What Virginia Personalized Plates Are and How to Order Them
Virginia personalized plates let you choose a custom combination of letters and numbers for your license plate instead of receiving a random assignment from the DMV. You can request up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or both), and the plate will display your choice if it is not already taken and does not violate Virginia's content rules. The process happens entirely through the Virginia DMV website or by mail, and the plates arrive at your address within two to three weeks after approval.
Personalized plates cost an additional fee on top of your standard registration renewal or new registration fee. The base personalized plate fee is set by Virginia law, but the total cost depends on whether you are adding personalization to a new registration or renewing an existing plate. You can check availability and place your order before you pay, so you know whether your chosen combination is open.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia personalized plates can be up to seven characters long and include letters, numbers, or a mix of both.
- You check availability and order through the Virginia DMV website at dmvnow.com, or by mail using Form VSA 17.
- Personalized plates cost more than standard plates, and the fee applies whether you are registering a new vehicle or renewing an existing registration.
- Once approved, your personalized plates arrive by mail within two to three weeks and are valid for the same registration period as your vehicle.
- Virginia rejects personalized plate requests that contain offensive language, impersonate government agencies, or violate other content standards set by the DMV.
Checking Availability and Placing Your Order Online
The fastest way to order a personalized plate is through the Virginia DMV website at dmvnow.com. Log in with your Virginia driver's license number and date of birth, then navigate to the personalized plates section. Type in your desired combination and the system will tell you when ready whether it is available. You can check multiple combinations without committing to any of them.
Once you find an available combination you want, you will add it to your order and proceed to payment. You will need your vehicle registration number and your current plate number (if you are renewing). The DMV accepts credit and debit cards online. After you pay, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new plates will be mailed to the address on file with your registration.
If you do not have online access or prefer to order by mail, you can use Form VSA 17 (process for Personalized License Plates). Print the form, fill it out with your desired plate combination, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for the personalized plate fee. Processing by mail takes longer than online ordering — typically four to six weeks instead of two to three.
Understanding Virginia's Content Rules for Personalized Plates
Virginia has specific rules about what character combinations the DMV will approve. The state rejects requests that contain profanity, slurs, or language that is sexually explicit or promotes illegal activity. Plates that appear to impersonate government agencies, law enforcement, or official vehicles are also denied. The DMV also blocks combinations that are confusing or could be mistaken for standard government-issued plates.
Some combinations that seem acceptable may still be rejected if they violate these standards when read aloud or interpreted in context. For example, a plate that spells out an offensive phrase using numbers and letters (like "1" for "I") will be denied. If your requested combination is rejected, the DMV will notify you by email or mail, and you can submit a new request with a different combination at no additional charge.
Costs and Renewal of Personalized Plates
Personalized plates in Virginia carry an additional annual fee beyond your standard vehicle registration fee. This fee varies depending on the type of vehicle and registration you hold. When you renew your vehicle registration, you can choose to keep your personalized plate or return to a standard plate. If you keep the personalized plate, you pay the personalized plate fee again as part of your renewal.
If you sell your vehicle or transfer your registration to a different vehicle, your personalized plate does not transfer automatically. You would need to order a new personalized plate for the new vehicle if you want one. Some people choose to keep their personalized plate on file and request it again when they register a new vehicle, but availability is not may provide — if someone else has requested that combination in the meantime, it may no longer be open.
What Happens If Your Requested Combination Is Taken
When you search for availability on dmvnow.com, the system shows you when ready whether your combination is available. If it is not, you will see a message that the plate is already in use. You can then try a different combination. There is no waiting list for personalized plates — if your choice is taken, you must select a different one.
Keep in mind that availability can change. If you check a combination and find it is available, but wait several days before completing your order, someone else may have ordered it in the meantime. For this reason, it is best to complete your order as soon as you have confirmed that your desired combination is available.
Personalized Plates and Vehicle Transfers or Sales
If you sell your vehicle, the personalized plate does not stay with the car — it stays with you as the registered owner. When the new owner registers the vehicle, they will receive a new standard plate unless they also order a personalized plate. You can request your personalized plate again on a different vehicle, but you must place a new order and pay the personalized plate fee again.
If you want to transfer your personalized plate to another vehicle you own, you cannot do this directly. Instead, you would need to surrender the current plate and order a new personalized plate for the new vehicle. The DMV treats each personalized plate order as a separate request, even if you are the same owner.
Replacing or Renewing a Damaged Personalized Plate
If your personalized plate is damaged, faded, or unreadable, you can request a replacement through the DMV. You can order a replacement online through dmvnow.com or by mail using Form VSA 17. When you request a replacement, you keep the same character combination — you do not need to check availability again or pay the personalized plate fee a second time. You only pay a replacement fee, which is lower than the original personalized plate fee.
Replacement plates typically arrive within two to three weeks. If your plate is stolen, report it to local police and then contact the DMV to report the theft. The DMV may issue you a replacement plate with the same combination at no charge, depending on the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use spaces or special characters on a Virginia personalized plate?
No. Virginia personalized plates can only contain letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). You cannot include spaces, hyphens, periods, or other special characters. The seven-character limit includes only these letters and numbers.
What if I change my mind after ordering a personalized plate?
If you have not yet received your plates in the mail, contact the Virginia DMV as soon as possible. Depending on how far along your order is in processing, you may be able to cancel and receive a refund of the personalized plate fee. Once the plates have been mailed, you will need to refuse delivery or return them to the DMV to request a refund.
Do personalized plates cost more to renew each year?
Yes. Each year you renew your vehicle registration, the personalized plate fee applies again if you keep the personalized plate. You can choose to drop the personalized plate and return to a standard plate at renewal time to avoid this fee, but you cannot get that combination back if someone else requests it later.
How long does it take to receive personalized plates after I order them?
Online orders typically arrive within two to three weeks. Mail orders take longer — usually four to six weeks from the time the DMV receives your form. The timeline starts after your payment has been processed and your request has been approved.
Can I order a personalized plate for a vehicle that is not yet registered?
You can order a personalized plate as part of your initial vehicle registration. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN) and proof of ownership. You cannot order a personalized plate before the vehicle is registered with the DMV.