California

The California Department of Motor Vehicles oversees the distribution and issuance of personalized and customized vanity license plates.  California allows you to determine if your specific lettering on the license plate is available online

Personalized license plates in California can be ordered online and take up to 8 to 12 weeks for processing and delivery.  License plates can only be ordered by a registered owner and the plate you order must be registered to an California vehicle at the time of issuance.

• Types of Vehicles:  The California Department or Motor Vehicles allows personalized license plates on autos, trucks, trailers and Motorcycles.

• Fee:   The fee for a personalized license plate in California is $49 in addition to any other regular renewal and registration fees.  Other special interest plates (like the California Memorial or Coastal Commission plates) are extra.

• Number of Characters:  In California, they allow a maximum of 7 characters on your Personalized Plate.  You can use any combination of Letters A to Z, Spaces and Numbers 0 to 9 .

• Limitations:  Personalized vanity license plates in California are subject to approval by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.  The website also states that the California “Department has the right to refuse any combination of letters and/or letters and numbers that may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency, or which would be misleading, or in conflict with any license plate series now issued. Substituting numbers for letters, or vice versa, may be confused with an existing plate.  The availability of the license plate configuration you reserve on this site is subject to final approval by DMV.”

• Is My Plate Available?:  Yes – you can look your preferred license plate up online!   Visit the California Personalized Plate Website.

• How to Order:  To order your personalized California license plate for your car, motorcycle or trailer, follow these steps:
  • Visit the California  Personalized Plate Website to see if your personalized message is available and then follow the instructions to order online OR
  • Complete a Personalized California License Plate Application form.  Submit your application and fees by mail to:

• Additional Information:  Note that personalized plates must be picked up at the DMV and that after ordering you will receive a letter confirming that it has been sent.  For more information on obtaining a personalized vanity license plate in California, visit the California Personalized Plates website, go to any California DMV office or call the California Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-777-0133.