NYS DMV - Custom Plates

Department of Motor Vehicles
Custom Plate Gallery - Causes

Eligible Vehicles: All vehicles that are registered in NYS as a passenger class vehicle or as a commercial class vehicle are eligible. (Note: Commercial plates must display the word "COMMERCIAL".) Certain custom plates are available for Motorcycles that are registered in NYS (refer to the plate gallery).
Eligible Persons: An organization can require you to prove that you are eligible to use the organization picture plates (refer to the plate gallery). Certain organization picture plates must be ordered through the organization or the Custom Plates Unit only.
International Symbol of Access (ISA) : Custom Plates that include the ISA for individuals who qualify are only available through the Custom Plates Unit (CPU). See the form MV-664.1 to learn how to order custom plates that include the ISA, or call the Custom Plates unit at (518) 402-4838.
Sample plates: Sample plates are not available.
How to Order: Custom plates can normally be ordered online, but certain picture plates require proof or certification and must be ordered through the Custom Plates Unit or the organization. The DMV web site has more information about the fees and how to order.
Plate Numbers: A custom plate displays a designated or assigned plate number, but you can select a personalized combination for many custom plates for an additional fee. Personalized plate numbers must include at least two, but not more than six, characters and spaces (four characters and spaces for motorcycles or if the ISA is requested). You can check online for available combinations. (Refer to the Custom Plate Gallery.)
Delivery: Allow six weeks for delivery of your custom plates. Your mailing address on file with the DMV must be your current mailing address. You cannot change your address using this transaction. You can first change your address online, and then process this transaction. If you order at a DMV office and the custom plates are not available immediately, the DMV will mail the custom plates to you at the address listed on your current registration.

Custom Plates That Support A Cause

Information & Requirements	Initial Custom Plate Fee / Annual Plate Renewal Fee		How to Order	Sample Plate Image
Information & Requirements	Designated Series Plate Number	Personalized Plate Number	How to Order	Sample Plate Image
Agriculture in the Classroom $25 of the annual fee supports the Agriculture in the Classroom Fund.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
Autism Society of America Updated Design! $25 of the annual fee supports the New York State Autism Awareness and Research Fund.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:	Click to enlarge image
Bluebird Plate Environmental Updated Design! $25 of the annual fee supports the Environmental Protection Fund.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:	Click to enlarge image
Conserve Habitat $25 of the annual fee supports the protection and management of State fish and wildlife.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
Discover Queens $25 of the annual fee supports projects that promote tourism in Queens County.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
Drive for the Cure Updated Design! $12.50 of the annual fee supports the Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund and $12.50 of the annual fee supports the Testicular and Prostate Research and Education Fund.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:	Click image to enlarge
Drive Out Diabetes $20 of the annual fee supports diabetes research and education.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
Erie Canal Updated Design! $20 of the annual fee supports programs of the Erie Canal Museum, Inc.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:	Click image to enlarge
Keep Kids Drug Free $25 of the annual fee supports programs to reduce alcoholism and substance abuse among NY's youth through prevention and/or treatment.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
Life... Pass It On $20 of the annual fee supports the "Life Pass It On Trust Fund" which is used for organ donation and transplant research and educational programs promoting organ and tissue donation.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
Love Your Library $25 of the annual fee supports the NYS Library's Statewide Summer Reading Program.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
Marine and Coastal District of New York Environmental $20 of the annual fee supports the Conservation, Education, and Research Fund of the Marine and Coastal District of NY.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
National Multiple Sclerosis Society $25 of the annual fee supports the NYS Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
New York State Cultural Institutions and Museums $15 of the annual fee supports the Arts Capital Revolving Fund.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:
Our Best Friends Updated Design! $20 of the annual fee supports the Animal Population Control Fund.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:	Click image to enlarge
Peace at Home Updated Design! $25 of the annual fee supports the Domestic Violence Awareness Fund.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:	Click to enlarge image
State of the Arts Updated Design! $15 of the annual fee supports the NYS Council on the Arts.	$53.75/$25.00	$85.00/$56.25	DMV office; 1-518-402-4838; DMV order form; order online:	Click to enlarge image

Information in this Custom Plate Gallery

This plate gallery displays the following information:

the organization and any requirements to order (first column),
the fees with a designated series plate number (second column),
the fees with a personalized plate number (third column), and
how to order the custom plate (fourth column)
a sample image of the custom plate (fifth column).

Custom Plate Fees (Second and Third Columns)

New York State law requires you to pay two different fees; an initial fee when you order a custom plate (first amount in the column) and an annual fee when you renew your registration (second amount in the column). When you renew your vehicle registration, you must pay your registration fee and the annual custom plate fee. Most vehicle registrations in NYS are issued for two years.

How to Order a Custom Plate (Fourth Column)

The information in the fourth column of this custom plate gallery lists the methods that you can use to order that specific custom plate.

Order online: Custom plates can normally be ordered online. The DMV accepts VISA Card, MasterCard, American Express Card, and Discover Card. The DMV also accepts debit cards that are issued by Visa® Card or MasterCard®. The debit card must not require your personal identification number (PIN) to use. The DMV will send your new vehicle registration and your custom plates to the address on your DMV registration record. Your vehicle registration will arrive first. Your mailing address on file with the DMV must be your current mailing address. You cannot change your address using this transaction. You can first change your address online, and then process this transaction. Read the FAQs about custom plates to learn how to order online.
1-518-402-4838: You can call the DMV Custom Plates Unit to order your custom plates by telephone. The DMV accepts VISA Card, MasterCard, American Express Card, and Discover Card. The DMV also accepts debit cards that are issued by Visa® Card or MasterCard®. The debit card must not require your personal identification number (PIN) to use. The hours of operation are: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
DMV order form: You can download the correct DMV form to order your custom plates. You must have a version number of 7.0 or later of Adobe Acrobat Reader® installed on your computer to download this form. Get the instructions.
DMV office: You can order the custom plate at your local DMV office. You will be issued a new registration and your custom plates will be mailed to the address on your DMV registration record. Certain custom plates may be available immediately.
Organization: For certain organization custom plates, you must contact the organization to order the custom plate. An organization can require that you prove that you are eligible. Refer to the information in the plate gallery.