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 y 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| License Plate TypeAmateur Radio License (HAM) Station (VC §5005) | Original$20 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$20 | Reassignment$12 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypeAntique Motorcycle (VC §5004.5) | Original$15 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$20 | Reassignment** | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypeBicentennial Bill of Rights (VC §5101.9(e)) | Original** | Renewal** | Replacement/Substitute*** | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypeBreast Cancer Awareness (VC §5156.7) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$43 |
| License Plate TypeCalifornia (CA) (1960s) Legacy (VC §5004.3) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange$50 | Retention$38 |
| License Plate TypeCA Agriculture (CalAg) (VC §5156) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$43 |
| License Plate TypeCA Arts Council (VC §5074) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$20* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$43 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$43 |
| License Plate TypeCA Coastal Commission (Whale Tail) (VC §5067) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$83 |
| License Plate TypeCA Firefighter (VC §5101.2) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$78 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$43 |
| License Plate TypeCA Memorial (VC §5066) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$83 |
| License Plate TypeCA Museums (Snoopy) (VC §5156) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35 | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$43 |
| License Plate TypeCitizens Band Radio (VC §5020) | Original** | Renewal$15 | Replacement/Substitute*$20 | Reassignment$20 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypeCollegiate (VC §5024) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypeCongressional Medal of Honor (VC §§5101.6, 9105) | Original$0 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$20 | Reassignment$0 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypeDisabled Person (VC §§5007, 9105) | Original$0 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$20* | Reassignment$0 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypeDisabled Person Parking Placard (VC §§22511.55, 22511.59) Note: Temporary placards are issued to permanent placard owners for free. | OriginalPermanent $0 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$0 | Reassignment** | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate Type | OriginalTemporary $6 | Renewal** | Replacement/Substitute*$6 | Reassignment** | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypeDisabled Veteran (VC §§5007, 9105) Note: Window decals for vehicles with a wheelchair lift or carrier are free. | Original$0 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$20 | Reassignment$0 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypeEnvironmental (ELP) (VC §§5101, 5106, 5108) | Original$53 | Renewal$43 | Replacement/Substitute*$43 | Reassignment$43 | Exchange** | Retention$43 |
| License Plate TypeEx-Prisoner of War (POW) (VC §§5101.5, 9105) | Original$0 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$27 | Reassignment** | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypeGold Star Family (VC §5156(d)(1)) | Original$0 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypeHistorical Vehicle (VC §5004) | Original$25 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$27* | Reassignment** | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypeKids–Child Health and Safety Funds (VC §5072) | OriginalSequential $20 | Renewal$15 | Replacement/Substitute*$20* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35 | Reassignment$15 | Exchange$50 | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypeLake Tahoe Conservancy (VC §5075) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$43 |
| License Plate TypeLegion of Valor (VC §5101.4) Note: Substitute decals are free. | Original$0 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$22* | Reassignment$0 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypeLivery*** (VC §§5011.5, 5011.6, 5011.9; CPUC §5371.4(h)) | OriginalSequential ** | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*** | Reassignment** | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized ** | Renewal$43 | Replacement/Substitute*** | Reassignment** | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypeOlympic Games (VC §5022) | Original** | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*** | Reassignment$12 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypeOlympic Training Center*** (VC §5023) | OriginalSequential ** | Renewal$30 | Replacement/Substitute*** | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized ** | Renewal$73 | Replacement/Substitute*** | Reassignment$58 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypePearl Harbor Survivor (VC §5101.3) | Original$0 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$20* | Reassignment$0 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypePet Lover’s (VC §5156) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$103 | Retention$43 |
| License Plate TypePress Photographer (VC §5008) | Original$20 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*** | Reassignment$12 | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypePrivately-Owned School Bus (PSB) (VC §9102.5) | Original$22 | Renewal$22 | Replacement/Substitute*$22 | Reassignment** | Exchange** | Retention** |
| License Plate TypePurple Heart Recipient (VC §5101.8) | Original$0 | Renewal$0 | Replacement/Substitute*$20* | Reassignment$0 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypeVeteran Organization (VC §5068) Note: Substitute decals are $10. | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $78 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35 | Reassignment$15 | Exchange$78 | Retention$0 |
| License Plate TypeYear of Manufacture (YOM) (VC §5004.5) | Original$45 | Renewal$10 | Replacement/Substitute*** | Reassignment$12 | Exchange** | Retention$20 |
| License Plate TypeYosemite Foundation (VC §5064) | OriginalSequential $50 | Renewal$40 | Replacement/Substitute*$35* | Reassignment$15 | Exchange** | Retention$0 |
| License Plate Type | OriginalPersonalized $103 | Renewal$83 | Replacement/Substitute*$78 | Reassignment$58 | Exchange$65 | Retention$43 |
*Indicates a substitute license plate.
**Indicates a transaction that is not permitted.
***These plates are no longer issued.
