Personalized Plates
Request a Personalized Plate Online
General Information
You can apply for a personalized plate online at our Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP), or you can come into one of our offices. You will be able to submit up to three requested combinations of letters and numbers. You must also have a currently registered vehicle in the state of Utah.
The type of plate requested limits the number of characters that may be used on the plate, as follows:
| Up to seven characters | Standard Life Elevated Skier and Life Elevated Arches plates |
|---|---|
| Up to five characters | Special group plates & In God We Trust |
| Up to five characters | Motorcycle plates |
| Up to four characters | Special group plates & In God We Trust for motorcycles |
Guidelines and Standards
What are the rules or guidelines regarding the combination and numbers of characters on a plate, or the content of the message on the plate?
Current state law forbids any combination of letters or numbers that “may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency or that would be misleading.” In general, this law prohibits combinations that:
- Are vulgar, derogatory, profane, or obscene;
- Make reference to drugs or drug paraphernalia;
- Make reference to sexual acts, genitalia, or bodily functions;
- Express contempt, ridicule, disparagement or superiority of a: race, color, national origin, religion, deity, ethnic heritage, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, political affiliation or physical or mental disability; or
- Express or suggest endangerment to the public welfare.
Also, the combination of letters and numbers requested cannot duplicate a currently registered license plate, or conflict with a series or the letter/number combinations used on regular issue license plates. In addition, the DMV cannot deny a personalized license plate request if the requested combination of letters, numbers, or both refer to an official state symbol under Utah Code Ann. §63G-1-601.
Failure to keep the personalized plate in a current valid registered vehicle within six months of expiration will result in the loss of your right to the combination of letters/numbers on your personalized plate.
Personalized Plates FAQ
How do I apply for a personalized plate?
You will need to visit our Motor Vehicle Portal(MVP) to request a personalized plate. Be prepared to pay the appropriate personalized plate fees. Special Group plates may require an additional contribution to the organization they support.
How many characters can I use on a personalized plate?
The number of characters you can use on a personalized plate depends on the type of license plate you select:
- Standard license plate: Up to seven characters, with the exception to the In God We Trust plate, which may only have up to five characters
- Special Group license plate: Up to five characters with the exception to the B&W Historical Support plate, which may have up to seven characters.
- Motorcycle license plate: Up to five characters, or up to four for the In God We Trust plate or Special Group plates
How can I find out if the wording I want on my personalized plate is available?
You can use the Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP) to not only check if the wording you want is available, but also how it would look on different types of license plates. Note that the wording being available does not mean that it will be approved by the DMV if it is found to be against the personalized plate guidelines above.
My personalized plate was damaged or lost. Can I replace it?
Yes, a personalized plates may be replaced online through the Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP).
How long will it take to receive my personalized plate?
You should expect to receive your personalized plate within eight weeks of placing your order.