Colorado lets you design your own license plate through the Department of Revenue, but the process has specific rules about what text and symbols you can use, how long it takes, and what it costs.
You order a custom plate by submitting a request form to Colorado's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), either online or by mail. The state reviews your design for compliance with content rules — no profanity, no hate speech, no impersonation of official plates — and either approves it or asks you to choose something else. Once approved, you pay a one-time personalization fee on top of your regular registration renewal fee, and the plate arrives in the mail within a few weeks.
The catch is that Colorado has strict limits on what you can put on a plate. You get up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or both), and certain combinations are automatically rejected. Understanding these limits before you submit saves you from resubmitting and waiting again.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado custom plates cost a one-time personalization fee beyond your regular registration fee, and you can order them online through the DMV website or by mail.
- You have up to seven characters to work with, and the state rejects plates with profanity, hate speech, or anything that mimics official government plates.
- The approval process takes one to two weeks, and the physical plate arrives within two to four weeks after approval.
- Custom plates renew with your vehicle registration each year, but you only pay the personalization fee once — renewal costs are standard registration fees.
- If your requested text is already taken by another vehicle, Colorado will reject it and ask you to choose a different combination.
How to Submit Your Custom Plate Request Online
The fastest way to order a custom plate is through the Colorado DMV website. Go to the Division of Motor Vehicles section, find the personalized plate request form, and enter your desired text. The system will when ready tell you whether that combination is available — if it is taken, you will see that right away and can try another option without waiting for a rejection letter.
After you confirm availability, you will need your vehicle registration number, driver's license number, and a valid payment method. Colorado accepts credit and debit cards. The personalization fee varies depending on the plate type you choose — standard personalized plates cost one amount, while specialty plates (such as those supporting a particular cause or organization) may cost more. Check the current fee on the DMV website before you submit, as fees change periodically.
Once you submit the form and pay, you will receive a confirmation number. The DMV will review your request within one to two weeks. If approved, you will get a notice in the mail with your new plate number and instructions. If rejected, the notice will explain why and give you the option to resubmit with a different design.
What Text and Symbols Are Not Allowed
Colorado's content rules are strict. You cannot use profanity, slurs, or anything the DMV considers offensive or hateful. You also cannot use text that impersonates an official government plate, such as combinations that look like law enforcement or government agency designations. The state reviews each request by hand, so what passes depends partly on the reviewer's judgment of context.
Certain letter and number combinations are automatically flagged and rejected by the system before a human even sees them. These include obvious profanities and well-known offensive acronyms. If your combination contains a space or special character, it will be rejected — Colorado plates use only letters and numbers.
If your request is rejected, the DMV will tell you which rule it violated. You can then resubmit with a different combination. There is no penalty for resubmitting, but you will have to wait through the review period again.
Ordering by Mail If You Cannot Use the Online System
If you do not have internet access or prefer to order by mail, you can request a personalized plate process form from your local DMV office or read it from the state website. Fill out the form with your desired plate text, vehicle information, and driver's license number, then mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for the personalization fee.
Mail processing takes longer than online submission. Expect one to two weeks for the DMV to receive and process your request, plus mail delivery time on both ends. The total time from mailing to receiving your new plate can be four to six weeks. If your request is rejected, you will receive a letter explaining why, and you will need to mail in a new form with a different design.
Timeline From Submission to Receiving Your Plate
The speed of the process depends on whether you order online or by mail. Online requests are reviewed within one to two weeks of submission. Once approved, the Colorado DMV sends your plate to you by mail, which typically takes two to four weeks depending on your location. From start to finish, expect three to six weeks for an online order.
Mail-in requests take longer because the DMV must first receive your form and payment. Add one to two weeks for mail delivery, then one to two weeks for review, then two to four weeks for the plate to reach you. Total time for a mail order is usually five to eight weeks.
If your request is rejected, the timeline resets when you resubmit. There is no way to expedite the process — Colorado does not offer rush processing for custom plates.
Costs and What Happens at Renewal Time
The personalization fee is a one-time charge that you pay when you order the plate. This fee covers the design and production of your custom plate. The amount varies by plate type — standard personalized plates have one fee, while specialty plates (environmental, military, organizational) have different fees. Check the DMV website for the current fee schedule.
When your vehicle registration renews each year, you will pay your regular registration renewal fee, but you will not pay the personalization fee again. Your custom plate stays with your vehicle as long as you own it and keep it registered. If you sell the vehicle, the plate goes with it unless you specifically request to keep it — Colorado allows plate retention in some cases, but that is a separate process.
If your custom plate is damaged or lost, you can request a replacement. The DMV will charge a replacement fee, which is typically less than the original personalization fee.
What to Do If Your Requested Text Is Already Taken
Colorado plates must be unique — no two vehicles can have the same custom plate. When you search for availability online, the system tells you when ready if your desired text is already assigned to another vehicle. If it is taken, you cannot order it, and you will need to choose a different combination.
There is no waitlist for custom plates. If someone else has the plate you want, your only option is to pick something else. Some people try variations — for example, using a number instead of a letter, or rearranging the order — to get close to their first choice while staying within the seven-character limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my custom plate to a different vehicle?
Yes. When you buy a new vehicle, you can request to transfer your custom plate to the new registration. You will need to provide both the old and new vehicle information to the DMV. The transfer process is handled through your registration renewal or by contacting the DMV directly. There is typically a small transfer fee.
What if I want to change my custom plate text after I receive it?
You can order a new custom plate with different text at any time. The new plate will have a new personalization fee. Your old plate becomes inactive once the new one is registered to your vehicle. You do not need to wait for your registration renewal to make this change.
Do custom plates cost more to renew than regular plates?
No. Your annual registration renewal fee is the same whether you have a custom plate or a standard plate. The personalization fee is only charged once, when you first order the plate. Renewals cost the standard registration amount for your vehicle type and county.
How do I know if my plate request will be rejected before I submit it?
The online system checks availability and flags obvious violations before you pay. However, the DMV still reviews every request by hand for context and intent. If you are unsure whether your text might be considered offensive, you can contact your local DMV office to ask before submitting.
Can I order a custom plate for a motorcycle or trailer?
Yes. Colorado offers personalized plates for most vehicle types, including motorcycles, trailers, and commercial vehicles. The process is the same, but the character limit and available plate formats may differ slightly depending on the vehicle type. Check the DMV website for the specific options available for your vehicle.