Custom License Plate in California

You may order a personalized plate with a plain background; a specialty license plate with graphics in the background and a random number/letter sequence; or a specialty plate with graphics and personalization. Generally you order these plates at registration, but you may order them later, too.

Fees vary depending on the specialty plate. See below.

California Personalized Plates

For vanity plates with plain backgrounds, also called the Environmental Plates, you'll pay:

• $49 for the first purchase.
• $38 for renewals.

Specialty Plates

Various organizations put their logos or graphics on these license plates. The application for this kind of custom plate is at the CA DMV Web site, and the fees are listed there, too. The fees are as follows:

• Arts: Non-personalized: $50. Personalized: $98.
• CA Firefighter: Non-personalized: $35. Personalized: $83.
• CA Memorial Fund: Non-personalized: $50. Personalized: $98.
• Coastal Whale Tail: Non-personalized: $50. Personalized: $98.
• Collegiate UCLA: Non-personalized: $50. Personalized: $98.
• Kids: Non-personalized: $20. Personalized: $50.
• Lake Tahoe Conservancy: Non-personalized: $50. Personalized: $98.
• Olympic Training Center: Non-personalized: $50. Personalized: $50.
• Public Utilities Commission Livery: Non-personalized: No fee. Personalized: $49.
• Ex- POW: No fee. Duplicates: $7.
• Veterans: Non-personalized: $30. Personalized: $40.
• Yosemite: Non-personalized: $50. Personalized: $98.

Be mindful that the plates have annual renewal or retention fees, too.

Plates Requiring Additional Documentation

These license plates are only available to eligible parties and have different fees. You must fill out the Special License Plate Application and go into a DMV office with your documentation:

Amateur Radio, American Ex-Prisoner of War, Antique Motorcycle, Congressional Medal of Honor, Historical Vehicle, Honorary Consul, Horseless Carriage, Legion of Valor, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Personalized Livery Purple Heart Recipient, Press Photographer, and Year of Manufacture License Plates.