The West Virginia Department of Transportation offers many different styles of personalized and specialized West Virginia license plates. Some of these West Virginia license plates include:

• Regular personalized 

• Scenic personalized

• Government officials (House of Delegates legislative, Senate legislative, Silver Haired Legislature, Governor’s numbers)

• Military and veteran (Prisoner of war, Disabled Veterans, Purple Heart, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Combat veteran, National Guard, Army National Guard, Marine Corps League)

• Organizations (such as American Legion, Elks, and Rotary)

• Occupations (Firefighters, Police Offer, Emergency medical services, School bus drivers, Postmasters)

• College and university alumni (WVU, Marshall)

• Recreation

• Handicapped/disabled

• Motorcycle

To order personalized West Virginia license plates, you will need to follow specific ordering instructions depending on the license plate you choose. For general applications, you must fill out and submit the Application for Personalized License Plates. The Department of Transportation provides the correct forms for specific plates on the website. You can then send the form with applicable fees to the Department of Transportation at: 

Division of Motor Vehicles

Building 3, Capitol Complex

Charleston, WV 25317

Personalized West Virginia License Plates

• Only Class A vehicles, which include automobiles and pickup trucks weighing less than 8,000 pounds, and motorcycles can be issued personalized plates.

• Personalized license plate cannot be not obscene or offensive and cannot be already in use.

You can reserve a personalized license plate each year as long as you pay the necessary fees. The renewal fee usually includes the $15 fee for the scenic or standard graphic as well as the $15 reservation fee.

The state of North Dakota requires drivers to register their vehicles with the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Before you can choose a North Dakota license plate available, you must first properly register and title your vehicle and pay all the necessary fees. 

If you decide against getting anything special for your license plate, the state of North Dakota will issue you two standardized North Dakota license plates after registering (motorcycles only receive one license plate). Typically these plates consist of a combination of five to seven letters and numbers on a standard state license background featuring blue and gold colors.

Personalized North Dakota licenses plates are made up of up to seven characters including letters, numbers, and ampersands. You choose any combination of these symbols as long as it is reasonable. The North Dakota Department of Transportation reserves the right to reject requests that it feels are offensive. In order to order personalized North Dakota license plates, you must complete Form SFN 53612, which is Personalized Plate Request form, along with a money or check for $25.

There are many other North Dakota license plates available. Some of them include the following:

• Antique motorcycle plate: Maximum 6 characters, a $100 one-time fee

• Firefighter plate: Maximum 5 characters, $15 Firefighter fee, $25 personalized plate fee

• Gold Star Plate: Maximum 5 characters, $40 yearly fee

• Organization Plate: Maximum 5 characters, $50 yearly fee

• Veteran Plate: Maximum 5 characters, $40 yearly fee

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles requires drivers to register and title their vehicles. Afterwards, Wisconsin drivers are given the option to personalize their vehicle through special license plates. Wisconsin offers personalized, specialty, tribal, and disabled license plates.

Wisconsin provides many different specialized plates that allow you to show your support, whether it’s for an occupation or a sports team. Some specialized Wisconsin license plates include:

• Ducks Unlimited

• Green Bay Packers

• University of Wisconsin

• Automobile Hobbyist

• Freemason

• Lao Veteran

• Ex-POW

• U.S. Veteran

• Wisconsin National Guard

• Various Military Groups

• Endangered Resources Support

• Celebrating Children

• Police Officer

• Rescue and EMT

• Specially designed Vehicle

• Firefighter

Depending on the plate you choose, there will be different fees and documents associated to the application. Certain special plates can be processed at any Department of Motor Vehicle customer service center.

Personalized Wisconsin License Plates

You can order personalized Wisconsin license plates, or vanity plates for automobiles, motorcycles, certain trucks, and motor homes. Doing so requires a $15 annual fee in addition to the normal registration fees. Motorcycles and farm trucks also require the additional $15. A personalized Wisconsin license plate can have up to seven characters (or five for motorcycles), that can include letters and numbers. You must also explain what your license plate means, since profane, obscene, or offensive messages are not allowed. You can send Form MV2428, the Personalized License Plates Application with an additional $15 fee to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

In the United States, a license plate is issued by an agency of the state government. The appearances of license plates are often chosen to contain colors, slogans, or symbols associated with the jurisdiction issuing the plate. While you can be issued standard license plates, you may also be interested in receiving custom license plates with a special design or a personalized serial number.

In each of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, drivers can buy extra-cost vanity plates, which are custom license plates that have a custom serial (sequence of numbers and letter). Usually, custom serials cannot not contain obscene or profane messages. However, this standard of what is unacceptable varies between jurisdictions. 

In certain jurisdictions, vehicle owners can also pay a fee for specialty plates. With these plates, the plate serial is usually chosen by the licensing agency, but the owner chooses a plate design that is not the same as a normal license plate for that jurisdiction. For example, a student or alumnus of an area university may purchase custom license plates plate with the school’s logo, or a camping enthusiast may decide to pay a fee for a plate showing a nature scene. A percentage of the extra cost of these license plates usually goes to a school or non-profit organization as a donation. 

Usually, specialty plates can be purchased without any proof of any particular affiliation or status, with the exception being plates that indicate membership or the ability to use in an emergency like an EMT, amateur radio operator, firefighter or a police officer. 

Other custom license plates can indicate certain accomplishments or backgrounds of the driver. For example, a veteran who was a Purple Heart recipient or a prisoner of war may obtain a Purple Heart or POW custom license plate after presenting the necessary documentation of his or her status. Because custom license plates are government issued, under the First Amendment they must be issued as a type to any organization or group that qualifies under equal terms as any other organization to be issued a type of custom license plate. 

You can get custom license plates from your local Department of Motor Vehicles. To order custom license plates, your DMV will explain what exactly is allowed in custom license plates in that state. Most states will charge an initial fee as well as an annual fee to have custom license plates. Each DMV has specific forms or ways to sign up for vanity plates. For example, to get custom license plates in New York City, you can search online or call a number to do a license plate search and then order one with a credit card. In California, you can order custom license plates online with a credit card or use a request form along with a money order or a check.

Doing a License Plate Search

Although many sites may advertise their license plate search services, the best way to conduct a license plate search is by going through your local Department of Motor Vehicles. DMVs will not only provide a license plate search services to help you look through custom license plates and custom serials, but they will also help you determine if you eligible to receive custom license plates. Many DMVs provide both online search functions as well as phone numbers that you can call to see if the serial you want is available.

For example, in the state of New York, you can only receive custom license plates if you have a valid registration of a vehicle in New York State. You cannot purchase customized license plates if your registration expires with 60 days of the date or the mailing address of your DMV registration record is not the same as your current mailing address. IF you meet these qualifications, you must then have certain information ready, such as your current license plate number and your registration class code. You must then provide the specifications of your plates. If you are using a custom serial, you must explain what the serial means. You can then pay the DMV with your credit card to purchase your custom plates, which will arrive in the mail.

Most states do not require you to surrender your custom license plates if you move out of the state. However, there are some that will ask you to surrender them. If your DMV asks you to surrender your plates, you will usually be able to send them to a provided address without a charge. Some states will also let you surrender your custom license plate if you release interest in your vanity plate in order to switch back to a standard license plate.

Another way to personalize your car without getting customized license plates from your DMV is by purchasing a license plate frame. License plate frames as well as license plate holders can be purchased from third party venders. There are many designs for license plate frames, so they are a good way to express yourself with your car. For example, you can designer frames that can be made of different materials. If you are a fan of a particular sports team, you can buy license plate frames to represent that as well. There are also license plate frames with car logo designs. If you wish to show association to an organization, you may be able to find a license plate frame for it. There are license plate frames for countries, military service, sororities and frats, religious affiliation, scenic pictures, funny sayings, and more.

Like other states, the state of Maryland requires drivers to register their motor vehicles with the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration. After registering your vehicle, you can receive standard license plates for your motor vehicle. You can also get personalized Maryland license plates that have a customized designs or numbers.

To request personalized Maryland license plates, also called vanity plates, you can go online through the Motor Vehicle Administration’s website or you can complete Form VR-164, the Application for Special Registration Plates. This completed form can then be mailed to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. You must also send the additional annual fee with the form. This fee can be paid by money order or a check made out to the Motor Vehicle Administration. Finally, you must also include a copy of your current registration card. The process of obtaining custom plates takes about eight weeks.

You can obtain personalized Maryland license plates for passenger cars, trucks 1 ton or less, motorcycles, non-freight trailers, historic vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles, and street rods. 

A Personalized Maryland license plate can consist of any combination of characters that do not exceed seven numbers, letters and spaces. Personalized Maryland license plates for motorcycles the disabled can have any combination that does not exceed six numbers, letters, and spaces No personalized plate can contain a diagram, symbol, slash, or any other character.

An additional yearly fee of $50 must be paid with the original registration and each renewal application for that vehicle. For a two year registration or renewal, this fee is $100.00. This additional fee cannot be prorated.

Like all other states, the state of Florida requires drivers to register their vehicles. After registering with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, you can receive standard license plates for your automobile. You can also get personalized Florida license plates that have a customized image or license plate number.

Personalized Florida license plates can be issued to any motor vehicle lessee or owner or lessee except if a vehicle requires “Apportioned,” “Restricted,” “Wrecker,” or dual  truck license plates. Applications for personalized Florida license plates have to be submitted to the license plate agency for prior approval or rejection of your license plate choice to ensure that no obscene or objectionable choices are processed. Aside from the normal costs of standard Florida license plates, personalized plates cost an additional $15 each year for each personalized plate.

Applications for personalized Florida license plates can be submitted at any time of the year. The manufacturer of the plate has 45 calendar days to make and ship the personalized license plate. In general, license plates are issued for that current registration period unless the application is made during an advance registration period, which is three months before the birth month of the owner or designated registration period. When the personalized plate application is sent during the advance registration period and the full registration tax is paid, the personalized Florida license plate will expire the following year. In order to apply, you must fill out the Application for Personalized License Plate, or form HSMV 8304 issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – Division of Motorist Services. The application should be submitted to your local tax collector office.

When you register your motor vehicle with the Idaho Transportation Department, you will receive license plates. These Idaho license plates are your property, and if you do decide to sell your motor vehicle, you should make sure to remove your Idaho license plates before the transaction happens. Although the state requires you to remove these plates, Idaho also allows you to transfer your Idaho license plates to other vehicles that already own or buy.

The state of Idaho provides many different graphics. The standard one for Idaho license plates can be used for boat trailers, camp trailers, buses, commercial trucks, commercial trailers, mobile homes, motor homes, dealer, loaner, motorcycles, non-commercial trucks, rental trailers, passenger cars, transporter trailers, repossession, wrecker vehicles, and utility trailers. However, there are many specialty plates also available for Idaho license plates. Some of them include the following styles:

• Old timer

• Timber

• Famous potatoes

• Fire fighter

• Veteran

• Peace officer

• Purple hear

• Idaho freemason

• Breast cancer awareness

• Capitol restoration

• Centennial

• Lewis and Clark

• Science and technology

• NRA

• Collegiate

• Support our troops

These plates can also have custom serial numbers. Regardless of what style you choose, there are some rules for each one.

• The personalized Idaho license plate text must be tasteful, regardless of the language.

• Depending on the plate, there are a minimum and maximum amount of characters, letters, and numbers.

• Spaces can be used anywhere on the Idaho license plate, but they are considered a part of the available spacing.

All styles are subject to the standard vehicle registration fees, and the customized plates can have varying costs depending on the style. Certain plates will also require documentation. For example, the Air Force Veteran Persian Gulf Plate requires an applicant to supply a copy of his or her DD-214 or an equivalent form.

Nebraska residents are provided with many choices for their Nebraska license plates by the State of Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. The new standard design for 2011 Nebraska license plates is a yellow and green design depicting the western meadowlark bird and goldenrod. 

In addition to standard plates, you can also order many other styles. For example, you can order different specialty plates such as the following:

• Message and Husker Spirit license plates are students, fans, and alumni support the athletic program at the University of Nebraska. These plates have different fees depending on the options that range between $40 and $70. 

• Ham radio enthusiasts can choose Amateur Radio plates for their motor vehicles. These Nebraska license plates cost $5 in addition to other applicable registration taxes and fees.

• Different groups or organizations can make organizational license plates. These have a $70 fee to use.

• Gold Star Family license plates can be purchased by families of individuals who have died in good standing during active duty in the military service. Message plates cost $40 while numeric plates cost $5.

• Military veterans can choose from Ex-Prisoner of War, Purple Heart, Pearl Harbor Survivor, or Disabled American Veteran Nebraska license plates. These cost $5 for each one on top of standard registration taxes and fees.

You can also purchase message plates for cars, trucks, and motorcycles that contain seven characters (6 for motorcycles). In these Nebraska license plates, only letters and numbers are accepted. You cannot use punctuation.  To see if the specific message you want is available to use, you can use the Specialty Plate Search on the DMV’s website.

When you register your motor vehicle for the first time, you registration will include two standard Illinois license plates. The registration for these standard Illinois license plates costs $79 each year to renew for cars or trucks that weigh 8,000 pounds or less.

While you can get standardized license plates, you can also order personalized Illinois license plates that have your own message as the license plate number. These customized Illinois license plates also known as vanity plates. In addition to the normal registration fees, these plates cost $94 to register. You may even personalize specific specialty license plates.

Many specialty Illinois license plates that are available help support a particular organization or cause. Sometimes, certain specialty Illinois license plates are only available to members of an organization. Other specialty plates are openly available to those who are willing to pay an extra fee to support the charitable cause. Most of these plates also require an additional renewable fee for each year. Some of the specialized Illinois license plates can be personalized.

Some of the special-interest Illinois license plates that are available include the following:

• Affirmation for Pearl Harbor Survivor license plate

• Amateur Radio license plate

• Collegiate license plate

• Education license plate

• Environmental license plate

• Firefighter license plate

• Master Mason license plate

• Military license plate

• Organ Donor license plate

• Park District Youth license plate

• Persons with Disabilities license plate

• Pet Friendly license plate

• Police Memorial license plate

• Prevent Violence license plate

To apply for a personalized license plate, the Cyber Drive Illinois website provides the Pick-a-Plate service to choose your customized Illinois license plates online.

When you first register your vehicle in Nevada, you will be issued two Nevada license plates by the Department of Motor Vehicles. One of these will be for the rear bumper of your vehicle and another for the front bumper. Nevada license plates are registered to an individual rather than the vehicle. If you purchase a new car, you can transfer your Nevada license plates to that car through a full-service DMV office to.

Nevada license plates have 7 digits, except for motorcycles which have 6. You can request a personalized Nevada license plate up to the maximum amount of characters, as long your request is not obscene or in use. Nevada’s DMV provides an online Personalized License Plate Availability Search where you can see if your desired plate is available.

Once you have a couple available options for your Nevada license plates, you can order them by mail, fax, or in person. If you order them by mail, you must fill out Form SP 66, or the Personalized License Plate Application, and send it with applicable fees to the DMV. You can also fax this form along with a Credit Card Authorization (Form VP205) for the applicable fees to (775) 684-4797. If you order in person, you can bring in the application to your local full-service DMV office, where you can pay the applicable fees.

You can also purchase specialty plates, although some of them have eligibility requirements. These plates include Circa 1982 replica plates, fire fighter plates, organizational plates, charitable plates, collegiate plates, and military and veteran plates.

All fees for personalized plates are in addition to the normal registration fees. For the personalized standard Nevada license plate design for cars, it is $36 for the initial application and $20 for the annual renewal. For motorcycles, it is $35.50 for the initial application and $20 for the annual renewal. For Specialty Nevada license plates, it comes out to $61 to $96 for the initial application and $40 to $50 for the annual renewal, depending on the design.