California Vehicle License Plates: The Basics (2026)

California License Plate Requirements and Regulations

California law requires that most vehicles have both a front and rear license plate. There are some exceptions, though, such as:

• Motorcycles
• Trailers
• Tow dollies
• Certain truck tractors

License plates must be upright and securely attached to the vehicle, and they must not be covered or obstructed. Tinted plate covers and license plate frames that make parts of the plate hard to read are not allowed.

Types of California License Plates Available

California offers a wide range of license plates to choose from. The standard plate has a white background with blue characters and “California” written in red script. If you prefer standard license plates from a different era, you might be interested in legacy plates.

If you want a license plate to reflect a hobby or interest, California offers a variety of “special interest” plates. The additional fees for these plates often go toward the causes they represent.

How to Get California License Plates for New Vehicles

Driving without registration can come with major legal consequences, so make sure to register a new vehicle and get license plates as soon as you make the purchase. If you buy a car from a dealer, the dealer should handle the process for you. They will issue temporary plates for you to use while your application is processing.

If you bought the car from a private party, you have 10 days to transfer ownership from the seller to you. You must bring the signed title to the DMV, along with the necessary documentation to apply for a license plate.

Special Interest and Personalized License Plates

These are some of the special interest plates you can choose from:

• State parks
• Specific colleges and universities
• California Arts Council
• Pet lovers
• Firefighters
• Lake Tahoe Conservancy
• Amateur radio
• Pearl Harbor survivor

Special interest plates generally have an initial fee due at the time of registration, as well as an annual fee to keep the plate. If you want one of these plates, you’ll need to fill out a REG 17 form for special-interest license plates and submit it to the DMV.

It’s important to note that while you can choose the character combination on your personalized plate, the California DMV reserves the right to reject any character combination it regards as inappropriate.

California License Plate Fees and Costs

Standard license plates are included in your vehicle registration or renewal fee, but replacements cost $28. Notably, although many states charge a flat fee for special interest or personalized plates, California varies the pricing by plate.

If you want a special interest plate, a personalized plate or one with both features, you can expect to pay the following amounts:

• Initial Fee: $50 to $103
• Renewal Fee: $35 to $83

Keep in mind that these prices can change each year. California is also one of a handful of states that allow drivers to have digital license plates. These fully customizable plates are available through private companies.

License Plate Application Process and Methods

To get license plates in California, you must register your vehicle first. Registration generally requires these documents:

• Application for Title or Registration (Form REG 343)
• California driver’s license
• Proof of insurance
• Bill of sale, if the car is used and purchased from a private party
• Smog check certificate, if the car was required to have a smog check

Once you submit these documents and pay all the necessary fees, your standard license plates will be mailed to you. If you want special-interest or personalized plates, you will need to complete a REG 17 form and pay any additional fees associated with your plate of choice.

The initial registration process can be complex, but the good news is that registration renewal is fairly straightforward. In many cases, it can be done online.

Replacing Lost, Stolen or Damaged License Plates

If your license plates have been lost, stolen or damaged, you should replace them as soon as possible. The easiest way to do so is to visit the California DMV website or go to a DMV office in person.

If you drive a car without license plates, you are in violation of the California Vehicle Code. You are fairly unlikely to face arrest for this violation, but you may be ticketed and ordered to pay a fine.

In many cases, tickets for license plate violations are “fix-it” tickets, meaning the ticket will be dismissed if you remedy the issue before your court date.

License Plate Renewal Process and Requirements

Typically, once you have been issued license plates, those license plates stay with the car. You must renew your registration every year, and once you do so, you’ll receive new registration stickers.

You must then affix those stickers to your license plate. If you renew your registration but forget to attach the stickers, there’s a risk of getting pulled over and ticketed.

Need Legal Help?

If you’ve been ticketed for violating license plate rules or other California traffic laws, or if you are looking for a car accident lawyer, it can be hard to figure out how to find the right attorney for your situation.

That’s where we come in. ConsumerShield connects people like you with vetted local attorneys. Fill out our contact form for your free case review today.