Utah’s personalized license plate program—often referred to as “vanity plates” or “prestige plates”—allows you to replace randomly assigned characters with a custom message that reflects your personality, business, or interests.
The application process is managed by the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) through the online Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP). While straightforward, securing your ideal plate requires navigating specific character limits, design choices, and strict renewal rules. Furthermore, major legislative changes enacted in 2025 have fundamentally altered how plates look, cost, and are displayed in the state.
Utah License Plate Law Updates (Senate Bill 45)
If you haven’t updated your vehicle registration recently, you need to be aware of sweeping changes introduced by Senate Bill 45 (SB45), which took effect on January 1, 2025. These updates directly impact custom plates:
- No More Front Plates: Utah is now officially a single-plate state for most passenger vehicles. You are only required to display a license plate on the rear of your car, eliminating the need to drill into your front bumper.
- Flat-Screen Printing: New custom plates are now flat-screen printed rather than traditionally embossed (raised lettering), creating a sleeker, more modern aesthetic.
- Centralized Mailing: You can no longer pick up new custom plates in person. All plates are now manufactured and shipped directly to your registered address from a centralized facility.
- Consolidated Decals: The month and year registration stickers have been consolidated into a single, streamlined decal.
- New Processing Fee: A new $25 processing fee now applies to personalized plates on top of the standard application cost.
Utah Custom Plate Character Limits & Eligibility
To apply for a personalized plate, you must have a vehicle currently registered in Utah with a valid title in your name.If you are applying for a Special Group plate (such as military or disabled veteran plates), you must also provide documentation proving your eligibility.
The number of characters you can use depends entirely on the base plate design you select:
- Standard License Plates: Up to 7 characters (letters, numbers, or a combination).
- Special Group Plates: Up to 5 characters on the right side. The left side is reserved for the Special Group’s emblem and descriptive text.
- Motorcycle Plates: Generally limited to 4 or 5 characters, depending on the specific design.
Pro Tip: Spaces count toward your total character limit. Utah does not permit special symbols, punctuation marks (like hyphens or periods), or emojis. Your combination must be entirely unique and cannot mimic standard-issue sequential plates.
How to Apply for a Utah Custom Plate Online
Step 1: Brainstorm Alternatives: Because applications are processed one at a time, your first choice might already be taken. Prepare at least three to four backup combinations that fit the character limits of your chosen plate.
Step 2: Access the Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP): Applying online is the fastest, most efficient method. Visit the Utah DMV MVP website. Create an account or log in as a guest.
Step 3: Submit Your Request and Pay: Navigate to the “Personalized Plates” section. Select your desired base design and type in your requested text. The portal will automatically check if the combination is available. Pay your initial fees ($50 application + $25 processing + any Special Group fees) via credit card.
(Alternative) Apply by Mail: Download Form TC-817 from the DMV website. Mail the completed document, along with a check or money order, to:Utah State Tax Commission, Motor Vehicle Division, P.O. Box 30412, Salt Lake City, UT 84130.
Step 4: Wait for Delivery: Because of the 2025 centralized distribution updates, plates are no longer sent to local DMV offices. Allow roughly 4 to 6 weeks for your flat-screen printed plate to be manufactured and mailed to your registered address.
Step 5: Install Your Rear Plate: Once it arrives, securely mount it to the rear of your vehicle. Ensure the plate is horizontal, clearly visible from at least 100 feet away, and free from tinted covers or obscuring frames.
How Much Does a Utah Vanity Plate Cost?
| Fee Type | Current Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $50 | One-time |
| New Processing Fee | $25 | One-time |
| Special Group Contribution | Varies (Typically $17–$26) | Varies by organization |
| Personalized Plate Renewal | $10 per set | Annually |
| Standard Registration | ~$76 (Varies by weight/county) | Annually |
Note: If the DMV rejects your requested combination, your initial $50 application fee will be refunded.
Choosing Your Base Design: Standard vs. Special Group Plates
Utah’s plate designs are heavily tied to the state’s tourism identity and local communities. You must choose a base before personalizing the text.
Standard-Issue Plates
- “Greatest Snow on Earth”: Features a dynamic skier, celebrating Utah’s legendary winter sports.
- “Delicate Arch”: The most iconic and recognizable option, showcasing the vivid red-rock arch found in Arches National Park.
- “In God We Trust”: A patriotic design featuring the American flag watermark.
- Historical Black Plates: A massively popular retro design featuring white text on a solid black background.
Special Group Plates
Utah offers nearly 50 Special Group plates. Most of these can be personalized, including:
- Collegiate Plates: Support local institutions like the University of Utah or BYU.
- Military & Veteran Plates: Options for all service branches, Purple Heart recipients, and Pearl Harbor survivors.
- Charitable Causes: Plates funding cancer research, autism awareness, clean air initiatives, and search and rescue teams.
Prohibited Vanity Plates: What the Utah DMV Will Reject
The Utah State Tax Commission manually reviews every custom plate application. Your request will be immediately denied if it:
- Is vulgar, obscene, or offensive to a reasonable person.
- References illicit drugs, controlled substances, or criminal activity.
- Expresses contempt or ridicule based on race, religion, gender, political affiliation, or ethnic heritage.
- References violence or threats to public safety.
Don’t try to outsmart the system: The review committee specifically looks for phonetic spellings, backwards text (intended to be read in a rearview mirror), and numerical substitutes for letters (e.g., using “5” for “S” to spell a banned word).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. As of January 1, 2025, it is illegal to display two different license plates, and the state only issues one rear plate for passenger vehicles.
The easiest way to check availability is by starting an application on the Utah DMV’s MVP portal. The system will alert you if the combination is currently registered to another driver.
Personalized plates are intrinsically tied to your Utah vehicle registration. If you establish residency in a new state and register your car there, you must surrender your Utah plates.
Conclusion
Getting a custom license plate in Utah is an excellent way to personalize your vehicle, especially now that the state has simplified the process with single-plate rules and flat-screen designs. To get started and secure your unique combination before someone else does, head over to the Utah DMV Motor Vehicle Portal today.
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