License plates verify that your vehicle is registered, identify the type of registration you have, and help connect vehicles to their owners. Here’s what you need to know about our requirements and types of plates.
Standard License Plates
Standard California license plates verify registration and help identify passenger vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, motorcycles, permanent trailers, trailer coaches, and park trailers. Standard license plates are issued when you:
- Buy a new vehicle.
- Replace lost, stolen, or damaged plates.
- Surrender special interest license plates.
Commercial Motor Vehicles
Motorcycles
Passenger Vehicles
Permanent Trailers
Trailers
Other Types of License Plates
California offers a variety of license plates to support causes (environment, arts, education, breast cancer awareness, etc.), provide special recognition, and identify special status, among other things. Find which type of license plates you need:
- Special interest license plates and special license plates
- Decals and placards (bicycles, disabled person parking, etc.).
Ensuring Your Plates are Valid
You need to renew your vehicle registration every year in California. After you renew your registration, we’ll send you new registration stickers (tabs) for the year. Affix the stickers (tabs) to your license plates to ensure they’re valid.
Generally, license plates remain with the vehicle they were issued to. Certain types of plates (personalized environmental, special recognition, or special interest) can be reassigned to another vehicle upon request by the owner and payment of appropriate fees.
License Plate Sizes
- Automobile, commercial, and trailer license plates are 12″ x 6″.
- Motorcycle license plates 7″ x 4″ (plates issued prior to July 1, 1970, are 8″ x 5″).
- Identification plates issued to vehicles not bearing automobile, commercial, trailer, or motorcycle plates are 7″ x 4″ (plates issued prior to January 1, 1981 are 8″ x 5″).
Need something else?
Disabled Placards and Plates
Apply for, renew, or replace a disabled person placard, or apply for or replace a disabled person or disabled veteran license plate.
Renew Your Vehicle Registration
You need to renew your vehicle registration every 1-5 years in California, depending on the vehicle. Make sure your registration is up-to-date.
Replacement plates and stickers
Were your license plates or registration stickers lost, stolen, or damaged?