What Colorado License Plates Are and How to Get One

A Colorado license plate is the metal tag you mount on your vehicle that shows your registration is current with the state. You get one when you register a vehicle with the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The plate stays with the vehicle, not the owner — if you sell the car, the new owner registers it and gets their own plate, or they can request to keep the existing one if both parties agree.

Colorado issues plates in different formats depending on the vehicle type and registration category. A standard passenger vehicle gets a plate with the format of three letters followed by three numbers (like ABC 123). Motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and specialty registrations each have their own plate designs. You cannot choose your plate number unless you pay for a personalized or vanity plate, which costs extra and requires a separate request.

When you register a vehicle in Colorado for the first time, the DMV mails your plate to the address on your registration within 7 to 10 business days. You are responsible for mounting it on your vehicle before driving on public roads. If you move to Colorado from another state, you must register your vehicle and get a Colorado plate within 90 days of establishing residency.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado plates are issued by the DMV when you register a vehicle and are mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days.
  • Standard plates show three letters and three numbers; specialty plates for motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and other categories have different formats.
  • You can request a personalized plate with your choice of letters and numbers for an additional fee, subject to availability and content rules.
  • Plates expire when your vehicle registration expires, typically every two years for passenger vehicles, and you renew both at the same time.
  • If your plate is damaged, lost, or stolen, you can request a replacement from the DMV for a small fee.

Standard Plates Versus Specialty Plates in Colorado

Colorado offers several plate types beyond the standard passenger vehicle plate. Motorcycle plates are smaller and narrower than car plates and display a different format. Commercial plates are used for vehicles registered for business purposes and may show different colors or numbering schemes. Trailer plates are issued for trailers and have their own registration category.

The state also issues plates for specific purposes: disabled veteran plates, disabled person plates, and environmental plates (such as electric vehicle plates). Each type has its own design and may come with specific parking or use privileges. For example, a disabled person plate allows the vehicle to park in accessible spaces. An electric vehicle plate does not grant special parking rights but identifies the vehicle as electric.

If you want a plate that reflects your interests or name, you can request a personalized or vanity plate. This costs more than a standard plate (the exact fee varies by year, so check the current DMV fee schedule). You submit your requested letter and number combination, and the DMV checks whether it is available. Some combinations are rejected if they contain offensive language or are already taken by another vehicle in the state.

How Plate Renewal Works and When Plates Expire

Your Colorado plate expires on the same date as your vehicle registration. For most passenger vehicles, registration lasts two years. You renew both the registration and the plate together through the DMV — you do not order a new physical plate every time you renew unless your current plate is damaged or you are switching to a different plate type.

The DMV sends you a renewal notice in the mail 60 days before your registration expires. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. When you renew, you pay the registration fee; if your plate is still in good condition, you keep the same plate number. If you want to change your plate type (for example, from standard to personalized), you can do that during renewal and pay the additional fee.

If your plate is damaged, faded, or illegible, you can request a replacement plate at any time without waiting for renewal. The replacement fee is small (check the current DMV fee schedule for the exact amount). You submit a request to the DMV, and they mail you a new plate with the same number.

Personalized Plates: How to Request One and What Rules explore

To request a personalized plate in Colorado, you submit your desired combination of letters and numbers through the DMV website or in person at a DMV office. The plate can be up to seven characters long (letters, numbers, or a combination). You pay the personalized plate fee at the time of request, separate from your registration fee.

Not all combinations are available. The DMV rejects requests that are already in use by another Colorado vehicle, that contain offensive language, or that could be confused with standard government plates. If your first choice is taken, you can submit additional choices. The DMV notifies you within a few business days whether your plate was approved.

Personalized plates renew on the same schedule as standard plates. When your registration expires, you renew the personalized plate along with it. If you no longer want the personalized plate, you can switch back to a standard plate at your next renewal and receive a refund of any unused personalized plate fees (refund policies vary, so confirm with the DMV).

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Plate

If your plate is lost or stolen, report it to the Colorado DMV as soon as possible. You can file a report online or in person. Provide your vehicle information and registration number. The DMV will issue you a replacement plate with the same number, and you pay a replacement fee.

If your plate is damaged but still readable, you can continue using it until your next renewal. If it is so damaged that the numbers are illegible or the plate is bent or broken, request a replacement when ready — driving with an illegible plate can result in a traffic stop. The replacement process takes 7 to 10 business days by mail.

If you suspect your plate was stolen and used on another vehicle (a rare but possible situation), contact the Colorado State Patrol or your local police department in addition to notifying the DMV. Provide them with the date you discovered the plate missing and any details about where it was last seen.

Scam Alert: Fake Plate Sellers and Fraudulent Renewal Notices

Do not buy license plates from anyone other than the Colorado DMV or an authorized DMV office. Scammers sometimes sell fake plates online or claim to offer "expedited" plate services for a fee. These plates are illegal to use, and you can face fines or vehicle impoundment. The only legitimate source for Colorado plates is the DMV.

Be cautious of emails or letters claiming to be from the DMV and asking you to click a link or provide personal information to renew your plate. The real DMV sends renewal notices by mail and does not ask you to verify information via email or text. If you receive a suspicious renewal notice, contact the DMV directly using the phone number on their official website to confirm whether the notice is real.

Never pay for plate services through wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate DMV fees are paid through the DMV website, by check or money order by mail, or in cash or card at an office. If someone claims you need to pay an unusual fee or use an unusual payment method to get your plate, it is a scam.

What Happens If You Drive Without a Valid Plate or Let Your Registration Expire

Driving a vehicle without a current, valid Colorado license plate is illegal. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can receive a citation and fine. Your vehicle may also be impounded. If your registration has expired, your plate is no longer valid, even if the physical plate is still on the vehicle.

Renew your registration before it expires to avoid this situation. The DMV sends a renewal notice 60 days in advance, so you have time to complete the process. If you miss the important date, you can still renew, but you may owe a late fee in addition to the standard registration fee. Check the current DMV fee schedule for late renewal penalties.

If your vehicle is impounded because of an expired plate, you must pay towing and storage fees in addition to renewing your registration before you can retrieve it. These costs add up quickly, so renewing on time is much cheaper than dealing with an impound.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The plate is tied to the vehicle registration, not to you as the owner. When you sell the vehicle, the new owner registers it and receives their own plate. However, if both you and the new owner agree, the new owner can request to keep the existing plate number during their registration process, subject to availability.

How long does it take to get a personalized plate?

The DMV typically notifies you within a few business days whether your personalized plate request was approved. Once approved, the plate is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. If you need it faster, some DMV offices may issue temporary plates in person, but this varies by location.

What do I do if my plate is damaged but still readable?

You can continue using a damaged but readable plate until your next registration renewal. If the damage makes the numbers illegible or the plate is severely bent or broken, request a replacement when ready. Submit a replacement request to the DMV online or in person, pay the replacement fee, and a new plate will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Do I need a new plate if I move to a different address in Colorado?

No. Your plate is not tied to your address. Update your address with the DMV through their website, by mail, or in person, but you do not need a new plate. Your current plate remains valid until your registration expires.

What if I want to switch from a standard plate to a personalized plate?

You can request a personalized plate at any time, not just during renewal. Submit your desired combination to the DMV, pay the personalized plate fee, and once approved, the new plate will be mailed to you. Your registration expiration date does not change — you straightforward swap the plates on your vehicle.