California Custom Plates: How to Order
California personalized license plates: pick your design, choose 2–7 characters, order online, and wait 8–12 weeks. Here’s the complete 2026 guide.
TL;DR
- What it is: California’s official term is “personalized license plate” — the most common type is the Environmental License Plate (ELP).
- 3 types: Environmental (2–7 chars), Special-Interest like Whale Tail or Collegiate (2–7 chars), and 1960s Legacy designs.
- How to order: originals online at dmv.ca.gov; gifts, renewals, retention, and transfers need paper form REG 17.
- Fees: reported 2026 figures start around $53 initial / $43 annual for ELP — always verify current fees on dmv.ca.gov before ordering.
- Wait time: personalized plates typically take 8–12 weeks (up to ~4 months in busy periods). No refunds unless your configuration is denied.
Last verified against dmv.ca.gov: October 2026
What Is a California Personalized Plate?
California’s official term for a custom-character plate is “personalized license plate.” The most common type is the Environmental License Plate (ELP) — the original personalized plate (Vehicle Code §5101).
Personalized plates let you choose 2–7 characters (letters, numbers, and limited symbols) instead of the randomly assigned sequential combination. They’re available in three families:
The 3 Types of Custom Plates, Compared
California offers three personalized plate families. All let you choose your own characters — the differences are the design, the character limits, and the fee tier.
| Plate type | Characters | Motorcycles | Reported 2026 initial fee* | Reported 2026 renewal* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental (ELP) — the original personalized plate | 2–7 | 2–7 | ~$53 | ~$43 |
| Special-Interest, personalized — Whale Tail, Collegiate, Veterans Org & more | 2–7 (Collegiate 2–6) | 2–5 (Whale Tail, Veterans) | ~$103 | ~$83 |
| 1960s Legacy, personalized — black plate / gold letters | 2–7 | — | ~$50–$103 | ~$40 |
* Reported 2026 figures from third-party sources citing DMV’s fee schedule — NOT verified as fixed fact. Fees change and sources conflict. Always check current fees on dmv.ca.gov before ordering.
How to Order: 5 Steps
Fees: What You’ll Pay
| Plate type | Reported initial | Reported annual renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental (ELP), personalized | ~$53 | ~$43 |
| Special-Interest, personalized (most) | ~$103 | ~$83 |
| 1960s Legacy, personalized | ~$50–$103 | ~$40 |
All credit/debit transactions include an additional 1.95% payment processing fee.
Formatting Rules (Don’t Get Rejected)
DMV follows strict formatting rules (VIRP Manual §21.185). Get these wrong and your application will be delayed or denied:
- No zero: the number “0” cannot be used — use the letter “O” instead.
- 1 vs I: the number “1” and letter “I” cannot be substituted for each other.
- Q vs O: the letter “Q” cannot be substituted for “O” or vice versa.
- Spaces: asterisk (*) = full space; slash (/) = half space.
- Meaning required: you must explain what your configuration means.
- “69” rule: if you use “69”, you must provide the make and plate/VIN of a 1969 model-year vehicle.
- Same name: REG 17 must be in the same name as the reservation. Gift plates must be in the recipient’s name.
What Gets Rejected
DMV must refuse any configuration that (VIRP §21.180):
- Has sexual connotations or terms of lust/depravity
- Is vulgar, contemptuous, prejudiced, or hostile
- Is profane, obscene, or repulsive
- Was deleted from the regular series (restricted combinations)
- Has negative connotations toward any group
- Misrepresents a law enforcement entity
- Is a foreign or slang term attempting to bypass rules
- Is a phonetic spelling or mirror image of a prohibited term
- Looks similar to an existing plate (no letter↔number tricks)
Between 2024 and November 2025, DMV rejected 12,811 personalized designs.
Selling Your Car? Plates Stay With You
Personalized plates are registered to the owner, not the vehicle. When you sell:
- Remove your personalized plates before the sale
- The buyer gets standard sequential plates
- Reassign to another vehicle you own (REG 17 + REG 156, mail/in-person only)
- Retain without a vehicle (retention fee applies)
- Release back to DMV if you no longer want them
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get custom plates in California?
Personalized plates typically take 8–12 weeks because they’re custom-manufactured. During busy periods, DMV’s processing page has shown waits up to ~4 months. Sequential special-interest plates (no custom characters) are faster at roughly 4–6 weeks.
Can I order personalized plates online?
Original orders only can be placed online at dmv.ca.gov. For gifts, renewals, retention, replacements, conversions, or transfers, you must complete paper form REG 17 and submit by mail or in person.
How many characters can I have?
Most personalized plates allow 2–7 characters. Exceptions: Collegiate plates allow 2–6; motorcycles are limited to 2–5 on Whale Tail and Veterans plates. Collegiate plates aren’t available for motorcycles.
Why was my plate configuration rejected?
DMV rejects configurations that are vulgar, sexual, hateful, or attempt to bypass rules via phonetic spelling, mirror images, or foreign/slang terms. They also reject anything similar to an existing plate or that misrepresents law enforcement. Between 2024–2025, over 12,800 designs were rejected.
Can I transfer my personalized plates to another car?
Yes. Submit REG 17 plus REG 156 (Transfer by Owner). There’s no online option for reassignments — mail or visit a DMV office (AAA branches also handle these).
What happens to my plates when I sell my car?
Remove your personalized plates before the sale — they stay with you, not the car. The buyer receives standard plates. You can reassign yours to another vehicle, retain them, or release them to DMV.
Is there a refund if my plate is denied?
No refunds after order submission, unless your configuration is denied. Choose carefully and have backup options ready.
Can I get a personalized plate as a gift?
Yes, but the REG 17 application must be completed in the intended recipient’s name — not yours. Gift orders cannot be placed online; use the paper REG 17 form.
What’s the difference between personalized and special-interest plates?
Personalized = you choose the characters (2–7). Special-interest = the design benefits a cause (Whale Tail for coastal protection, Collegiate for UCLA, etc.). You can combine them: a personalized Whale Tail plate with your chosen characters.
Can motorcycles get personalized plates?
Yes, with limits: Environmental plates allow 2–7 characters on motorcycles. Whale Tail and Veterans plates allow 2–5 on motorcycles. Collegiate plates are not available for motorcycles.
What is the 1960s Legacy plate?
A black plate with gold letters replicating California’s 1960s design. Available in personalized (2–7 characters, ~$50–$103 initial) or sequential versions. Not available for motorcycles.
Is the Disneyland plate available yet?
Not yet. Announced May 2026 to benefit children’s hospitals, it needs DMV approval and 7,500 preorders before production. Check dmv.ca.gov for updates.
Related Guides
Ready to Order Your Custom Plates?
Start your personalized plate order on the official DMV website. Have your registration card ready and allow 8–12 weeks for delivery.
Order on dmv.ca.gov →Last verified against bar.ca.gov and dmv.ca.gov: October 15, 2026. Requirements change — confirm current rules with BAR or the DMV before your visit.