself costs more than a standard plate.
  • Approval typically takes two to four weeks if you request online or by mail, though the DMV may ask you to choose alternatives if your first choice is unavailable.
  • You keep the same personalized plate across vehicle registrations as long as you renew it, even if you change vehicles.

How to request a personalized plate online

The fastest route is the California DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. Go to the "Plates" section and select "Personalized Plates." You will enter your desired character combination and the DMV will tell you when ready whether it is available. If it is taken or rejected, you can try alternatives right away without waiting.

Once you find an available combination, you complete the order with your vehicle registration information and payment method. You will pay the personalization fee plus the plate fee at that time. The DMV will mail your new plate to the address on file, usually within two to four weeks. You do not need to visit a field office unless you want to pick up the plate in person.

Requesting by mail or at a DMV field office

If you prefer not to use the website, you can request a personalized plate by mail using form REG 17, available on the DMV website or at any field office. Fill in your desired combination, sign the form, and mail it with a check or money order for both the personalization fee and the plate fee to the address listed on the form.

At a DMV field office, you can submit form REG 17 in person and pay by check, money order, or debit card. The staff will check availability on the spot, though you may not get an answer the same day if the combination requires manual review. Mail requests typically take longer because the DMV must process them in order, so online is usually faster if availability matters to you.

What combinations the DMV will reject

The DMV maintains a list of banned character combinations. These include profanity, ethnic or racial slurs, references to illegal drugs, and content related to violence or hate. The system also blocks combinations that could be confused with official government plates or that spell out banned words when read in a certain way.

If your first choice is rejected, the DMV will tell you why (usually just "not available" without detail) and you can request another combination. You are not limited to one attempt — you can keep trying different options until you find one that works. If you requested by mail and your choice is rejected, the DMV will return your payment and you can resubmit with a different combination.

Fees and renewal requirements

California charges a one-time personalization fee when you first request the plate, plus the cost of the plate itself, which is higher than a standard plate. Both fees vary slightly by year, so check the current amounts on the DMV website before you order. These are separate from your regular vehicle registration renewal fee.

When your registration expires, you renew it as usual through the DMV. Your personalized plate continues to be yours as long as you keep renewing your registration. If you let your registration lapse, you lose the plate and someone else can request it. If you sell your vehicle, you can transfer the personalized plate to a new vehicle by updating your registration, or you can retire it and return to a standard plate.

Transferring or retiring your personalized plate

If you buy a different vehicle and want to keep your personalized plate, you update your vehicle registration with the DMV and the plate transfers to the new vehicle. You do not pay the personalization fee again — you only pay for the new registration and any plate replacement if the physical plate is damaged.

If you want to stop using your personalized plate, you can request a standard plate instead during your next registration renewal. The personalization fee you paid is not refunded, but you will not pay it again. Your old personalized combination becomes available for someone else to request after a waiting period.

What to do if your requested combination is already taken

The DMV checks every request against plates already issued to other California drivers. If your combination is taken, the system will tell you when ready (online) or by mail (if you submitted form REG 17). You then choose a different combination and resubmit.

You cannot reserve a combination or get on a waiting list for a plate someone else currently has. Your only option is to pick something else. If you have a very specific combination in mind, try variations — for example, if "MYNAME" is taken, you might try "MYNAME1" or "MY NAME" (with a space, which counts as a character).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a personalized plate when I first register a new vehicle?

Yes. When you register a new vehicle with the DMV, you can request a personalized plate at the same time instead of accepting the randomly assigned plate. You pay both the registration fee and the personalization fee together. This is often easier than registering first and then requesting a personalized plate later.

What happens if I misspell my personalized plate request?

If you realize the mistake before the plate is mailed, contact the DMV when ready and they may be able to cancel and reissue it. If the plate has already arrived, you can request a replacement with the correct spelling, though you may have to pay a replacement fee. Always double-check your combination before submitting.

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

Spaces count as one character and are allowed. Most special characters (hyphens, periods, asterisks) are not allowed on California personalized plates. Stick to letters and numbers, with spaces if you need them to reach your desired look.

How long does it take to get a personalized plate after approval?

Once the DMV approves your request, the physical plate is mailed to you, usually within two to four weeks. Online requests are typically faster than mail requests because they are processed when ready. You can continue driving with your old plate until the new one arrives.

Do I have to install the personalized plate right away?

You must display your personalized plate once it arrives and your registration is updated. You cannot keep your old plate if you have been issued a new personalized one. Install it within a reasonable time after receiving it to stay in compliance with California vehicle code.