California License Plate Search for Free (2024)

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Vehicle owners in California must have the appropriate license plates for every registered vehicle. All rear plates must display a validation sticker that is up-to-date. Failure to do so will invite additional fees when renewing a vehicle’s registration.

Sample California License Plate

Getting a License Plate in California

If you live in California, or plan to, you can register your vehicle with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV is the place to register, apply for license plates, and purchase validation stickers.

Remember, by California law, you must have up-to-date license plates with a valid sticker displayed on the rear of your vehicle.

Note that California is one of the states that may ban a lot of license plates based on religious, hateful, or other content. Check out our California's banned license plates list.

Types of License Plates in California

When you register your vehicle and apply for license plates, you can choose between the state’s standard California license plate or a specialty plate.

• Standard California License Plate: White plate with dark-blue letters
• Specialty Plate: See Specialty License Plates in California

Upon registration, you must show your license (not expired). When you receive your license plates, you're expected to place oneon the front and one on the rear.

If you're registering a motorcycle, you may only be required to display onelicense plate, on the rear.

Validating Your California License Plates

In addition to registering your vehicle at the DMV, you must also purchase a validation sticker to show the month of expiration. This sticker must be placed on the rear plate and be visible at all times.

You'll obtain both a month sticker and a year sticker. The month sticker should never change. You will get a new year sticker upon renewal of your registration.

Personalized License Plates in California

It's not uncommon to see catchy slogans and phrases on license plates in California. You can personalize your license plate with a combination of numbers, letters, and some special characters.

If you're personalizing standard plates, you must follow these guidelines:

• Limit of 2 to 7 characters
• No slang or offensive words (in English or any other language)
• Cannot look like an existing license plate (i.e., interchanging letters and numbers

The California DMV does not provide a search to see which plates are available. But you can search here, through the findbyplate.com website, to see what plates are taken.

Specialty License Plates in California

A wide range of specialty license plates are offered by the California DMV. These plates add an additional $50 (more or less) to your total. Take a look at a few of the specialty plates you can get in California:

• Agricultural License Plates
• Arts Council License Plates
• UCLA Collegiate License Plates
• Firefighter License Plates [for current firefighters or retirees]
• Child Health & Safety License Plates
• Pet License Plates
• Wildlife Conservation License Plates
• Historical License Plates
• Special Recognition License Plates

Some of these plates, to be considered, require an application form. You may have to provide certain documentation to prove your eligibility for a special plate. For example, if you are applying for Firefighter License Plates, you would have to provide documentation that shows that you are, or were, a firefighter.

Applying for California License Plates

Whether you have just moved to California with your car or you are a resident purchasing a new vehicle, you must get your vehicle registered at the DMV within 20 days.

To register your vehicle, you’ll need:

• Valid car insurance
• Application form
• Money to pay applicable fees

Depending on the vehicle you're registering, you may also need additional documents such as an emissions test or previous title.

Surrendering License Plates in California

In California, you don't surrender your plates to the DMV when you sell your car. Instead, your plates remain with the car and transfer to the new owner (if there is a new vehicle owner).

However, if you have purchased specialty plates, these remain yours, and you can have them transferred to your new motor vehicle.

If you already have standard plates for your vehicle and wish to upgrade to specialty plates, you'llhave to surrender your standard plates to do so.

Lost or Stolen California License Plates

You may find your license plates stolen or missing. If this happens, you must apply for new plates immediately. You can obtain new plates by submitting an application for replacement, which you canbring in person or mail to the DMV.

You will also be required to pay replacement fees:

• Replacement Plate: $21
• Replacement Sticker: $21

To receive your new plates faster (sometimes on the same day), it is best to go to the DMV instead of mailing an application for replacement.

Note: You can obtain a replacement for the monthly stickers absolutely free.

Renewing License Plates in California

Beforethe date on your license plate stickers expires, you should go to the DMV and renew your vehicle’s registration. You’ll have to renew your vehicle once a year. Upon renewal, you will receive a new year sticker to apply to your license plate.

Depending on the year that your vehicle was made, you may also be expected to complete an emissions test. Changes to legislation occur each year, and with the advancements in car technologies, your car may be subjected to additional fees if it does not keep the air clean.

How to look up California license plates

Before ordering your personalized license plate, you can look up available license plates in California for free. You’ll be able to find which plate names are available.

If you are looking to purchase a vehicle privately, this license plate search engine gives you VINinformation such as vehicle history and previous owners.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up a California license plate number and report bad drivers:

1. Open a web browser
2. Go to FindByPlate.com
3. Enter the plate number, and select state
4. View the report
5. View images submitted by the community
6. View videos submitted by the community
7. Add comments
8. Add pictures of the vehicle
9. Add videos related to the vehicle

Car Ownership in California

• 93.10% of households in California have at least one vehicle.
• California ranks 33 (tied) in the United States in car ownership rate. Idaho and Wyoming have the highest car ownership rates while the District of Columbia has the lowest car ownership rate in the US.
• California ranks number 1 in the US for electric vehicle ownership. As of 2021, 1.61% of all registered vehicles in California are electric vehicles.
• California is the most expensive state to own a car (tied with Nevada). It is the third most expensive state for car repairs after Connecticut and Colorado. The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in California is $415. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in California is $2,462 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I renew my California vehicle registration online?

You can skip the trip to the California DMV and renew your vehicle registration online. You will need your license plate number, the last five digits of your VIN (vehicle identification number) or HIN (hull identification number), the renewal notice with your current address, and payment information (card transactions invite a 1.95% processing fee but there are no additional fees for direct debits from your bank account).

Note: Make sure you update your address at least 3 days before starting your online application for vehicle registration renewal on the California DMV website.

Does my vehicle need a smog inspection in California?

Vehicles in California need smog inspections at the time of registering a new vehicle or renewing the registration. However, the following are exempted from smog inspections:

• Gasoline-powered vehicles, including motorcycles and trailers, that are 1975 models or older
• Gasoline-powered vehicles that are less than 8 model years old
• Diesel-powered vehicles that are 1997 models or older or if the gross vehicle weight exceeds 14,000 pounds
• Electric vehicles

These inspections are done at DMV-authorized smog check stations (you can find the nearest one at smogcheck.ca.gov).

You will need to get a smog inspection at the time of renewing your vehicle registration if you live in certain counties. Use the above link to check if your zip code requires a smog inspection.

Can I get a paperless notice for vehicle registration and driver’s license renewals in California?

Yes, you can get a paperless notice by email for your vehicle registration and driver’s license renewal in California. You can create a secure online account on dmv.ca.gov. Log in to your MyDMV account and update your preferences. Make sure your email address is up-to-date so you don’t miss the electronic reminder. The DMV sends renewal notices about 3 months before a license expires (every 5 years for driver’s licenses and annually for vehicle registrations).

What are the typical processing times for vehicle registration renewals and personalized license plates in California?

Processing times for vehicle registration renewals in California are as follows (provided all renewal requirements are met):

• Instantly at a DMV kiosk
• 7-10 days online
• Up to 2 weeks by phone
• 4-5 weeks by mail

Processing times for application review and production of personalized license plates can be as much as 4-6 months, so you’ll need to be patient.