What California personalized plates are and who can get them
California personalized plates let you choose a custom combination of letters and numbers instead of the random sequence the DMV assigns. You can request up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or a mix), and the plate stays yours as long as you renew it each year. The California DMV calls these vanity plates, and they cost more than standard registration — currently an additional $40 per year on top of your regular registration fee, though this amount can change.
You must own or lease a vehicle registered in California to request a personalized plate. The vehicle itself doesn't have to be new or special — any car, truck, motorcycle, or trailer that qualifies for standard plates can get a personalized one. You can request a plate while registering a new vehicle or switch to one on a vehicle you already own.
The DMV does not hold personalized plates for you while you wait. Once you request one, it enters a queue. If someone else requests the same combination before yours is approved, they may get it instead. This is why many people request multiple options at once — you can list up to three different combinations on a single request, and the DMV will assign whichever one becomes available first.
Key Takeaways
- Personalized plates cost an extra $40 per year beyond your regular registration fee and must be renewed annually to keep them.
- You can request up to seven characters and should submit three different options because the DMV assigns whichever one clears first.
- The DMV rejects plates containing profanity, hate speech, or combinations that could be mistaken for official government plates, and you will not know the reason if your request is denied.
- Processing takes roughly four to six weeks, and you will receive a temporary registration document to use while you wait for the physical plate to arrive by mail.
- Personalized plates do not transfer to a new owner — when you sell or transfer the vehicle, the plate stays with you and reverts to the DMV if you do not request to keep it.
How to request a personalized plate online or by mail
The fastest way to request a personalized plate is through the California DMV website. Go to dmv.ca.gov, find the "Plates" section, and select "Personalized Plates." You will enter your vehicle information, current license plate number, and your three plate choices in order of preference. The system checks availability in real time, so you can see when ready whether your first choice is already taken.
If you prefer to request by mail, read form REG 142 from the DMV website or pick one up at a field office. Fill in your vehicle details, your three plate choices, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with the $40 fee. Payment by check or money order is accepted by mail; online requests require a credit or debit card.
You do not need to visit a DMV office to request a personalized plate unless you want to. Most people complete the entire process online or by mail and never speak to anyone. If you do visit an office, staff can help you check availability and submit the request on the spot, though you will still pay the $40 fee and wait the same amount of time.
What the DMV will and will not approve
The DMV maintains a list of combinations it automatically rejects. These include anything containing profanity or slurs, combinations that spell out hate speech, plates that could be confused with official government plates (like those used by law enforcement or state agencies), and anything the DMV deems obscene. The system screens requests automatically, so you will not see a detailed explanation if your choice is denied — you will straightforward receive notice that it was rejected and can submit a new request.
Spaces and hyphens count as characters and take up slots in your seven-character limit. A plate reading "JOHN-DOE" uses all seven characters and cannot be shortened. The DMV allows numbers, letters, and these punctuation marks only: hyphens, spaces, and periods. Symbols like @, &, or $ are not permitted.
If you request a plate that seems acceptable but is still rejected, it may be because someone else requested it first, or the DMV flagged it for a reason it does not disclose. You can request the same combination again later, but there is no way to know if it will be approved the second time. Your best strategy is to submit three very different options so at least one is likely to clear.
Timeline and what happens while you wait
After you submit your request, the DMV processes it within four to six weeks. During this time, you continue using your current license plate — do not remove it or stop displaying it. You will receive a notice in the mail confirming that your request was received and telling you whether it was approved or denied.
If approved, you will get a temporary registration document (a paper slip) that you can display in your vehicle window while you wait for the physical plate to arrive. This temporary document is valid and legal to use on public roads. The actual metal plate arrives by mail separately, usually within two to three weeks after approval.
Once the new plate arrives, remove your old plate and install the new one. Keep the old plate — you may need it if you transfer the vehicle or if there is ever a question about your registration history. Do not throw it away when ready.
Cost and renewal requirements
The initial personalized plate request costs $40. This is a one-time fee for that specific request. Once the plate is approved and issued, you must renew it every year as part of your vehicle registration renewal. Each renewal costs an additional $40 on top of your regular registration renewal fee.
If you do not renew your registration, your personalized plate is automatically cancelled and returned to the DMV pool. If you want to keep the same plate, you must renew before your registration expires. If your registration lapses and you later renew, you can request the same personalized plate again, but it is not may provide — someone else may have requested it in the meantime.
Some people choose to keep a personalized plate for many years; others request one for a specific occasion and then let it go. The choice is yours each time you renew, and you can switch back to a standard plate at any renewal without penalty.
What happens to your personalized plate when you sell the vehicle
When you sell or transfer your vehicle to someone else, the personalized plate does not transfer with it. The new owner receives a standard plate. Your personalized plate remains registered to you, and you have three options: keep it and transfer it to another vehicle you own, let it expire and return it to the DMV, or request to retain it without a vehicle (which costs extra and is rarely done).
If you want to move your personalized plate to a different vehicle, contact the DMV before you sell the first vehicle. You will need to provide the new vehicle's information, and the plate will be reassigned to that vehicle. This process takes a few weeks, so plan ahead if you are trading in or selling a car and want to keep your plate.
If you straightforward let the plate go, it returns to the DMV's available pool and can be requested by someone else. There is no penalty for this — you just stop renewing it.
Scam alerts and safety information
Do not use third-party websites that claim to speed up personalized plate requests or may provide approval. The only official way to request a personalized plate is through dmv.ca.gov, by mail with form REG 142, or in person at a DMV field office. Any other service is not affiliated with the California DMV and may charge you money without actually submitting your request.
Be cautious of websites offering to "check availability" of personalized plates for a fee. The DMV's official website checks availability for free. If a site asks you to pay before showing you whether a plate is available, it is not legitimate.
Never share your driver's license number, Social Security number, or payment information with anyone except the official DMV website or a DMV office. Scammers sometimes pose as DMV staff in emails or phone calls asking for this information. The real DMV will not contact you by email or phone asking for personal details — they will send official mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a personalized plate for a motorcycle or trailer?
Yes. Motorcycles, trailers, and most other vehicle types registered in California can have personalized plates. The request process is the same, and the $40 annual fee applies. Some vehicle types have character limits that differ slightly from standard cars, so check the DMV website for your specific vehicle type.
What if someone else gets the plate I want before my request is approved?
If your first choice is taken, the DMV will assign your second choice if it is available. If both are taken, you get your third choice. If all three are taken, your request is denied and you can submit a new request with three different options. This is why submitting three choices at once is important.
Do I have to renew my personalized plate every year?
Yes. Personalized plates must be renewed as part of your vehicle registration each year, and the $40 fee applies every year you keep it. If you do not renew your registration, the plate is cancelled. You can choose not to renew the personalized plate and switch to a standard plate at any renewal without extra cost.
Can I transfer my personalized plate to a family member?
No. Personalized plates are tied to the registered owner, not the vehicle. If you want a family member to use a specific plate, they would need to request it themselves. Once approved, it would be registered to them, not you.
How do I know if my personalized plate request was denied and why?
The DMV will mail you a notice stating whether your request was approved or denied. If denied, the notice does not explain the reason. You can submit a new request with different character combinations. If you believe the denial was an error, you can contact the DMV by phone or visit a field office to ask, though they may not provide additional details.