21.190 Personalized License Plate Assignments

Field Office Assignment—Personalized license plates are sent to DMV field offices for issuance to customers if the Special License Plate Application (REG 17) form was not submitted with a registration application, or the applicant did not know the vehicle to which the license plates would be assigned.

• Any license plates that are offensive to good taste and decency must be returned to the DMV Special Processing Unit (SPU) following the procedures in the Personalized Configurations—Mandatory Refusal section in this chapter.
• License plates received in error must be forwarded to the correct DMV office.
• License plates manufactured incorrectly must be reordered.
• The license plate owner must be notified that the license plates have arrived in the office using the Notification Procedure in the following section.

Notification Procedure— DMV will make three attempts to contact the license plate owner approximately 30 days apart. Contact may be by telephone or by mailing an Environmental Plate Notice (FO 17) form. There will be a record of all attempts to contact the license plate owner on the ELP Reservation Confirmation (REG 272) form (insert received with the license plates). If the license plate owner does not respond to the first and second notifications to pick up and assign his/her special license plates:

• A Last Notice (FO 16) form advising the owner that the license plates will be destroyed in 30 days and priority to that personalized configuration will be lost is sent.
• If an applicant does not respond to the final 30-day notice, the license plates are considered unclaimed and will be destroyed.
• A note “license plates destroyed” and the date on the REG 272 is forwarded to the DMV Special Processing Unit (SPU) at Mail Station (MS) D238.
• If the applicant comes to claim the license plates after they have been destroyed, they must complete a new application and pay to reorder the license plates.

License Plate Assignments—The following must be submitted:
(for license plates other than Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH) or Former Prisoner of War (POW) license plates):

The registration card showing the vehicle is currently registered and owned by, or leased to, the license plate owner. License plates cannot be assigned to a vehicle with PNO status.

— If the license plate owner is not shown as the lessee or the vehicle is registered in a company/business name, a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form completed by the registered owner authorizing use of the special license plate on the vehicle must be submitted with the application.

• The REG 272, for license plate ownership information.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• Fees Due.

Wrong/Incorrect Personalized Configuration—If, prior to accepting a special license plate, the customer states the license plate (configuration) is incorrect, call FOSU at (916) 657-6978 to verify the information on the original application. If the license plates were manufactured incorrectly due to DMV error, the customer may be issued new license plates for no fee. The transaction must be approved by the office manager.

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 and 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:

• 
  POW License Plate applications. Refer to the Former Prisoner of War (POW) License Plates section in this chapter for the additional processing requirements.
• 
  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), and the application fee to the applicant or dealer, as follows:

• 
  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.
• 
  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.
  
  

21.180 Personalized Configurations—Mandatory Refusal

DMV must refuse any personalized license plate configuration that may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency, or which would be misleading, based on criteria which includes, but is not limited to, any configuration that:

• Has a sexual connotation or is a term of lust or depravity.
• Is a vulgar term; a term of contempt, prejudice, or hostility; an insulting or degrading term; a racially degrading term; or an ethnically degrading term.
• Is a swear word or term considered profane, obscene, or repulsive.
• Has been restricted (deleted) from regular series license plates.
• Has a negative connotation to a specific group.
• Misrepresents a law enforcement entity.
• Is a foreign or slang word or term.
• Is a phonetic spelling or mirror image of a word or term falling into the categories described above.

Similar Configurations— A personalized license plate application for a configuration similar in appearance to an existing special license plate are not accepted. Applicants cannot substitute a letter for a number or a number for a letter in the middle, front, or end of a configuration it it creates a configuration similar to an existing special license plate.

Unacceptable Letter/Number Substitutions—Any special license plate application which contains “1” and “I” used interchangeable or “0” and “O” or “Q” used interchangeably must be rejected.

Restricted License Plate Configurations—The following configurations are deleted from the regular series license plate configuration and are not available for personalized license plates:

ABM       ANO       APE       ARS        ASB       ASS        BAD       BAG       BED
BRA        BUN       BUT       BVD       CHP       CIA        COC        COK       CON
COP        CQC       CQK       CQN       CUL       CUM      CUN       CUR        CUZ
DAG       DAM      DDT        DIC        DIE        DIK        DOA       DUD       DUF
DUM       DUN      FAG        FAN        FAT        FBI         FCK        FKU       FOC
FOK        FQC       FQK        FQU        FUC       FUD       FUG        FUK       FUN
FUX        FUY       GAT        GAY       GEE       GOD       GQD       GUT       HAG
HAM       HEL       HEN        HIC        HIK        HIV        HOG       HOR       HQR
JAP          JAZ        JEW        JIG         KIK        KKK       KOC       KOK      KON
KOX        KQC      KQK       KQN       KQX      KYK       LAY        LSD       MEX
NAG        NGR      NIG         NIP         NUN      OVA       PEA        PEE        PEW
PIG          PIS         POT        POW       PST        PUD       PUS        PYS        QVA
RAG        RAT       RAW       RUT       SAC       SAK        SAM       SEX       SHT
SIF           SIN        SLA        SOB        SOT       SQB        SUC       SUK       SUR
SUX        TIT         TUB        UCK       UPP       UPU        URN      URP        USB
USR        VUC       VUK       VUX       WAD      WOP      WQP      YEP        YID

Restricted Letter/Number Combinations—The following combinations are not available for personalized license plates, because they conflict with existing license plate series:

License Plate Configuration	Example	License Type
License Plate Configuration 3 numbers; 2 letters (restricted only to letters AA through E0)	Example 000AA–000E0	License Type Reserved
License Plate Configuration 3 numbers; 3 letters	Example 123SAM	License Type Automobile
License Plate Configuration 4 numbers; 2 letters	Example 0000PH 1234AB 0000DP 0000DV	License Type Purple Heart Vessels Disabled Person Disabled Veteran
License Plate Configuration 5 numbers; 1 letter	Example 12345R	License Type Commercial
License Plate Configuration 5 numbers; 2 letters	Example 30000DP 00000DV	License Type Disabled Person Disabled Veteran
License Plate Configuration 5 numbers; 1 letter; 1 number	Example 11111A1	License Type Commercial
License Plate Configuration 7 numbers	Example 1234567	License Type CA Exempt

21.175 Pearl Harbor Survivor License Plates (VC §5101.3)

Pearl Harbor Survivor (PHS) License Plates may be issued for vehicles owned by a qualified Pearl Harbor survivor. PHS License Plates are not issued to commercial vehicles operated for hire.

Applicant Qualifications—The applicant must have been a member of the Armed Forces stationed at Pearl Harbor, Island of Oahu, or offshore within a distance of three miles, on December 7, 1941, during the hours of 7:55 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Hawaii time, and must have received an honorable discharge from the military service.

Original Sequential License Plate Application—the following must be submitted:

• A Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A) form completed and signed by an officer of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents to register the vehicle in the applicant’s name.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees due.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may not be exchanged to sequential and personalized Pearl Harbor Survivor License Plates.

Renewal/Reassignment—No additional fee is required for renewal or reassignment.

Retention—No additional fee for retention.

Surrender of Plates Required—Upon the death of the PHS license plate owner, the surviving spouse may retain the license plates. The license plates must be surrendered to DMV within 60 days following the death of the surviving spouse, or upon the vehicle registration expiration date, whichever occurs first.

Transfer of Ownership—The license plate remains with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.

21.170 Olympic Training Center License Plates

Chapter 21 Special License Plates

21.170 Olympic Training Center License Plates

Olympic Training Center (OTC) License Plates are no longer available for issuance or replacement. Existing license plates may be renewed and reassigned as explained in the Reassignment of Special License Plates section in this chapter. Personalized OTC License Plates may be kept by the license plate owner as a souvenir and reassigned at a later date.

The following must be submitted:

• To retain the personalized OTC License Plate as a souvenir:
  — A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form from the license plate owner marked “RETAIN INTEREST.”
  — An Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) form for substitute license plates.
  — No retention fee.

• To exchange to another special license plate in the same configuration as the OTC License Plate:
  — A REG 17 requesting the exchange.
  — The appropriate special license plate fee.

• To request regular series license plates:
  — A REG 156.
  — A REG 17 marked “RELEASE INTEREST.”

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may not be exchanged to personalized OTC License Plates.

Renewal/Reassignment—An additional fee is required for renewal or reassignment.

Retention—No fee is required for retention of a personalized license plate.

Transfer of Ownership—The license plate remains with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11for transfer procedures.

21.165 Olympic Games License Plates

Chapter 21 Special License Plates

21.165 Olympic Games License Plates (CVC §5022)

Olympic Games License Plates (OGLP) are no longer available for issuance or replacement. Existing license plates may be reassigned as explained in the Reassignment of Special License Plates section in this chapter. Personalized OGLPs may be kept by the license plate owner as a souvenir and reassigned at a later date. A retention fee must be paid each year to retain the personalized configuration.

The procedures below must be followed:

• To retain the personalized OGLP as a souvenir:
  — A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form from the license plate owner marked “RETAIN INTEREST.”
  — An Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) form for substitute license plates.
  — No additional fee is required.

• To exchange to another special license plate in the same configuration as the personalized OGLP:
  — A REG 17 requesting the exchange.
  — The appropriate special license plate fee.

• To request regular series license plates:
  — A REG 156.
  — A REG 17 marked “RELEASE INTEREST.”

• For reassignment of OGLPs retained as souvenirs to another vehicle:
  — The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle must be picked up and destroyed.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may not be exchanged to personalized OGLP.

Renewal/Reassignment—An additional fee is required for renewal and reassignment.

Retention—No additional fee is required.

21.160 Motorized Bicycle (Moped) License Plates (VC §§5030-5039)

Motorized bicycles (mopeds) must be licensed before they are operated or moved upon a highway. A license plate and identification card (ID) are issued. A title is not issued. Mopeds are not subject to annual renewal.

Dealers (VC §5034)—DMV does not license moped dealers. Moped dealers may apply for moped license plates to use for demonstration or delivery of a moped. The license plates may be moved from one moped to another. Type transaction code (TTC) DCS inquiries on a moped dealer license plate will show “Dealer” in the VIN field of the database record.

The procedures below must be followed:

• A completed Motorized Bicycle Instructions/Application (REG 230) form. Leave the identifying vehicle information section blank.
• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form explaining the applicant is in retail sales of mopeds.
• The fees due. A fee is due for each license plate issued.

Original License Plate Applications—the following must be submitted:

• A REG 230 form.
• The fees due. A late penalty is not assessed and use tax is not collected. Exempt agencies are exempt from fees other than for duplicates.

Parking Violations—DMV returns any moped parking violations received to the parking agency and does not add them to the moped record.

Speeding in Excess of 30 mph—A moped capable of attaining speeds in excess of 30 mph is subject to registration as a motor-driven cycle (motorcycle). A registration application and the required fees must be submitted if a moped operator is cited for speeds in excess of 30 mph. Fees become due upon first operation after modification of the moped to increase its speed to more than 30 mph.

Transfers—Sections C and D of the REG 230 must be properly completed and mailed with the ID card and the moped transfer fee to DMV at the address on the form. A late transfer penalty is not assessed and use tax is not collected. The Motorized Bicycle License Plate remains on the moped.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Required—A VIN is required to license a moped. Suspense any application to register a moped without a VIN to SPU at DMV headquarters. A VIN will be assigned by SPU and instructions for placing the VIN on the moped are printed on the moped ID card.

21.155 Metal Tabs for Special License Plates

A full-year metal tab may be issued when special license plates are assigned to a commercially-registered station wagon.
The metal tab inventory is available at DMV headquarters for inventory issuance.

21.150 Livery License Plates (VC §§5011.5 and 5011.9)

The Livery License Plates program, which required limousines operated by charter-party carriers to display Livery License Plates, has been discontinued.

Current Livery License Plates remain valid and may be renewed. However, originals, replacements, and reassignments of Livery License Plates are not allowed.

Commercial license plates are now issued to limousines operating for hire.

If duplicate or substitute Livery License Plates are requested, regular series commercial license plates may be issued, or different special interest license plates may be purchased for the required license plate fee.

To exchange sequential Livery License Plates for regular series license plates, the following must be submitted:

• An Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) form to apply for the replacement license plates.

To exchange personalized Livery License Plates for regular series license plates, the following must be submitted:

• A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form to release interest in the Livery License Plates.
• A REG 156 to apply for the replacement license plates.

To exchange personalized Livery License Plates for other personalized special interest license plates with the same license plate configuration, follow current procedures for the new license plate type in this chapter.

Automobiles that will be operated as limousines for hire require commercial license plates. If the body type model (BTM) cannot be issued commercial license plates (for example, sedan [SD]), change the BTM to limousine (LM). Follow current procedures in the Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual, Chapter 13, Conversion from Auto to Commercial License Plates section.

Transfer and Exchange of Personalized Livery License Plates—In addition to basic transfer requirements, the following must be submitted:

A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form completed by the seller to release interest in the personalized Livery License Plates.

• A REG 17 completed by the new owner to apply for other personalized special license plates in the same configuration. Existing Livery License Plates cannot be transferred.
• The fees due for original personalized license plates.

Note Existing Livery License Plates must be surrendered upon transfer to a new owner, even if the new owner qualifies for Livery License Plates.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates cannot be exchanged to personalized Livery License Plates.

Renewal—Sequential Livery License Plates do not require an additional fee for renewal. However, a fee is required for renewal of a personalized Livery License Plate.

Reassignment—Livery License Plates cannot be reassigned.

Retention—Livery License Plates cannot be retained.

Transfer of Ownership—Livery License Plates must be surrendered upon transfer of ownership. However, personalized Livery License Plates may be exchanged for other personalized special interest license plates with the same configuration and reassigned to a qualified new owner. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.

21.145 Legislative License Plates (VC §5002.8)

A current or retired federal or state legislator may obtain fee-paid Legislative License Plates displaying the Legislator’s district number for their personal vehicle(s). Legislative License Plates may be transferred between vehicles owned by the Legislator. Legislative License Plates have a permanent 12/31/XX expiration date.

Authority to approve, issue, and reassign Legislative License Plates is granted only to the Capitol Office staff. All Legislative License Plate applications must be processed at DMV’s Capitol Office.

Field Office/Call Centers—Refer all questions about the application or issuance of Legislative license plates to DMV’s Capitol Office at (916) 445-9492.