Fees are subject to law changes and vary depending on the application or transaction. Information is provided for an estimation of fees only. For additional vehicle registration fees, see the Registration Related Fees (FFVR 34) Fast Facts and Registering Commercial Vehicle and PTI Trailers (FFVR 27) Fast Facts brochures, available at www.dmv.ca.gov.
Applicable California Vehicle Code (CVC) sections (§) are noted for reference and additional information.
Type of Application
Original—First time issued in owner’s name.
Renewal—Fee added to annual vehicle registration renewal.
Substitute—Same license plate type replaced with a new configuration (CVC §9265).
Duplicate—Same license plate type and configuration (CVC §9265). If both license plates are lost/stolen, duplicates will not be issued.
Reassignment—Transfer of license plates to another vehicle (CVC §5108).
Exchange—Change an existing environmental or special interest license plate type to another. Price is based on the license plate being changed to. EXAMPLE: Yosemite exchanged for a Lake Tahoe License Plate using the same configuration.
Retention—Retain a license plate type and configuration, usually for a fee at vehicle registration expiration (CVC §5106(c)).
Special Interest License Plate Fees
Special interest license plates may be purchased for use on California-registered vehicles. Certain special interest license plates require payment of an annual renewal fee assessed at the same time as the registration renewal (including vehicles not being operated) to retain license plate configuration ownership. Revenue generated from the sale and renewal of these license plates helps fund environmental and special programs.
| License Plate Type | Original | Renewal | Replacement/Substitute* | Reassignment | Exchange | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amateur Radio License (HAM) Station (VC §5005) | $20 | $0 | $20 | $12 | ** | ** |
| Antique Motorcycle (VC §5004.5) | $15 | $0 | $20 | ** | ** | ** |
| Bicentennial Bill of Rights (VC §5101.9(e)) | ** | ** | ** | $15 | ** | ** |
| Breast Cancer Awareness (VC §5156.7) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | ** |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $78 | $58 | $103 | $43 | |
| California (CA) (1960s) Legacy (VC §5004.3) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | ** |
| Personalized $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | $50 | $38 | |
| CA Agriculture (CalAg) (VC §5156) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | ** |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $78 | $58 | $103 | $43 | |
| CA Arts Council (VC §5074) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $20* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $43 | $58 | $103 | $43 | |
| CA Coastal Commission (Whale Tail) (VC §5067) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $78 | $58 | $103 | $83 | |
| CA Firefighter (VC §5101.2) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $103 | $78 | $78 | $58 | $103 | $43 | |
| CA Memorial (VC §5066) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $78 | $58 | $103 | $83 | |
| CA Museums (Snoopy) (VC §5156) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35 | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $78 | $58 | $103 | $43 | |
| Citizens Band Radio (VC §5020) | ** | $15 | $20 | $20 | ** | ** |
| Collegiate (VC §5024) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $78 | $58 | $103 | $0 | |
| Congressional Medal of Honor (VC §§5101.6, 9105) | $0 | $0 | $20 | $0 | ** | $0 |
| Disabled Person (VC §§5007, 9105) | $0 | $0 | $20* | $0 | ** | ** |
| Disabled Person Parking Placard (VC §§22511.55, 22511.59) Note: Temporary placards are issued to permanent placard owners for free. | Permanent $0 | $0 | $0 | ** | ** | ** |
| Temporary $6 | ** | $6 | ** | ** | ** | |
| Disabled Veteran (VC §§5007, 9105) Note: Window decals for vehicles with a wheelchair lift or carrier are free. | $0 | $0 | $20 | $0 | ** | ** |
| Environmental (ELP) (VC §§5101, 5106, 5108) | $53 | $43 | $43 | $43 | ** | $43 |
| Ex-Prisoner of War (POW) (VC §§5101.5, 9105) | $0 | $0 | $27 | ** | ** | $0 |
| Gold Star Family (VC §5156(d)(1)) | $0 | $0 | $35* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Historical Vehicle (VC §5004) | $25 | $0 | $27* | ** | ** | ** |
| Kids–Child Health and Safety Funds (VC §5072) | Sequential $20 | $15 | $20* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $50 | $40 | $35 | $15 | $50 | $0 | |
| Lake Tahoe Conservancy (VC §5075) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $78 | $58 | $103 | $43 | |
| Legion of Valor (VC §5101.4) Note: Substitute decals are free. | $0 | $0 | $22* | $0 | ** | $0 |
| Livery*** (VC §§5011.5, 5011.6, 5011.9; CPUC §5371.4(h)) | Sequential ** | $0 | ** | ** | ** | ** |
| Personalized ** | $43 | ** | ** | ** | ** | |
| Olympic Games (VC §5022) | ** | $0 | ** | $12 | ** | $0 |
| Olympic Training Center*** (VC §5023) | Sequential ** | $30 | ** | $15 | ** | ** |
| Personalized ** | $73 | ** | $58 | ** | $0 | |
| Pearl Harbor Survivor (VC §5101.3) | $0 | $0 | $20* | $0 | ** | $0 |
| Pet Lover’s (VC §5156) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $78 | $58 | $103 | $43 | |
| Press Photographer (VC §5008) | $20 | $0 | ** | $12 | ** | ** |
| Privately-Owned School Bus (PSB) (VC §9102.5) | $22 | $22 | $22 | ** | ** | ** |
| Purple Heart Recipient (VC §5101.8) | $0 | $0 | $20* | $0 | ** | $0 |
| Veteran Organization (VC §5068) Note: Substitute decals are $10. | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $78 | $40 | $35 | $15 | $78 | $0 | |
| Year of Manufacture (YOM) (VC §5004.5) | $45 | $10 | ** | $12 | ** | $20 |
| Yosemite Foundation (VC §5064) | Sequential $50 | $40 | $35* | $15 | ** | $0 |
| Personalized $103 | $83 | $78 | $58 | $65 | $43 |
*Indicates a substitute license plate.
**Indicates a transaction that is not permitted.
***These plates are no longer issued.
