What California personalized plates are and how to order them
A personalized plate (also called a vanity plate) is a license plate where you choose the letters and numbers instead of receiving a random combination from the DMV. California allows you to request a custom plate for most vehicle types, and you order through the DMV by mail, online, or in person at a field office.
The process takes about four to six weeks from the time the DMV receives your completed order form and payment. You cannot use the plate until it arrives in the mail. If you want a personalized plate on a vehicle you already own, you'll need your current registration documents. If you're ordering one for a new vehicle purchase, you can request it as part of your initial registration.
Personalized plates cost more than standard plates. The initial fee varies depending on the plate design you choose, and you'll also pay an annual renewal fee each year you keep the plate. Both fees are set by the state and do not vary by county.
Key Takeaways
- You order personalized plates through the California DMV using Form REG 17 (Personalized Plate process), available online or at any field office.
- Your requested combination must be between two and seven characters, cannot include spaces or special characters, and cannot be offensive or already in use.
- The DMV will reject your request if the plate combination is unavailable, so you should have backup choices ready when you submit your order.
- Processing takes four to six weeks, and you cannot legally drive with a personalized plate until it arrives in the mail.
- You pay an initial fee plus an annual renewal fee each year, and both amounts depend on which plate design category you select.
How to check if your desired plate combination is available
Before you complete your order form, check whether your chosen combination is already taken. The DMV website has a plate search tool where you enter your desired letters and numbers to see if it's available. This search is free and takes less than a minute.
Keep in mind that some combinations are automatically rejected by the DMV system even if no one currently holds them. The DMV blocks plates that spell out offensive words, contain only numbers, or use characters that look like letters (such as the number 0 instead of the letter O). If your first choice is unavailable, the search tool will tell you when ready, so you can try another combination before you submit your process.
Have at least two or three backup combinations in mind. If the DMV denies your first choice during processing, they will contact you and ask if you want to try one of your alternatives. If you don't provide backups and your first choice is denied, you'll have to start the process process over.
Ordering personalized plates by mail
To order by mail, read or pick up Form REG 17 (Personalized Plate process) from the DMV website or any field office. Fill in your vehicle information, your chosen plate combination, and any backup choices. You'll also need to include a copy of your current vehicle registration or proof of vehicle ownership if you're registering a new vehicle.
Write a check or money order for the initial plate fee plus any applicable registration fees. Do not send cash. Mail the completed form, documents, and payment to the address listed on the form — this varies by county, so check the DMV website for your specific mailing address.
The DMV processes mail orders in the order they arrive. You should receive your new plate in the mail four to six weeks after they receive your process. If there's a problem with your order, the DMV will contact you by phone or mail.
Ordering personalized plates online or in person
You can order personalized plates online through the DMV website if you have a current California driver's license and vehicle registration. The online system walks you through entering your vehicle information, selecting your plate design, choosing your character combination, and paying by credit or debit card. Online orders process on the same timeline as mail orders — four to six weeks.
If you prefer to order in person, visit any California DMV field office with your driver's license, vehicle registration, and payment method. A DMV representative will help you complete the process and process your payment on the spot. You'll receive a receipt, and your plate will be mailed to the address on your registration.
Ordering online or in person does not speed up the processing time. The four to six week wait begins once the DMV receives your completed order, regardless of how you submitted it.
Plate design options and costs
California offers several personalized plate designs beyond the standard white plate with blue border. Options include environmental plates (with a graphic), special interest plates (supporting specific causes or organizations), and vintage-style plates. Each design category has its own initial fee and annual renewal fee.
The DMV website lists all available designs and their current costs. Fees change periodically, so check the website before you order to see the exact amount you'll pay. Your initial fee covers the plate itself and first-year registration. Each year when you renew your vehicle registration, you'll pay the annual personalized plate renewal fee in addition to your standard registration renewal fee.
If you change your mind about the design after you've ordered, you'll need to cancel that order and submit a new process. The DMV does not refund personalized plate fees once the order is processed.
What happens if the DMV rejects your plate combination
The DMV may reject your requested combination if it's already in use, contains offensive language, or violates other naming rules. If this happens, they will contact you by phone or mail and ask whether you want to use one of your backup combinations instead.
You have a set amount of time (usually 30 days) to respond with an alternative. If you don't respond or don't have a backup choice, your process will be denied and you'll need to submit a new Form REG 17 with a different combination. The DMV will not refund your initial fee if you choose not to proceed with an alternative combination.
To avoid this delay, always submit at least two backup choices when you explore. The DMV will use your first choice if available, but having alternatives ready means you can get your plate approved without restarting the process.
Transferring or renewing a personalized plate
If you sell your vehicle or buy a new one, you can transfer your personalized plate to the new vehicle. You'll need to complete a transfer form and pay a transfer fee. The plate itself doesn't change — you keep the same character combination.
When your vehicle registration expires, you renew your personalized plate the same way you renew a standard registration: online, by mail, or in person at a field office. You'll pay the annual personalized plate renewal fee along with your standard registration renewal fee. The plate combination stays the same unless you choose to change it.
If you want to cancel your personalized plate and return to a standard plate, contact the DMV. You'll stop paying the personalized plate renewal fee, but the DMV will not refund any fees you've already paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use spaces or special characters in my personalized plate?
No. California personalized plates can only contain letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). You cannot include spaces, hyphens, periods, or other special characters. Your combination must be between two and seven characters total.
What if someone else requests the same plate combination while I'm waiting for mine to arrive?
Once the DMV approves and processes your order, that combination is reserved for you. No one else can request it while your plate is being made and mailed. Your combination is protected from the moment the DMV accepts your process.
Can I order a personalized plate for a vehicle registered in someone else's name?
No. The person whose name appears on the vehicle registration must be the one who orders the personalized plate. If you co-own the vehicle, either owner can submit the process, but the registration must be in their name.
Do I have to use my personalized plate once I receive it?
Yes. Once your personalized plate arrives, you must install it on your vehicle and use it as your active license plate. You cannot keep a standard plate on the vehicle while storing the personalized plate. If you no longer want the personalized plate, you'll need to request a standard replacement plate from the DMV.
How much does a personalized plate cost compared to a standard plate?
The cost varies depending on which plate design you choose. Standard registration renewal fees explore to all plates, but personalized plates have an additional initial fee and annual renewal fee on top of that. Check the DMV website for current pricing on the specific design you want.