What California Vanity Plates Are and How to Order One
A vanity plate in California is a custom license plate where you choose the letters and numbers instead of receiving a random combination from the DMV. You can request up to seven characters — letters, numbers, or a mix — as long as no one else in California already holds that combination. The plate costs an additional fee on top of your standard registration renewal, and the DMV processes requests in the order they arrive.
You can order a vanity plate when you renew your registration, when you register a new vehicle, or at any time during your registration period. The request goes into a queue, and the DMV notifies you by mail within a few weeks whether your chosen combination is available. If someone else has already claimed it, you'll receive a rejection letter with instructions to submit a new request.
Key Takeaways
- Vanity plates cost an additional annual fee beyond your standard registration renewal, and the exact amount depends on the plate type you choose.
- You can request up to seven characters using letters, numbers, or both, but spaces, punctuation, and special characters are not allowed.
- The DMV processes vanity plate requests in order and notifies you by mail within a few weeks whether your combination is available.
- If your requested combination is taken, you can submit a new request when ready without waiting or paying another fee.
- Vanity plates renew annually along with your vehicle registration and require the same renewal payment each year.
Character Rules and What You Cannot Use
California vanity plates allow letters A through Z and numbers 0 through 9. You can use any combination of these characters up to seven total. However, the DMV will reject requests that contain spaces, hyphens, periods, or any punctuation marks — the plate itself has no room for these, and they don't count toward your seven characters anyway.
The DMV also rejects combinations that are offensive, obscene, or that impersonate government agencies or law enforcement. Requests that spell out profanity or slurs, even creatively, will be denied. If your request is rejected for content, you'll receive a letter explaining why and can submit a different combination. The DMV does not provide a list of forbidden words in advance, so you may need to try multiple requests if your first choice is denied.
How to Submit Your Vanity Plate Request
You have three ways to request a vanity plate: online through the DMV website, by mail using form REG 17, or in person at a DMV field office. The online method is fastest — you can check availability and submit your request in minutes, and you'll receive confirmation when ready that your request was received.
If you submit by mail, send the completed form REG 17 along with the vanity plate fee to the address listed on the form. Include your vehicle registration number and current registration card. If you submit in person, bring your registration card and ID to any DMV office, and staff will process your request on the spot. Whichever method you use, keep your confirmation number or receipt — you'll need it if you want to check the status of your request later.
Fees and Annual Renewal Costs
The vanity plate fee varies depending on the plate type. Standard vanity plates cost one amount, while specialty vanity plates (such as environmental or veteran-themed plates) may cost more. The fee is charged once when you first order the plate, and then again each year when you renew your registration. You cannot have a vanity plate without paying the annual fee — it's not optional once you've ordered one.
The total cost of your registration renewal will include your standard registration fee plus the vanity plate fee. If you decide you no longer want the vanity plate, you can request a standard plate at your next renewal and stop paying the additional fee. The DMV will not refund the vanity plate fee if you change your mind partway through a registration year.
What Happens If Your Combination Is Already Taken
If someone else in California already has your requested combination, the DMV will mail you a rejection letter within a few weeks. The letter will explain that the combination is unavailable and will give you instructions for submitting a new request. You do not have to pay another fee to submit a second request — you can resubmit when ready at no additional cost.
When you resubmit, choose a different combination and follow the same process. Some people submit multiple requests at once with several backup options in mind, though each request must be submitted separately. There is no limit to how many times you can request different combinations, so you can keep trying until you find one that's available.
Processing Time and When Your Plate Arrives
The DMV typically notifies you by mail within two to four weeks whether your vanity plate request was approved. Once approved, the plate is manufactured and mailed to you. The total time from request to receiving your physical plate is usually four to six weeks, though this can vary depending on DMV processing volume.
You should not install or use the vanity plate until you receive it in the mail. Your current registration remains valid during the waiting period. Once your new plate arrives, install it on your vehicle and keep your old plate. If you're renewing your registration at the same time you order a vanity plate, your registration renewal will be processed separately from your plate request, so your registration may be approved before your plate arrives.
Renewing Your Vanity Plate Each Year
Your vanity plate renews automatically each year when you renew your vehicle registration. You do not need to resubmit a request or go through the approval process again — the DMV straightforward continues your plate under the same combination. You will pay the vanity plate fee as part of your annual registration renewal.
If you renew your registration online or by mail, the vanity plate renews with it. If you renew in person at a DMV office, staff will confirm that you want to keep your vanity plate and will include the fee in your total renewal cost. The only time you need to take action is if you want to change your plate combination or switch back to a standard plate — in that case, you would submit a new vanity plate request or request a standard plate at renewal time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a vanity plate that's just numbers, or does it have to have letters?
Yes, you can request a plate with only numbers or only letters. The DMV allows any combination of letters and numbers up to seven characters. However, plates that are all numbers may be harder to distinguish from standard plates at a glance.
What if I want to transfer my vanity plate to a different vehicle?
You can transfer a vanity plate to another vehicle you own by submitting a transfer request to the DMV. You'll need the registration information for both vehicles. The transfer process takes a few weeks, and you may be charged a transfer fee in addition to your registration renewal cost.
Can I put a vanity plate on a motorcycle or trailer?
Vanity plates are available for most vehicle types, including motorcycles, but not all. Trailers and some specialized vehicles may not be may be able to access. Check the DMV website or contact a DMV office to confirm whether your vehicle type can have a vanity plate before submitting a request.
What happens if I move out of California — do I lose my vanity plate?
If you move out of California and register your vehicle in another state, you will lose your California vanity plate. Each state has its own plate system, and you cannot transfer a California plate to another state. You would need to order a new vanity plate in your new state if that state offers them.
Can I reserve a vanity plate combination before I buy a vehicle?
No, you must have a registered vehicle in California to request a vanity plate. The request requires your vehicle identification number and current registration information. Once you purchase and register a vehicle, you can then submit your vanity plate request.