Colorado offers a diverse array of custom license plates, allowing residents to showcase their individuality, support causes, or commemorate significant affiliations. Whether you want to support your alma mater, honor your military service, or simply put a unique nickname on your bumper, the Centennial State has an option for you.
Navigating the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can sometimes feel overwhelming, but obtaining a personalized plate is a relatively straightforward process. This guide covers everything you need to know to successfully apply for and maintain a custom license plate in Colorado.
Types of Custom License Plates in Colorado
Colorado’s DMV provides several distinct categories of custom plates to choose from. Selecting the right one depends on your personal preferences and, in some cases, your affiliations.
Standard Personalized Plates These are the most common custom plates. They allow you to place your unique letter and number combination directly onto the standard, scenic Colorado base plate.
Group Special and Alumni Plates These plates are designed to support non-profits, charities, community initiatives, and Colorado universities. If you choose an alumni plate or a specific charity plate, you will usually need to make a qualifying donation (typically $50 to $100) to the organization to receive a certificate of eligibility before applying. Note: Personalizing a group special plate usually results in the organization’s central image or logo being removed to make room for the text.
Military and Historic Plates Colorado honors veterans and active service members with specific plates. However, not all military plates can be personalized, and you will need to provide specific documentation, such as a DD214 form, to qualify. Additionally, the state offers plates for classic vehicles—such as Horseless Carriage (50+ years old), Collector (32+ years old), and Year of Manufacture—as well as rotating historic designs like the 150th Anniversary plate.
How to Apply for a Colorado Vanity Plate
Before you begin the application, ensure your vehicle is already registered in Colorado (or in the process of being registered) and that you meet standard requirements, including proof of insurance and passed emissions testing.
Applying Online For most standard personalized plates, the fastest and most convenient method is through the myDMV online portal. Simply navigate to the “Vehicle Services” tab and select “Replace license plates.” The system will ask you to provide between two and six configuration choices in case your top pick is already taken.
Applying In-Person If the plate you want requires physical documentation—such as military papers or a sponsor’s PIN or certificate for a group plate—you cannot apply online. You must visit your local county motor vehicle office in person.
Once your application is submitted and approved by the DMV, it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for the plates to be manufactured and mailed to your address. In the meantime, you must continue using your current standard plates or a temporary permit.
Colorado Custom License Plate Costs and Fees
Custom plates carry specific fees that apply in addition to your standard vehicle registration and taxes. When budgeting for your new plates, keep the following costs in mind:
- Initial Personalization Fee: There is a one-time fee of $60.00 to personalize the plate.
- Annual Renewal Fee: Every year, you will pay a $25.00 fee to maintain your custom configuration reservation.
- Sponsor Fees: As mentioned, group or alumni plates may require a separate, upfront donation to the sponsoring organization.
DMV Rules, Character Limits, and Prohibited Formats
To ensure clarity for law enforcement and maintain public decency, the Colorado DMV enforces strict rules on custom configurations.
When brainstorming your plate, you must adhere to the following character limits:
- Standard Vehicles: Up to 7 characters.
- Motorcycles: Up to 6 characters.
- Disability Plates: Up to 5 characters for standard vehicles, and 3 for motorcycles.
You are allowed to use upper-case letters, numbers, spaces, dashes, and periods. However, the number “0” (zero) is generally prohibited to avoid confusion with the letter “O”.
Prohibited Formats The DMV reviews all applications and will reject or revoke combinations that are offensive, misleading, or duplicate an existing plate. Furthermore, you cannot request a format that mimics standard-issue license plates. For example, a configuration of three letters followed by four numbers (like AAA1234) will be rejected, as it causes confusion for law enforcement.
Conclusion
Under a recent Colorado law, standard license plates expire when a vehicle is sold, meaning they do not transfer to the new owner or to your next car. However, personalized plates are an exception to this rule. Because you pay an annual fee to reserve your custom configuration, you retain the rights to it. If you sell your car, you can keep your personalized plates and easily transfer them to your next vehicle at the county motor vehicle office.
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