Replace or transfer personalized plates

How do I replace or transfer personalized plates?

There are a variety of circumstances in which you can replace or transfer personalized plates.

 

Can I replace personalized plates that are old or damaged?

Yes, for a fee. To replace your personalized plates that are old or damaged, you must call the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838.  Office hours are 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.

The fees are $28.75 for passenger vehicle plates, and $18.75 for motorcycle plates.

 

Can I replace the personalized plates I have now with different personalized plates or personalized picture plates?

Yes, for a fee. To replace your current personalized plates with new custom plates or personalized plates, you must call the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838. Office hours are 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.

 

I have a personalized picture plate, and want to replace it with a different picture plate.  Can I keep my current personalized combination and use it on my new picture plate?

If the category of plate you want allows personalized combinations containing the number of characters on your current plates, you may have the combination on your new custom plates. Most picture plates require a $31.25 annual personalized fee in addition to the $31.25 custom plate fee. You must also pay a plate fee for the new plates, but you will get credit for the custom plate fees you already paid on your current registration.  1

Contact the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838.   Office hours are 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.  2

 

Can I transfer a current set of personalized plates to a new vehicle that I plan to purchase?

Yes. If the registrant and registration class will not change, instruct the automobile dealer to transfer your personalized plates to your new vehicle. If you purchase the vehicle from a private person, ask the DMV to transfer your personalized plates when you register the vehicle.

 

If I remove a vehicle from the road, can I keep my personalized plates?

Yes. You can store your personalized plates at most DMV offices.  3

Find a DMV office. 

You will receive a receipt (form FS-6T) when you surrender your personalized plates.  Verify the information listed on the receipt, and make sure that the receipt displays the words, "Stored at Local Office,” and keep this receipt.  We will indicate on the registration record that the vehicle plates have been stored.

To register the vehicle again, or to use your stored personalized plates to register another vehicle, you must visit the DMV office that has your vehicle plates. Make sure that you bring the receipt (form FS-6T) and the other documents required to register your vehicle.

  • 1. For example: You have IMJOE standard series personalized plates, with an annual fee of $31.25 ($62.50 per two-year registration). You order IMJOE on a picture plate (e.g., NASCAR, Yankees) and pay the $62.50 annual custom plate fee ($125 at the next two-year renewal in addition to other renewal fees), plus plate and document fees.
  • 2. The online custom plate order system cannot give you credit for the custom plate fees you have already paid on your current registration, but the Custom Plates Unit can.
  • 3. The policy to store vehicle plates is different in each office.

Do it by phone

You must replace or transfer personalized plates by phone.

Call  the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838. 

Office hours are 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. 

Do it by mail

You can’t replace or transfer personalized plates by mail.

Do it at the DMV

You can’t replace or transfer personalized plates at the DMV.