Skip to main content
Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Licenses, Permits & IDs
    • Driver Licenses
    • Learner Permits
    • Non-Driver ID Cards
    • Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL)
    • Tickets
    • Points and Penalties
  • Vehicles
    • Inspections
    • Insurance
    • Plates
    • Registrations
    • Titles
  • Online Transactions
    • License & ID Transactions
    • Vehicle Transactions
    • Business Transactions
  • Records
    • Records Request Navigator
    • Get DMV Records
    • Driving Records
    • Vehicle Records
    • Crash (Accident) Reports
    • Automated Records Access for Business
  • Register to Vote
    • DMV's Electronic Voter Registration Application
  • Contact or Visit
    • Contact Us
    • DMV Office Locations and Reservations
    • DMV Services at AAA
    • Road Test Locations and Scheduling
  • About Us
    • About
    • Leadership
    • History
  • MyDMV
    • Login
    • Sign Up
    • Help
Clear search box

IMPORTANT

REAL ID-compliant identification is now required to fly within the U.S. If you have a passport (or other REAL-compliant document), and are not due to renew your driver license or ID card, you do not need to upgrade right away. 

Vehicle License Plates

To get plates for your vehicle, you must register it at a DMV office.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

New York State
Personalized and Custom Plates

Personalized Plate Numbers

Personalized plates are standard series plates with a combination of numbers and letters that you select for an extra yearly fee.

  • Plate Combination Guidelines
  • Fees
  • Order Personalized Plates

Custom Picture Plates

Show your support for a variety of New York State and national organizations and causes!

Professional Custom Plates

Show pride in your profession with custom plates exclusively available to emergency, medical, and other qualified professionals!

How To
Transfer or Return Plates

Transfer Plates to a Vehicle You Own

After you sell or give away a vehicle, you can transfer the registration and vehicle plates to another vehicle you own. 

Transfer Plates

Return Plates

If you get rid of a vehicle or plan to register it in another state you must surrender (turn in) your plates. 

Surrender Plates

How to Get Excelsior License Plates Features New York Landmarks

DMV now offers Excelsior license plates. While not required, you can order new Excelsior plates online. You will also have the option to get Excelsior plates when you renew your registration.
Get Excelsior Plates

More Information About
Vehicle License Plates

  • Peeling and Damaged License Plates
  • Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Plates
  • In-Transit Vehicle Permits (Temporary Registrations)
  • Historical and Vintage Plates
Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Website
    • Language Assistance
    • Privacy and Security
    • Site Map
    • Website Accessibility Practices and Procedures
  • About the DMV
    • DMV Regulations
    • Employment
    • Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
    • Press Releases
  • Resources
    • Businesses Regulated by DMV
    • Forms and Publications
    • Military and Veterans
    • Moving To or From New York State
    • Parking for People With Disabilities
    • Transparency
  • Contact or Visit
    • Ask a Question
    • Cancellations, Closings and Delays
    • Contact Us
    • DMV Office Locations and Reservations
    • DMV Services at AAA
    • Road Test Locations
    • Traffic Violations Bureaus
    • Road Test Results
  • Public Information
    • Freedom of Information Law
    • Statistical Data
  • Policies
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy and Security
    • Title VI Non-Discrimination
CONNECT WITH US
  • facebook
  • flickr
  • instagram
  • X
  • youtube
Become an Organ Donor

Enroll in the Donate Life Registry to become an organ donor

Become an Organ Donor