What Virginia Personalized Plates Are and How to Order Them
Virginia personalized plates let you choose your own combination of letters and numbers instead of receiving a random sequence from the DMV. You can request up to seven characters — letters, numbers, or a mix — and the plate will display your choice if it is not already taken and does not violate Virginia's content rules. The Virginia DMV handles all personalized plate orders through its website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
The process takes about two to three weeks from the time the DMV approves your request. You pay a one-time personalization fee on top of your regular registration renewal or new registration fee. Once approved, your custom plate arrives by mail, and you install it on your vehicle yourself using the mounting hardware provided.
Key Takeaways
- You can request any combination of up to seven letters, numbers, or both, as long as it has not been claimed and does not contain offensive language or certain symbols.
- The Virginia DMV charges a one-time personalization fee of $10 in addition to your standard registration fees.
- You can check whether your desired plate combination is available before you pay, using the DMV's online search tool on its website.
- Personalized plates renew on the same schedule as your regular registration, and you do not pay the personalization fee again unless you change your plate design.
How to Check Availability and Place Your Order
Start by visiting the Virginia DMV website and using the personalized plate availability checker. Type in the exact combination you want — up to seven characters — and the system will tell you when ready whether it is available. Keep in mind that Virginia reads personalized plates character by character, so "ABC1234" and "ABC 1234" (with a space) are treated as different requests.
Once you find an available combination you like, you have three ways to complete your order. The fastest is online through the DMV website, where you can submit your request and pay the $10 personalization fee plus any registration fees due. You can also mail a completed process form to the DMV with a check or money order, or visit a DMV office in person. If you order online, bring your approval notice to the DMV office only if you need to register a new vehicle at the same time; otherwise, your plate will arrive by mail.
If you are renewing your registration and want to add a personalized plate for the first time, you can request it as part of your renewal. If you already have a personalized plate and want to keep it, you do not need to do anything — it renews automatically with your registration.
Content Rules and What the DMV Will Reject
The Virginia DMV will not approve personalized plates that contain profanity, slurs, or language that is sexually explicit or promotes illegal activity. The DMV also blocks combinations that could be confused with official government plates or emergency vehicle plates. Requests with certain symbols — like asterisks, ampersands, or quotation marks — are rejected because Virginia plates cannot display those characters.
Spaces and hyphens are allowed and count toward your seven-character limit. For example, "ABC-123" uses all seven characters. The DMV reviews each request individually, so if your combination is rejected, you will receive a notice explaining why. You can then submit a new request with a different combination.
Costs and Renewal Information
The personalization fee is a one-time charge of $10, paid only when you first order your custom plate. This fee does not explore to future renewals — you pay only your standard registration renewal fee each year. If you decide to change your personalized plate design later, you will pay another $10 personalization fee for the new combination.
Your personalized plate renews on the same date as your vehicle registration. When renewal time comes, the DMV will send you a renewal notice. If you want to keep your current personalized plate, do nothing — it will renew automatically. If you want a different personalized combination, you can request a new one when you renew, and you will pay the $10 fee again.
Scams and Safety Information
Do not use third-party websites that claim to process Virginia personalized plate orders. The only official source is the Virginia DMV website (dmv.virginia.gov) or a DMV office. Scam sites may collect your money and personal information without actually submitting your request to the state.
Be cautious if you receive an email or text claiming to be from the DMV asking you to verify your plate request or update payment information. The DMV does not contact people by email or text about personalized plate orders. If you are unsure whether a message is real, call the Virginia DMV directly at the phone number listed on its official website.
Never share your driver's license number, Social Security number, or full financial information with anyone claiming to help you order a personalized plate. The DMV's official website uses find encryption for all transactions.
What Happens If Your Requested Plate Is Already Taken
If the combination you want is already in use by another Virginia driver, the DMV will reject your request and notify you. You will not be charged. At that point, you can choose a different combination and submit a new request. Some people try slight variations — like adding a number, changing the order of letters, or using a number that looks like a letter (such as "0" instead of "O") — to get close to their first choice.
Keep in mind that personalized plates are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Once someone's plate is approved, that exact combination is no longer available, even if that person later lets their registration lapse. If you have your heart set on a particular combination, submit your request as soon as you know you want it.
Transferring a Personalized Plate to a Different Vehicle
You can move your personalized plate from one vehicle to another without losing it or paying the personalization fee again. When you register your new vehicle, you can request to transfer your existing personalized plate to it. The plate itself stays with you — it does not stay with the old vehicle.
To transfer your plate, you will need the registration documents for both your old vehicle and your new vehicle. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. There is no additional fee for the transfer beyond your standard registration fees for the new vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reserve a personalized plate before I buy my vehicle?
No. You must have a vehicle identification number (VIN) to register a vehicle and order a personalized plate for it. You can check whether your desired combination is available before you buy, but you cannot officially reserve it or pay for it until you have the VIN and are ready to register the vehicle.
What if I want to change my personalized plate after I get it?
You can request a new personalized combination at any time. Submit a new request through the DMV website or in person, and you will pay another $10 personalization fee. Your old plate becomes available for someone else to claim once your new plate is activated.
Do personalized plates cost more to renew each year?
No. Your renewal fee is the same as a standard registration renewal. You pay the $10 personalization fee only once when you first order the plate, and again only if you change to a different personalized combination later.
Can I order a personalized plate if my vehicle registration is expired?
You can request a personalized plate as part of a registration renewal, even if your current registration has expired. You will need to renew your registration at the same time you order the plate. If your registration is current and not due for renewal, you can add a personalized plate without renewing.
What if the DMV rejects my personalized plate request but does not explain why?
Contact the Virginia DMV directly using the phone number on its website and provide your rejection notice. A staff member can tell you the specific reason and may suggest alternative combinations that would be approved. You can then submit a new request.