The Excelsior plate features landmarks across the state, including Niagara Falls, the Adirondack mountains, the Statue of Liberty, the New York City skyline and the Montauk Point Lighthouse on Long Island. 

You do not need to get Excelsior plates when you renew your registration. You can keep your current plates or order Excelsior plates.

You will get Excelsior plates when you

• apply to replace plates that are lost or stolen
• apply for a new (original) registration and do not transfer the plates or registration from another vehicle
• order new personalized plates

You have the option to order Excelsior plates 

• when you renew your registration online, by mail, or at a DMV office
  • NYC T&LC, Westchester T&LC, Nassau T&LC, NYC Standby, and NYC Medallion vehicles are not eligible for Excelsior plates during registration renewal.
• when your non-Excelsior plates and registration are not due for renewal  

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV

If you request Excelsior plates and your vehicle is registered in one of the registration classes listed below, you can keep the same plate number. The "same number" fee is $20, and this fee is in addition to the $25 plate fee ($12.50 for vehicles that receive only 1 plate).

To locate the Registration Class Code on your registration document, see the sample registration documents.

Keep Personalized Plate Number on New Excelsior Plates

If you have a personalized plate, you can get new Excelsior plates and keep your personalized plate number when you renew your registration. In addition to your renewal fee, you must pay the new plate fee ($25 plate fee for a set of 2 new plates, or $12.50 for vehicles that receive single plates). DMV does not charge you an additional fee to keep your same number, because you currently pay an annual personalized plate fee.

If your personalized plate number is not due for renewal and you want to replace it immediately, call the Custom Plates Unit at the phone number below.

You do not need to get new Excelsior plates and pay a plate fee when you renew. You can renew and keep your current plates.

If you need a new plate, or you choose to get new Excelsior plates, you must pay a plate fee.

• the fee for a set of 2 vehicle plates is $25
• the fee for a single plate (for example, a plate for a trailer or motorcycle) is $12.50

There is an additional $3.75 plate exchange transaction fee to order Excelsior plates when you are not renewing a registration.

You can order Excelsior plates online or at a DMV office. Not all registration classes are eligible to order new Excelsior plates through the online transaction. See more information about how to replace your custom picture plates or personalized plates with new Excelsior plates.

To order online, you must provide

• the vehicle plate number
• vehicle class (see a sample registration document)
• your name
• your ZIP Code (on DMV records)
   

Order Excelsior plates online

DMV sends new plates and registration documents to you separately in the mail. In most cases, you will receive the new registration documents in the mail before you receive your plates.

To avoid traffic tickets, put the new registration document on your vehicle even if your new plates have not arrived. Put the new plates on your vehicle as soon as you receive them.

When you receive your new Excelsior plates, you must destroy your old plates to protect against fraudulent use. If you do not destroy the plates and someone else uses them, you could be responsible for any traffic tickets written against the plates or for any fines that result from the tickets.

Mark each plate with a permanent marker or cut each plate into pieces. When you dispose of your old plates in the recycle bin, follow the recycling guidelines for the area where you live. Do not put both plates in the recycle bin at the same time. Put only one plate in the recycle bin for one collection and put the second plate in the bin for a later collection. For more information, visit Recycle Right New York. 

To avoid an inaccurate cancellation of plates, do not return your old plates to DMV.