How to Create a Personalized License Plate

Coming up with a plate that says it all and is still available from the DMV can be a challenge, but it can be an entertaining challenge.

Things You'll Need

• Blank Record Books
• Dictionaries
• Thesauri
• Pencils Or Pens

Instructions

1. Call, write or visit the Department of Motor Vehicles for the rules on number of letters, number/letter combinations and taboo words.

2. Decide what activity, business or person you'll be promoting: your name, your car, a beloved pet, a family member, a favorite sport or maybe just a message.

3. Write out your message - for example, "I love to tickle bears."

4. Write out the alphabet, numbers 1 through 9 and available symbols.

5. Employ phonetics and write out your message again, shooting for clarity and brevity: I LV 2 TKL BRS.

6. Rewrite your message, now shooting for limits. The goal here is seven characters: (Heart) 2 TKL BRS.

7. Adapt creatively: (Heart) TKL BRS.

8. Register your plate as soon as possible with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Tips & Warnings

• Try different combinations in case your plate is registered to someone else. For example, "heart of gold" could be any of the following: (Heart) OF GOLD, HRT OF AU (gold's symbol), HEART AU, etc.

• Try to figure out every personalized plate you see for good abbreviation ideas and ways of shortening words.

• Taboo words such as profane language, insults or ethnic slurs will not be accepted by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Again, get the rules before you write your plate.

• States charge annual fees for personalized license plates.