• What Color Is The 2019 California Registration Sticker
• Yellow Tag California Registration Year
• California License Plate Tag Colors

California uses the letters I, O, and Q in the second alpha position, but not in the first or third.

Stickers

11 - black on red

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. Colors Notes AUM 560 1963 yellow on black Issued until 1970 868 PCT, 1PGB796 1969 yellow on blue Issued until 1986. From 6 to 7 character series in 1980. 2DIJ422 1982 blue on reflective white 'The Golden State' sun graphic.

12 - black on green

13 - black on orange

14 - black on blue

15 - black on yellow

16 - black on red

17 - black on green

Chris Cargill reports that California started the present sticker color rotation in 1978 with Green stickers. The rotation was Green - White - Orange - Blue - Yellow - Red. White was removed from the rotation after 1997.

He has also seen two different validation stickers being used for late 2012 and on 2013 registrations. Version one is as it's been before with a 4-digit year (2012 - 2013), but he has seen two-digit validations (12 - 13) and there is now an explanation. The difference is the 4-digit version has the random serial numbers on the sticker that CA DMV has always used. The 2-digit sticker has the license plate number printed as the serial number. The 2-digit stickers are issued by the self-serve renewal vending machines at the DMV offices. Every other method of renewal uses the 4-digit stickers.

Isaac Wilson IV reports 2-digit printed validation stickers do NOT have the plate number on them; they have the same standard Lnnnnnnn format as the four-digit stickers. 2014 stickers start with P, while 2015s start with Z.

Chris Cargill reports that California's Black with Yellow letter plates are coming back as a special issue, and will be issued similar to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe plates (special order, etc). The latest word is they will be 6 digits using a Connecticut style numbering sequence (but in reverse letters on either end, numbers in the middle, as above), such as A12 34B. We'll see if that sequence sticks when they hit the road.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

What Color Is The 2019 California Registration Sticker

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.

Yellow Tag California Registration Year

Fees for Plates & Tags in California

The following fees apply to standard CA license plates:

California License Plate Tag Colors

• 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

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

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form