How to Get a Personalized License Plate in Connecticut

Tired of road raging? Take the high road and switch to road phrasing! Get a personalized license plate in Connecticut, express your individual personality and make your presence known wherever the road of life may take you. It's as simple as A-B-C, and 1, 2, 3.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet access
• SSL-supported browser
• Vehicle's registration

Instructions

1. Logon to Connecticut's Department of Motor Vehicles Web site and download an official application for a personalized license plate.

2. Print the application.

3. Read the instructions on the first half of page one of your application before proceeding to the application portion of the form. Keep all rules, regulations and policies in mind while filling out the application.

4. Record your name and address as it appears on your vehicle's registration. Include your daytime telephone number.

5. Provide your vehicle's information, including present plate number, the date your registration expires, registration type, year, make, model and VIN. Indicate whether your vehicle is leased or not.

6. Specify the name and address of the person to whom you would like the personalized plates delivered. Include a daytime telephone number.

7. Enter six different personalized license plate choices, in order of preference. Use capital alphanumeric character combinations. Refer to page two of your application for detailed rules regarding specific alphanumeric combinations. Do not include extra dashes or spaces in your personalized license plate message, as the message will not be approved.

8. Select the style of personalized license plate that you would prefer.

9. Sign and date your application.

10. Include a check or money order made payable to DMV.

11. Mail your completed application to DMV, Special Plate Unit, 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT, 06161-0504.

12. Receive your personalized license plates in the mail within three to four weeks along with new month and year tabs and/or a new registration.

13. Affix the month and year tabs on your permanent personalized plates upon receipt and use.

Tips & Warnings

• Permanent personalized license plates will arrive at the address you specified on the application. If you move, be sure to contact Connecticut's DMV to report your new address. If you do not advise the DMV of your move, receipt of your personalized license plates may be complicated or delayed.

• Be advised that if your plate is approved, it may undergo some changes during manufacturing. Certain characters' widths may cause the spacing specified to be reduced, eliminated or altered.

• Personalized plate requests must only be made for vehicles currently registered in Connecticut. Personalized plate requests for vehicles with temporary registrations will be denied.

• The department will not honor requests for personalized license plates that contain prohibited characters, offensive or misleading messages or alphanumeric combinations that are already in use. Keep this in mind while choosing your plate message.

• Personalized license plates cost more than a standard license plate. Be aware that additional fees will likely apply on top of the standard license plate fees that you are accustomed to paying.

• Blank or incomplete parts or areas on your application will cause the application process for your personalized license plate to be delayed. Be sure to fill in all requested information completely and truthfully.

• If your vehicle is sold, traded or its ownership transferred after the issuance of the personalized license plates, you must contact Connecticut's DMV about the transaction. You must also follow the appropriate guidelines to release the plate to the new owner, transfer the plate to your new vehicle or return the plate to the department. Be advised that additional paperwork may be required.

• Once your order has been received, all requests for changes and refunds will be denied.

• You must submit two copies of your application for personalized license plates to the DMV. If you submit only one copy, your application will be automatically rejected and returned to you, allowing for your preferred personalized license plate messages to be assigned to another vehicle.

• When applying for a personalized license plate in Connecticut, you will only be allowed to obtain the same registration type for your vehicle as you had previously. Transfer of style of plates will be denied.