Virginia
In Virginia, residents can personalize their license plates—referred to as "Personalized Plates"—for various vehicle types, including passenger vehicles and motorcycles. Personalized plates allow for a combination of letters and numbers, subject to specific character limits and guidelines.
How to Get a Personalized Virginia Plate
- Check Plate Availability: Before applying, verify if your desired plate combination is available using the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)'s Create a Plate tool.
- Submit an Application:
- Online: Use the Create a Plate portal to select your plate design, enter your desired combination, and complete the application process.
- By Mail: Complete the License Plate Application (Form VSA 10) and submit it, along with the appropriate fees, to the address listed on the form.
- Await Approval: The DMV will review your application to ensure the requested plate combination adheres to state guidelines. Once approved, the personalized plate will be manufactured.
- Receive Your Plate: You will be notified when your personalized plate is ready for pickup at your local DMV office. Processing times may vary.
Important Notes for Virginia Residents
- Character Limits:
- Standard Plates: Up to 7 characters for passenger vehicles.
- Motorcycle Plates: Up to 6 characters.
- Prohibited Content: Plates must not contain offensive or inappropriate language. The DMV reserves the right to deny any combination deemed offensive to good taste and decency.
- No Punctuation: Punctuation marks or special characters are not permitted. Spaces are allowed and count as characters.
- Plate Ownership: Personalized plates are generally tied to the vehicle owner, not the vehicle itself. If you sell your vehicle, you may transfer the personalized plates to another vehicle registered in your name.
- Renewal: Personalized plates must be renewed annually, along with your vehicle registration.
Fees:
| State | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $10 | $10 |
These fees are in addition to standard vehicle registration fees.
Virginia DMV - Personalized Plates