Replacement of Standard License Plates

Request standard or non-personalized special license plates.

This application cannot be used to request replacement personalized license plates.

Before you begin:

  1. You will need the vehicle’s license plate number, the last 3 digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN), and you must be the registered owner on record.

  2. Check whether your vehicle is eligible for online replacements.

  3. Be prepared to pay the replacement fee. (Fee is subject to change annually; check registration fee information for the current figure.)

  4. Be prepared to pay the replacement fee using your banking information (bank routing number and account number, as shown on your checks) or by credit/debit card. There is a 2.3% service fee applied when using a credit/debit card.

Note You cannot change your address using this form.

Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesReplacement Fees
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesRegular Series ReplacementReplacement Fees
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesAutoReplacement Fees$27
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesCommercialReplacement Fees$27
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesMotorcycleReplacement Fees$27
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesSequential Special Interest License Plates Replacement Auto, Commercial, or MotorcycleReplacement Fees
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesBreast Cancer Awareness (BCA)Replacement Fees$35
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesCA 1960s LegacyReplacement Fees$35
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesCA AgriculturalReplacement Fees$35
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesCA Arts CouncilReplacement Fees$22
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesCA Coastal Commission (CCC)Replacement Fees$35
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesCA MemorialReplacement Fees$35
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesCA MuseumsReplacement Fees$35
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesCollegiateReplacement Fees$35
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesKidsReplacement Fees$20
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesLake Tahoe ConcervancyReplacement Fees$35
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesPet Lover’sReplacement Fees$35
Replacement Fee for Regular License Plates and Sequential Special Interest License PlatesYosemite FoundationReplacement Fees$35

The following vehicles are NOT eligible for online replacement requests:

  • All personalized license plates
  • Disabled Person Plates
  • Motorcycles with sequential special plates (Only “Legacy” motorcycle plates are eligible)
  • Sequential Collegiate Plates
  • Sequential Veteran’s Plates
  • Vehicles with 2 stolen plates or Motorcycle with stolen plate are not able to use this process
  • Vessels
  • Off-highway vehicles
  • Special equipment plated vehicles
  • Farm equipment
  • Vehicles with registration due within the next 30 calendar days 
  • Vehicles with an expired or suspended registration 
  • Vehicles on Planned Non-Operation
  • Junked, vehicles with salvage certificate-issued, and non-repairable vehicles
  • Vehicles with titles surrendered to another state
  • Vehicles with an open collections action with the Department
  • Vehicles with an active Notice of Release of Liability on record
  • Vehicles with a hold due to transaction processing, titling, outstanding citations, or vehicle theft issues
  • Vehicles registered under the Permanent Fleet Registration program
  • Commercial vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan program or Partial Year Registration program
  • All trailers including trailers registered under the Permanent Trailer Identification program

Note If your vehicle is one of the above, you will need to complete an Application for Replacement Plates / Stickers / Documents (REG 156) (PDF) form or a Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) (PDF) and mail it to the address shown on the form, or take it into a DMV office.