California Special Interest License Plates: Full List and How to Order

Quick answer: The current DMV catalog contains 15 California specialty license plates under its "Special Interest License Plates" heading. Most are available with a DMV-assigned sequential configuration or a personalized configuration, although eligibility and vehicle-type restrictions apply to certain plates. Initial special-interest plate fees currently range from $20 to $103, plus regular registration fees. Most original orders can be placed through DMV's Special Interest and Personalized License Plates Orders service or submitted with the appropriate DMV form.

DMV calls these special interest license plates. Their added fees support related organizations or programs. DMV separately classifies special recognition, occupational, legislative, and apportioned plates, so those plates aren't part of the 15-design list below.

The correct route depends on the transaction. New designs and personalized configurations go through DMV. For this topic, Xtreet's Replace Stickers service applies only to eligible replacements for existing plates, registration stickers, and registration cards.

Full list of California specialty license plates

As of July 2026, DMV displays the following 15 designs under "Special Interest License Plates." A sequential plate uses a configuration assigned by DMV; a personalized plate uses an approved configuration chosen by the applicant.

Sources: California DMV's Choosing Your License Plate page for the 15-design list and initial fees, and its Special License Plate Fees page for annual renewal fees.

These charges are added to regular vehicle registration fees. DMV's fee schedule also lists fees for replacements, reassignments, exchanges, and retention. DMV's Special Interest and Personalized License Plates Orders page states that online credit or debit card payments carry a 1.95% processing fee. Fees and availability can change, so confirm the amount shown by DMV before paying.

Special-interest motorcycle plates are available only for certain designs. Check the current DMV catalog and application before assuming that a passenger-vehicle design can be issued for a motorcycle.

Who can order a special-interest plate in California?

California specialty license plates are generally available to owners of automobiles, commercial vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles currently registered in California. The design must be available for that vehicle type.

Most designs don't require membership in the organization they support. Firefighters' plates are different: the applicant must meet DMV's eligibility rules and submit acceptable documentation with the Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A).

How to order California specialty license plates

To order, have the current California registration card ready, choose a sequential or personalized plate, and use DMV's online service or the correct application form. Restricted plates may require supporting documents.

1. Confirm the vehicle's California registration

Have the current registration card available and make sure DMV has the correct address. DMV's Special Interest and Personalized License Plates Orders page instructs applicants to allow 72 hours after an address update before ordering. Original special-interest plates must be assigned to a qualifying vehicle currently registered in California.

2. Choose a design and configuration

Select a sequential configuration assigned by DMV or request a personalized configuration when the design allows it. Personalized choices remain subject to availability and DMV approval. On its How To Obtain Personalized and Special Interest License Plates page, DMV explains that it may reject a configuration that is offensive, misleading, or conflicts with an existing plate.

3. Check a personalized configuration before applying

Use DMV's Special Interest and Personalized License Plates Orders service to check a proposed configuration and begin an eligible original order. Availability isn't final until DMV processes and approves the application.

4. Submit the correct application

Most original sequential and personalized special-interest plate requests can be completed online. You can also apply by mail using the Special Interest or Environmental License Plate Application (REG 17). Follow the instructions on the current form and include the required fees.

Firefighters' plates use REG 17A and require proof of eligibility. For a gift, renewal, retention, replacement, conversion, or transfer, submit REG 17 instead of using DMV's original-order flow online.

When applying by mail, send the completed form and a check or money order to the address on the current form. Don't send cash:

DMV SPU
Mail Station D238
P.O. Box 932345
Sacramento, CA 94232-3450

5. Wait for delivery or a pickup notice

According to DMV's How To Obtain Personalized and Special Interest License Plates page, sequential plates are generally mailed to the address on record in about four to six weeks. Personalized plates are generally ready for pickup about eight to 12 weeks after DMV processes the order. DMV mails a notice when personalized plates are ready. REG 17 allows applicants to select a DMV office or an Auto Club office for pickup; Auto Club pickup requires membership.

The vehicle must remain currently registered when personalized plates are assigned. If its registration will expire within 30 days of pickup, DMV requires renewal before assigning the plates. A vehicle on planned nonoperation status can't receive the personalized plates at pickup.

How personalized configurations work

Character limits depend on the design rather than one statewide maximum. REG 17 allows two to six characters on some special-interest designs and two to seven on others. Motorcycle configurations are generally limited to two to five characters, subject to the plate-specific instructions on the current form.

On DMV's How To Obtain Personalized and Special Interest License Plates page, DMV explains that it evaluates the complete configuration, including letter-and-number substitutions. Submitting a request doesn't reserve or guarantee the choice, and a submitted personalized selection generally can't be changed or refunded after submission. Review every character before paying.

How to retain, reassign, or replace special-interest plates

California specialty license plates generally remain with the plate owner rather than automatically following the vehicle. The owner may retain the plates for future use, reassign them to another qualifying California vehicle, or surrender them to DMV. Applicable retention or reassignment fees may be due.

Use the current REG 17 instructions for a replacement, reassignment, retention, transfer, or conversion. REG 17 lets the applicant request one or two replacement plates and identify them as lost, mutilated, or stolen. On DMV's How To Obtain Personalized and Special Interest License Plates page, DMV states that the same configuration can't be reissued if both personalized plates are lost or stolen; the applicant must choose a new configuration.

Frequently asked questions

What are the new California license plates for 2026?

DMV doesn't publish a separate 2026 special-interest plate lineup on its current Choosing Your License Plate page. As of July 2026, that page displays the 15 designs listed above. Legislative authorization or a proposed plate program doesn't necessarily mean DMV has begun issuing the plate, so use the live catalog to confirm current availability.

How much does it cost to have a special license plate in California?

Current initial special-interest plate fees range from $20 to $103, depending on the design and configuration type. Annual renewal fees range from $15 to $83. Regular registration fees and any transaction-specific charges are separate.

How long does it take to get a special license plate in California?

DMV's How To Obtain Personalized and Special Interest License Plates page estimates about four to six weeks for sequential plates mailed to the address on record. Personalized plates are generally ready for pickup about eight to 12 weeks after the order is processed.

Can you still get black and yellow California license plates?

Yes. DMV currently offers the black-and-yellow California 1960s Legacy plate. Its initial fee is $50 for either a sequential or personalized configuration, and the annual renewal fee is $40. It is a current Legacy design, not an original vintage plate issued under California's Year of Manufacture program.

How many letters can you have on a personalized license plate in California?

There isn't one limit for every design. Depending on the special-interest plate, REG 17 generally allows two to six or two to seven characters. Motorcycle plates are generally limited to two to five characters. The limit covers the full configuration, not letters alone.

Choose the right plate and use the correct application

Before ordering California specialty license plates, confirm that the design fits the vehicle type, review the current fees, and check the personalized configuration if applicable. Keeping the vehicle's registration and address current can prevent delays when DMV mails the plates or pickup notice.

New special-interest plate designs and personalized configurations must be ordered through DMV. For the transactions covered here, Xtreet's service applies only to eligible replacement requests for existing California plates, registration stickers, or registration cards. Eligibility and required documents depend on the replacement transaction.

If your request qualifies, replace your existing California plate, registration sticker, or registration card online with Xtreet and happily check one more DMV task off your list.