How to Get a Personalized License Plate in Iowa

Tired of road raging? Take the high road and switch to road phrasing! Get a personalized license plate in Iowa, 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
• Vehicle's registration

Instructions

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

2. Print the application.

3. Read all special instructions, requirements and restrictions before proceeding to the application portion of the form. Keep all rules, regulations and policies in mind while filling out the application.

4. Mark "New Application" as your reason for applying.

5. Write in your first and last names, current plate number, daytime phone number, mailing address, the county in which you reside and any applicable lessee information.

6. Select your vehicle type.

7. Enter five different choices for your personalized license plates using capital alphanumeric character combinations. The number of alphanumeric characters on your plate depends on the type of vehicle you have; all personalized license plate messages must have at least two characters. No punctuation is allowed. You are allowed to use spaces, but count them as separate characters.

8. Provide the meanings of your personalized license plate messages so that the Department may make decisions on their appropriateness. Applications will be automatically rejected without them.

9. Mail your completed application and all applicable fees to Office of Vehicle Services, Iowa Department of Transportation, Park Fair Mall, 100 Euclid Ave., PO Box 9278, Des Moines, IA, 50306-9278.

10. Receive notice from your county treasurer's office that your personalized license plates are ready for pick-up.

11. Pick up your plates from your county treasurer's office.

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

Tips & Warnings

• If you move, be sure to contact Iowa's Department of Transportation and give them your new address. If you do not advise the Department 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 or eliminated.

• The address on your vechile's registration must be correct. Contact the Department and make all changes to your address before placing your order. If your personalized license plates are sent to an incorrect address, you may be charged a reissuing fee.

• 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 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 Iowa's Department of Transportation to report 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.

• Your personalized license plates must be picked up from your local county treasurer's office within 90 days, or your plates will be voided, the message will become available to other vehicles and no refund will be issued.

• Write to the Iowa's Department of Transportation or call their offices at [phone] if you have further questions about the application process.