Check Personalized License Plate Availability
Availability checkers by state
Canada
| Province (fees & rules) | Check availability |
|---|---|
| Ontario | ServiceOntario checker |
| Quebec | When you apply |
| British Columbia | When you apply |
| Alberta | When you apply |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) checker |
| Saskatchewan | SGI checker |
| Nova Scotia | When you apply |
| New Brunswick | When you apply |
| Prince Edward Island | When you apply |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Not offered |
Plate taken? Get alternatives
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a personalized license plate is available?
Most states have a free online tool that tells you instantly whether a combination is taken. Find your state in the table above and follow the link straight to the official checker. Where a state has no online tool, you submit your application with two or three alternatives and the DMV tells you which one it can issue.
Which states let you check plate availability online?
38 of the 50 states publish an online availability checker. The rest handle availability during the application itself, either at a DMV office or by mail.
Does an available plate mean I will get it?
No. Availability is the first test; every state also reviews the combination for offensive, misleading or official-looking messages, and can refuse it. Fees are usually non-refundable even when a request is refused, which is why picking two or three options is worth the trouble.
What if the plate I want is taken?
Try a digit for a letter (PLAT3S), drop a vowel (PLTES), add a number or a short word (PLATES1, MYPLATE), or use the generator on this page to get fresh ideas built around the same theme. Plates are also released when owners give them up, so a combination that is taken today can free up later.