California License Plate Sticker Colors

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  • At the top of the plate is California in red. In the upper corners on rear plates are month and year revalidation stickers (January 2009). Current passenger series since 1996, front plate in blue on white. The registration consists of one numeral, followed by three letters and three numerals.
  • Gold-on-blue plates were issued through the end of 1986 in California. California 1977 passenger issue. Later period California blue plate. This plate features a wider die set for the state name and smaller sticker wells at the top corners.
SUMMARY: License Plates in California

License plates are required for most vehicles owned by California residents. To apply for plates you'll register your vehicle with the DMV. You'll also need to renew your vehicle registration to renew your license plates. On this page, you'll also find information surrendering tags to the DMV, replacing your license plates, and CA license plate lookup.

1939 - 1946 California License Plates: The WWII Era in California. 1942 US, Canada, & World License Plates Display Page. List of 1942 - 1945 US and Canada License Plates Types. Restamped US & Canadian License Plates - The WWII Metal Shortage Years. WWII Military License Plates & Patriotic License Plate Toppers.

Looking for vanity plates? See our Specialty Plates page.

Looking for disability plates? See our Disability Placards & Plates page.

If you register your vehicle in CA, you are required to display license plates with valid date stickers, showing that your registration is up to date.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues license plates and expiration stickers when you register your vehicle and renew your registration.

License

California License Plates & Tags

The current standard California license plate is white with dark blue lettering. Of course, license plate designs are subject to change.

Vehicles registered in California must display valid license plates as evidence of current registration:

  • Passenger vehicles display 2 license plates:
    • 1 plate on the front of the car.
      AND
    • 1 plate on the back of the car.
  • Other vehicles, such as motorcycles, usually have only 1 license plate.

The CA DMV will issue the appropriate number of license plates when you register your vehicle.

To be valid, your license plate must have:

  • A sticker showing what month your registration expires.
    AND
  • A sticker, showing what year the registration expires.

California Registration Sticker Color

Year stickers are issued each time you renew your registration, whereas month stickers do not change.

Specialty CA License Plates

The California DMV offers a wide range of specialty license plates, including:

  • Personalized license plates.
    • The online ordering system will perform a license plate lookup to determine the availability of your letter/number combination.
  • Special interest plates, for example:
    • Collegiate plates.
    • State or national park plates.
  • Legacy license plates using designs from past CA plates.
  • Special license plates, such as:
    • Historical vehicle license plates.
    • Antique motorcycle plates.
  • Recognition license plates, including:
    • Pearl Harbor survivor plates.
    • Purple Heart recipient plates.
  • Disability plates and placards.

Detailed information about these license plates, including fees and application procedures, is available on the California DMV site.

Detailed information about these license plates, including fees and application procedures, is available on our following pages:

Temporary License Plates

The California DMV does not issue temporary license plates.

When you buy a new vehicle, the dealer will give you the appropriate paperwork so that you can legally drive your car.

The DMV also offers several temporary registration permits to transport unregistered vehicles.

CA Vehicles Requiring License Plates or Tags

The CA DMV issues license plates or registration decals for:

  • Passenger vehicles.
  • Commercial vehicles.
  • Recreational vehicles.
  • Motorcycles.
  • Trailers.
  • Off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
  • Tow dollies.
  • Bicycles.
    • Only in counties or cities that require the licensing of bicycles.

How to Apply for a CA License Plate

California License Plate Sticker Colors

To receive a CA license plate, you must register your vehicle with the DMV.

If you are new to the state, you must register your out-of-state vehicle within 20 days of becoming a California resident.

Vehicle registration generally requires:

  • A registration application.
  • Registration fees.
  • Proof of car insurance.

You may also need your previous title and registration, a smog check, or other vehicle verification.

See our CA car registration page for complete details.

Renew a License Plate in California

To renew your license plate, you must renew your vehicle registration. The CA DMV requires you renew your registration once every year.

When you renew, you will receive an updated year decal that you MUST affix to your license plate.

NOTE: A smog check may be required for renewal.

To learn more, see our CA registration renewal page.

How to Replace CA Plates & Tags

If your license plate or year decal is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement either by mail or in person. You will need:

  • The Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (Form REG 156).
  • Payment for the replacement fee:
    • License plate: $22.
    • Sticker: $22.
  • The damaged item, if applicable.

Submit your materials:

  • By mail to:
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    Vehicle Registration Operations
    P.O. Box 942869
    Sacramento, CA 94269
  • In person at a California DMV office. Make an appointment to reduce your wait time at the DMV.

If you need a replacement month sticker, you can:

  • Call the DMV at (800) 777-0133.
    OR
  • Get one in person from a DMV office. Remember to make an appointment for a quicker trip.

Replacement month stickers are free.

Surrender California License Plates

In general, CA license plates are not surrendered to the DMV. They stay with the vehicle when it is bought or sold.

If you have a specialty license plate, it stays with you (the 'plate-holder') to be transferred to your next car if you choose to do so. Exceptions occur only with certain plates in the case of death, such as with disability license plates.

NOTE: If you have a standard plate but then choose to apply for a specialty license plate, you will exchange your standard plate when you pick up your specialty plate from the DMV.

More details about specialty license plate retention and surrender are available on the CA specialty plate page.

Fees for Plates & Tags in California

The following fees apply to standard CA license plates:

  • New standard plate (registration fee): Fee varies based on your vehicle and location. Use the CA registration fee calculator for an estimate.
  • Plate renewal (registration renewal): Fees vary. You can estimate your renewal fee using the fee calculator.
  • Replacements:
    • License plate: $22.
    • Year sticker: $22.
    • Month sticker is free.

License Plate Lookup in CA

You can check the availability of a plate letter and number combination when you order a personalized plate online. However, the CA DMV does not have a general license plate lookup service.

If you have a concern about a vehicle, contact the police. They will look up the plate and find the registered owner themselves.

Forms

REG 156
Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents
Request replacement license plates, registration stickers, disability placards, disability IDs, and registration documents in California.

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form

License plates verify that your vehicle is registered, identify the type of registration you have, and help connect vehicles to their owners. California has required license plates since 1905. Here’s what you need to know about our requirements and types of plates.

Ensuring Your Plates are Valid

You need to renew your vehicle registration every year in California. After you renew your registration, we’ll send you new registration stickers (tabs) for the year. Affix the stickers (tabs) to your license plates to ensure they’re valid.

Generally, license plates remain with the vehicle they were issued to. Certain types of plates (personalized environmental, special recognition, or special interest) can be reassigned to another vehicle upon request by the owner and payment of appropriate fees.

License Plate Sizes

  • Automobile, commercial, and trailer license plates are 12″ x 6″.
  • Motorcycle license plates 7″ x 4″ (plates issued prior to July 1, 1970, are 8″ x 5″).
  • Identification plates issued to vehicles not bearing automobile, commercial, trailer, or motorcycle plates are 7″ x 4″ (plates issued prior to January 1, 1981 are 8″ x 5″).

Types of License Plates

California offers a variety of license plates to support causes (environment, arts, education, breast cancer awareness, etc.), provide special recognition, and identify special status, among other things. Here are the different types of license plates:

  • Standard license plates.
  • Special interest license plates (arts, kids, environment, etc.).
  • Special license plates (recognition, historical, occupational, legislative, etc.).
  • Decals and placards (bicycles, disabled person parking, etc.).

The History of California License Plates (1963-present)

  • 1963 – earliest license plate that is still valid (the plates had a black background and chrome yellow characters).
  • 1970 – standard plate changed to a blue background with yellow characters. Last year any black/yellow plates were issued.
  • 1976 – year-round registration started, which requires a month expiration sticker affixed to the upper left hand corner of the plate.
  • 1982 – standard plate changed to a white background with blue characters with a sun graphic and “California” in red block letters. Last year any blue/yellow plates were issued.
  • 1987 – reflectorized plates with “California” in red block letters were issued. Sun graphic discontinued.
  • 1991 – only reflectorized standard plates were issued.
  • 1993 – the word “California” changed to red script.
  • 1997 – stickers were made with background colors that change every year. Characters printed in black.
  • 1998 through 2000 – standard plates contain the words SESQUICENTENNIAL – 150 YEARS in red block letters at the bottom of the plates.
  • 2001 – standard plate is white with blue characters and “California” in red script. No writing at the bottom of the plate.
  • 2011 – the DMV web address, “dmv.ca.gov”, is added to the bottom of the standard “California” red script license plate.

Need something else?

Special Interest License Plates

Learn more about supporting your favorite cause with special interest license plates.

Renew Your Vehicle Registration

You need to renew your vehicle registration every 1-5 years in California, depending on the vehicle. Make sure your registration is up-to-date.

Replacement plates and stickers

2020 California License Plate Sticker Colors

Were your license plates or registration stickers lost, stolen, or damaged?