What California calls a custom plate and how to order one

California's personalized plate is a license plate you design yourself, choosing up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or a mix) instead of accepting the random combination the DMV assigns. You order it through the California DMV website, by mail, or in person at a field office. The plate costs $50 upfront, plus your regular registration fee, and takes about four to six weeks to arrive after approval.

The DMV checks your requested combination against a list of words and phrases they will not allow — mainly profanity, slurs, and references to illegal activity. If your first choice is taken or blocked, you can request another combination at no extra cost. Once approved and issued, your personalized plate stays yours as long as you renew your registration; you can transfer it to a different vehicle you own, or keep it on file if you sell the car.

Key Takeaways

  • A personalized plate costs $50 in addition to your regular registration renewal fee and takes four to six weeks to receive after the DMV approves your requested combination.
  • You can order online through the California DMV website, by mail using form REG 17, or in person at any DMV field office.
  • The DMV rejects combinations that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity, and also blocks some combinations that spell out offensive words when read a certain way.
  • Your personalized plate remains yours after you renew registration, and you can transfer it to another vehicle you own or place it on hold if you sell your car.
  • If your first choice is unavailable or rejected, you can submit another combination without paying an additional fee.

How to order online, by mail, or in person

The fastest route is the California DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. Go to the personalized plates section, enter your desired combination, and the system tells you when ready whether it is available. If it is, you can complete the order and pay the $50 fee with a credit or debit card. You will need your vehicle registration number and current registration document handy.

If you prefer to order by mail, read form REG 17 from the DMV website, fill in your requested plate combination and vehicle information, and mail it with a check or money order for $50 to the address listed on the form. Processing takes longer this way — typically six to eight weeks total.

You can also visit a DMV field office in person and request a personalized plate at the counter. Bring your vehicle registration, a valid ID, and payment. The staff will check availability while you wait and can submit your order the same day, though you will still wait four to six weeks for the plate to be manufactured and mailed to you.

What combinations the DMV will and will not allow

The DMV maintains a blocked list of words and phrases that cannot appear on personalized plates. This includes profanity, ethnic or racial slurs, references to illegal drugs or violence, and sexually explicit terms. The list also blocks some combinations that do not look offensive at first glance but spell out banned words when read in a certain way or with numbers substituted for letters.

You cannot use spaces, punctuation, or special characters on a California personalized plate. You are limited to letters A–Z and numbers 0–9, for a total of up to seven characters. The DMV also does not allow combinations that are already in use by another registered vehicle in California, so even if a combination passes the content filter, it may still be unavailable.

If your first choice is rejected or unavailable, you can submit a second combination at no cost. There is no limit to how many times you can request a different combination before one is approved.

Cost and what happens after approval

The personalized plate itself costs $50. This is separate from your vehicle registration renewal fee, which you pay at the same time. If you are renewing your registration and ordering a personalized plate together, you will pay both fees in one transaction.

After the DMV approves your combination, the plate is manufactured and mailed to the address on your registration. This process typically takes four to six weeks. You will receive a notice in the mail when your plate ships. Once it arrives, you remove your old plate and install the new one yourself — the DMV does not install plates.

Your personalized plate does not expire as long as you renew your vehicle registration on time. When your registration comes due, you renew it as usual, and your personalized plate remains active. If you sell the vehicle, you can transfer the plate to another vehicle you own, or you can place it on hold for up to three years if you do not have another vehicle to use it on right now.

Transferring or holding a personalized plate

If you own multiple vehicles and want to move your personalized plate from one to another, you can transfer it without ordering a new one. Contact the DMV by phone, mail, or in person with your current registration and the registration of the vehicle you want to transfer the plate to. The transfer is free and takes about two weeks.

If you are selling your vehicle and do not have another car to transfer the plate to, you can place it on hold for up to three years. During that time, the plate is not active on any vehicle, but you keep the rights to it. When you buy another vehicle, you can reactivate the plate and transfer it to the new registration. To place a plate on hold, contact the DMV and request a hold status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use numbers and letters together on my personalized plate?

Yes. You can mix letters and numbers in any order, as long as the total is seven characters or fewer. For example, ABC123D or 1A2B3C4 are both valid. The DMV does not require a specific format.

What if someone else already has the plate I want?

The DMV will tell you the combination is unavailable when you search for it online or submit your order. You will need to choose a different combination. You can request as many alternatives as you want at no extra cost until one is approved.

Do I have to renew my personalized plate every year?

No. Your personalized plate renews automatically when you renew your vehicle registration. You pay the regular registration renewal fee, and your personalized plate stays active. You do not pay the $50 personalization fee again unless you order a new personalized combination.

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

Yes. You can transfer it to another vehicle you own, or place it on hold for up to three years. If you place it on hold, the plate is not active but remains yours. When you buy another vehicle, you can reactivate it and transfer it to your new registration.

How long does it take to get my personalized plate after I order it?

After the DMV approves your combination, the plate takes four to six weeks to manufacture and arrive by mail. Online orders are processed faster than mail orders. You will receive a notice when your plate ships.