California Vanity Plates: 113 Personalized Plates Available

California Vanity Plate Availability

Here's where California vanity and personalized license plates stand as of July 12, 2026:

• 113 plates available to claim
• 5,776 currently taken
• 1 freed up in the past week

Recently Available Plates

These California combinations opened up in the last week. The good ones go fast, so confirm a plate is still free before heading to the DMV.

How to Get a Personalized Plate in California

1. Check availability on PlateRadar and search any combination instantly
2. Apply through the California DMV and pay the fee
3. Wait a few weeks for your new plate to arrive

California Plate Rules & Fees

• Maximum 7 characters for automobiles (6 for motorcycles)
• Letters, numbers, and half-spaces allowed
• DMV reviews every combination and rejects offensive ones
• Specialty backgrounds (Arts, Coastal) cost more

Fee: $53 to order + $43 annual renewal (in addition to standard registration).

Browse by Category

Not sure where to start? Browse what's open by length and style:

• Single-letter plates — the rarest and most sought-after
• Two-letter plates — great for initials
• Three-letter plates — names and short words
• OG plates — classic letter-and-number combinations

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a California vanity plate cost?

A personalized plate in California costs $53 to order + $43 annual renewal, on top of your standard vehicle registration fees.

How many California vanity plates are available right now?

There are 113 available to claim. You can search the full list and check any combination in real time.

How do I get a personalized plate in California?

Pick a combination that's available, apply through the California DMV online or in person, and pay the fee. New plates usually arrive within a few weeks.

Why do taken plates become available again?

Plates free up when an owner doesn't renew their registration, sells a vehicle without transferring the plate, or the DMV releases combinations it had reserved.

Can I get notified when a specific plate opens up?

Yes. Set up an alert and we'll let you know the moment that plate becomes available.

Track a Plate You Want

Already taken? Don't give up — plates free up regularly when registrations lapse or vehicles change hands. Set up an alert and we'll tell you the moment yours opens up.

Search California Plates

Browse every available California plate →