Virginia personalized plates cost extra and take four to six weeks to arrive
A personalized Virginia license plate lets you choose your own combination of letters and numbers instead of receiving a random assignment. Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles these orders. The base cost is $25 for the personalized plate itself, plus your standard annual registration fee. Processing takes four to six weeks from the time DMV approves your request.
You can order online through the Virginia DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The online route is fastest — you'll know within hours whether your chosen combination is available. If you order by mail or in person, you'll wait several business days for a response about availability.
Your personalized plate must follow Virginia's rules: it can be up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or a mix), and certain combinations are blocked. Virginia won't issue plates with offensive language, references to illegal activity, or combinations that look too much like standard government plates.
Key Takeaways
- Personalized plates in Virginia cost $25 on top of your regular registration fee and take four to six weeks to receive after approval.
- You can check availability and order online through the Virginia DMV website, which is faster than mail or in-person ordering.
- Your combination can be up to seven characters long and must not contain offensive language or references to illegal activity.
- If your first choice is taken, you can request a second or third option during the same order, and DMV will check all of them.
- Personalized plates renew annually along with your vehicle registration, and you pay the $25 personalization fee each year.
How to order online through the Virginia DMV website
Go to the Virginia DMV's online services portal and select "Personalized License Plate" from the menu. Enter your vehicle's information (VIN, current plate number, and registration expiration date). Then type in your desired plate combination and click "Check Availability." The system will tell you when ready whether that combination is taken.
If your first choice is available, you can proceed to payment. If it's taken, you can enter up to two additional choices, and DMV will check all of them. Once you've selected an available combination and paid the $25 fee plus any applicable taxes, you'll receive a confirmation number. Your plate will be mailed to the address on file with your registration.
Keep your confirmation number. If your plate doesn't arrive within eight weeks, contact the DMV with that number so they can track it down. Plates occasionally get lost in the mail, and DMV can reissue yours if that happens.
Ordering by mail or at a DMV office
If you prefer not to order online, read the process for Personalized License Plate (Form DMV 40) from the Virginia DMV website. Fill in your vehicle information, write your desired plate combination in the space provided, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for $25.
Processing by mail takes longer — typically two to three weeks for DMV to review your request and notify you of availability. If your combination is taken, they'll send you a letter asking for a second choice, which adds another week or two to the timeline.
You can also walk into any Virginia DMV office with the completed form and payment. Staff will check availability on the spot and can often process your order the same day, though you'll still wait four to six weeks for the physical plate to arrive by mail.
What combinations are blocked or unavailable
Virginia's DMV maintains a list of combinations it won't issue. These include plates with profanity, slurs, or references to illegal drugs or violence. Combinations that too closely resemble official government plates (like those used by law enforcement or state agencies) are also blocked.
Beyond the blocked list, any combination someone else already has is unavailable. Virginia doesn't allow duplicates, even if the other person's plate is in a different county. If your choice is taken, the system will tell you when ready online, or DMV will notify you by mail if you ordered that way.
If you're unsure whether a combination might be blocked, order it anyway. There's no penalty for requesting a blocked plate — DMV will straightforward deny it and ask for another choice. You only pay the $25 fee once, even if your first two choices are unavailable and you need to pick a third.
Renewal and replacement of personalized plates
Your personalized plate renews every year along with your vehicle registration. You'll pay the $25 personalization fee again when you renew, in addition to your standard registration fee. You can renew online, by mail, or in person using the same methods as a standard plate renewal.
If your personalized plate is damaged, lost, or stolen, contact the DMV to request a replacement. Replacement plates cost $10 and arrive within two to three weeks. You don't lose your personalized combination — it stays yours as long as you keep renewing it.
If you want to switch back to a standard plate, you can do that at renewal. You'll only pay the standard registration fee going forward, and your personalized combination becomes available for someone else to order.
Costs and timing compared to standard plates
| Item | Standard Plate | Personalized Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost (beyond registration) | $0 | $25 |
| Annual renewal cost (beyond registration) | $0 | $25 |
| Processing time | 1–2 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Replacement cost if lost or damaged | $10 | $10 |
| Availability check | N/A | when ready online, or 2–3 weeks by mail |
The main trade-off is time and money. Personalized plates take twice as long to arrive and cost $25 per year. If you're ordering a plate for a vehicle you're about to sell or trade in, the wait time might not be worth it. If you're keeping the vehicle long-term and want a specific combination, the annual cost is modest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my personalized plate to a different vehicle?
Yes. Contact the DMV and request a plate transfer. You'll pay a transfer fee (typically $10–15) and the plate will be reassigned to your new vehicle's registration. The process takes one to two weeks. Your personalized combination stays with you; it doesn't go back into the available pool.
What if someone else orders the combination I want before I do?
Once a combination is issued, it's no longer available. If you're checking availability online and see it's taken, you'll need to choose a different combination. There's no waiting list or reservation system — it's first-come, first-served.
Do personalized plates cost more to register than standard plates each year?
Yes. You pay $25 annually for the personalization fee on top of your standard registration fee. The registration fee itself (based on vehicle value and weight) is the same whether you have a personalized or standard plate.
How long do I have to keep a personalized plate once I order it?
There's no minimum. You can switch back to a standard plate at your next renewal if you change your mind. You'll stop paying the $25 personalization fee, and your combination becomes available for someone else to order.
What happens if my personalized plate arrives damaged?
Contact the DMV with your confirmation number and explain the damage. They'll send you a replacement plate at no charge. Damaged plates due to manufacturing defects are replaced free; if the damage is from wear or misuse, you may be charged the $10 replacement fee.