California offers several plate designs, and your choice affects both cost and renewal timing

California issues standard blue-and-white plates to most vehicles, but you can also choose personalized plates, special interest plates, or environmental plates like the white-on-blue electric vehicle design. Each type has different costs and renewal rules. Standard plates are included with your registration fee. Personalized and special interest plates cost extra — usually $50 to $100 more per year — and some have longer wait times because they're produced in smaller batches.

Your plate choice doesn't change how often you renew your registration overall, but it does affect when you'll need to order a replacement if you want to switch designs later. If you're renewing your registration online or by mail, you'll select your plate type during that process.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard blue-and-white plates come with your registration at no extra cost, while personalized and special interest plates add $50 to $100 annually.
  • Personalized plates require a separate order and can take several weeks to arrive, so request them well before your registration expires if you want them on your vehicle by renewal day.
  • Environmental plates like the white electric vehicle design are available at no extra cost if you own a may have access to vehicle, but you must request them when you renew.
  • If you want to change your plate design mid-registration period, you'll need to order new plates and may pay a replacement fee in addition to the plate type cost.
  • The California Department of Motor Vehicles website shows current wait times for personalized plates and lets you check availability of specific character combinations before you order.

Standard blue-and-white plates and what they include

Every California vehicle gets a standard blue-and-white plate unless you request something different. These plates are included in your registration renewal fee — you don't pay extra. The format is one number, three letters, then three numbers (like 1ABC2345), though some older vehicles may have different formats.

When you renew your registration, the DMV will mail you new plates if yours are damaged, faded, or if your registration has lapsed. If your current plates are in good condition and your registration is current, you typically keep the same plates and just renew your registration sticker. You only receive new plates if the DMV determines they need replacement or if you request a different plate type.

Personalized plates: cost, wait time, and how to order

Personalized plates let you choose your own character combination — up to seven characters using letters, numbers, or both. They cost an additional $50 per year on top of your registration fee. The DMV charges this as a special plate fee each renewal cycle, so the extra cost recurs annually.

Wait times for personalized plates vary. The DMV website shows current processing times, which can range from a few weeks to several months depending on demand. If you want personalized plates by a specific date, order them at least two months before your registration expires. You can check whether a specific combination is available on the DMV website before you commit to ordering.

To order personalized plates, you can do so when you renew your registration online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. If you're renewing online, you'll see the personalized plate option during checkout. You'll pay the extra fee when ready, and the plates will be mailed to you separately from your registration documents.

Special interest plates and environmental plates

California offers dozens of special interest plates supporting causes like veterans, environmental conservation, wildlife, and education. These plates cost $50 to $100 extra per year, and a portion of that fee goes to the organization the plate supports. Examples include the Breast Cancer Research plate, the Disabled Veteran plate, and the Native American Heritage plate.

Environmental plates are a separate category. The white-on-blue electric vehicle plate is available at no extra cost if you own a battery electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. You must request this plate type when you renew your registration — it won't be issued automatically even if your vehicle qualifies. The DMV website lists all may have access to vehicle models.

Both special interest and environmental plates are ordered the same way as personalized plates: during your registration renewal online, by mail, or in person. Wait times vary by plate type, so check the DMV website before ordering if you need them by a certain date.

Replacing damaged, lost, or stolen plates

If your plates are damaged, faded, or illegible, you can request replacements at any time — you don't have to wait for your registration renewal. The replacement fee is typically $20 to $30 per plate, depending on the plate type. You can order replacements online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person.

If your plates are stolen, file a police report first and bring a copy of the report to the DMV or include it with your mail order. The DMV may waive the replacement fee if you have a theft report. You'll also need to update your registration to reflect the new plate number.

If you lose a plate and don't have a police report, you'll still pay the replacement fee. The DMV will issue new plates with the same number as your original plates, so your registration documents don't need to change.

Transferring plates to a new vehicle

You can transfer your current plates to a different vehicle if both vehicles are registered to you and the transfer happens before your registration expires. You'll need to complete a transfer form and pay a small transfer fee — usually $10 to $15. This is useful if you're replacing a vehicle and want to keep your personalized plate or special interest plate.

If your registration has already expired, you cannot transfer the plates. You'll need to renew your registration first, then request the transfer. The transfer process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on whether you do it online, by mail, or in person.

Renewing your registration and choosing a new plate type

When you renew your registration, you can keep your current plates or switch to a different type. If you want to switch from standard to personalized plates, or from one special interest plate to another, you'll pay the difference in fees. For example, if you're switching from a standard plate (no extra cost) to a personalized plate ($50 extra), you'll pay the $50 difference as part of your renewal.

The DMV will mail your new plates separately from your registration documents. Your registration renewal sticker will arrive first, and you can display it on your current plates while you wait for the new ones. Once the new plates arrive, you have a grace period to install them — typically 10 days — before you're required to display them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my personalized plate if I sell my vehicle?

No. Personalized plates are tied to your vehicle registration, not to you as the owner. When you sell the vehicle, the new owner gets new plates. However, you can request to keep your personalized plate combination on file with the DMV for a small fee, and then use it on a future vehicle you register.

How long does it take to get new plates after I order them?

Standard replacement plates typically arrive within two to four weeks. Personalized and special interest plates take longer — anywhere from three weeks to three months depending on current demand. Check the DMV website for current wait times before ordering if you need them by a specific date.

Do I have to display my registration sticker on a personalized plate?

Yes. Even with a personalized plate, you must display your current registration sticker in the upper right corner of the plate. The sticker shows your registration expiration month and year, and law enforcement checks it during traffic stops.

What happens if I order personalized plates but my registration expires before they arrive?

Your registration renewal sticker is separate from your plates. You can display the sticker on your current plates while you wait for the personalized plates to arrive. Once the new plates come, you have about 10 days to install them. Your registration remains valid throughout this process.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind about a personalized plate?

The DMV does not refund personalized plate fees once you've ordered them. However, you can cancel the order before the plates are produced if you contact the DMV quickly. Call your local DMV office or check the DMV website for cancellation options if you've just placed the order.