What California vanity plates are and how to order one

A California vanity plate 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), and the plate displays your choice if it is not already taken and does not violate content rules. The DMV processes vanity plate requests through its website, by mail, or in person at a field office.

Vanity plates cost more than standard plates. As of 2024, the initial fee is $40 above your regular registration fee, and renewal costs an additional $40 every two years. You keep the same plate number for as long as you renew it, even if you sell the vehicle — you can transfer it to a new car or keep it on hold.

The process takes about four to six weeks from the time the DMV approves your request. During that time, you continue using your current plate. Once approved, the DMV mails your new plate to the address on file, and you install it yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request a custom plate with up to seven characters through the DMV website, by mail, or at a field office.
  • Vanity plates cost $40 more than standard registration initially, then $40 extra every two years at renewal.
  • The DMV rejects plates with profanity, slurs, or content that could be offensive, and you cannot use spaces or special characters.
  • Approval takes four to six weeks; you keep using your current plate until the new one arrives in the mail.
  • If your requested plate is already taken, the DMV will tell you and you can submit a different choice without paying again.

How to request a vanity plate online

The fastest way to request a vanity plate is through the California DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. Go to the "Plates" section and select "Vanity Plates." You will need your vehicle registration number and current license plate number. Enter your desired plate combination and the system will tell you when ready whether it is available.

If your choice is available, you will pay the $40 vanity plate fee plus any other registration fees due using a credit or debit card. The DMV will send you a confirmation number by email. If the plate is taken, you can try a different combination at no extra cost — you only pay once your final choice is approved.

After approval, the DMV mails your new plate to the address on your registration. You do not need to return your old plate; you can keep it as a souvenir or dispose of it. Install the new plate on your vehicle within 10 days of receiving it.

Requesting a vanity plate by mail or in person

If you prefer not to use the website, you can request a vanity plate by mail using Form REG 17 (process for Vanity Plates). read the form from dmv.ca.gov, fill it out with your vehicle information and desired plate combination, and mail it with a check or money order for $40 to your local DMV office. Include your current registration documents.

You can also walk into any DMV field office and request a vanity plate in person. Bring your vehicle registration, current license plate number, and payment ($40). Staff will check availability on the spot and process your request when ready. This method gives you a receipt and confirmation right away, though processing time remains four to six weeks.

Both mail and in-person requests take the same amount of time as online requests once submitted. The advantage of in-person is that you can ask questions and confirm your choice is correct before paying. The advantage of mail is that you can submit it without visiting an office.

What plate combinations the DMV will reject

The DMV has strict rules about what character combinations are allowed. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or any special characters — only letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Your combination must be between two and seven characters long. Single-letter and single-number plates are not available to new requesters.

The DMV will reject plates with profanity, slurs, or language that is sexually explicit, hateful, or could be considered offensive to a protected group. This includes combinations that spell out or abbreviate such words, even if you did not intend that meaning. The DMV reviews each request and will notify you if your choice is rejected, allowing you to submit a different one.

Plates that could be confused with official government plates (such as those resembling law enforcement or emergency vehicle plates) are also rejected. If you are unsure whether your combination will be approved, you can call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 before submitting to ask informally, though staff cannot may provide approval.

Transferring or renewing a vanity plate

Once you own a vanity plate, you can keep it for life by renewing it every two years. When your registration comes due, you will pay the standard registration fee plus the $40 vanity plate renewal fee. You can renew online, by mail, or in person just like a standard plate.

If you sell your vehicle, you have two choices: transfer the plate to your new vehicle, or put it on hold. To transfer it, register your new vehicle and request the vanity plate transfer through the DMV website or at a field office. There is no extra fee for the transfer itself, but you will pay registration fees for the new vehicle.

To put a plate on hold instead of transferring it, you can keep it reserved for up to three years without a vehicle. During the hold period, you do not pay registration fees, but you must renew the hold every two years by contacting the DMV. This is useful if you want to keep a plate but do not currently have a vehicle to put it on.

Costs and timing for vanity plates

The total cost of a vanity plate depends on your vehicle type and registration length. The vanity plate fee itself is $40 for the initial issuance and $40 for each two-year renewal. You also pay your regular registration fee, which varies by vehicle weight, fuel type, and county. A motorcycle vanity plate costs the same $40 as a car plate.

Processing time is consistently four to six weeks from the date the DMV approves your request, regardless of whether you applied online, by mail, or in person. During this time, you continue driving with your current plate — there is no gap in your registration. The DMV will mail your new plate to the address on file; you do not pick it up at an office.

If you need a plate faster, there is no expedited option. However, if you are moving or your registration address is changing, update your address with the DMV before requesting the vanity plate so the new plate goes to the correct location.

What happens if your requested plate is already taken

When you submit a vanity plate request, the DMV checks whether that exact combination is already registered to another vehicle in California. If it is taken, the system will tell you when ready (online) or by mail (if you submitted by mail or in person). You will not be charged if your first choice is unavailable.

You can then submit a different plate combination. If you applied online, you can try again right away at no cost. If you applied by mail or in person, you can resubmit with a new choice, and the DMV will process it without charging you again for the initial $40 fee — you only pay once a combination is approved.

Some people request multiple combinations at once to increase their chances of getting one approved. You can submit up to three different combinations in a single process (online or by mail), and you only pay $40 total. The DMV will approve the first available combination and return the others as unused.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve a vanity plate before I buy a vehicle?

No. You must have a registered vehicle in California to request a vanity plate. The plate is tied to your vehicle registration number. Once you own the vehicle and register it, you can request the vanity plate when ready.

What if I want to change my vanity plate after I get it?

You can request a different vanity plate at any time by paying another $40 fee and going through the approval process again. Your old plate becomes available for other people to request. You do not get a refund for the unused portion of your current plate.

Do vanity plates work on commercial vehicles or trailers?

Vanity plates are available for most passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and some commercial vehicles. Trailers, RVs, and certain commercial classifications have different plate types and may not support vanity options. Check with the DMV or your registration documents to confirm your vehicle type is may be able to access.

Can I use numbers that look like letters, like 0 for O or 1 for I?

Yes. Many vanity plates use this technique to create readable words or phrases. For example, "B4UASK" or "1NONLY" are valid combinations. The DMV allows any mix of actual letters and numbers as long as the total is between two and seven characters.

What if I move out of California — can I keep my vanity plate?

No. Vanity plates are specific to California registration. If you move and register your vehicle in another state, you must return your California plate and cannot transfer it. Some other states offer their own vanity plate programs, but they are separate from California's.