21.185 Personalized License Plate Applications

Original License Plate Application—the following must be submitted online at dmv.ca.gov: Before a license plate reservation can be processed, the applicant must complete a Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form. The REG 17 must:

• Be completed in the same name as the reservation. The license plate owner and the vehicle owner of record must be the same. A license plate purchased as a gift must be keyed in the intended recipient’s name.
• Show the type of vehicle (auto, commercial, etc.) to which the license plates will be assigned.
• Show a field office or auto club location where the license plates will be exchanged, if the specific vehicle to which the license plates will be assigned is not known.
• The personalized configuration must be completed as required.
• The number zero (0) cannot be used; only the letter “O” is acceptable.
• The number one must be shown as “1.”
• The letter “I” must be shown “I.”
• The letter “I” cannot be substituted for the number “1” or vice versa.
• The letter “Q” cannot be substituted for the letter “O” or vice versa.
• An asterisk (*) must be used to show where a full space is desired.
• A slash (/) must be used to show where a half-space is desired.
• The meaning must be explained appropriately for the configuration.
• If the number “69” is used, the make and current license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN) for a 1969 year model vehicle to which the license plates will be assigned must be part of the application (for verification purposes).
• The reserved choice on the REG 17 must be circled.
• The license plate configuration (spaces y characters) must be verified that it was keyed correctly.

POW and Firefighter License Plate Requests—To ensure compliance with statutory requirements, there are additional processing requirements for:

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  POW License Plate applications. Refer to the Former Prisoner of War (POW) License Plates section in this chapter for the additional processing requirements.
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  Firefighter License Plate applications. Refer to the Firefighter License Plates section in this chapter for additional processing requirements.

Special License Plates as Gifts (CVC §5110)—To reserve special license plates as a gift, the name of the intended recipient must be the registered owner of the vehicle to which the license plates will be assigned and must be shown on the REG 17.

Cancelling a Reservation—A special license plate reservation cannot be cancelled if the work has been transmitted to DMV Headquarters. To cancel a reservation in work still in the office, void the original reservation transaction, make the correct reservation, and attach the new DMV file copy to the REG 17.

Unavailable Special License Plate Choices (VC §5105)—When a personalized special license plate application is received in the mail or a dealer bundle and none of the applicant’s choices are available, return the original REG 17 form, a blank REG 17 (in case the applicant wants to try again), y the application fee to the applicant or dealer, as follows:

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  Requests Submitted by a Dealer—A credit media or a refund on the bundle issued in the dealer’s name must be returned to the dealer. The dealer is responsible for contacting the customer and refunding the fee.
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  Requests Submitted by an Individual—The applicant’s check or receipt must be returned with the REG 17. If only a portion of the fees are being returned or the fee was paid by other than a personal check, the fee must be converted to a receipt.