| New York State DMV - Internet Office Transactions |
| Look Up and Order Personalized Plates |
If you have questions about this transaction, read the information on this page.
When you are ready to begin this transaction, use the "Go to Transaction" link at the bottom of the page.
For Passenger and Commercial Plates
You can use a maximum of eight (8) letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9) and spaces/state image.
You can choose to have a state image 
appear on your personalized plates. The state image is not required. If you want a state image on your personalized plate, the image counts as one character. When you order your plate, enter the "at" sign, @ on your keyboard where the state image will appear. You can have only one state image on your plate, and the state image cannot be the first or last character on your plate. See examples.
For Motorcycle Plates
You can use a maximum of six (6) letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9) and spaces on your plate. You cannot have a state image on a motorcycle plate.
Using Spaces
Use the spacebar on your keyboard to indicate a space on your plate. Each space counts as one character.
Spaces can control how letters and numbers are grouped and separated on your plate Spaces can make it easier to read and understand your personalized plate. For example, spaces make "GO 4 IT" easier to understand than "GO4IT".
Restricted Combinations
Personalized plates that give the appearance of an official plate or the configuration of special registration classes will not be issued. For example, a combination that includes "POLICE" or "NYS" are not allowed.
You must explain what the plate combination means or what the combination represents. The DMV reviews requested personalized plate combinations. The DMV is not required to issue a requested plate. You can read the DMV regulations for restrictions on personalized plate combinations.
When you create a combination, remember:
Your mailing address on DMV files must be your current address. Your new documents can be sent only to the address on the DMV record. You can first change your address online, and then process this transaction. You cannot request that your plates be mailed to an address different from the address on file with DMV.
If you change your address during a vehicle or driver license transaction, the change will not affect the address on your other DMV records. For example, if you changed your address when you renewed a vehicle registration, this did not change the address on your driver license record or on the registration records for other vehicles.
The DMV changes the address on both your driver license and your vehicle records only if you change your address online, or report the change on form MV-232 (Change of Address) or through the DMV Call Center. You must provide all of your vehicle plate numbers to change your address on all of the vehicle records.
If you changed your address during a driver license transaction, the change does not affect the address on your vehicle registration records.
If you file a request with the US Postal Service (USPS) to forward mail, there is no guarantee that the USPS will forward all DMV documents and plates to the new address.
If the DMV does not have your current mailing address on your DMV records, read the instructions to change your address on DMV documents.
Yes, but the new registration document will then display your previous name. You cannot change your name during this transaction. If you recently changed your name, read the instructions to change your name on DMV documents and records.
No, if your registration expires within the next 60 days, do not order personalized plates online. Call the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838 to order your plates and have your registration renewed or renew your registration before you order personalized plates.
Allow at least two weeks to receive your new registration documents by mail. The new documents list both your current plate number and the personalized plate combination you ordered. Allow at least six weeks to receive your personalized plates by mail.
Express mail delivery service is not available.
This transaction is normally available 24 hours a day.
There is no additional cost to use this online transaction. You pay the same fees that you would pay if you did the same transaction by phone, by mail or at a DMV office.
You must use a credit card or an acceptable debit card to pay for this online transaction. The DMV accepts these credit cards:
You can use a debit card if the debit card was issued by MasterCard® or Visa® and the card does not require you to enter a personal identification number (PIN).
The DMV uses secure socket layering (SSL) to protect your information. The DMV encrypts your credit card information and your personal information so other Internet users cannot read the information. Read the DMV Privacy and Security Statement.
The online transaction shows you the amount of your payment before you submit your payment. If you do not submit your payment, the DMV will not charge the amount to your credit card.
After the DMV processes your payment, you will see the amount of the payment in the confirmation messages from the DMV and on your credit card statement.
You will need your Confirmation Number if you contact the DMV about your online transaction. After you select the button to submit your payment, a confirmation message will appear in your browser window. The confirmation message contains your Confirmation Number and other information about your transaction.
The confirmation message can take several seconds to appear. If the message does not appear immediately, do not select the button to submit your payment again. If you select the button more than one time, you can receive an error message.
When the confirmation message appears in your browser window, write your Confirmation Number on a piece of paper. Do not try to print or to reload the web page in your browser window. Some browsers will erase the information from the web page if you try to print or to reload the page, and you can lose your transaction information.
After you submit your payment, you will receive an e-mail message that includes your Confirmation Number.
To cancel a personalized plate order, you must contact the Custom Plates Units at 1-518-402-4838 on the first business day after the day you submitted your order. A business day is a weekday that is not a State holiday.
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